The booming wave of the non-fungible token (NFT) community has snowballed into many celebrities collecting and auctioning digital tokens. In 2021, news of Black stars joining the NFT world has turned into a consistent basis now.
Celebrity domination doesn’t deter from the fact that they can benefit people from all backgrounds. But let’s backtrack: What is an NFT?
As previously reported by AfroTech, an NFT is a digital authentication of anything — art, images, music, etc. The foundation of NFTs is art, and then it’s put on the blockchain to maintain, track and distribute your work.
As new avenues and opportunities continue to arise for content creators today, the possibilities are endless for where digital art could go. The level of creative control that NFTs offer makes the digital art business one to watch for when it comes to accumulating wealth.
As previously mentioned, 2021 was a shifting year for both collecting and auctioning NFTs. Here is a list of Black celebrities who we believe made their mark and are here to stay in the digital space.
Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg has become deeply invested in crypto after releasing his first NFT collection, “A Journey with the Dogg,” back in March of 2021. While the Hip-Hop OG continues to become well-versed in digital token collections, he’s also using the space to tap into innovative ways to connect with his fans across generations.
Naomi Osaka
Whether she’s serving an ace in tennis, snagging a partnership, or starting a new venture, Naomi Osaka is all about making an impact. The tennis superstar’s entry into NFTs was her auction of original artwork for mental health initiatives and her charity, Play Academy. She currently serves on the advisory board for Autograph — an NFT platform launched and co-founded by Tom Brady. The platform has seen collections released from the greats of sports, including herself. With Osaka’s passion for art and devotion to engaging her fans, it’s safe to say that the world can expect another NFT collection from her soon.
Jay-Z
It’s no secret that Jay-Z has been becoming well-versed in making crypto moves. The mogul released his first NFT for his iconic debut album, “Reasonable Doubt.” The NFT auctioned on Sotheby’s for $139,000. Jay-Z always aims to keep his career contributions in alignment with the times, and with his business track record, it’s possible fans can expect more digital artwork on the way.
Method Man
The Hip-Hop icon took a more creative approach with his debut NFT collection with the first installment of his comic series, “Tical World.” For its launch, he teamed up with Flow Blockchain and TuneGO. His entry into the comic universe is also great news for his fans because the series will also include unreleased music from the Wu-Tang Clan rapper. Seeing how the venture will play out will be an exciting one to watch.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat is one of the latest celebrities to join the space, and she’s already been making big waves. The pop star’s “Need to Know” single edition crystal token sold for $188,888 and became the largest auctioned item in Tezos history. Before breaking records, Doja joined the NFT Music platform OneOf to make her collections accessible. Based on how her debut kicked off, fans should anticipate more green-friendly NFTs coming their way.
Stephen Curry
NBA star Stephen Curry came out swinging by securing a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT in August 2021. As previously reported by AfroTech, it’s one of the most highly sought-after collections, and he bought his NFT for $180,000. Less than a month later, Curry took an even more giant step into the cryptocurrency world after being named an FTX Global Ambassador in a long-term partnership with the company.
