Episode #377 of The VentureFizz Podcast is Victor D. Lombard (aka DIVINE), CEO & Co-Founder of Notes.

As the host of this podcast, I have the honor of being able to help tell the story of so many founders and investors and each story is unique.

But this one is a whole new level.

DIVINE’s full story is probably the most unique entrepreneurial story that has been told on our podcast.  From the streets of NYC to incarceration to master networker to fintech entrepreneur, this story has it all… including how one of Silicon Valley’s top venture capitalists, that being Ben Horowitz helped change his life and built a friendship, plus his rap song that was the intro for the A16Z podcast.

Oh… and it just so happens that the co-founder of his latest startup called Notes is Rakim. Yes, that same Rakim from the 80’s hip-hop duo of Eric B & RAKIM… with legendary songs like Don’t Sweat the Technique and Paid in Full… which is why you are hearing their song Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em for this podcast intro and outro.

Notes is a fintech and AI-powered platform empowering independent urban music artists and creators with access to capital, financial literacy, entrepreneurship and music business education, and more, for financial independence, and career growth and sustainability.  The company is in pre-launch.

We cover a lot of ground in this podcast including:

* DIVINE's full background story

* His journey into the tech industry including working with Greg Selkoe at Karmaloop

* How he connected with Ben Horowitz

* The details of his own career as a rap artist

* The journey into entrepreneurship

* All the details on Notes

* And more!