Your values, know your worth. And don't be afraid to turn a deal down.
And I think that has been my
greatest strength in business --
and I think that has been my greatest strength in business -- not being afraid to walk away
from a deal.
Not being afraid to walk away from a deal. Like, the one thing about me
that I realized that why I'm
like, the one thing about me that I realized that why I'm still here today -- I decided to
go straight.
Still here today -- I decided to go straight. I decided to get rid of the
friends around me that wasn't
right, and I'm good at that.
Friends around me that wasn't right, and I'm good at that. Say, "well, what's your gift?"
getting rid of people that ain't
say, "well, what's your gift?" getting rid of people that ain't right for you.
Getting rid of people that ain't right for you. And I want to tell anybody
that's watching this, don't be
and I want to tell anybody that's watching this, don't be afraid to not be a victim of
your environment.
Afraid to not be a victim of your environment. Um, my brother died at 19
in a project.
And, uh, we used to sit in a
room and say, "who gonna die
and, uh, we used to sit in a room and say, "who gonna die first?"
for -- for two black kids
sitting in a room, never had our
own bed, when I go back and
think about it, it's crazy.
Own bed, when I go back and think about it, it's crazy. I think that's what motivated
me, that what pushed me.
And I always tell my brother,
"man, I'm probably gonna die
and I always tell my brother, "man, I'm probably gonna die first 'cause I'm the oldest."
and -- and -- and I go back and
look at that, and I say, "damn,
so, what if that was me?"
-- captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com
♪
so, a lot of people think they know my story, but I'mma take y'all back and tell y'all how
exactly it started.
Y'all back and tell y'all how exactly it started. Me as a 5-year-old kid -- I was
a kindergartner, king of the
me as a 5-year-old kid -- I was a kindergartner, king of the school.
A kindergartner, king of the school. I lived with my grandparents in
the calliope projects, 3rd ward,
which is probably one of the
most dangerous projects
in the world at the time.
Most dangerous projects in the world at the time. We was called the
murder capital of the world.
I was an "a" student,
entrepreneur.
I lived in the project, a
3-bedroom apartment with my
grandparents, big mama and
big daddy.
Grandparents, big mama and big daddy. And there were 16 people.
Big daddy. And there were 16 people. A lot of people think music
and there were 16 people. A lot of people think music was the way out for me, but
a lot of people think music was the way out for me, but I didn't really start doing
music till I got to college.
So, as a little kid,
basketball -- I had a basketball
so, as a little kid, basketball -- I had a basketball coach that always picked me up.
Basketball -- I had a basketball coach that always picked me up. Coach wayne, coach moon -- they
believed in me, as a kid.
I used to shoot in the project,
with no lights on.
And so that's how my jump shot
got good.
I used to watch pistol pete,
larry bird, and magic johnson.
These guys was, like, my idols
in basketball.
And so I said, "if I could shoot
the ball like them, I could
and so I said, "if I could shoot the ball like them, I could make it out of here."
sports is the thing that I think
saved my life.
Sports is the thing that I think saved my life. I know a lot of people think
they know my life, but I was an
altar boy.
They know my life, but I was an altar boy. My grandfather used his
social security check to send me
my grandfather used his social security check to send me and my brother to this catholic
school, and I think it changed
my life, man.
School, and I think it changed my life, man. Being able to learn from the
nuns and the priests at that
being able to learn from the nuns and the priests at that school, they showed us
so much -- so much about value,
integrity.
So much -- so much about value, integrity. When I got home, I felt like...
Integrity. When I got home, I felt like... I didn't need nothing.
But my family -- family was the
most important thing to me.
I was always taught to put god
first.
And if you put your trust and
faith in god, he'll give you
and if you put your trust and faith in god, he'll give you what you need.
Faith in god, he'll give you what you need. Yeah, my grandmother,
maxine miller, we called her
yeah, my grandmother, maxine miller, we called her big mama.
Maxine miller, we called her big mama. She probably the strongest woman
in the project.
Just mentally, she kept
everybody together.
You know that if big mama and
big daddy was around, they gonna
you know that if big mama and big daddy was around, they gonna feed everybody.
Big daddy was around, they gonna feed everybody. My grandparents fed the hood.
Feed everybody. My grandparents fed the hood. My grandmother just had a good
my grandparents fed the hood. My grandmother just had a good heart, but she was a strong
my grandmother just had a good heart, but she was a strong woman.
Heart, but she was a strong woman. She didn't take no b.S.
Woman. She didn't take no b.S. I remember one time I was trying
she didn't take no b.S. I remember one time I was trying to be a hustler.
And, uh, I had bought a car.
To be a hustler. And, uh, I had bought a car. My grandmother was living in a
and, uh, I had bought a car. My grandmother was living in a project, and I had saved up some
my grandmother was living in a project, and I had saved up some money and bought a car.
Project, and I had saved up some money and bought a car. I used to park my car
like three blocks up the street
'cause I didn't want my
grandmother to see it, 'cause
I know she was gonna, you know,
do something to it.
I didn't know what she was gonna
do, [ chuckling ] but she was
gonna do something.
Do, [ chuckling ] but she was gonna do something. So, one day, miss irene, the
same old lady that told me,
so, one day, miss irene, the same old lady that told me, "bright eyes, you gonna be a
star," she told my grandmother,
"you know your grandson got
a car?"
my grandmother say, "what?
A car?" my grandmother say, "what? A car?
My grandmother say, "what? A car? And I'm walking and catching
a car? And I'm walking and catching the bus to work?"
and I'm walking and catching the bus to work?" she say, "yeah, and I think he
out there with them boys
out in the street, hustling."
so, this how strong my
grandmother was, man.
So, this how strong my grandmother was, man. She -- she told me to get up
in the morning and walk up to
she -- she told me to get up in the morning and walk up to the bus stop.
In the morning and walk up to the bus stop. But we had to pass by my car.
The bus stop. But we had to pass by my car. So, I had this little audi.
It was an old audi,
so, I had this little audi. It was an old audi, back in the day.
And, um, she say, "boy, that
sure is a fine-looking car."
and, um, she say, "boy, that sure is a fine-looking car." and she got a baseball bat
in her hand.
And she got a baseball bat in her hand. So, and I'm like, "it's
alright."
so, and I'm like, "it's alright." I'm trying to play it off like,
"it's alright," but, you know,
this is my car.
So, she's like, "no, miss irene
say that's your car."
so, she's like, "no, miss irene say that's your car." I say, "what?"
I couldn't lie to her.
She say, "yeah, that's your car,
huh?
And I'm walking to work?"
she took the baseball bat and
and I'm walking to work?" she took the baseball bat and started beating the car and
knocking the windows
out the car.
Knocking the windows out the car. And she told me -- she said, uh,
"we gonna talk when I get off
and she told me -- she said, uh, "we gonna talk when I get off of work."
and so I'm waiting to talk.
Of work." and so I'm waiting to talk. She said, "one thing in my
house -- I don't want nothing
she said, "one thing in my house -- I don't want nothing from nobody that's doing wrong.
House -- I don't want nothing from nobody that's doing wrong. I taught y'all who god is, that
you need to know what's right
from wrong, and you need to do
right, because you know who
god is."
and I thought about it for a
while, and an hour later, she
put a black dress on the
nightstand in her room.
Put a black dress on the nightstand in her room. So, I walk in there, I say,
"big mama, you going somewhere?"
so, I walk in there, I say, "big mama, you going somewhere?" she say, "yeah."
I say, "where?"
she say -- I say, "what you got
the dress up there for?"
said, "I'm gonna wear that at
your funeral."
I stopped.
Your funeral." I stopped. I think that changed my life,
right there, when I knew, I
realized all my friends was
dying.
Realized all my friends was dying. 'cause she told me -- she say,
"I'm tired of going to funerals
for kids.
I done went to too many of your
friends' funerals.
And I just giving it to god.
Friends' funerals. And I just giving it to god. And I realize, this what I'm
and I just giving it to god. And I realize, this what I'm gonna wear to your funeral,
and I realize, this what I'm gonna wear to your funeral, so you can know."
and that day, I think, man,
I went in the back room and just
cried and, like, said, "I need
to change my life."
my grandfather, claude miller,
I mean, he was the rock.
My grandfather, claude miller, I mean, he was the rock. We called him big daddy.
He probably was the biggest guy
we called him big daddy. He probably was the biggest guy in the house.
My grandfather was like 6'9",
man.
He was like the man on the
jolly green giant.
When you go back and look at the
peas, you like, "damn, this dude
when you go back and look at the peas, you like, "damn, this dude is huge."
so, when my grandfather says
something, man, he made us
listen.
Something, man, he made us listen. First thing he taught me about,
you know, a lot of people were
first thing he taught me about, you know, a lot of people were stealing and trying to get over
on people.
Stealing and trying to get over on people. I took one cookie out the
cookie jar, and my grandfather
put my hand over the fire.
Cookie jar, and my grandfather put my hand over the fire. He talking about, "look, son,
you steal this one cookie, it's
he talking about, "look, son, you steal this one cookie, it's gonna go to stealing from
people, and you gonna end up
in prison."
so, he -- he really showed me
tough love, but I needed that.
So, he -- he really showed me tough love, but I needed that. My grandfather -- he was a
vietnam veteran.
And he always wore the camo
jackets.
And we walked through the
project, I feel good with my
and we walked through the project, I feel good with my grandfather.
Project, I feel good with my grandfather. I felt safe.
Grandfather. I felt safe. He protected the family.
And he was a strong, positive
he protected the family. And he was a strong, positive black man.
I was with my grandfather
when he passed.
So, we went to the v.A. Hospital
because I think that -- for some
so, we went to the v.A. Hospital because I think that -- for some blood-pressure medicine.
Because I think that -- for some blood-pressure medicine. And then end up giving my
grandfather a blood-thinning
and then end up giving my grandfather a blood-thinning medicine, and that killed him.
Grandfather a blood-thinning medicine, and that killed him. I had to come back to the
project and tell my grandmother
and all the kids that my
grandfather is gone.
And all the kids that my grandfather is gone. That was probably the most
saddest day of my life.
But he always was telling me,
"get your own business, start
but he always was telling me, "get your own business, start your own army, because..."
they were supposed to give my
grandfather $10,000.
They were supposed to give my grandfather $10,000. That was the one thing he was
mad about.
He never got the $10,000 when he
came back from the vietnam war.
After high school, I went to
college.
I had a cousin named hotboy.
College. I had a cousin named hotboy. He went to prison.
And I think that having a faith
he went to prison. And I think that having a faith in god, I think it really -- it
and I think that having a faith in god, I think it really -- it really changed me.
In god, I think it really -- it really changed me. I think that was the thing --
that was the turning point
for me.
That was the turning point for me. You know, my cousin hotboy -- he
was probably one of the toughest
you know, my cousin hotboy -- he was probably one of the toughest guys in the project.
Was probably one of the toughest guys in the project. He was -- I don't think he was
5'8", but everybody feared him.
So, one day, I wanted
to be like him.
You know, he had the fixed-up
cutlass, had all the money,
you know, he had the fixed-up cutlass, had all the money, the jewelry.
Cutlass, had all the money, the jewelry. And I'm by him, across the
street, by my aunt t house, and
and I'm by him, across the street, by my aunt t house, and we shooting dice.
Street, by my aunt t house, and we shooting dice. So, maybe I got like $1,000 on
me, he got like $20,000 on him.
And I always wanted to be like
him, but my grandparents never
and I always wanted to be like him, but my grandparents never wanted me to be around him.
Him, but my grandparents never wanted me to be around him. We shooting dice, and so the
guys from my school -- you know,
we shooting dice, and so the guys from my school -- you know, all the young kids -- those was
the guys that was
getting in trouble.
The guys that was getting in trouble. Those was the guys that was
putting in the work, 'cause they
those was the guys that was putting in the work, 'cause they was like, "well, you're only
gonna get juvenile."
like, "so, if you 16 or 17, you
gonna be out when you're 18,"
which is a crazy way to think.
Gonna be out when you're 18," which is a crazy way to think. So, at that time, these guys
from my school that was putting
so, at that time, these guys from my school that was putting in all the work, all the young
boys in high school, it was
like eight of them.
Boys in high school, it was like eight of them. They rolled up on us, jump out
they car.
And me and hotboy standing.
They car. And me and hotboy standing. I'm telling hotboy, "man, these
and me and hotboy standing. I'm telling hotboy, "man, these dudes for real.
We need to run."
he was like, "man, I ain't
we need to run." he was like, "man, I ain't running."
like, "you know who I am."
I'm looking.
Like, "you know who I am." I'm looking. I'm like, "can I run on the side
of the project and get away?"
but I ran -- I end up running in
a hallway 'cause it was
pitch-black, by where my aunt t
stay at.
Pitch-black, by where my aunt t stay at. So, I run up there.
Stay at. So, I run up there. But before I run, I throw the
so, I run up there. But before I run, I throw the money up in the air, so they
but before I run, I throw the money up in the air, so they start grabbing the money.
Money up in the air, so they start grabbing the money. And as I run up the stairs, uh,
and I hit the door, I grab the
and as I run up the stairs, uh, and I hit the door, I grab the door, and I laid down.
And I hit the door, I grab the door, and I laid down. And they shot the top of the
door.
So, I hear the guys coming back
down, laughing, "yeah, we
so, I hear the guys coming back down, laughing, "yeah, we got him," blah, blah, blah.
Down, laughing, "yeah, we got him," blah, blah, blah. And then -- and they drove off.
Got him," blah, blah, blah. And then -- and they drove off. So, when I seen them drove off,
and then -- and they drove off. So, when I seen them drove off, I come back down.
And I see my cousin.
He laying on the porch.
They had shot him like eight
he laying on the porch. They had shot him like eight time.
And so my thing was, he was
still living.
I jumped in the car, took him to
the hospital.
He was, like, upset,
angry.
You know, we all was.
Angry. You know, we all was. And so my cousin
you know, we all was. And so my cousin end up getting out the hospital.
We never seen the guy.
End up getting out the hospital. We never seen the guy. And then, my first day, I got
we never seen the guy. And then, my first day, I got into college, my cousin found
and then, my first day, I got into college, my cousin found them and, I mean, it was crazy.
Into college, my cousin found them and, I mean, it was crazy. Like, he shot all eight of
them -- him and another guy.
I went to college; he went to
prison.
[ sirens wailing ]
I'm 17 and about to be 18.
And, uh, I get a scholarship
to go to university.
He was -- I'm in a whole nother
world now.
So, I want to tell you when I
first got to houston, which was
so, I want to tell you when I first got to houston, which was crazy, right?
First got to houston, which was crazy, right? My coach say, "son, why you --
I love your smile, but why you
my coach say, "son, why you -- I love your smile, but why you smiling so much?"
I say, "coach, when I got in my
room, I had my own bed, 'cause
even as a kid, I never had
my own bed."
so, my uncles and them, they was
way bigger, so they'd tell you,
"don't sleep in my bed."
we got to sneak to sleep in they
bed when they leave.
We got to sneak to sleep in they bed when they leave. Man, everything was going good.
Bed when they leave. Man, everything was going good. The whole summer, I trained,
man, everything was going good. The whole summer, I trained, got stronger, got bigger.
And then, when the season start,
man, I got hurt.
And my journey was back to the
projects.
And my whole life was, like,
crumbling now, and I'm like,
and my whole life was, like, crumbling now, and I'm like, you know, "what am I gonna do?"
my grandmother always told me --
she always told me -- she say,
"anything you get fast, you
ain't gonna keep."
and, uh, that's when I start --
I think I really start changing
my life.
'cause I used to ride through
the projects.
So, now I got a son, which is
romeo, right?
I used to ride, bumping ice-t
"colors."
that was my song.
"I am a nightmare walkin',
psychopath talkin'."
and I got my son sitting on the
side of me, and I got two
pistols in the car, just heading
for the wrong direction.
Pistols in the car, just heading for the wrong direction. When my grandmother told me that
people don't realize, that's
when my grandmother told me that people don't realize, that's when I packed up.
People don't realize, that's when I packed up. I remember packing up and just
going to california.
And so, what was crazy, I
stopped at this record store
and so, what was crazy, I stopped at this record store named jones and harris, and I
seen all the people standing
outside.
Seen all the people standing outside. I went and looked at the spot,
and I say, "man, what these
people selling over here?"
and they were selling gospel
music, and they was selling r&b.
And they were selling gospel music, and they was selling r&b. And so it hit my head.
Music, and they was selling r&b. And so it hit my head. I kept, like -- it came to me
and so it hit my head. I kept, like -- it came to me to where I'm like, "I know what
I'mma do.
To where I'm like, "I know what I'mma do. I'mma open up a record store."
so I went back into
jones and harris, and I got
they brochure.
Jones and harris, and I got they brochure. That was the greatest thing
about me going to college.
You know, I studied marketing
and business.
And so, when I got the brochure,
they had where they buy the
and so, when I got the brochure, they had where they buy the music from.
They had where they buy the music from. And it all came to me, like,
"okay, this the distributor
and it all came to me, like, "okay, this the distributor where they buy the music from.
Now I'mma go to that
distributor."
now I'mma go to that distributor." I mean, at the time, I'm like
18, going on 19.
And richmond -- I'm not from
there, I don't know nothing
and richmond -- I'm not from there, I don't know nothing about it.
There, I don't know nothing about it. I'm just a kid out of college,
that got hurt, and now I want to
be in the music business.
That got hurt, and now I want to be in the music business. And so I looked around, looked
around, and I found a -- like, a
and so I looked around, looked around, and I found a -- like, a building look abandoned.
Around, and I found a -- like, a building look abandoned. So, it was right next to the
kentucky fried chicken.
And so I'm looking at rome, I'm
looking at sonya.
I'm like, "this gonna be my
record store."
and I'm starting thinking,
like, what I'mma call this
record store.
Like, what I'mma call this record store. Start thinking of ideas, logo.
Record store. Start thinking of ideas, logo. I'm like, "I'mma call it
start thinking of ideas, logo. I'm like, "I'mma call it no limit 'cause there gonna be
no limit to my success.
>> miller: So, we finally make it to richmond. And I find this building.
Make it to richmond. And I find this building. So, I call the number on a
and I find this building. So, I call the number on a phone, and a guy shows up.
I say, "sir, I'm interested in
leasing a building.
Whatever we need to do, just
let me know."
whatever we need to do, just let me know." he said, "well, look, I'll tell
you this.
He said, "well, look, I'll tell you this. If you could fix this building
up, paint it, do all this stuff
if you could fix this building up, paint it, do all this stuff to it, I'll let you have it
rent-free for a year."
right before we got our
apartment, our condo, we had to
sleep in the back of the store.
Apartment, our condo, we had to sleep in the back of the store. I think I just saved up $10,000.
Sleep in the back of the store. I think I just saved up $10,000. Now we about to go get us an
apartment the next day.
So, romeo sitting in the car,
maybe like 2 years old or
so, romeo sitting in the car, maybe like 2 years old or something, and I'm thinking,
"let me run in and grab it,
put the cds."
I had a bunch of stuff, putting
into the car.
Man, thank god he didn't go in
the streets.
He put the car in drive
and ran right into
he put the car in drive and ran right into kentucky fried chicken.
And ran right into kentucky fried chicken. People tell me they gonna call
the police.
I'm like, "nah, don't call.
The police. I'm like, "nah, don't call. But what could we do?"
she say, "yeah, if you got
but what could we do?" she say, "yeah, if you got $9,000, then I won't call the
police, 'cause that's what this
gonna cost to fix our window."
so I gave them the $9,000.
Gonna cost to fix our window." so I gave them the $9,000. Only got $1,000 left.
So I gave them the $9,000. Only got $1,000 left. I was just about to move in
only got $1,000 left. I was just about to move in an apartment.
We end up staying in the back of
the store for another three
we end up staying in the back of the store for another three months.
>> miller: It wasn't till my brother got killed that I really start saying, "I want to live.
Brother got killed that I really start saying, "I want to live. My brother live on forever" --
my brother kevin miller.
And I wanted to be able to put
him in my music, to where he
and I wanted to be able to put him in my music, to where he could live forever.
Him in my music, to where he could live forever. And I think that's how I really
got into the music business.
You know, my first record was
"get away clean."
you know, my first record was "get away clean." me experimenting.
I didn't sell a lot of records
at first.
Nobody didn't believe in me.
At first. Nobody didn't believe in me. I was in the west coast.
I got a saints hat on, a saints
jacket.
And I'm country, basically.
Jacket. And I'm country, basically. Like, "man, you don't fit here."
and I'm country, basically. Like, "man, you don't fit here." like, "it don't work."
like, "man, you don't fit here." like, "it don't work." I got a mouthful of gold teeth.
Like, "it don't work." I got a mouthful of gold teeth. I'm doing "get away clean."
did "mama's bad boy."
was doing a couple projects
and doing it on my own.
Was doing a couple projects and doing it on my own. I remember working with e-a-ski,
probably one of the baddest
producers I ever met in my life.
Probably one of the baddest producers I ever met in my life. He was doing music with spice 1.
Producers I ever met in my life. He was doing music with spice 1. So, he hooked me up with
he was doing music with spice 1. So, he hooked me up with spice 1.
I was able to meet tupac.
Spice 1. I was able to meet tupac. At that time, tupac, spice 1,
and mc8 was touring.
I was able to get on some shows
and open up for tupac.
So, people don't realize how I
got on the road.
Tupac and them liked me 'cause
they knew I had cash, they knew
tupac and them liked me 'cause they knew I had cash, they knew I had money.
They knew I had cash, they knew I had money. So it was like, "man, we got to
bring p out here," because
so it was like, "man, we got to bring p out here," because they'll go to the mall and
they'll be waiting for they
money, even though -- 'cause
once the promoters pay them,
they'll pay me back.
Once the promoters pay them, they'll pay me back. So I just -- I'll give all the
artist money while we on the
so I just -- I'll give all the artist money while we on the road, and then they might give
me a g or something over
whatever, 'cause they like to --
back then, we liked to go
to the mall.
Back then, we liked to go to the mall. Like, we go to the mall when we
hit these cities and stuff.
But I'd be the only one that had
cash, so people wanted me to
but I'd be the only one that had cash, so people wanted me to come.
Cash, so people wanted me to come. I remember opening up for tupac.
Come. I remember opening up for tupac. I started -- I started getting
my music together.
I was there when the lights
was on, so nobody would really
get a chance to see me.
Was on, so nobody would really get a chance to see me. So everybody's think that,
you know, yeah, we sold
so everybody's think that, you know, yeah, we sold 100 million records.
You know, yeah, we sold 100 million records. But it just didn't happen
overnight.
We failed so many times.
Overnight. We failed so many times. I mean, I could -- one time I
we failed so many times. I mean, I could -- one time I was out there, it was like,
"man...
Was out there, it was like, "man... Next to the stage is
mr. Peter country singer."
next to the stage is mr. Peter country singer." 'cause I'm from new orleans,
so the older white guy would
introduce me like that.
So the older white guy would introduce me like that. He's like, "man, I thought you
was a country singer.
You from new orleans."
I say, "look, man, it's
you from new orleans." I say, "look, man, it's master p the rapper."
I went from having no fans
to one fan.
And I was so happy, I'm telling
my brother, "man, I got one.
Dude out there bouncing to my
music."
dude out there bouncing to my music." I think it was in cincinnati.
Music." I think it was in cincinnati. I said, "I'm going out here and
talk to this dude and get my
t-shirt."
so, we went out there.
T-shirt." so, we went out there. I said, "man, you like that?"
he say, "yeah, I liked that."
and I told my brother -- I said,
"I'mma turn that one fan into
a million."
kept going into the studio, kept
making records, kept getting
better, kept working on my craft
like an athlete.
Better, kept working on my craft like an athlete. I learned that from playing
basketball, playing sports.
Get in the gym, work on your
game."
get in the gym, work on your game." somebody might be at the top of
the mountain right now, but you
could surpass them if you
work hard.
Could surpass them if you work hard. And when I got my time, I was
ready 'cause I was making
and when I got my time, I was ready 'cause I was making so many songs, so many records,
just trying to get better.
So many songs, so many records, just trying to get better. Whatever I do, I got to get me
some product, and I need to
whatever I do, I got to get me some product, and I need to own it, 'cause my grandfather
kept saying, "start your own
army, start your own business."
and I start realizing that, so
when I got into the music
business, not only I was selling
records but I start selling
clothes, I start selling dolls,
I start selling anything I could
get my hand on to -- that
whenever this over for me, I
still build a brand and have a
fan base.
Still build a brand and have a fan base. And I think that's what --
that's what saved me to the
and I think that's what -- that's what saved me to the longevity and, um, product.
That's what saved me to the longevity and, um, product. Product don't talk back.
Longevity and, um, product. Product don't talk back. You don't have to worry about
product don't talk back. You don't have to worry about product getting mad at you.
Right now, I got all kind of
products, to where where we went
right now, I got all kind of products, to where where we went from rap snacks to rap noodles
to soldier chips
to soldier snacks
to the whole soldier brand
to la great brands
to the water to the cereals
to clothing.
To the water to the cereals to clothing. Right now, when you look at now
what we have, to the moneyattis
right now, when you look at now what we have, to the moneyattis to the moneyatti clothing,
shoes, and people don't realize
"moneyatti" stands for
"motivating oneself, encourage
you actively to think
independently."
I've always thought
independently.
I always realized that when I
did my first deal in music, and
I start looking up who is
michael jackson's attorney,
when I found that out, I call
the attorney, he say, "yeah,
if you want to talk to me, it's
gonna cost $25,000."
that was in the '90s.
Gonna cost $25,000." that was in the '90s. Just $25,000 just for the meet.
That was in the '90s. Just $25,000 just for the meet. And so I gave him $25,000.
I get there, I said, "I got a
and so I gave him $25,000. I get there, I said, "I got a record company.
I want to do a record deal.
Record company. I want to do a record deal. What's the best deal I could
get?"
what's the best deal I could get?" say, "the best deal, if you want
to deal bigger than
michael jackson, michael jackson
get 22% of a record.
Michael jackson, michael jackson get 22% of a record. And he own neverland ranch."
and I'm like, "man, he bought
and he own neverland ranch." and I'm like, "man, he bought all that with 22%?"
I said, "what's the next deal?"
the guy say, "a distribution
deal.
The guy say, "a distribution deal. But nobody will get that unless
you have like $200,000 in
but nobody will get that unless you have like $200,000 in marketing money."
I walk out that office saying,
"damn, this guy told me about
getting a distribution deal.
I gave him 25 grand, and now I
need $200,000 more to go get
this distribution deal."
I started selling my cd and
cassettes out the trunk of my
car.
Cassettes out the trunk of my car. And, uh, I saved up enough
money -- saved up like about
and, uh, I saved up enough money -- saved up like about $200,000-some.
Money -- saved up like about $200,000-some. I went to see jimmy iovine.
Jimmy iovine wrote me a check
for a million dollars.
Say, "you're the next thing
that go."
say, "you're the next thing that go." I'm sitting in there now,
reading -- by me going to
college, I'm reading through the
contract.
College, I'm reading through the contract. I'm thinking about the
michael jordan deal.
It was a million dollars.
Michael jordan deal. It was a million dollars. I couldn't use my name for
it was a million dollars. I couldn't use my name for seven years, all this stuff.
And they'll take all my rights.
Seven years, all this stuff. And they'll take all my rights. I say, "sir, I'm gonna go get
and they'll take all my rights. I say, "sir, I'm gonna go get something to eat, I'm gonna
come back."
he say, "if you don't come back,
you'll never get a deal
in this town, 'cause I know
everybody."
so, I left.
Everybody." so, I left. Never came back.
So, I left. Never came back. Me and my brother on the plane.
Me and c -- we on the plane,
me and my brother on the plane. Me and c -- we on the plane, about to fight.
He like, "bro, why you ain't
take the million dollars?"
he like, "bro, why you ain't take the million dollars?" I'm like, "bro,
if that white man offered me
a million dollars, how much you
think I'm worth?"
that shut him up, right on the
plane.
That shut him up, right on the plane. He just put his head down.
Plane. He just put his head down. I say, "I got to be worth
he just put his head down. I say, "I got to be worth $30 million or $40 million."
I don't know if I'm worth
$5 million or $10 million or
whatever, but in my mind, I'm
thinking, "so, you got to know
your self-worth."
so, we left.
Your self-worth." so, we left. And, uh, finally, a couple
months later, priority records
and, uh, finally, a couple months later, priority records came in.
Months later, priority records came in. And I'm talking to the guy at
priority records, and I say,
and I'm talking to the guy at priority records, and I say, "I don't want -- I only want a
distribution deal.
My mind is made up.
Distribution deal. My mind is made up. I need a distribution deal."
my mind is made up. I need a distribution deal." so, the guy finally talked to
his boss, and the boss say,
"you know what?
His boss, and the boss say, "you know what? If he got $200,000, we'll give
him a distribution deal.
But let him know, when he put
his records out, he probably
but let him know, when he put his records out, he probably ain't gonna sell nothing but
about 5,000 or 10,000 records."
and I said, "well, that's just a chance I'm gonna have to take." I think we put out probably the
most lucrative deal ever.
The deal was 100% on the ship,
with an 85/15, where I got 85%
the deal was 100% on the ship, with an 85/15, where I got 85% and the record company got 15%.
With an 85/15, where I got 85% and the record company got 15%. With that deal, it was
unprecedented.
It broke every rule in the game.
Unprecedented. It broke every rule in the game. These guys were telling me that
it broke every rule in the game. These guys were telling me that I was gonna sell 5,000 to 10,000
these guys were telling me that I was gonna sell 5,000 to 10,000 records.
The "ice cream man" album
ended up selling like 40,000 to
the "ice cream man" album ended up selling like 40,000 to 50,000 copies.
Ended up selling like 40,000 to 50,000 copies. I mean, at priority records,
they was popping bottles,
they -- 'cause at that time,
they had ice cube, they had
dr. Dre, they had ghetto boy,
they had jay-z.
Dr. Dre, they had ghetto boy, they had jay-z. They had some of the top artists
in the world.
These guys wasn't selling those
type of numbers on the first
these guys wasn't selling those type of numbers on the first week.
Type of numbers on the first week. And that record went from there
to going gold or platinum.
And, uh, think I ended up,
the next year or two after that,
and, uh, think I ended up, the next year or two after that, I ended up making
forbes top richest under 40.
>> miller: So, I'mma tell y'all what happened. I got to priority records
when I did the deal.
They told me I was gonna be able
to put out one record a year.
I say, "no, I'm gonna put out
like 30 records a year."
they was like, "30 records
a year?
They was like, "30 records a year? That don't work like that."
I say, "why it don't work
that don't work like that." I say, "why it don't work like that?
I own the company.
Like that? I own the company. I got 85%; you got 15%, so y'all
got to listen to me."
man, they was hot, sitting
in there.
Man, they was hot, sitting in there. So, it was like, "this ain't
gonna work.
Your career gonna be over with."
man, look how god worked.
We had 22 albums on the top 200
billboard charts at one time.
Well, so, my thing was, I never
wanted to be a star.
Like, it never was about me.
Wanted to be a star. Like, it never was about me. I'm like, "if I get hot, I'm
like, it never was about me. I'm like, "if I get hot, I'm putting everybody on.
So I want to spotlight
everything that we have coming
so I want to spotlight everything that we have coming in our projects."
and I think it goes to -- to
understanding business,
understanding this is your
company.
Understanding this is your company. It's bigger than just me,
'cause a lot of -- back then,
it's bigger than just me, 'cause a lot of -- back then, a lot of people just wanted to
be the king.
A lot of people just wanted to be the king. They wanted to be it's all about
them.
If you look at a lot of the
artists -- I'm not gonna say
if you look at a lot of the artists -- I'm not gonna say no names, but they could have
put a lot of people on that they
didn't put on, because they
wanted to be the star.
Didn't put on, because they wanted to be the star. And we talk about this all the
time -- they want to be
and we talk about this all the time -- they want to be pampered, they wanted to the
big shot of the company.
Pampered, they wanted to the big shot of the company. I'm like, "nah, if I'm making
it, I want to make 20 of me."
now I'm not just getting one
platinum record from no limit.
Now I'm not just getting one platinum record from no limit. You getting 20 or 30.
Platinum record from no limit. You getting 20 or 30. By me having that record store,
you getting 20 or 30. By me having that record store, I started looking around,
by me having that record store, I started looking around, saying, "you got the geto boys,
you got the n.W.A., you got
eazy, you got all these
different artists."
and I said, "man, imagine if I
created all that on my own
in this circle of just
no limit."
I wanted to create a female
artist first.
So I created sonya c, which was
my wife.
I created her to be an artist.
My wife. I created her to be an artist. But then we started having kids,
and she ain't had the time
but then we started having kids, and she ain't had the time to do it.
And she ain't had the time to do it. And so, at the same time, I'm
looking at my brothers.
I'm like, "me, c, and silkk."
I'm like, "we could be a group."
everybody always tell me
all these different words,
what "tru" stand for.
All these different words, what "tru" stand for. Tru stands for
the real untouchables.
So, I watched this old gangster
movie back in the day, on
so, I watched this old gangster movie back in the day, on "untouchables."
and I just put, you know,
"the" in front of them --
"the real."
I said, "this is what we
gonna be.
This is gonna be our brand
as a group."
this is gonna be our brand as a group." silkk was the youngest.
As a group." silkk was the youngest. So, while I was out there
hustling, doing what I had to
so, while I was out there hustling, doing what I had to do, trying to get my records in
record stores -- other record
stores -- get my records in the
clubs, I always tell silkk to
write something.
Clubs, I always tell silkk to write something. You know, I come up with some
songs and stuff, and you know,
you know, I come up with some songs and stuff, and you know, silkk being my younger brother,
he always -- he'll come up with
something.
He always -- he'll come up with something. So I put him on the song.
Something. So I put him on the song. And then c -- you know, c will
so I put him on the song. And then c -- you know, c will come up with stuff.
And I'm like, "man, together,
we stronger than any group,
and I'm like, "man, together, we stronger than any group, 'cause all the stuff we done
been through."
and I had tried other guys
that I had put in the group
before, and it just didn't work.
That I had put in the group before, and it just didn't work. It was, everybody wanted to be
this, everybody wanted to be the
it was, everybody wanted to be this, everybody wanted to be the leader of the group.
This, everybody wanted to be the leader of the group. And it's like, "man, this is my
vision, this is my dream."
and it's like, "man, this is my vision, this is my dream." it's like, "you're not gonna
change that."
and then, you know, I watched
a lot of guys come and go, and I
realized blood is thicker than
water, and I started realizing,
"family over everything."
so I wanted to break my
brothers.
So I wanted to break my brothers. But as a group, when we start
getting together, the magic just
but as a group, when we start getting together, the magic just start happening in the studio.
Getting together, the magic just start happening in the studio. So I believe that's how tru
was formed.
And then I start breaking
everybody off as solo acts.
And silkk was the first one.
Everybody off as solo acts. And silkk was the first one. It was like, "man, he shocked
and silkk was the first one. It was like, "man, he shocked the world."
it was like, "man, he shocked the world." so I said, "okay, you gonna
shock the world, I got to come
up with something.
Shock the world, I got to come up with something. We gonna come up with an album
you coming out the tv."
we gonna come up with an album you coming out the tv." c stuff was more just
hard street.
C stuff was more just hard street. With me, even back then,
even though my stuff was street,
with me, even back then, even though my stuff was street, but I still was talking about
business, making it out of the
hood.
Business, making it out of the hood. And -- and I feel like
those three different styles
and -- and I feel like those three different styles coming together, it turned us
into one of the biggest groups
in the world, which is tru,
and it was all family.
In the world, which is tru, and it was all family. Family over everything.
♪ >> miller: Yeah, you know, my relationship with nipsey hussle
was -- was 100.
Relationship with nipsey hussle was -- was 100. He really believed in my
movement, and he wanted to learn
he really believed in my movement, and he wanted to learn from me.
Movement, and he wanted to learn from me. And I didn't mind being an
open book to teach him the game.
I read over nipsey contract he
had with atlantic records, and
I told him it wasn't a good
contract.
And he told me, "you know,
big dawg, I -- I respect it.
But this is something I got to
do, because I put all these
but this is something I got to do, because I put all these records out that didn't go
nowhere."
nipsey don't even know how
famous he is, because he was
always fighting against the
system.
Always fighting against the system. When he died, everybody jumped
on him, and that's the part
when he died, everybody jumped on him, and that's the part that's crazy to me, is, like,
he blew up so big when he died,
but he was always telling me
about, like, he can't believe
that his music is this good,
but he ain't doing the numbers.
That his music is this good, but he ain't doing the numbers. Like, the last project that he
had, he probably sold
like, the last project that he had, he probably sold like 50,000 to 100,000.
Had, he probably sold like 50,000 to 100,000. And then, when he died, he sold
3 million.
And that was crazy to me, how
all the people came.
And I'm like, a lot of these
guys, we was trying to get songs
and I'm like, a lot of these guys, we was trying to get songs cleared for that never happened.
Guys, we was trying to get songs cleared for that never happened. But when he died, and everybody
start making records.
And -- and you know, now people
see my product, the uncle p
and -- and you know, now people see my product, the uncle p products and stuff like that,
what we put our faces on --
product that we really own --
it's gonna change the game.
Product that we really own -- it's gonna change the game. The more we make, the more we
get, and that's the same thing
the more we make, the more we get, and that's the same thing nipsey was trying to do -- build
his clothing company up and be
able to put money back into
the hood.
Able to put money back into the hood. But also you got to be able to
protect yourself.
The same hood will kill you,
'cause there's a lot of jealousy
the same hood will kill you, 'cause there's a lot of jealousy and envy and self-hate
in the hood.
And envy and self-hate in the hood. Once you make it out of there,
I tell my kids, "look forward,
once you make it out of there, I tell my kids, "look forward, don't look back."
but we -- we gonna -- we gonna
give, we gonna be a part of
helping the next generation.
Give, we gonna be a part of helping the next generation. But we don't need to be a part
of something that they don't
but we don't need to be a part of something that they don't even want to be a part of.
Of something that they don't even want to be a part of. They got to be there.
Even want to be a part of. They got to be there. When I was in the hood, I had to
they got to be there. When I was in the hood, I had to be there.
I didn't want to be there.
Be there. I didn't want to be there. The world -- you see what the
world going through right now,
the world -- you see what the world going through right now, on the national basis, where
people talking about
snatch-and-grab.
People talking about snatch-and-grab. This has been happening
in the hood.
You fool in the hood
if you done made it out
you fool in the hood if you done made it out and have to come back there
and be a part of it.
Yeah, it's fine to have a
business and help people, but
at the same time, what I learned
from the whole nipsey situation
is that, man, you still have to
protect yourself and your family
because the hood get rid of the
plug.
So, signing snoop dogg, man, was -- was crazy because, at that time, I was a fan
of snoop dogg.
At that time, I was a fan of snoop dogg. And now I'm building one of the
biggest empires in the world and
and now I'm building one of the biggest empires in the world and knowing that I got an
opportunity to get snoop dogg.
Knowing that I got an opportunity to get snoop dogg. I talked to one of the guys at
priority records.
I was like, you know, "I heard
snoop dogg's contract is up and
death row might be thinking
about moving him."
I think mystikal wanted to do a
song with snoop.
And snoop asked me for some
money, and I wrote him a check
and snoop asked me for some money, and I wrote him a check for way more than the amount
that he wanted for the song.
For way more than the amount that he wanted for the song. And he started, you know -- we
started building a relationship.
I know that death row was trying
to get rid of him.
And I end up, you know, making
a deal with suge for snoop.
And it was the kind of deal we
did with priority, and the rest
and it was the kind of deal we did with priority, and the rest was history.
Did with priority, and the rest was history. When snoop came in no limit,
it was crazy because, for one
when snoop came in no limit, it was crazy because, for one thing, nobody ever had an artist
that big.
Thing, nobody ever had an artist that big. We wanted to show him how to
be his own boss, how to own
we wanted to show him how to be his own boss, how to own what he's doing.
Be his own boss, how to own what he's doing. Snoop came to the universe of
no limit to learn business,
snoop came to the universe of no limit to learn business, not just music.
No limit to learn business, not just music. And to the day, he's probably
one of the biggest artists
and to the day, he's probably one of the biggest artists in the world.
One of the biggest artists in the world. And we got that buy-in and
friendship and brotherhood
and we got that buy-in and friendship and brotherhood that it's undeniable.
Friendship and brotherhood that it's undeniable. He's a loyal person.
That it's undeniable. He's a loyal person. And we done created an amazing
he's a loyal person. And we done created an amazing brand together, and then watch
and we done created an amazing brand together, and then watch him go and create his own brand
is incredible.
Is incredible. So I feel like he came to
so I feel like he came to no limit as a student and
left out a boss, so...
Left out a boss, so... I want people to know that me and suge never was at each
other's throat.
And suge never was at each other's throat. We just two black men that had a
business.
My vision was different
from his.
His vision was one way, and my
thing was always about love and
his vision was one way, and my thing was always about love and peace and trying to uplift us,
saying that, "how come we can't
stand on the corners together
like all these other companies?"
if you look at gucci, versace,
all these brands, they next
door to each other.
All these brands, they next door to each other. And they all making money.
Door to each other. And they all making money. I feel like it's enough room
and they all making money. I feel like it's enough room for all of us.
That's just integrity I kept.
For all of us. That's just integrity I kept. And I'm never gonna put a man
that's just integrity I kept. And I'm never gonna put a man down when he down.
I see a lot of people talk stuff
about people once they...
But you what?
About people once they... But you what? I mean, suge gave me
but you what? I mean, suge gave me opportunity.
I took advantage of it and did
what I need to do.
It's almost like somebody
selling you an old car that you
it's almost like somebody selling you an old car that you think you don't have no value
in it no more, but that person
see the value.
In it no more, but that person see the value. Like, I seen the value that
snoop still had in him.
And I don't think suge could see
that no more, so I'm like,
and I don't think suge could see that no more, so I'm like, "okay, well, what you want
for it?"
and I gave him a couple million
dollars, and we moved on and did
what we had to do.
Dollars, and we moved on and did what we had to do. And the rest is history.
What we had to do. And the rest is history. I'm not gonna let people put us
and the rest is history. I'm not gonna let people put us against each other.
People always thought that there
was a beef between cash money
people always thought that there was a beef between cash money and no limit.
Was a beef between cash money and no limit. It never was.
And no limit. It never was. I think that when you from
it never was. I think that when you from the same place -- like, we,
like, walking distance
from each other.
Like, walking distance from each other. If we'd have had a problem, we
both would have -- it would have
if we'd have had a problem, we both would have -- it would have been a massive war.
Both would have -- it would have been a massive war. But I've always rooted for them
on the sideline.
I've always wanted them to be
successful.
Cash money was able to do they
thing, so I'm happy for somebody
cash money was able to do they thing, so I'm happy for somebody from new orleans to be able to
be successful where I come from.
From new orleans to be able to be successful where I come from. So, now it's a lot of us.
Be successful where I come from. So, now it's a lot of us. And I know, back in the day,
so, now it's a lot of us. And I know, back in the day, I could have signed cash money,
and I know, back in the day, I could have signed cash money, the whole company.
But look how god worked.
The whole company. But look how god worked. How god worked, these guys was
but look how god worked. How god worked, these guys was able to go and do stuff that
how god worked, these guys was able to go and do stuff that a lot of people couldn't even
imagine.
>> miller: I want people to know, nobody gave me nothing in basketball.
Know, nobody gave me nothing in basketball. We didn't have the inner net
bag, and you had to able to ball
we didn't have the inner net bag, and you had to able to ball or you was gonna get took out.
Bag, and you had to able to ball or you was gonna get took out. Like, especially in the cba.
Or you was gonna get took out. Like, especially in the cba. It's, like, you coming out with
like, especially in the cba. It's, like, you coming out with a broken nose, a broken jaw, or
it's, like, you coming out with a broken nose, a broken jaw, or something, 'cause everybody
went hard every night.
Something, 'cause everybody went hard every night. I started training with
john lucas.
So, john lucas, the goat.
John lucas. So, john lucas, the goat. At that time, you had
so, john lucas, the goat. At that time, you had nick van exel, sam cassell,
at that time, you had nick van exel, sam cassell, cuttino mobley.
Nick van exel, sam cassell, cuttino mobley. And people don't know I went
into the rookie transitional
and people don't know I went into the rookie transitional camp with darren davis,
cuttino mobley, andre miller,
steve francis.
Cuttino mobley, andre miller, steve francis. So it was some of the top guards
in the country at the time.
And john lucas really got me
prepared for the nba.
Like, we had a lot of gangstas
in basketball, man, that played.
These guys coming from the hood,
from new york, all these
these guys coming from the hood, from new york, all these different places, right?
From new york, all these different places, right? My first day of training camp,
anthony mason say, "don't nobody
my first day of training camp, anthony mason say, "don't nobody touch me."
so I'm like, "damn, this dude
said, 'nobody ' -- this dude
biggest [bleep]."
this dude like 6'10".
Biggest [bleep]." this dude like 6'10". Big old black dude from
new york.
Soon as he said that, I think,
the first play he went to the
soon as he said that, I think, the first play he went to the basket, I fouled him.
The first play he went to the basket, I fouled him. Pop!
Basket, I fouled him. Pop! He said, "alright, rookie,
pop! He said, "alright, rookie, we gonna fight when we get
he said, "alright, rookie, we gonna fight when we get in the locker room."
I said, "man, we got to fight
right now.
I ain't waiting till we get
in the locker room."
and you know, by me standing up
for myself, he was like, "man,
I like you."
we ended up being friends
after that.
We ended up being friends after that. I just knew I was on a team
'cause I was doing my thing
as a player, and I paid my dues.
So, one day, bob bass called me
in the office.
He said, "man, you are
a hell of a player.
But your music is pure filth."
I'm like, "what?
What is he talking about?"
the man had the "ice cream man"
what is he talking about?" the man had the "ice cream man" album sitting on the...
The man had the "ice cream man" album sitting on the... I say, "let me go pack my bags.
Album sitting on the... I say, "let me go pack my bags. I'm out of here."
man, that day, I realized that
your past can haunt you,
the music.
Your past can haunt you, the music. You know, I was ahead of my
time.
And right now, if that
"ice cream man" album would have
and right now, if that "ice cream man" album would have been, I probably would be in the
nba, doing my special, if I had
the skills.
Nba, doing my special, if I had the skills. They end up letting me go.
The skills. They end up letting me go. And I was the last man
they end up letting me go. And I was the last man cut on that team.
The next year, toronto raptors
picked me up.
And you just never know.
Picked me up. And you just never know. You -- you -- you can't think
and you just never know. You -- you -- you can't think you're done till the ink is dry.
And I just knew I was on that
team.
I was negotiating a
$3 million-a-year deal to play
for the toronto raptors, the
night before they let me go.
For the toronto raptors, the night before they let me go. And the coach told me, uh,
"they called to say they decided
and the coach told me, uh, "they called to say they decided to go a different direction."
it wasn't about me as a
basketball player.
It wasn't about me as a basketball player. That time, um,
vince called the agent.
It had got caught up into,
like, money laundering,
it had got caught up into, like, money laundering, all kind of stuff.
Like, money laundering, all kind of stuff. And they just didn't want that
type of pressure, especially
and they just didn't want that type of pressure, especially with me coming from the
rap industry.
With me coming from the rap industry. When I was in charlotte, people
don't realize I was also a
when I was in charlotte, people don't realize I was also a sports agent.
Don't realize I was also a sports agent. So, I had ricky davis.
Sports agent. So, I had ricky davis. Ricky davis was a first-round
so, I had ricky davis. Ricky davis was a first-round draft pick.
I could have went on the two-way
deal with him and then with the
charlotte hornets.
Deal with him and then with the charlotte hornets. But I didn't.
Charlotte hornets. But I didn't. I wanted to go on my own
but I didn't. I wanted to go on my own hard work to show people that I
was there.
Hard work to show people that I was there. George shinn even came at me
with another deal.
Said, "this would make you a
minority owner."
said, "this would make you a minority owner." and then you just gonna
automatically be on the team."
and I'm like, "so, you want me
to put up $10 million to be a
minority owner?
To put up $10 million to be a minority owner? That ain't about to happen, when
I deserve to be on the team."
that ain't about to happen, when I deserve to be on the team." and so you have to know your
value, know your worth.
♪
>> miller: Yeah, yeah yeah.
Yeah.
As a parent, I got to do what's
best for my son.
But as somebody from the
community and the culture, I'm
gonna always fight for hbcus
because that's us,
that's where our people are.
But I'm not gonna be afraid to tell my people the truth. How can you go to belmont and be
up-to-date technology and
how can you go to belmont and be up-to-date technology and everything, and then come to the
school literally across the
street from it, and we don't
have the things that they have?
Street from it, and we don't have the things that they have? They building wealth, and we
building pride and character.
That's what they sell us on.
Building pride and character. That's what they sell us on. How many hbcu students
that's what they sell us on. How many hbcu students running fortune 500 companies?
We got to change that.
Yeah, we got work to do.
Guess what -- we don't mind
doing it, and it's gonna take
being uncomfortable.
>> miller: To me, fatherhood is the most important job that I have.
The most important job that I have. I know I wear a thousand hats,
but having romeo as a young kid,
it really changed my life and
saved my life.
It really changed my life and saved my life. It made me want to do better,
do the right thing.
And it made me, uh, not take
so many chances on the streets,
and it made me, uh, not take so many chances on the streets, 'cause I wanted to be here and
watch my son grow up.
And I always said that when I
was in the project, "I want to
and I always said that when I was in the project, "I want to see this kid go to college."
then I knew I had to do
the right thing.
Then I knew I had to do the right thing. With all my kids, man,
I love them, uh,
with all my kids, man, I love them, uh, from the girls, to watch them
chasing they goals and they
dreams to -- to my boys
hercy and mercy chasing they
dreams in basketball and sports
and being a student athlete,
and also creating business,
building generational wealth,
being able to pass that down
from generation to generation.
Being able to pass that down from generation to generation. Romeo just was one of them kids
that just had it.
Like, the music thing, I guess,
being around me with the music,
like, the music thing, I guess, being around me with the music, the music just came natural
to him.
The music just came natural to him. And just watching him.
To him. And just watching him. Like I say you got to do
and just watching him. Like I say you got to do something you love.
Romeo used to sneak in the
studio and make his own songs.
And I'm like...
Studio and make his own songs. And I'm like... You know, my producers ain't
and I'm like... You know, my producers ain't even let me know that that was
you know, my producers ain't even let me know that that was romeo till the songs was made.
Even let me know that that was romeo till the songs was made. And I'm like, "man, what is
that?"
and I'm like, "man, what is that?" and I'm like -- I used to fight
romeo about this, like, "nah,
you don't want to get into this
business.
You don't want to get into this business. This is a cold-blooded business,
right here."
this is a cold-blooded business, right here." he's like, "nah, dad,
I want it."
I say, "well, got get all a's."
he went and got all a's, and
that's when we did that first
song, that michael jackson
sample.
Song, that michael jackson sample. And it ended up being one of the
biggest records in the world.
So, uh, co-parenting, for me,
has been fine.
When you're in a relationship
and things don't work...
But we have kids, so...
And things don't work... But we have kids, so... With me and sonya, we -- we
but we have kids, so... With me and sonya, we -- we realize that even not being
with me and sonya, we -- we realize that even not being together, we still got to be
best friends for our kids.
Together, we still got to be best friends for our kids. So I think that's what makes it
all work.
And everybody play they role.
All work. And everybody play they role. And everybody want to see
and everybody play they role. And everybody want to see everybody successful and happy.
That's the most important thing.
Everybody successful and happy. That's the most important thing. Well, I think the motivation
that's the most important thing. Well, I think the motivation for me with philanthropy is
well, I think the motivation for me with philanthropy is just what I love.
For me with philanthropy is just what I love. I mean, I grew up in poverty.
Just what I love. I mean, I grew up in poverty. And my thing is, if I could help
the next kid, that's what I'm
and my thing is, if I could help the next kid, that's what I'm gonna do.
The next kid, that's what I'm gonna do. Or can I help the elderly?
Gonna do. Or can I help the elderly? I'm gonna do it, 'cause that's
or can I help the elderly? I'm gonna do it, 'cause that's what I love.
And these -- you know, I started
out with people that I grew up
and these -- you know, I started out with people that I grew up around.
Out with people that I grew up around. I want to see them in a better
life.
I was able to be blessed with a
better life.
And so, when you help somebody
less fortunate, it just -- it
and so, when you help somebody less fortunate, it just -- it just do something else with me.
Less fortunate, it just -- it just do something else with me. Like, it's more important than
money that I'm able to be a
like, it's more important than money that I'm able to be a blessing to somebody else.
Money that I'm able to be a blessing to somebody else. And we've been doing this
for over 23 years now,
and we've been doing this for over 23 years now, giving back team hope.
For over 23 years now, giving back team hope. We have built a brand that's
just solid about the community
we have built a brand that's just solid about the community and our culture.
Just solid about the community and our culture. And every product that I put on
the shelf, the more we make,
and every product that I put on the shelf, the more we make, the more we give.
The shelf, the more we make, the more we give. And to be able to go back and
help kids, my whole thing is,
and to be able to go back and help kids, my whole thing is, I tell these kids all the time
that, "y'all don't owe me
nothing.
That, "y'all don't owe me nothing. If one of y'all make it, just
come back and help the next
if one of y'all make it, just come back and help the next generation."
and that's what it's about.
Generation." and that's what it's about. That's how we keep it going.
And that's what it's about. That's how we keep it going. Anybody home that's watching
that's how we keep it going. Anybody home that's watching this, I want to tell y'all
anybody home that's watching this, I want to tell y'all one thing.
This, I want to tell y'all one thing. God will give you the idea.
One thing. God will give you the idea. But he also give you the
god will give you the idea. But he also give you the customers and the clients.
So don't be afraid to put your
trust and faith in god.
Don't be afraid to work hard;
don't be afraid to feel; don't
be afraid to make sacrifices;
don't be afraid to get up;
don't be afraid to change;
don't be afraid to grow;
don't be afraid to do
the right thing.
The only thing stopping you
is you.
Look in the mirror.
That's the biggest person
in your way.
And don't be afraid to say no
to yourself if you know you're
doing something negative.
Get rid of the yes people
around you, and there's no limit
to your dreams and your success.
♪