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10 Hip Hop Artists Who Successfully Became Entrepreneurs
Todays hip hop artists may be known better for their entrepreneurship than for their platinum recordings. A number of rappers have branched out and created strong names in the business world.
Here are 10 hip hop artists (in no particular order) that don’t have to depend on the music industry to put food on the table.
Hip Hop Entrepreneurs
1. Sean Combs
Sean Combs also known as Diddy is worth approximately $580 million himself. Owner of Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, Combs has his hand in a variety of ventures. Have you been to a Justin’s restaurant in New York or Atlanta? Combs owns them. Have you watched a movie produced by Bad Boy Films? Combs owns that. Clothing lines, production companies and cologne lines; Diddy has them all and runs them with a Midas touch.
Diddy ranked in as #1 Highest Paid Hip Hop Artist this year on Forbes.com.
2. 50 Cent
Worth over $250 million, and surprisingly most of his earnings sit well outside the music industry. 50 Cent had a start in Entrepreneurship when he inked his G-Unit Clothing line with Reebok, he then carried on his ventures with Vitamin Water’s parent company Glaceu who eventually sold to Coca-Cola for a whopping 4.1 Billion, cutting off a nice piece of the cake for 50 Cent, leaving him with $100 Million straight off the bat.
50 Cent could not get enough of the “entrepreneur hustle” and decided to release “Magic Stick Condoms”, “SMS Audio” headphones and a sports energy drink called “SK Energy Shots“.
Stay tuned for more news on 50 because he’s not slowing down anytime soon.
3. Shawn Carter
Better known to the public as “Jay-Z,” Sean Carter has been an entrepreneur from the time he was young. Carter was the president and CEO of both Def Jam and Roc-A Fella Records, a minority owner of the New Jersey Nets, and a co-owner of sports-bar chain 40/40.
The super-star rapper’s latest business outlet is Roc Nation Sports, a sports management company that has agents shaking in their shoes.
4. Kanye West
By the time Kanye West hit his late 20’s, the rapper was an accomplished film director, record producer and fashion designer. His sophomore effort during 2012’s Paris Fashion Week was received with positive reviews.
Not content to design only clothing, Kanye West has designed shoewear for Guiseppe Zanotti, Bape and Louis Vuitton. Though West’s foundation, The Dr. Donda West Foundation, ceased operations in 2011, he continues to offer his support to a variety of charitable efforts.
5. Styles P
This well known bronx rapper is not afraid to step outside of the gritty hood and make a world wide name for himself in various arenas.
Styles P released his first novel “Invincible” back in 2010 and has become a 5 star read on Amazon. Styles P also understands that a well balanced life doesn’t just come from reading, that you have to look after your body and health also so he setup a healthy juice bar in Bronx, New York and called it “Juices For Life“.
6. Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri became a producer at the age of 14 and quickly turned the gig into a successful rapping career. The former Virgin Records Executive is the CEO of So So Def Records, owner of Café Dupri in Atlanta, and a player in the distillery 3 Vodka.
Keep an eye on Jermaine Dupri; plans are in place to franchise his healthy eatery and expand beyond the Atlanta market.
7. Chamillionaire
He’s not called “Chamillionaire” for nothing. This talented young grammy award winning rapper burst onto the scene with a plan: to make money and invest it wisely. “Hakeem Seriki” is the owner of his own record label, Chamilitary Entertainment.
Chamillionaire is also an investor in Fly Rydes, a Houston-based car customization company. Additionally, Seriki owns a tour bus company and Masterpiece Mind Frame, a modeling agency that helps young models achieve their goals.
8. Katrina Taylor
You know her as “Trina,” the self-professed “baddest bitch” in hip hop. Perhaps better known currently for her business ventures than her music, she’s been putting her money where her mouth is since coming onto the scene in 1998.
A perfume line – Diamond Princess, a clothing line – Denim and Diamond, and a nonprofit organization – Diamond Doll Foundation, prove that this lady knows how to get the job done.
9. Akon
With a given name too long to say, Akon has two records under his belt and an incredible business career. The hip hop artist and singer is a film producer, a fashion designer, and has a hand in non-conflict diamond mining in Africa. A new record label, Kon Live Distribution, is the brainchild of this ever-evolving artist.
Word is that Akon is venturing into NASCAR launching AkonMotor Sports this year.
10. Carlton Ridenhour
You know this entrepreneur by his stage name, “Chuck D”. Pioneering a new breed of rap wasn’t enough for this businessman. Ridenhour created Chuck D Mobile, a service acquired by VeriSign for a cool $250 million.
Look for Chuck D in the news as he continues to show support for digital rights for artists within the music industry.
If there’s anything to learn from the 10 hip hop artists turned entrepreneurs on this list, it’s this: Never get pigeonholed. Each of these hip hop artists are an excellent example of both following your dreams and branching out.
News
Think & Grow Rich: The Legacy Film
We have some incredible news for you. For the first time in history, the Napoleon Hill Foundation has granted exclusive rights to Think Rich Films to transform the book, Think and Grow Rich, into a motion picture film, one that will impact another 100 million lives worldwide.
I am excited to announce that I will be featuring in this film alongside Bob Proctor, Lewis Howes, Rob Dyrdek, Barbara Corcoran, Grant Cardone, Darren Hardy, John Lee Dumas and many more incredible thought leaders.
Here’s the new teaser trailer for the film:
As true fans of Think and Grow Rich, we worked for over 3 years, pouring our hearts and souls into creating a film that is a pure representation of the Legacy of this life changing literary masterpiece.
Our guiding light along the way was to remain true to the content and in doing so spark the flame that will ignite a global movement with a powerful message.
The message is that anyone can succeed irrespective of their circumstances. Human potential is not predicated by age, race, gender, education, finance or any other perceived disadvantages.
Join us in Los Angeles on October 14, 2017 for the historical World Premier of Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy a film based on Napoleon Hill’s best selling book, Think and Grow Rich.
Join Us For The Premiere
Saturday October 14, 2017 at Regal L.A. LIVE: A Barco Innovation Center
Location: 1000 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90015
Red Carpet: 5:30pm – 6:00pm
Film Kick Off with Producers & Director: 6:20pm – 6:30pm
Film Showing: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Q & A with Cast: 8:00pm – 8:30pm
PLUS… a panel discussion with the cast hosted by Gerard Adams
Attire: Formal/Semi Formal
VIP Private After Party Katsuya at L.A. LIVE: 9:00pm to Midnight
This exclusive VIP event following the Premiere will be private to cast members, producers, director and key individuals who made this film possible.
Hors d’oeuvres & Beverages will be provided and hosted by Katsuya.
Click the button above and scroll to the bottom of the next page to get your General or VIP tickets
The heartbeat of Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy
A glimpse of what you will see..
A glimpse of what you will see.. “Faith is going to give you the ability to continue through the highs and lows…” – Rob Dyrdek
“I remember being 24, new in business and being stopped dead reading the book…” – Barbara Corcoran
“Follow your dreams! Whether you achieve them or not is irrelevant…” – Lewis Howes
Click the button above and scroll to the bottom of the next page to get your General or VIP tickets
News
5 Snapchat Hacks You Should Be Using
I am hot on this platform right now, you guys. And you should be too. It’s a huge deal, and has lots of amazing opportunities for big and small businesses, marketers, individuals, personal brands…you name it. Let me help you guys get started with a few snapchat tips.
One thing before we start with these snapchat secrets: you gotta make sure you have the “filters” and all that other fun stuff switched to “ON” in your settings. Without those, what are you even doing on Snapchat? (more…)
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Why YOU Should Be Using Twitter’s Awesome New Video Feature
This past week, I have spent several hours using the new Twitter video feature.
But probably not in the way you think.
I was responding to people. One by one, individually with the new Twitter video upload. Answering questions in real time. I was listening. And this is why I’m so excited about this new feature.
People respond to effort. When a celebrity favorites your tweet, you’re excited. Someone you admire likes a photo of yours on Instagram, and it makes you feel good. Because it’s not about the 100th of a second it takes to double tap that photo.
It’s about the fact that they looked at your profile. They chose a photo. They saw it. And then they liked. That interaction, which takes all of five or six seconds, really touches a lot of people.
Check it out here:
Twitter has taken it to the next level.
They’ve set up a perfect Thank You Economy situation. I’ve been waiting for something like this, and I’ve wanted it to do it before, but there was too much friction on the platform. Now they’ve done all the work for you, and all you have to do is get in there and engage.
It takes me nine to twelve seconds to make a video and reply, but those extra seconds hold a lot of meaning. Not to mention it’s more personal, visual, and we are living in a world where the visual is often regarded as a better engagement than the written.
There’s also more room to set the tone. A lot of things can get lost in a tweet. I might say “thnx” but that person isn’t 100% sure what my tone really was. But with Twitter video, the message comes across loud and clear.
It’s fifteen seconds of your attention on one person instead of two seconds. You know what that means? We are in control of the one asset that we all give the most f#!ks about: time. Time is so incredibly precious to people. They hate when it’s wasted, and they are impressed when you give them some of your time.
That is what excites me most about Twitter video.
Giving time to people. More time. Personalized time.
And that is awesome.
What’s your thoughts? Have you used this new Twitter feature yet?
News
Why Paulo Coelho’s Book ‘The Alchemist’ Sold over 150 Million Copies
Brazilian born lyricist and novelist, Paulo Coelho celebrates the 25th anniversary of his best selling book ‘The Alchemist’.
The Alchemist has sold over 150 million copies worldwide, won 115 international prizes and awards, has been translated into 80 languages, and is still on the New York Times bestseller list today. (more…)
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