[NOTE: This post was originally published in The Appalachian on Feb. 4, 2015.]
“I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man! Let me handle my business, damn,” hip-hop star and entrepreneur Jay Z proudly rapped on Kanye West’s Diamonds From Sierra Leone [Remix] in 2005.
Ten years later, the Brooklyn-based mogul, whose real name is Shawn Carter, is nearly as well known for his business success as his music. And as of last week, it appears his corporate empire will grow even larger.
[NOTE: This post was originally published Dec. 20, 2014 on my former portfolio website.]
In the midst of the Winter Meetings flurry the San Diego Padres created over the past week, the club was part of a three-team, 11-player trade that sent 2013 AL Rookie of the Year Will Myers from the Tampa Rays to San Diego as well as outfielder Steven Souza Jr. from Washington to the Rays.
According to the Associated Press, the Rays acquired catcher Rene Rivera, pitcher Burch Smith and minor league first baseman Jake Bauers from the Padres and Souza Jr. and minor league pitcher Travis Ott from the Nationals.
In addition to Myers, catcher Ryan Hanigan and minor league pitchers Jose Castillo and Gerardo Reyes were dealt to San Diego. Washington received minor league pitcher Joe Ross and a player to be named later from the Padres.
Wait a minute, wasn’t there a young shortstop with top-notch speed and defense included in the package sent to Washington? Yes – and no.
[NOTE: This post was originally published online for The Appalachian on March 17, 2015]
It is time to kiss the release dates goodbye, hip-hop fans.
In the wake of Drake’s unexpected release of the mixtape/album “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late,” in early February, we’ve seen Kendrick Lamar release “To Pimp A Butterfly” digitally one week early and Earl Sweatshirt’s “I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside” appear on iTunes last night with a release date of March 23 – one week from now. Continue reading
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