Veteran hip-hop artist Rakim has teamed up with serial entrepreneur and recording artist Victor Lombard, aka DIVINE, to launch Notes, a fintech platform designed specifically for independent urban musicians and creators. The platform aims to provide artists with the knowledge and tools necessary to manage their careers, access financial resources, and connect with their peers.

Notes offers a range of features, including multimedia courses, step-by-step guides on financial management, and tools to help artists monetize their music. The platform also boasts a "digital passport" feature, which allows users to track their credit score, access loans, and utilize budgeting tools. By partnering with lenders and creditors, Notes earns a commission on referral fees when users apply for loans through the platform.

The inspiration behind Notes stems from DIVINE's own experiences navigating the indie urban music scene, where artists often struggle to fund their careers. "The music industry, as it stands, is structured to take advantage of artists through exploitative contracts and limited financial resources, forcing them into predatory deals just to survive," DIVINE explained in an interview with TechCrunch. By leveraging technology, DIVINE hopes to redistribute control back to artists and creators.

This is not DIVINE's first foray into fintech; he previously founded BLAK, a fintech company focused on serving underbanked communities, and built Solvent, a neobank for underserved communities. With Notes, he seeks to empower musicians to educate themselves, fund their own projects, and build careers on their own terms.

Rakim, a hip-hop legend and member of the iconic group Eric B. & Rakim, brings his influence and expertise to the partnership. DIVINE has known Rakim for 20 years and admires his commitment to staying true to his art and principles. Rakim joins Notes as a co-founder and advisory board member, with his son Tahmell Griffin holding an executive position at the company.

Currently in beta, Notes is self-funded, but the company is seeking a pre-seed round to further its development. The platform will generate revenue through freemium and premium subscription memberships, as well as referral fees. DIVINE envisions Notes as the culmination of his music and technological journey, aiming to shift the narrative from artists being exploited by record labels to artists owning their financial future and career success.

With Notes, DIVINE and Rakim are poised to make a significant impact on the music industry, providing independent urban musicians with the tools and resources necessary to thrive in an often challenging landscape. As the platform prepares for its full launch at the end of February, it will be interesting to see how Notes shapes the future of music and fintech.