Ira Pastor, ideaXme life sciences ambassador, interviews Kim Renard Nazel, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, DJ, founding member of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame rap group N.W.A. as well as a technologist, venture capitalist, startup mentor and business advisor.
Ira Pastor Comments
Today, we have a fascinating show with a set of truly “convergent” themes in which we discuss music, entertainment, technology, innovation, investing, and social and economic equality.
We are joined today on the ideaXme show by Mr. Kim Renard Nazel, also known by his stage names of Arabian Prince and Professor X.
Kim Renard Nazel, Rapper, Record producer, Technologist and Youth mentor
Mr. Nazel is a rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, DJ, founding member of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame rap group N.W.A. as well as a technologist, venture capitalist, startup mentor and business advisor.
Hip Hop, Technology and Youth Empowerment
Mr. Nazel has wide ranging interests in animation, 3D FX, music and computer digital technologies. He is CEO of Mik Lezan Music, Owner of Hypnotic FX and One Fader, President of LA First Tech Challenge Southern California Robotics Competition, and Founder and Chief Innovator at Inov8 Next, a Silicon Beach, CA based product innovation incubator and technology center, designed to empower the brightest inventors by leveraging the power of industry experience, strategic resources and advanced mentorship.
Streoapp, Covid Tech, Advrtas and Video Games
Some of the publically disclosed investments in Mr. Nazel’s portfolio include Streoapp, a live streaming app for nightclubs, bars & festivals, Advrtas, an AI (artificial intelligence) driven VR/AR/360 video ad platform, and Covitech, a cloud-based suite of apps to help small-to-medium size businesses access to COVID-19 screening, testing resources and often hard-to-procure protective equipment.
Mr. Nazel’s passion for technology led to him create a 3D animation and special effects studio in the 1990’s working with companies like Saban Entertainment and Fox, including the creation of 100+ video game titles for Fox interactive and Vivendi Universal.
On this episode of ideaXme we will hear from Mr. Nazel about:
His background; how he successfully navigated the worlds of rap, hip-hop, music production and technology development (video games, animation and special effects) all while growing up in an environment of gang violence in 1980’s Los Angeles. Furthermore, he talks about Inov8Next, the ideas behind its inception, the development of its strong slate of corporate sponsors (Microsoft, Intel, RedBull, etc.) and the mission and visions going forward to help inner city communities with economic distress.
He tells us of the types of companies Inov8Next works with and provides some investment examples in the areas of education, gaming and digital health. He shares his passion for empowering students and young entrepreneurs, aimed at using business education to help keep youth off the streets. And finally tells us of the importance of STEM education in disrupting outdated business models and benefiting under served communities; how rap and hip-hop music as a platform can help spread awareness of the importance of STEM among youth.
If you enjoyed this interview, please check out The Great Reset: New Hope For Youth
Credits: Ira Pastor interview video, text, and audio.
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