We Speak Entertainment
JAY-Z files trademark for ‘Jaybo’ character from ‘Story of O.J.’ music video
He’s a not businessman, he’s a business, man.
JAY-Z is seeking to trademark Jaybo, the animated character who stars in the rapper’s “Story of O.J.” music video, according to documents obtained by the Daily News.
One trademark request also gives JAY-Z, 48, the exclusive rights to use Jaybo in films and television series.
“The Story of O.J.”, the first video released off JAY-Z’s 2017 album “4:44,” was released on July 5, one day before the initial trademark requests were filed on July 6.
JAY-Z’s move to trademark Jaybo gives the rap mogul a rare opportunity to reappropriate and profit off a historically racist character.
Jaybo is a play on “Sambo,” which originates from the 1899 children’s book “The Story of Little Black Sambo,” which has widely been derided as racist.
It also affords JAY-Z a new revenue stream after it was reported in December that his music streaming service, Tidal, was losing tens of millions of dollars per year and could run out of cash in months.
“Story of O.J.” is nominated for three Grammy Awards later this month — Record of the Year, Best Rap Song and Best Music Video — in addition to JAY-Z’s five other nominations.
JAY-Z’s eight nominations makes him tied with Stevie Wonder as third most-nominated artist in Grammys history.
We Speak Entertainment
Recording Artist IRENE MICHAELS Stars @ FIRE AID NYC Presented by FENIX360 to Benefit Creative Visions
Award winning House & EDM Music recording artist Irene Michaels wowed the audience at FIRE AID NYC, a benefit for the LA fire victims presented by FENIX360 via Creative Visions at Chelsea Table & Stage in NYC on January 31, 2025. Adorned in a black, dazzling and salacious design she performed her two award winning hits “I Like Rain” (Best Song of the Year – Josie Awards 2023, Get Out Magazine Awards 2023), and “My Heart” (Best Independent Artist, BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards 2025).
Irene was a sexy, talented beyond sensation on stage. She enlisted the handsome DJ Peter Striga as her boy toy for “My Heart” and then seduced the audience as she left the stage during the song. Irene has a unique stage presence that is not only joyful, but that actually sparkles. She is eloquent, magnetic, visually striking, daring, passionate, and alluring. Her artistic style and persona is filled with charisma and an energetic aura.
A virtual playground, FENIX360 is a powerful and revolutionary tool that allows today’s creators to have adequate income to live from, it monetizes the artists fan base through advertising and via live streaming, showcasing any type of content from music and videos to photos and social media posts. It manages all other social media, and it helps build the artists on marketplace for merchandise, tickets, and collectibles while offering the creators a unique opportunity to actually get their craft out there to the wider world. The artist will be able to build their own customized app in minutes that allows fans to go effortlessly from a video to an entire universe.
Their Mission: “Despite there being tons of millions of artists worldwide, only a small number of them make a decent living from their craft. FENIX360 is designed to give independent artists a fair go in the music and other industries by providing a platform that allows them to access new fans globally, while earning additional income.” Built on Blockchain technology it focuses on creators from all crafts, and it’s designed as a multilingual showcase and marketplace for artists of all kinds.
Irene was a pulsating addition to the evening’s talent. Watch for Irene on March 3, 2025 at Dickens at this year’s Get Out Awards in NYC and at the Epiphany Performing Arts Center in Chicago on March 28, 2025.
Watch Irene Michaels’ performance at Fire Aid NYC on Youtube here:
Photo Credit: Billy Hess
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