No Label Academy (NLA) is thrilled to announce its highly-anticipated return this fall, in partnership with renowned rapper, producer and entrepreneur IDK. As a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for social progress through the arts, No Label is committed to empowering BIPOC students with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to jumpstart their careers in the music industry. NLA is  excited to announce its  return, and thrilled to see the impact that this innovative course will have on the music industry and beyond. With its commitment to social progress and innovation, NLA is truly setting the standard for educational excellence.  

With the support of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research and Harvard Art Museums at Harvard, the 10-day tuition-free music business seminar will bring together talented students from around the country for an immersive and unforgettable learning experience. Through active collaboration with industry and academia, NLA breaks down barriers and expands its programming to reach even wider audiences. This year, NLA has partnered with NIKE Inc. for the second year in a row, Nike, Converse and Jordan Brand will lend support to NLA along with Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment. 

With a roster of powerhouse curriculum advisors and previous guest speakers, including cultural icons such as the late Virgil Abloh, Amber Grimes, Tremaine Emory, and Tuma Basa, NLA is committed to providing a unique and stimulating educational experience that inspires future leaders and drives the culture forward. 

Check out a few testimonials from former NLA students: 

“No Label changed my life forever by teaching me the ins and outs of the music business and putting me in rooms with individuals I thought I could never meet. We did a lot of great exercises in class that efficiently painted the picture that Professor Mills had on his agenda. No Label changed my approach to my artistry and expanded my mentality to go beneath the surface level when creating music. I’m personally making the greatest music of my career right now and I’m very proud of how I evolved, thanks to No Label.” — Brandon Scott

“No Label Academy opened my eyes to the infinite possibilities the field of music offers me and fellow young creatives, confirming that success in this ever-changing music industry is more than possible.” — Kojo Oduro

“NLA was a life changing experience that I am so grateful to have been a part of. I learned so much from the guest speakers, field trips, students, and of course Professor Jay/IDK. So much so that upon graduation I relocated from Detroit to Los Angeles shortly after completing the program and am now a Digital Marketer at RCA Records.” — Ashley

This year’s course will include live streaming at Howard University, remote activations for students on campus, and creative workshops that tap into the full breadth of students’ innovation. From the fundamentals of music business to studio sessions and peer-reviewed exercises, NLA offers a unique and engaging educational experience that is second to none. 

But NLA’s commitment to social progress doesn’t end there. The organization is also dedicated to providing access to its course to prison systems so that those looking to change their lives can do so with the best education in entrepreneurship and creativity.

“After an incredible year one, we’re excited to continue building a pipeline for BIPOC talent in the music industry. Breaking down barriers continues to be more important than ever. We hope our curriculum, coupled with the lessons from actual practitioners, continues to shed light on the need for increased equity and helps inspire more BIPOC to aspire for a career in the music business,” say Marcelo HD and Miles Weddle, Co-founders of No Label.

No Label and IDK’s ultimate goal is to level the playing field for BIPOC students entering the music industry, showing them how to apply knowledge and that it is possible to have a sustainable career in music. They will be announcing more details about their selective application process in 2023. 

Meet Oshanna Naomi Davis, the rising star in R&B/soul music. She hails from Toronto but grew up in Brampton, and is currently based in Vaughan. Oshanna draws her inspiration from some of the greatest musicians, including Michael Jackson, Lauren Hill, Alicia Keys, Kiesha Cole, Mary J. Blige, and Jhene Aiko. Her music is a unique blend of R&B/soul, chill, and alternative sounds that represent her perspective on life.

For Oshanna, music is more than just a hobby; it’s her passion and calling. It provides her with a safe space to express herself and connect with others. Oshanna’s music invites her listeners on a journey of self-discovery, vulnerability, and empowerment. Her latest project, “Energy,” is a testament to the power of authentic connections and the transformative nature of friendship. It’s inspired by Oshanna’s close friendship with someone who taught her the real meaning of unconditional love.

“Energy” is the first single from Oshanna’s upcoming EP, which is scheduled to be released in August 2023. Her performance at the NXNE Festival in Toronto in June will be something to look forward to. Additionally, as the first-place winner of the Coast to Coast Artist Showcase, Oshanna will be going to the finals in Miami on November 11th to perform some unreleased music.

Through her music, Oshanna hopes to inspire her fans to follow their dreams and conquer their challenges. Her message of self-love, authenticity, and vulnerability is a source of liberation and empowerment for her listeners. As a rising star in the world of R&B/soul music, Oshanna’s future is undoubtedly bright. Her music is a beautiful invitation for her listeners to embark on a journey of self-discovery, vulnerability, and empowerment.

Check out her new single “Energy” below.

Long before roller disco and hip-hop were even a thought, the trend of roller skating was beloved worldwide. The first ever pair of skates were designed in 1760 by John Joseph Merlin but would ultimately fail due to an inefficient structure. However, the potential of the new skatewear was quickly realized, and by 1819, French inventor M. Petitbled patented the three-wheel inline model.

It wasn’t until 1863 that Petibled would forever “revolutionize the roller skate” and introduce the quad skate that we all know and still use today. From then on, mass production would start, quickly followed by the opening of the first-ever skating rink in 1866 at a resort in Rhode Island.

For the next century, roller skating would be considered an activity everyone can enjoy: no matter age, gender, or race. However, as popular as it was, not even roller skating could break the white-and-black separation barrier. Even after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, skating rinks would still follow segregation precedents.

This would cause the black community to adopt certain venues as their own, including three legendary rinks in New York City. The Skate Key (Bronx), the Roxy in Manhattan, and the most legendary one of the all, EMPIRE in Brooklyn.

[Photos by Patrick D. Pagnano (1980)]

Ironically enough, a new genre of music in the urban world was rising in popularity in the mid-1970s within the City that included deejays and break-dancing with a more up-tempo sound; Hip-Hop. With roller skating slowly starting to lose its edge around this time, a revolution was needed once again, and the rising, new rhythmic was the exact piece necessary — and by 1979, roller disco was born.

The two sub-genres would help elevate one another tremendously. Roller disco transitioned rinks to upgrade their sound systems with DJ booths — and Hip-Hop would rely heavily on the fresh new atmosphere to showcase talent and break records. For years, the skating rink was the new nightclub, and similar to all other hotspots, that setting can attract just as much bad as good.

Violence would start to plague the roller disco world, and by the late 1990s, rinks were being forced to close. In 2007, the birthplace itself, EMPIRE, officially closed its door as well, marking the end of an era. And with the rise of technology and other sports such as baseball, basketball, and football fully thriving, roller-skating/disco was fading into a past-time hobby.

Nonetheless, a young entrepreneur by the name of Harry Martin is here to change that. Growing up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and once an avid skater at EMPIRE himself, Harry was there to experience it all. The rise and downfall.

Like many others, Harry would lose his passion for roller skating following the closure of venues and not skate for years.It was until a company party nearly a decade later at Lakeside Prospect Park, that Harry would rediscover his love.

[source: instagram/harryjrmartin]

From that point forward, Harry’s mission was to revive that feeling for everyone else; by 2016, he founded The RollerWave. Initially, the concept was pop-up rinks, as he hosted multiple sold-out events at Webster Hall, the Hudson Hotel, and the W Hotel.

Although he was finding much success, Harry’s ultimate goal was to provide a concrete outlet he and many other Black Americans once depended on. And what better place than in his neighborhood of Brooklyn?

On February 11th, 2023, Harry officially opened the flagship Roller Wave location in Atlantic Terminal Mall, directly across the street from Barclays Center. The 24,000 square venue houses a 9,000-square-foot skating rink, along with modern amenities and aesthetics.

Furthermore, Harry also made it a point to include elements of what started it all—art, disco lighting, and most importantly, the music: Hip-Hop.

[source: instagram.com/rollerwavenyc]

“Hip-Hop started in the streets of New York City, just like roller disco. The two are synonymous with one another. We used Hip-Hop as an outlet to escape our troubles. It helped people tap into a source of light that’s inside all of us. 

It gave us a sense of confidence… and brought our communities together. That, in turn, started a lot of movement to fight the systems that keep us down. Everything successful is based on community.”

[cont.]

“Roller-skating has the same effect. It makes people feel whole again. Even as outcasts, we can find a tribe of people going through the same daily struggles and cope together in a fun, positive way.”

Harry has hosted multiple events synced with Hip-Hop in just four months of being open. Whether it’s with an artist or DJ such as Alicia Keys and Roxanne Shante, to the finale of Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga series with the cast, the trendy CEO always makes it a point to implement the soundtrack of the culture in some shape or form in the hottest new rink of the millennium. 

So the next time you’re in the mood for fun, fitness, and hip-hop, be sure to visit The RollerWave in Brooklyn- and lace up!

CONNECT WITH HARRY MARTIN

Official Website | Instagram