Offset launches platform for live and virtual events
The rapper wanted to help new and emerging artists who have been struggling “mentally and financially” as a result of COVID-19.
With venue closures and concerts pushed back until next year, celebrities have been thinking of creative ways to perform their music, interact with fans and, of course, make some money. Offset announced the launch of AXSD Media, a production company that will stream both live and virtual events.
The rapper, and event and entertainment facility Axis Replay start the AXR+EXP Concert Series on Friday (Sept. 11) which will present monthly performances from new and upcoming artists. During the ticketed event, artists will compete for a cash prize and the chance to open up for an A-lister in an upcoming show on Sept. 26.
“With COVID-19 shutting down performances, it’s tough on artists mentally and financially; especially emerging artists,” Offset said in a statement. “AXSD Media offers a solution that let’s artists do what they love in-person as safely as possible while still reaching fans virtually at the same time. We need to interact with our fans in-person and virtually. AXSD Media found a way to make that happen.”
Offset, who lost his great uncle to COVID-19, previously talked about the disproportionate toll the virus has generally had on African Americans.
“You know we got all this paper and we’re successful and still like family members in our family do not have or qualify for health insurance or they can’t get it,” Offset said on the “Shelter in Place with Shane Smith” interview series. “And they’re already 50 years old and already have a health issue that they have been dealing with for 10 years. It’s like, when you don’t have the resources and the funds, you’re just out of luck. That’s just what it is in real life.”
“There’s not a lot of resources, a lot of folks don’t have money. I know so many people in my family and my friends’ family that don’t have health insurance,” he continued. “When you try to get, you know, I try to pay upfront, that still don’t work. You have to go through different processes and you still might not be eligible…it leave them to suffer or try to have a chance at survival that is so small.”