Master P

Master P created a hip-hop empire without registering on any mainstream radar. For several years, he operated solely in the rap underground, eventually surfacing in the mid-'90s as a recording artist and producer who knew exactly what his audience wanted. And what they wanted was gangsta rap. With his independent label No Limit, Master P gave them gangsta rap at its most basic -- violent, vulgar lyrics, hard-edged beats, whiny synthesizers, and blunted bass. He wasn't a great rapper, nor was anyone on No Limit; occasionally, the No Limit rappers were even talentless and clumsy. But in a time when major labels were running away from the controversy that gangsta rap caused and Dr. Dre, the father of the genre, was proclaiming it dead, Master P stayed on course, delivering album after album of unadulterated gangsta. It was recorded cheaply and packaged cheaply, and almost all of the records on No Limit were interchangeable, but that didn't matter, because Master P kept making money and getting paid.

Appropriately for someone who operated outside of conventional hip-hop circles, Master P (born Percy Miller, circa 1969) didn't come from such traditional rap locales as New York or California. Master P was based in New Orleans, a city with a rich musical tradition that nevertheless had an underdeveloped hip-hop scene. It also had an unspoken violent side that affected Master P as a teenager. After his parents' divorce, he moved between the homes of his father's mother in New Orleans and his mother in Richmond, CA. During his teens, he was on the outside of the drug and hustling culture, but he also pursued a love of basketball. He won a sports scholarship at the University of Houston, but he left the school and moved to Richmond, where he studied business at Oakland's Merritt Junior College. His grandfather died and left him ten thousand dollars in the late '80s, which Master P invested in No Limit Records. Originally, No Limit was a store, not a label.

While working at No Limit, Master P learned that there was a rap audience who loved funky, street-level beats that the major labels weren't providing. Using this knowledge, he decided to turn No Limit into a record label in 1990. The following year, he debuted with Get Away Clean and later had an underground hit with The Ghettos Tryin to Kill Me! in 1994. Around this same time, the compilation West Coast Bad Boyz, which featured rappers Rappin' 4-Tay and E-40 before they were nationally known, was released and spent over half a year on the charts. These latter two albums were significant underground hits and confirmed what Master P suspected -- there was an audience for straight-ahead, unapologetic, funky hardcore rap. He soon moved No Limit to New Orleans and began concentrating on making records.

By the mid-'90s, No Limit had developed its own production team, Beats by the Pound (comprised of Craig B., KLC, and Mo B. Dick), which worked on every one of the label's releases. And there were many releases, hitting a rate of nearly ten a year, all masterminded by Master P and Beats by the Pound. They crafted the sound, often stealing songs outright from contemporary hits. They designed album covers, which had the cheap, garishly colorful and tasteless look of straight-to-video exploitation films. And they worked fast, recording and releasing entire albums in as quickly as two weeks.

Included in that production schedule were Master P's own albums. 99 Ways to Die was released in 1995, and Ice Cream Man appeared the following year. By the time Ghetto Dope was released in the late summer of 1997, Master P had turned No Limit into a mini-empire. He had no exposure on radio or MTV, but No Limit's records sold very well, and Tru -- a group he formed with his younger brothers Silkk the Shocker and C-Murder -- had Top Ten R&B hit albums. His success in the recording industry inspired him to make I'm Bout It, an autobiographical comedy-drama titled after Tru's breakthrough hit. Master P financed the production himself, and when he found no distributor, it went straight to video in the summer of 1997.

His next film, I Got the Hook Up, appeared in theaters during the summer of 1998, concurrent with the release of his album MP da Last Don. In between flirtations with the sports world -- including a tryout with the NBA's Toronto Raptors and negotiating the NFL contract of Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams -- Master P recorded 1999's Only God Can Judge Me. Ghetto Postage and Game Face followed. The double CD Good Side, Bad Side appeared in 2004 and marked P and No Limit's new relationship with the label/distribution company Koch. Both Ghetto Bill and Living Legend: Certified D-Boy arrived a year later. The 2007 compilation Featuring...Master P rounded up some of the rapper's collaborations.

from Wikipedia:

Percy Robert Miller (born April 29, 1967), better known by his stage name Master P or his business name P. Miller, is an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur, investor, and producer. He is the founder of the popular label No Limit Records, which went bankrupt and was relaunched as New No Limit Records through Koch Records. followed by Guttar Music Entertainment, Take A Stand Records and No Limit Forever Records. He is the founder and CEO of P. Miller Enterprises, an entertainment and financial conglomerate and Better Black Television.

Miller gained fame in the late 1990s with the success of his group TRU and his fifth album Ice Cream Man, which contained his first single "Mr. Ice Cream Man". In 1997, after the success of one his biggest singles to date, "Make 'Em Say Uhh!," went platinum, Miller grew further in popularity. Then Miller released his second platinum album Ghetto D. Miller also starred in his own street film, mostly based on his life, I'm Bout It,.

Then In 1998, P. Miller released his most successful album to date MP Da Last Don. The album was also based on a film that Miller produced, which came out earlier that year with the same name. The album hit #1 on the Billboard Top 200 charts, selling over 400,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified 4x platinum, with over four million copies sold, making it Miller's best-selling album. In 1999, Miller released his eighth album, Only God Can Judge Me. It was not as successful as his previous album, though it still managed to reach a gold certification. Miller also starred in the movie, I Got the Hook Up, with A.J. Johnson.

In the 2000s, as No Limit Records' popularity was declining, Miller's was as well. P. Miller re-launched No Limit Records as New No Limit Records. On November 28, 2000, he released his ninth studio album, Ghetto Postage; with relatively little success compared to earlier releases, selling 500,000 copies; critics ravaged the album. In 2003, Miller starred in the film Lockdown. In 2004, Miller released his eleventh album, Good Side, Bad Side it charted number 1 on the Independent Billboards and sold 300,000 copies. The same year Miller released his first independent album Living Legend: Certified D-Boy on his new label Guttar Music, and the album only sold 75,000 copies.

In 2011, Miller and Gucci Mane are producing and starring in a new soundtrack entitled Get Money which will be produced by Drumma Boy.

Music career

1991: Get Away Clean

On March 10, 1991 Master P released his debut studio album Get Away Clean.

1992: Mama's Bad Boy

P. Miller's second studio album Mama's Bad Boy released in April 1992 on In-A-Minute Records. In 1993 Master P released his first collaboration album with TRU entitled Who's da Killer?.

1994: The Ghettos Tryin to Kill Me!

P. Miller released his third studio album The Ghettos Tryin to Kill Me! in March 1994 (re-released in 1997). As a limited edition under Priority. In 1994 P. Miller collaborated on the No Limit compilation album West Coast Bad Boyz, Vol. 1: Anotha Level of the Game. Then he collaborated on the No Limit Christmas compilation West Coast Bad Boyz: High fo Xmas, and another No Limit compilation Down South Hustlers: Bouncin' and Swingin'.

1995: 99 Ways to Die

On February 7, 1995 Miller released his fourth studio album 99 Ways to Die. Also In 1995 Master P & TRU released their third collaboration album True it was the group's first major released after two independent albums and it managed to make it to #25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #14 on the Top Heatseekers. The album was known for its first single and P. Miller's best known song "I'm Bout' It, Bout It".

1996: Ice Cream Man

On April 16, 1996 P. Miller released his fifth album Ice Cream Man. It contained his hit single from the album "Mr. Ice Cream Man". It also contained a second version to "Bout It, Bout It".

1997: Ghetto D

On September 2, 1997 Master P released his sixth studio album Ghetto D The first week sales of the album were the highest of any of Master P's albums, selling over 761,000 copies and went on to go certified triple platinum. It contained the hit single "Make 'Em Say Uhh!", P. Miller's highest charting single to date.

1998: MP Da Last Don

On June 2, 1998 P. Miller released his best selling album to date MP Da Last Don. The album was based on an eponymous film released earlier that year. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 charts selling over 400,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified 4x platinum with over four million copies sold, making it Master P's best selling album of his career. Containing singles such as "Goodbye To my Homies" & "Make Em Say Ugh! Pt. 2". P. Miller was also featured along with Destiny's Child on his brother Silkk the Shocker single "Just Be Straight with Me". He was also featured on Montell Jordan's single "Let's Ride" which made it too #2 on the Billboard Top 200.

1999: Only God Can Judge Me

On October 26, 1999 P. Miller released his eighth studio album Only God Can Judge Me which contained his single "Step To Dis". The album also went certified gold selling over 500,000 copies. Also In 1999 Master P & TRU released their fifth studio album Da Crime Family. Also in 1999 P. Miller was featured on Mercedes single "It's Your Thing".

2000: Ghetto Postage

On November 28, 2000 he released his ninth studio album Ghetto Postage which contained his hit singles "Bout Dat" & "Souljas". Also in 2000 Master P & his new group 504 Boyz released their album Goodfellas it was a huge success peaking at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums containing their hit single "Wobble Wobble". P. Miller was featured on his brother Silkk the Shocker single "He Did That".

2001-03: Game Face

On December 18, 2001 P. Miller released his tenth studio album Game Face it contained the singles "Ooohhwee" & "Rock It". Also in 2001 P. Miller was featured Snoop Dogg's single "Lay Low". In 2002 Master P's group 504 Boyz released their second album Ballers. Also in 2002 P. Miller was featured along with his brother Silkk the Shocker on his son Lil' Romeo single "2-Way". Then In 2003 P. Miller was featured on Choppa's single "Choppa Style". Also In 2003 P. Miller featured with The Diplomats on the third version of one of his most known songs "Bout It Bout It".

2004: Good Side, Bad Side

P. Miller released his eleventh album on March 23, 2004 entitled Good Side, Bad Side it was charted number 1 on the Independent Billboards. Also in 2004 Master P & TRU released their last album The Truth. P. Miller was also featured along with Petey Pablo on his brother Silkk the Shocker single "We Like Them Girls".

2005-07: Ghetto Bill

Then on April 26, 2005 P. Miller released his twelfth studio album Ghetto Bill. Which contained the single I Need Dubs which sampled LL Cool J's "I Need Love". Then on November 29 of the same year P. Miller released his first independent album Living Legend: Certified D-Boy. Master P & 504 Boyz released their last album for the victims of New Orleans of Hurricane Katrina the album was entitled Hurricane Katrina: We Gon Bounce Back. In 2007 Miller released a collaboration album with his son Romeo Miller titled Hip Hop History it sold 32,000 copies worldwide.

2011-present: Ghetto D2

On December 6, 2010 it was announced that P. Miller was going on a new tour with his brother Silkk The Shocker & his son Romeo entitled No Limit Forever International. On February 8, 2011 P. Miller was featured on his managed artist Gucci Mane track entitled "Brinks" it is his first recorded song in over 4 years. There is also rumors that P. Miller is recording a new album & it is the sequel to his Platinum album Ghetto D. He is also working on the soundtrack to Get Money, his new movie with Gucci Mane which will be produced by Drumma Boy.

Other ventures

Film and television career

Miller's filmography includes Uncle P (New Line), Uncle Willy's Family, Soccer Mom, Repos, Lockdown, Black Supaman, Down and Distance, Toxic, Foolish, and The Pig People (currently in production.) Miller recently teamed up with his son Romeo to develop a children's cartoon, titled Gee Gee The Giraffe. The show is true to the duo's mission to produce positive, educational and entertaining content for African-American children. Animation has been employed by the Millers on prior occasions such as their February 2008 cartoon version of their music video for the song "Black History."

Miller has also made history as the first hip-hop entrepreneur to own a cable television network, Better Black Television, (BBTV) whose aim is to promote positive messages and content to the African American culture. The network was launched in 2009. Executives include Denzel Washington, Derek Anderson of the Charlotte Bobcats, DJ Kool Herc and Bo Derek. P. Miller is starring in a new film with his protege Gucci Mane entitled Get Money which is based on his book of the same name.

He also starred on Romeo! featuring his son Lil Romeo on the kids network Nickelodeon.

Business and investing career

As founder and CEO of No Limit Entertainment, Miller at one time presided over a business empire that included No Limit Records, Bout It Inc., No Limit Clothing, No Limit Communications, No Limit Films, No Limit Sports Management, P. M. Properties and Advantage Travel. Miller ranked 10th on Forbes magazine's 1998 list of America's 40 highest paid entertainers with an estimated income of $56.5 million. Miller represented running back Ricky Williams when he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints. Williams' rookie deal has been used in law schools and business schools as a model for bad contracts. Miller also manages the music, film and television career of his son, rap star Romeo Miller, pop star Forrest Lipton & rap star Gucci Mane.

Basketball

Miller had a contract with two different NBA teams - with the Charlotte Hornets during the 1998/99 season and the Toronto Raptors in 1999 pre-season. Despite this, he was never actually on the regular season roster for an NBA team. He also played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) for the Fort Wayne Fury. In 2004, he played for the ABA's Las Vegas Rattlers. He joined the 2008 McDonald's NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and scored 17 points in total.

Personal life

Miller has dedicated his time to communities through P. Miller Youth Centers and his P. Miller Food Foundation for the Homeless. On July 28, 2007, Willie W. Herenton, the mayor of Memphis, Tennessee presented Miller with the key to the city.

Miller's financial status has been brought to light as the rapper and his ex-wife are engaged in a heated battle over child support. Though his net worth was once estimated at $600 million, he has been ordered to pay just $271 a month in child support for his four minor children.

He has a daughter named Cymphonique Miller and a son named Romeo Miller. He is also the brother of rappers Silkk the Shocker & C-Murder.

Filmography