News Summary

Victor D. Lombard, known as DIVINE, has launched a new fintech company called Notes, in collaboration with hip-hop legend RAKIM. The app, designed for independent urban musicians and creators, offers financial literacy and music business education through multimedia courses and tools for career management. Notes features a ‘digital passport’ for tracking credit scores and accessing loans, and includes AI tools such as an AI voice assistant in RAKIM’s voice. Partnering with lenders, the app earns through referral fees and offers subscription models. Currently in beta, it aims for a full launch by the end of February. The company is self-funded and seeking a pre-seed round. DIVINE aims to empower artists by shifting control from exploitative record labels to the artists themselves.