Independent US label, distributor, and publisher EMPIRE has paid a $1 million advance entirely in Bitcoin to Atlanta-based artist and cryptocurrency investor Money Man ahead of the release of his new album 'Blockchain', which is out on Friday. EMPIRE says its payment to Money Man marks the first advance paid entirely in Bitcoin to an artist, by a record label. The transaction was made via mobile payments platform Cash App, which also recently launched Cash App Studios, an initiative aimed at funding artists’ projects. Music Business Worldwide has the whole story.

Trapital believes there is great potential for Non-fungible tokens in hip-hop: "The late MF DOOM had just held an auction for augmented reality NFTs for his signature masks. Soulja Boy recently minted his own NFT. Hip-Hop Legends NFT is also selling several collectibles on its marketplace". An NFT is a unique and not interchangeable digital asset that relies on blockchain technology, which makes it easier to verify authenticity. Cherie Hu said in Water & Music on NFTs that hip-hop is ahead of most genres.

Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda becomes the first major label artist to launch a single via NFT - non-fungible token auction, according to Loudwire. 'Happy Endings' is a collaboration featuring rising vocalist Upsahl and alt-pop star Iann Dior, and he is using the cryptocurrency as a new avenue to promote his music. Shinoda gave his fans the opportunity to bid for a chance to win an original print of the single artwork signed by him and contemporary artist Cain Caser at a cryptocurrency auction.

Akon has “finalized the agreement for AKON CITY in Senegal” with the Senegalese government - it will be built on 2,000-acre land gifted to him by the President of Senegal, Macky Sall. Akon City will supposedly be the first city to ever run on 100% renewable energy, and the economy will be run entirely on cryptocurrency Akoin.