The Sole Chronicles The Sole Chronicles

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz are one of the entertainment industry's power couples. They are giants in music as well as in the world of art. We had the pleasure of collaborating with both of them while at Nike very early in their careers and completely separately, long before they were the Deans.

In this episode we share stories of working with Alicia the week her debut album was released with an epic Trace magazine party which shut down NYC's 57th street as well as working with Swizz to provide music for a Nike basketball digital project.

As we head to the Brooklyn Museum this month to witness the couple's formidable art collection in "Giants", we are extremely proud of their individual and combined accomplishments and the work we were able to do together.




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New York native Leslie 'Big Lez' Segar is a legendary hip hop dancer, choreographer, on-air radio and television personality, producer, fitness specialist, and actress who has danced for artists including LL Cool J, Bobby Brown, Salt n' Pepa, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, and the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

In this episode, Big Lez joins us to share her journey starting out as a gymnast to working as a dancer/choreographer with some of the icons of music highlighting the behind the scenes working with John Singleton on Michael Jackson's Remember the Time and Whitney Houston's I'm Every Woman videos, being cast for the opening of the TV series, Living Single, and her work as an on-air TV and radio personality on Rap City, Hot 97 and Big Boy's Neighborhood.

Big Lez stresses the importance of recognizing the contributions of dance and dancers in the history and narrative of hip hop and modern pop culture and staying motivated in an industry that often rejects those who don't fit the traditional standards of beauty.










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In this episode we dissect the role race plays in marginalizing outspoken and unapologetic black executives and high level professionals in music and sports with particular attention on divisive tactics that may have been used to cause splits between superstar talent and their “controversial” representatives/partners ie Jay Z and Damon Dash, Richard Williams and Venus and Serena Williams, Matthew Knowles and Beyonce, and even Joe Jackson and MJ. 

We question if black professionals are given the same license to boldly express, question, challenge, or do it "their way" especially if they are seen as a barrier between the INDUSTRY (sports or entertainment) having access to superstar talent. 

Our hosts share personal stories of working with Damon Dash while at Nike before the Roc-a-Fella split which also included encouraging the brand to greenlight a collaboration with Dash for his CEO initiative. 

Take a listen to the episode and weigh in on the topic.




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The Sole Chronicles co-host Nekeda Newell-Hall evolved from the corporate world as an executive (and future leader at Nike) to a career in philanthropy which was inspired by R&B/Pop Icon, Usher!

In this episode Nekeda shares her story of meeting Usher as a teen when she worked at the NBA and then again while at Nike to serving as an advisor for Usher's non profit organization which showed her the power of philanthropy and impacting lives.

It is evident that Usher is still out here influencing fashion, music, dance, and now roller skating highlighted in his current Las Vegas residency stage show which was confirmed by co-host Muhammida who recently went skating at Rockefeller Center inspired by Usher.






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This episode of The Sole Chronicles is dedicated to the memory of one of the greatest rappers...The Notorious BIG celebrating what would have been his 50th birthday.

Muhammida shares the many times she crossed paths with Biggie including casting Junior Mafia's first music video, picking up tickets from the original Bad Boy Records office and how the artist inspired one of her legendary entrepreneurial endeavors, the former cafe/creative space, Frank White in Brooklyn.

Take a listen to this journey through the early 90s hip hop scene in NYC and the role and impact Biggie played and the legacy his life and music has left including a Motorola commercial Nekeda worked on that used Biggie's likeness in a starring role with Madonna and enjoying a bag of Hip Hop Icon Notorious BIG chips!

Happy 50th Birthday and RIP Christopher "Notorious BIG" "Biggie Smalls" "Frank White" Wallace




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This episode features guest and advertising genius JIMMY SMITH. Throughout his career, Jimmy – a 2012 Fast Company magazine Top 100 Most Creative member – has worked his magic in a variety of roles as a copywriter, creative director, author, TV writer, video game creator, film and record producer. His work has been recognized for its fresh advertising approaches (One Show, Cannes, D&AD, ANDY, Time magazine), for its TV show originality (Emmy nomination - Gatorade Replay) and for its beauty (Stiftung Buchkunst International Book Art Competition, Copenhagen Museum of Applied Arts - Soul of the Game).

Jimmy often collaborated with hosts, Nekeda and Muhammida during their time at Nike and beyond, throughout his advertising career at Wieden & Kennedy and then BBDO to tap into their pulse on "Who and What is Hot" in music, influencers, entertainment, and street culture to impact some of the world's greatest ad campaigns including "Freestyle" for Nike and "G" for Gatorade among others recounted in this episode.

The Jimmy Smith episode highlights the power of representation at the TABLE and how having collaborators who believe in your vision can be the difference between great and legendary.

Take a listen and let us know your thoughts.


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