#98: The Buffalo Invasion
Meet Griselda, celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander History Month, and more!
EDITOR’S NOTE THING:
Today will be the last day of new links. Friday’s newsletter will be all playlists for your Memorial Day Weekend listening enjoyment. Starting next Tuesday with Office Hours #100, the format and schedule will change. Here’s what you can expect:
Office Hours will now exclusively focus on three topics: Culture, Music and Marketing. The goal going forward is to build a community of people who live between these worlds. Some issues will be heavier in one topic than others, some issues will be devoted to one topic completely. This framework also allows for clearer understanding on the pitch side, so now I have an answer when I’m trying to book like Kerby-Jean Raymond or something and they ask “What is Office Hours about?”.
Starting with Office Hours #100, this newsletter will shift to a tiered system.
Free subscribers will get link newsletters and a podcast. The link newsletters will remain in the same format but will now happen on Mondays and Wednesdays, with Fridays now shifting to an all-music format. Expect playlists, curated stuff and maybe even some good old-fashioned music criticism!
Paid subscribers will receive the podcast, the link newsletters and will now receive 1 exclusive article a week like master lists of marketing tools I use and the Brands to Watch report, a monthly deepish-dive on a challenger brand that I think does really cool/innovative stuff.
A retooled podcast. The pod will be a companion piece to this newsletter with deeper interviews, roundtables and hopefully some exclusives.
I cannot thank you enough for riding with me so far. By now, we’re at a point in society where it feels really pointless to do…anything. I’ve grappled a lot with a general “why do you think anyone wants to read dumb links right now?” feelings but the response that you’ve all given me during this little run has been nothing short of wonderful. Stats-wise, since launching daily link e-mails, Office Hours readers have averaged a 41% open rate. That’s insane. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
CULTURE THING:
May is Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. It does feel odd that we don’t see more articles like this one with more frequency. Jian Deleon traces the line between street culture and the Asian-American community with a personal and reflective piece. Beyond worth your time.
HOW STREET CULTURE SHAPED ASIAN-AMERICAN IDENTITY
As a bonus, read this absolutely wonderful 1997 LA Times piece from Teresa Watanabe about how Michael Jordan and the 90s Bulls lead the NBA’s expansion into Asia and the cultural exchange that came from it.
They’re Fast-Breaking From Asian Tradition
MUSIC THING:
Griselda Records is one of the hottest brands in hip-hop right now. The Buffalo-based collective has seized the attention of an audience looking for something different. I’d strongly suggest anyone who loved rap music in the 90s to give them a try. They have a lot of powerful supporters, too. Two members are signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation management company and they also have a group deal at Eminem’s Shady Records. I made this playlist for a buddy who was looking to listen to the group for the first time and figured this was a great start. I’ll be writing more in-depth about Griselda in a future Office Hours issue, so get familiar.
MARKETING THING:
Here’s a collection of Twitter threads about advertising, marketing, and creative strategy that features a TON of free game!
BULLETIN BOARD:
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Until tomorrow…
WASH YOUR HANDS! STAY IN THE HOUSE! CHECK ON YOUR LOVED ONES!
Office Hours is written by Ernest Wilkins. Follow me on Twitter/IG @ErnestWilkins or send me an e-mail.