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Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram (54) takes a defensive position during an NFL game
against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Chicago. Besides sports, Ingram has a love for Hip Hop
music. Margaret Bowles via Asociated Press
Caribbean Life, March 27-April 2, 2020 29
By Nelson A. King
“Athletes want to be rappers,
and rappers want to be athletes,”
a lifelong mantra that quite a few
renowned athletes, such as Melvin
Ingram, have shared throughout the
decades.
For National Football League
(NFL) athletes, like Ingram, Hip Hop
has always served not only as a passion
but also a potential career.
From notable names such as Le’
Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Cole Beasley,
Deion Sanders, William Perry
and Andre Rison, the ever-growing
list of NFL players tapping into the
lane of Hip Hop has never been kept
secret, according to Marie Driven,
managing partner of PlaybookMG, a
Brooklyn-based entertainment company.
“However, nobody has attacked
it as thoroughly and tenaciously as
Melvin Ingram,” said Driven, stating
that Ingram grew up not only athletically
inclined but music savvy.
“From writing raps on pen and
paper growing up in North Carolina,
Ingram always imagined that
he would make it in music before
sports,” she added. “However, his
athletic career has led him to garner
multiple pro bowl awards and regarded
him as one of the best players in
the NFL.
“Usually, when you’re that good
in sports, you’re not as focused on
music,” Driven continued. “This is
where Melvin Ingram separates from
his peers, as his focus is not only to
be the best rapper in the NFL but in
Continued on Page 30
Jamaican singer Gabriella Koachella.
Jean Jones
Gabriella
Koachella
Musical
bridge
RAPPING
ATHLETES
Melvin Ingram seeks to revolutionize Hip Hop for NFL players
By Nelson A. King
New York-based, Jamaican roots
vibrant songstress and Drip Queen
Gabriella Koachella recently dropped
her latest new single, “Fussin + Fighting.”
According to Haitian American,
Brooklyn-based entertainment promoter,
Marie Driven, managing partner of
PlaybookMG, the track is more than
just a catchy tune.
“The more profound message divulges
into tips for saving a relationship of
struggling lovers,” she said. “The tone
Continued on Page 30
By Nelson A. King
Audiomack, the music streaming and
audio distribution platform that allows
artistes to upload music and podcasts to
listeners across its mobile apps and site,
is inviting Caribbean artistes to join its
interactive outlet.
According to Marie Driven, the Haitian
American managing partner of the
Brooklyn-based entertainment company,
PlaybookMG, Audiomack has been
“at the forefront of the groundbreaking
movement for Gen Z music fans,
musicians and industry professionals,
with easy to access uploading, amazing
events, friendly customer service
and bridging cultural gaps throughout
the world with a platform that caters to
every audience.”
She said the company engenders “a
Continued on Page 30
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