On Monday (August 28), retail giant Walmart and next-gen creative studio People of Crypto Lab (POClab) unveiled ‘Cultureverse’ – an immersive virtual experience that pays homage to the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop and the profound influence of Black culture, according to a press release shared with nft now.
Since 2021, the studio has been at the forefront of merging culture and technology, demonstrated by their groundbreaking #MetaPride initiative that introduced the world’s first Pride festival in the metaverse. Some of its key partners include The Sandbox, Animoca Brands, Gaingels, ConcreteRose, Tess Ventures, and more.
Scheduled for a September launch, Cultureverse will debut on Spatial, embarking on an interactive virtual journey that serves as both a heartfelt tribute to Hip-Hop’s early visionaries and an exploration of its dynamic evolution, including expanding technology accessibility for Black creators.
This initiative represents a natural extension of POClab’s ongoing commitment to spotlighting marginalized communities, as it continues to pursue its mission of driving change through meaningful digital connections while celebrating cultural heritage.
The experience is supported by the annual hip-hop music festival, Rock the Bells, in addition to other partners who weren’t named. As a leading collaborator in this venture, Walmart will leverage its Black & Unlimited platform to amplify the potential of Black creators, makers, and entrepreneurs.
Through custom programming and unique collaborations integrated into the Cultureverse experience, Walmart wants to foster real-world impact through the virtual realm by working to empower a new generation of culture builders.
“Cultureverse presents a unique opportunity to bring Walmart’s Black & Unlimited platform to the virtual world for the first time – all with the goal of inspiring a new generation of Black creators, entrepreneurs and culture builders and creating real-world impact in the process,” said Justin Breton, Director of Brand Experiences and Strategic Partnerships at Walmart.
Beyond serving as a one-time experience, Cultureverse emerges as a movement that signifies a shared dedication to inclusivity and representation of underrepresented voices.
“We are very proud to introduce Cultureverse and its mission, celebrating Black culture’s impact on society. This collaboration with Walmart’s Black & Unlimited aims to inspire a new generation of Black creators and foster an environment of innovation and inclusivity,” said Simone Berry, co-founder of POClab.
