Fuel the Vision, Fund the Legacy

DJ Universe

Yo, what’s good, family? Welcome back to Back the Cypher, it’s your man DJ Universe, and you already know, this is where hustle meets purpose, and every beat, every move, every dollar, it all tells a story. If you’ve been rockin’ with us, you know we don’t just talk about legacy, we build it, brick by brick. Today, I wanna dig into something that’s been on my mind heavy: owning your story, and how creative fundraising is the key to making that happen for independent artists and the whole community. See, content ownership? That’s not just a buzzword. That’s the difference between being a guest in your own house and holding the keys. For me, it’s about co-owning my Legacy Makers episode, not just being featured, but actually having the rights, the reuse, the representation. That’s the modern blueprint for impact that lasts. But here’s the real: that kind of ownership comes with a price tag, a reuse license fee. We’re close, but we ain’t there yet. So how do we get there? We hustle smart. We fund through sales, through events, through sponsorships, and through support from folks who get it. This ain’t charity, it’s investment. Every dollar, every share, every ticket, it’s a brick in the foundation of something bigger than all of us. And I gotta say, when you support, you’re not just helping me, you’re helping every artist who wants to own their narrative, every community that wants to see itself represented right. That’s what we’re building. That’s why it matters.

DJ Universe

Now, let’s talk about assets, real ones. I gotta bring up the 1957 Ford panel truck. This ain’t just some old-school whip sittin’ in the garage. This is family legacy on wheels. My late father passed it down to my son, and instead of letting it collect dust, we’re putting it to work for the movement. It’s up for sale right now, 18 thousand five hundred dollars on Facebook Marketplace. And I know, some folks might say, “Why let go of something so personal?” But that’s the point. Sometimes, you gotta sacrifice something you love to build something bigger. That’s what legacy is. If you’re a collector, a vintage head, or you just wanna support in a real way, let’s talk. The proceeds go straight to the reuse license fee for the Legacy Makers docuseries. That’s how we turn nostalgia into progress. And if you can’t buy it, maybe you know someone who can. Spread the word. Legacy is for everybody. And speaking of legacy, let’s talk merch. Products of Society LLC, Sole Legacy shoes, these ain’t just clothes or kicks, they’re statements. Every time you rock a tee, a hoodie, a pair of those custom Sole Legacy joints, you’re a walking billboard for independent culture. You’re showing the world you believe in ownership, in movement, in progress. I remember when my pops handed that truck to my son, he said, “This is for the future.” That’s what we’re doing with every product, every sale. We’re building for the future, together.

DJ Universe

Alright, let’s keep it moving. Events, this is where the magic happens, where the community comes alive. October 4th, mark it down: Plugged In digital telethon. This ain’t your grandma’s telethon, trust me. We’re blending Hip-Hop, live performance, education, and digital fundraising all in one. It’s about reclaiming our narrative and our ownership, in real time, with real people. You’ll see artists, business leaders, supporters, all Plugged In to the cause. And you can get involved: donate during the stream, sponsor a segment, or just help us spread the word. Every bit helps. And let’s not forget the real-world events, Party Crashers Reloaded, community block parties, all that. If you were at the Old Skool Party at The Kutt Records, you know the energy. That’s what happens when Currency Development, Superb Entertainment, and the whole crew come together. These events aren’t just parties, they’re fundraisers, they’re networking, they’re legacy in action. Every ticket, every performance, every handshake, it all funnels back into the mission. That’s how we keep the movement alive, not just online, but in the streets, in the venues, in the community.

DJ Universe

Now, let’s talk digital. We can’t just rely on local, gotta think global, gotta think future. So, we’re building a digital strategy that goes beyond just posting on the ‘Gram. We’re talking social media campaigns, virtual events, exclusive online content, ways to reach people who might never set foot in Columbus but still wanna be part of the movement. And I’m not doing this alone. We’re looking to partner with tech platforms, digital artists, anybody who can help us create interactive experiences that educate and engage, especially the younger crowd. Ownership and legacy ain’t just for the OGs, it’s for the next generation too. And to make sure this thing lasts, we’re launching a mentorship program. Connecting up-and-coming artists and community leaders with folks who’ve been there, done that. It’s about passing the torch, but also giving people the tools to build their own fire. That’s how you make a movement sustainable, by making sure the knowledge, the resources, the opportunities keep flowing.

DJ Universe

But look, it can’t all be digital. We need a home base, a local hub, a cultural space where people can come together for events, workshops, exhibitions, all focused on ownership and legacy. A place that feels like home, but also like a launchpad. And for those who can’t make it in person, we’re putting together a digital toolkit, a resource hub with templates, guides, best practices for fundraising, event planning, digital engagement. So if you’re in another city, another state, you can take what we’ve learned and build your own. And I’m thinking, why not have regular storytelling sessions or panel discussions? Bring in pioneers from Hip-Hop, community leaders, let them share their stories, their lessons, their strategies. That’s how you keep the legacy alive, not just by talking about it, but by living it, sharing it, and passing it on.

DJ Universe

So, how do we take this even further? We gotta get the youth involved early. That means working with local schools, youth organizations, bringing them into the legacy-building process. Teaching them about ownership, about cultural history, about how to tell their own stories. I wanna see digital storytelling workshops where anybody in the community can learn how to document and share their journey. The more voices, the richer the narrative. And to keep the momentum, we’re planning quarterly virtual town halls. That’s where we gather feedback, showcase projects, and plan the next moves together. It’s not just top-down, it’s collaborative, it’s evolving, it’s real. That’s how you make sure the movement doesn’t stall out. You keep checking in, keep adapting, keep building together.

DJ Universe

And finally, it’s all about the next generation. We’re developing a youth ambassador program, training young leaders to run local initiatives, mentor their peers, and be the face of ownership and legacy in their neighborhoods. We’re launching a digital storytelling contest for the youth, too. Let them share their experiences with Hip-Hop, with community change, and the best stories get featured across our platforms. And we’re linking up with schools to bring Hip-Hop history and ownership into the classroom, workshops, guest lectures, collaborative projects. That’s how you plant the seeds early, so the next wave grows up knowing they can own their story, their art, their future. So, what’s next? That’s on you. Head to the merch site, share this episode, donate, sponsor, join the movement. Legacy is built on what you do today. This ain’t just for me, it’s for the artists coming up, for the culture, for the people who deserve to see themselves in power. Let’s make this bigger than music. Let’s make it generational. Stay tapped in, stay cyphered. This is DJ Universe on another episode of back the cipher don’t forget to support and always back. The cipher. Teamwork makes the dream work and real hustle is the muscle that moves mountains. Until the next one, blessings and peace.