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Why Diddy’s Brand Is Ever-Changing

BY: GURU JAY

How many times has Diddy (Puff Daddy, Puffy) changed his brand name? The Hip-Hop impresario reinvents and expands his businesses. Sure you know that he maintains Sean John, a fashion company. But did you also know in October 2013, Diddy founded a digital cable television network named Revolt?
These days some people see Diddy as the Ciroc playboy. In actuality, Puffy’s empire crosses over into a variety of industries. Furthermore, Diddy represents diversity. That’s why Diddy conducts business with all kinds.
More so than Jay-Z, Diddy influences Kanye West and the Hip-Hop world. Master P was unsuccessful as an agent but there’s no doubt he inspired Jay-Z’s formation of Roc Nation Sports. If Jay-Z is the Warren Buffett of Hip-Hop, then Diddy is Bill Gates, and Dr. Dre is Carlos Slim. At the end of the day, they’re all about the Benjamins, baby!

The entertainment business has enough entertainers but not enough businessmen. What should be done to reverse this course? How about stopping young men from only thinking in the temporary mindset? What if they invested in themselves instead of buying Bentleys, Maseratis, and Ferraris?
There’s nothing wrong with splurging and flossing when you’re financially educated. Diddy owns fancy cars, clothes, and gems but he’s also highly invested in lucrative businesses. How many stars own stocks?
Diddy’s brand is ever-changing because the rap icon understands living in a violent world. Harlem’s globetrotter realizes that rough and tough circumstances make you stronger and don’t dictate unfavorable outcomes. While predicting the future is fool’s gold, preparing for the worst is not only best but also wise.
Photos By: Wikimedia Commons

Look beyond Puffy’s personas and you’ll find class and personality. In every instance, Diddy makes mention of his family. Oscar winning music artist Common was right, “Even in this generation living through computers, only love…can reboot us.” What is more, Diddy recognizes the common thread bridging together both prosperity and posterity.

I am Guru Jay launching off into orbit in 5-4-3-2-1!
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Kanye West and 60s/ 70s Music

BY: GURU JAY


I was born in the eighties but I still listen to music from the 60s and 70s. With Woodstock, the world’s nuclear proliferation of music climaxed at the height of the Vietnam War. During this time musicians revolutionized radio, while President Nixon secretly recorded Oval Office conversations.
Born in 1977, Kanye West listened to the Motown sound. Also, Chicago native Curtis Mayfield heavily influenced Kanye’s earlier work. From the beginning, West spoke his mind. And his big mouth got him into trouble after saying George Bush doesn’t care about black people.

The Champion rapper soon realized the power of free speech. Big Brother Jay Z treated Kanye as a son. That’s why West walks around calling himself Yeezus.
Apparently, the whole world’s fascinated with inflation. West’s claim to fame is his big ego. And Kim Kardashian built a big butt enterprise. Keeping up?
Hip-Hop fans know Kanye West samples 60s and 70s songs. I gotta find my Jackson 5 album. Who remembers the Beatles first tour to the states? 

It seems everyone was doing drugs. That’s why your parents lose their trains of thoughts and car keys.
Every music artist should pay homage to Bob Dylan, Brue Springsteen, and the Rolling Stones. Before this technological explosion, musicians like James Brown worked hard for the money. Have you seen the Get On Up movie?
The music industry has changed for the better. Although we can’t bring John Lennon back to life, we can choose to acknowledge music pioneers. Greats like Joe Cocker rejuvenated countless souls. Appreciate dynamic artistry while you can.

Back then, albums held true value. Remember Stevie Wonder’s Inner Visions and Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues. There is a high chance your favorite rap song contains musical content from this period.
Whether you like Kanye West or not, he has an excellent ear for music. West respects the legends from the 60s and 70s. Give him a break.

 Photos By: Wikimedia Commons

I am Guru Jay launching off into orbit in 5-4-3-2-1!
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How Jennifer Lopez Built the JLo Brand

BY: GURU JAY

Nowadays, anybody can be famous. Buy a digital camera or use your fancy iPhone to record your intriguing or foolish lifestyle. Look no further than the Real Housewives as a prime example.

Long before reality TV, Jennifer Lopez was real. In fact, JLo lived by that motto coining a song I’m Real. Respect Jennifer Lopez because she’s truly talented. 

ROCK THAT BODY

In the process of building her brand, the entertainer reportedly insured her ass for $27 million. With the invention of Nicki Minaj now the price of booty has doubled. In this superficial industry, JLo’s body rocks like a Black Eyed Peas song.

The super fly lady’s body is out of sight. She works hard to stay in shape. Give credit where it is due. Who represents Puerto Rico and the Bronx better than Jenny from the block?

BRAND NAME

Photos By: Wikimedia Commons

Like Pepsi and Blue Magic, JLo is a brand name. Why hasn’t American Gangster Denzel Washington made a movie with Jennifer? Hollywood has dropped the ball.

Jennifer Lopez constantly complains about choosing the wrong partner. Frankly, the triple threat celebrity intimidates boyfriends. You see we still live in a world where men are expected to provide for their families.

Puff Daddy (Diddy) and JLo were perfect for each other. Although her love didn’t cost a thing, Lopez needed a bossy man. Jay Z might listen to Beyoncé but in the end he calls all the shots.

JLo shines brightly because like a distant star she’s been here awhile. Without Lopez, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato would not be multimillionaires. People pay attention to Jennifer, because she’s an exceptional entertainer who crossed boundaries.

Music lovers and movie buffs can’t get enough of Jennifer Lopez. Who makes better dance music and romantic flicks than the booty pioneer? Good music makes girls twerk their butts. In a recent blog post, I proposed that Jennifer Lopez and Shakira make a single. I want to see JLo and Mariah Carey too.

 I am Guru Jay launching off into orbit in 5-4-3-2-1!
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The Urban Legend of Taylor Swift

BY: GURU JAY
Photo By: Wikimedia Commons

Why has Taylor Swift abandoned country for pop music? Taylor is a great singer who used to sing ballads to Tim McGraw and Toby Keith. What happened?
4 years ago Beyoncé and Jay Z couldn’t care less about Taylor Swift.  Now, they’re hanging out together. What’s happening?
If Swift stayed country, she’d be richer. Remember there are riches in niches. Country is profitable because there isn’t a lot of competition. Still, country can only take Taylor so far because it only sells in America.
I predict Taylor Swift will go back to country when she’s older. Pop music targets teenagers not senior citizens. So, Taylor is rapidly expanding her fan base.
Yes, she’s losing a few fans but she’s gaining more. I wonder how she reached 72 million Facebook likes and 49 million Twitter followers. What is the price of fame?
Are you a Swiftie? I don’t want to pretend like I’m a fan. I admire Taylor. I don’t hold anything against the superstar. But, she belongs to country.
Urban Legend
I finally figured out the Taylor Swift riddle. It is not about money. She wants to be an Urban Legend.
You see country music fans reside in rural areas. Mainstream music fans live in urban areas. If Taylor wants fans in Japan, she’ll have to fly to Tokyo.  
The best fans are in Metropolis places such as Los Angeles, New York, and London.  It makes sense that she’s a New York ambassador. While other celebrities play charades with fans, Taylor Swift is playing chess.
I am Guru Jay launching off into orbit in 5-4-3-2-1! 
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Celebrity Rag Riches- The Clothing Line Empires of Jessica Simpson, Diddy, Kimora Lee Simmons, Mary Kate And Ashley Olsen

BY: GURU JAY


Clothes are a basic need. Fashion is a want or desire. Luxury is a gift.

My motto is… to each his own. Pick your poison.  If you want to look nice, by all means dress for success

Fashion is poisonous. Walk into a fashionista’s closet; and, you’ll swear it was a warehouse. You’ll find belts, boots, scarfs, and anything fashionable.

Aim to be the best dressed. Mark Twain said: “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” So invest in a nice wardrobe.

Your apparel says a lot about you. You are what you wear. Do you wear tacky clothes? Are you wearing mismatched shoes?

We all have a sister who splurges on the fancy things. She owns 100 pairs of shoes. And, she is part owner of Zappos. Shoes are the main suspects.

The question is how can someone spend so much money on luxurious brands. In my article, I hope to answer this question and more. I’ll show you how celebrities are culprits.

Celebrities Most Wanted List

The following celebrities are most wanted for making a killing off of their clothing lines.

#10 Nicole Richie

Photo By: Eva Rinaldi

Nicole Richie has a good name. In marketing, you learn the value of brand name recognition. Her brand is strong because of the celebrity of her father and The Simple Lifereality show.

TV is a powerful platform. Even if you don’t own a physical television, you probably have watched TV shows on the Internet. House of Harlow 1960 is a baby Nicole has nurtured since 2010.

#9 Rachel Zoe


Rachel Zoe sets the stage for celebrity stylists. If you’re a player in the industry, then Rachel is on your radar. The Rachel Zoe Project helps build and expand her brand.

The fashion designer launched her clothing line in 2011. She collected $20 million in sales. Her husband Roger Berman is CEO of the company. Do you see a trend?

#8 Justin Timberlake

Photo By: Belu EG

Justin Timberlake made the list as expected. He is a savvy businessman. And, I’ve heard he makes pretty good music too.

Timberlake and Trace Ayala built a $50 million brand named William Rast. Over the years, it has gained significant media attention. I imagine the clothing line will take off in the near future.

#7 Gwen Stefani

Photo By: jelizen

Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. reached sales of $90 million. Gwen is a huge success due to her music. Music is her main platform.

Musicians succeed in fashion, because they are artistic. Walk into a boutique and you will encounter an eccentric owner. Creativity is required in this business.

#6 Victoria Beckham


Spice girl and wife of David, Victoria Beckham is worth $95 million in revenue. Her true calling is fashion. Beckham has global reach and international appeal.

She is a really good singer. What is more, Beckham is an even better businesswoman. She has magnetic charm.

#5 Diddy

Photo By: David Shankbone

Sean John “Diddy” Combs is a commercial success. He built a clothing line empire with his smooth business skills. His revenue from clothes exceeds $250 million.

The urban community embraces Diddy’s brand Sean John without a doubt. Diddy has diversified and that helps maintain his cash flow. Forbes loves him…do you?

#4 Jay-Z

Photo By: Joella Marano

Nowadays, Jay-Z is known as Beyoncé’s husband. Did you know his Rocawear brand earns $700 million per year? Curious George says that isn’t peanuts!

Jay-Z proudly displays his celebrity rag riches. His prolific rap career benefits his clothing line empire. Forbes loves him too.

#3 Jessica Simpson


The former reality TV star makes more money with her clothing line than with her music. The Jessica Simpson Collection has racked in over $750 million of revenue. She has big boots to fill. 

There’s a catch to Jessica Simpson’s clothing line success. Simpson is absent from country music. That’s why Taylor Swift is bigger than Moses.

#2 Kimora Lee Simmons


The model Kimora Lee Simmons made over $800 million in sales as a fashion designer. This level of success in the fashion industry is extremely rare. She struts beauty on the runway. And she has brains built for business at the headquarters.

The reality star has 3 clothing lines: KLS, Kouture by Kimora and Fabulosity. What’s her secret? How does she manage to maintain?

#1 Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen

Photo By: David Shankbone

The Olsen twins hold down the number 1 spot. They reached $1 billion in revenue. Ashley and Mary-Kate have turned their celebrity status 360 degrees. They’re most famous for portraying Michelle on the family TV sitcom Full House.

Celebrities secretly envy the Olsen family. Their clothing line empire is the cream of the crop. They have built the toughest celebrity fashion brand.

The fashion industry generates $1.2 trillion. Read here for the latest statistics. LVMH’s annual revenue surpasses $37 billion.

Also, Christian Dior and Hermès are among the iconic international luxury brands. Celebrity clothing lines contribute a great deal to the profitable apparel industry. If you have a good idea, there’s no need to worry about going out of business. You’re always in high demand.

Honorable Mentions

The following celebrities have made a fortune from their fashion lines: Selena Gomez, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Beyoncé, Nicky Hilton, 50 Cent, Nelly, Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.

These days, ‘rags to riches’ is rare. ‘Riches to rags’ is the norm. But still, where there is a will there is a way.

I recommend reading How to Start a Clothing Line. I suggest you become a celebrity first, if you want to improve your chances. It will be 100 times easier to break into the industry this way.

As you can see, many celebrities make more money in the fashion industry than in entertainment. I call this phenomenon Celebrity Rag Riches.  

Thank you for reading, subscribing, and sharing. I welcome your comments.


~ The Guru Jay
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The Refrigeration Niche: Indie Films, Music, and Fashion

BY: GURU JAY

Indie Films, Music, and Fashion

Photo By: Wikimedia Commons 

My parents made sure that me and my brothers played sports. Name a sport and I played it. Sports are a family tradition. And, sports are cool. And, cool rules. 

Why cool rules 

The first time I ever touched a hot stove I got burnt. I learned from the very start that fire is one of earth’s most dangerous elements. When the stove burned me, mom arrived; and, she kissed the burn to make it better. Soon after the burn, I figured out I wanted to be cool. 

Cool rules. I made a conscience effort to walk, talk and act cool since kindergarten. I started playing soccer, basketball, and baseball.  No matter what season, I played sports. When I got to high school, I focused solely on baseball, then golf.

 Soon after discovering the duties of the oven, I discovered the duties of the Ice Box. The refrigerator was my friend. I’d like to take the time and thank Albert Einstein personally for inventing refrigeration. 

I loved the refrigerator because it had all the right stuff: ice cream, popsicles, soda, and candy. My grandpa used to buy groceries in bulk. Whenever I went over his house, I always went back home happy. 

 Indie Films 

Successful Independent films (Indie) are the coolest movies you want to watch. With such small wiggle room, Indie films have the potential for expansion. Most Indie budgets are tight and constrained.   

Let’s say I gave you a thousand dollars. Then you turned my grand into a million dollars. That’s exactly how Indie films work. I believe great Indie films are always better than great blockbusters.  

Let’s say I gave you one hundred thousand dollars. Then you turned my 100k into one million. You see the difference. That’s why it’s so hard for major studios to impress me with cookie-cutter material.

With just a little, Indie films make a big impact. Some of the best Indie films are foreign. And, that’s the way the entertainment industry should operate. Quit remaking movies and make original content.  

All I am saying is I saw Super Man, Spiderman, and Batman in a dozen of the same movies. What about Hancock played by Will Smith? I like Hancock because he was a new superhero. What’s more, he was only in one movie. Although Columbia Pictures is major and not independent, I respect how they made Hancock. 

If I’m tired of seeing the same crap over and over, then I know you are tired too. Stop buying their overpriced Imax tickets. Make them make an original movie. Give Indie films a try. The reason I support Indie Films is because I find more value in this type of entertainment.

Music

I appreciate Indie Music too. Have you ever heard somebody with a unique sound on YouTube or on your local radio station? Artists have to start somewhere. Unless the musician has connections, he or she has to start small. I have the utmost respect for YouTube.  

YouTube is my second favorite place on the web after GuruJay.com. First off, Indie Music on YouTube and other video sharing sites is cool. And, cool rules.  Esmée Denters started on YouTube. Usher discovered Justin Bieber on the site. And, the rest is history. 

I love rags to riches. Riches to riches is too easy. Look at Jay Z for inspiration. He is a prime example of an artist who got turned down, and went independent. Thus, Shawn Carter launched a thriving empire. If you search the Forbes archive, you will find Jay Z and Justin Bieber. 

Esmée Denters is my favorite YouTube star. She sounds like an angel mixed with a little devil. She is underrated now, but soon I think she will take off thanks to YouTube and Indie Music.  Who knows, she might get an acting gig in the near future.  

Never underestimate passionate people.  It works in my life and it worked out for Steve Jobs.  The underdog has to go after his dreams. Remember it isn’t about the size of the dog in the fight. It’s about the size of the fight in the dog.  

Most importantly, be cool. You don’t have to play sports like I did, play some music. Do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life. 

Fashion

Everybody wears clothes, hopefully. Someone designed them. I’d bet you that the most successful clothes look cool. By now, I hope you learned people like cool stuff. Look at Ralph Lauren; he started small. 

At first, Lauren sold ties with a twist. He conjectured men might want to wear bright ties. He thought there weren’t many makers of bright ties and so he built a market based on this. 

There are many others who saw a niche and executed. Find a need and fill it. You can start by finding something you love and never let it go. Hold tight to it like it’s the last thing left in the world. 

Beyoncé began making clothes with her mother. She found a niche and delivered to her audience. Deliver to your audience. Give them something cool, calm and collective. Then, make it fresh and hot. And repeat, until it is cool again. P.S. Remember to refrigerate your niche. 

The Refrigeration Niche 

I don’t want you to think all I have done in life is sports. The truth is…I am well rounded. Think of anything cool and I’ve done it or at least thought about doing it. I have mastered the art of mathematics and the science of politics. I play cards, speak Spanish and I learned a few chess moves as well as aikido moves along the way. Also, I do yoga.  

I am cool but I’m not the most interesting man in the world. The Dos Equis guy holds that title. As I got older, I stopped drinking Capri suns and started drinking beer from the fridge. 

The Refrigeration Niche is a way of thinking. If you’re using the Refrigeration Niche, don’t forget the purpose of refrigeration, which is preservation. You don’t want things to go bad. You want them to go smooth and easy. Sometimes life is rough and hard. 

I like how Indie films, music and clothing make statements. At times, they are bold. Many successful ones are controversial. Don’t be afraid of controversy. As long as you respect others with your art, don’t worry. All actors, musicians, and fashion designers can utilize the Refrigeration Niche. 

Albert Einstein invented the refrigerator. I coined the term Refrigeration Niche. In the entertainment industry, you can’t get far without getting rejected. Take constructive criticism and tune out the haters. You must keep your composure at all times. The Refrigeration Niche is about keeping things cool. Hone your craft. Exceed expectations. Be cool.