Entertainment
Steve Stoute Launches 100% Royalty Program For Artists

Steve Stoute has officially launched an initiative entitled Select that would provide independent artists with 100% of all their royalties through his very own UnitedMasters Program. According to the Wall Street Journal, Stoute originally curated the music venture back in Nov. 2017 with $70 million in funding from the likes of a multitude of Silicon Valley investments, including companies such as Alphabet Inc., Andreessen Horowitz and 21st Century Fox, and NewsCorp, all of which share common ownership. The venture based in San Francisco, CA is designed to aid upcoming artists secure their brands on digital streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Pandora, and more.
Larry Busacca/Getty Images
The UnitedMasters Program will provide artists with an untraditional approach to the music industry with the Select platform that will allow any artist to be exposed to the masses via their iPhone or Android mobile devices. Music can be directly uploaded to the Select platform simply through iMessage and will allow users to utilize promotional tools all the while retaining the rights to their masters and all of their royalties. Select will also provide artists the opportunity to have their artistry featured on some of the most revered ESPN programming including SportsCenter, The Jump, First Take, and more.
The platform will come in the form of a subscription-based app that will cost a total of $5 per month and will also provide its users access to deals with major corporations such as Apple, CashApp, the NBA, ESPN, and more. There are also won’t be a limitation on distribution to major social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and more.
While it might sound too good to be true, Steve Stoute’s UnitedMasters Program has helped propel the careers of rappers like Lil Tecca, NLE Choppa, and more. Even though Steve Stoute’s tenure with the New York Knicks might have started out rocky, he’s been able to become one of the most influential music executives of this generation.
Check out ESPN’s official partnership announcement with Steve Stoute’s UnitedMasters Program in the Instagram post provided below.
Artist Spotlight
Suge Knight Calls Out Kanye West Over Offensive Comments on Carter Twins

Suge Knight is known for speaking his mind, and in a recent interview on a show called Art of Dialogue, he shared strong opinions about Kanye West’s recent behavior. Kanye, who is often in the spotlight for his controversial actions, made headlines after insulting Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s children in a tweet. Suge found this particularly unacceptable. “I need to talk to Kanye,” Suge said, clearly upset. “We should never disrespect anyone’s kids.” He was disturbed by Kanye calling the Carter twins a hurtful name, emphasizing that this kind of behavior is unacceptable in both hip-hop and society in general.
“You don’t talk about Jay and Beyoncé’s kids and call them names. That’s crossing the line.” For Suge Knight, this isn’t just about one tweet, it’s about a larger issue. He feels that such hurtful comments not only impact the people involved but also reflect poorly on hip-hop and Black culture as a whole. “I expect more from people in hip-hop and our community,” he stated. “We’ve come a long way, and we should stand up for each other, especially when it comes to protecting kids and those who are vulnerable.”
This isn’t the first time Kanye has faced backlash for his controversial remarks, but Suge clarifies that calling out children is where he draws the line. “That’s not funny to me, not at all,” he remarked, suggesting that there should be real consequences for Kanye’s words. “He needs an old-fashioned lesson.” Suge Knight’s comments remind us that, regardless of how famous an artist is, there are still moral limits that shouldn’t be crossed, especially when it comes to children. His call for accountability sends a strong message to Kanye West and anyone else who might think it’s acceptable to attack innocent kids in the hip-hop world.
Artist Spotlight
Lil Durk Makes History as the Most Certified Rapper of 2025

Lil Durk has officially established himself as one of the biggest names in hip-hop. The Chicago-born rapper just broke records by becoming the first hip-hop artist to earn the most certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2025. This is a huge milestone in his career, highlighting his influence in music today and his status as one of the all-time greats. Recently, the RIAA announced that Durk achieved 53 new certifications, making him the top hip-hop artist of 2025, and placing him among the top 50 artists ever, with an impressive total of 52.5 million units sold.
This news was shared on social media, confirming that he’s not just popular, but his music truly connects with listeners. Durk has made a name for himself with hit collaborations like “Broadway Girls” featuring Morgan Wallen, “All My Life” with J. Cole, and “3 Headed Goat” alongside Lil Baby and Polo G. His ability to tell real-life stories while also creating catchy melodies has made him a standout artist. These new certifications show that his music has lasting appeal. Fans quickly took to social media to celebrate his achievements, with some eagerly anticipating his next album, saying it will be a huge success.
Others reminisced about how hard he’s worked and how much his popularity has grown, especially during his breakthrough years from 2020 to 2021. However, not everyone is impressed. Some critics have pointed out that his collaboration with country star Morgan Wallen might make his success seem less significant. However, the impressive numbers speak for themselves. Durk’s music has played a key role in shaping hip-hop, and the way he mixes different styles only adds to his talent. From being an underground artist to becoming one of the most recognized rappers in history, Lil Durk’s journey is truly inspiring.
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