Pharrell’s single “Entrepreneur (ft. Jay Z)” is an ode to black businesses. Storied snapshots of black entrepreneurs get elevated out of obscurity and placed center stage before the world. When TMG favorite, filmmaker Darryl Wharton-Rigby saw the video, which included a few notable figures from Japan’s Black community, he knew that he needed to broaden the scope of local individuals profiled in “Entrepreneur.” Enter Darryl’s “Japan Edition.” The music video is a montage of various successful Black businesses and I’m …
Author: Tracy Jones
I just wrote an article for Tokyo Weekender about Japanese Mothers of half-Black half-Japanese children living in Japan. Thanks to my wife, Haruki, Motto Richardson, and Hanako for talking to me. The response to my story has been instant and I appreciate you reading, sharing, and commenting. If you missed it, read the article here. Arrigatou Gozaimas. Peace. …
DJ Zesto Q aka Zesto!, Zest Rock, Zesty Pesty, formally known as Justin Overton-Quinones is a long time friend and collaborator. Zesto, hailing from Middletown, New York, is a rapper, producer, and DJ. Last year he produced the TMG mixtape Head Nod Chill Wave. Like your favorite elusive artist, Zesto prefers to be on the fringes of the industry, giving him space and freedom to do what he wants. His classic Rags to Wishes EP (2005) left an indelible mark …
My latest Tokyo Weekender article “Why I’m Glad I Got Stuck in Japan During Covid-19” is several hours old and since it got published the response has been a ringing fire house. It’s on fire. I’m mad humbled. Thank you. At the moment my daughter is adjusting to elementary school, which is an incredible challenge. Every morning it’s like she’s getting ready to run through a gladiator course. “Dad, I’m going in. I’m going in,” she says in so many …
Tensho N. Takemori is a talented rapper, producer, and artist from Warwick, New York. He’s an original member of Stolen Music Imprint and long time associate the Money Hungry Bastards crew. Over the last 20 years, Tensho has worked with rappers like Auxiliary Arms (Masai Bey and L.I.F.E. Long), Mr. Cord, WhichCraft, DJ Zesto, and others. Its been a long process of honing his craft and developing his own style. On his exclusive TMG Mixtape, It Takes A Village And …