Percy "Master P" Miller

Percy Miller, known professionally as Master P, is a prominent figure in the hip-hop industry, recognized as a rapper, entrepreneur, actor, and philanthropist. Miller's journey began in the housing projects of New Orleans and led to significant influence in the entertainment sector. As a student-athlete, Miller studied business communications before relocating to Richmond, California, where he opened No Limit Records, a record store that would become the foundation of his music business ventures. His business strategy resulted in a distribution deal with Priority Records, enabling No Limit to retain ownership of its master recordings, an uncommon arrangement in the music industry at the time. Miller is credited as one of the first major rap artists from New Orleans, contributing to the city's emergence as a center for rap, hip-hop, and bounce music.

Miller's music catalog includes work as a member of hip-hop groups TRU and 504 Boyz, as well as solo albums such as "Ice Cream Man," "Ghetto D," and "MP Da Last Don." "Ghetto D" reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and featured the platinum-certified single "Make 'Em Say Uhh!" "MP Da Last Don" also topped the Billboard 200 and remains Miller's highest-selling album, earning a four-times platinum certification. Through innovative marketing and branding, Miller's record labels have sold 75 million records.

In addition to his music career, Miller established a diverse business portfolio as founder and CEO of No Limit Entertainment. His enterprises have included No Limit Enterprises, No Limit Records, No Limit Clothing, No Limit Communications, No Limit Films, No Limit Sports Management, P.M. Properties, and Advantage Travel. Miller was ranked 10th on Forbes Magazine's list of America's 40 Highest Paid Entertainers and was among six celebrities featured in Fortune Magazine's "America's Richest Forty Under Forty." As an actor and producer, Miller produced eight films, wrote and directed six, and appeared in more than a dozen, including "Gone in 60 Seconds," "Dark Blue," and "Hollywood Homicide."

Miller later shifted his focus toward social responsibility, moving away from gangster rap to emphasize social activism. He and his son Romeo co-founded Take a Stand Records to promote hip-hop music with positive messages and no profanity. Miller also established the Let The Kids Grow Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing inner-city youth with opportunities in film, dance, and music, as well as academic support and guidance counseling. As an author, Miller participated in a national financial literacy speaking tour alongside business leaders such as Donald Trump, Warren Buffett, Robert Kiyosaki, and Magic Johnson.

Miller's achievements have been recognized with multiple honors, including five Grammys, four American Music Awards, three MTV Awards, and four BET Awards. He was ranked number 36 on VH1's Top 50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists and number 28 on BET's "The Most Influential Rappers of All Time." BET also listed him among "The 25 Influential Black Music Execs." Miller was the first hip-hop artist inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and received an honorary doctorate from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Miller continues to contribute to the music industry, business, and community advocacy as a speaker, entrepreneur, and advocate.