Master P Inspired By Michael Jordan To Turn Down $1M Deal With Jimmy Iovine

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Rapper Master P attends the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.
Master P emphasizes the importance of ownership.

Master P is undoubtedly one of hip-hop's most cherished entrepreneurs. The template he created with No Limit Records inspired CEOs that followed him. That being said, Master P has emphasized the importance of ownership in hip-hop and the Black community in America. In a recent interview with HipHopDX, Master P recently explained his decision to decline a $1M with Jimmy Iovine.

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“Best investment in my career was turning down that million dollars with Jimmy Iovine,” he told the publication. “And I looked at Michael Jordan career, that was the only reason I did that. So that’s what I’m saying, learn from other people’s mistakes. Look at the good things that they done, but I mean, Michael Jordan’s life turned out well, because I guess he kept going. But me looking at that when I walked into that office I’m like, they want me to sell my rights, my name.”

At the time, P said he only had $500 to his name. He wasn't striving for billionaire status either, though he could've easily been a millionaire with this one deal. "Never do a deal when you’re desperate and don’t do a deal for money," he advised the viewers.

"That was a life lesson that I learned that helped me build my empire. I think if I would’ve took that million dollars my career would’ve been over. I wouldn’t be where I’m at right now. The first to find my portfolio opening up other streams of revenues, to say, 'Now I can feed my family for 20, 30, 40, 50 years, and be able to pass something down,'" he said.

Check out the clip below. 


About The Author
Aron A. is a features editor for HotNewHipHop. Beginning his tenure at HotNewHipHop in July 2017, he has comprehensively documented the biggest stories in the culture over the past few years. Throughout his time, Aron’s helped introduce a number of buzzing up-and-coming artists to our audience, identifying regional trends and highlighting hip-hop from across the globe. As a Canadian-based music journalist, he has also made a concerted effort to put spotlights on artists hailing from North of the border as part of Rise & Grind, the weekly interview series that he created and launched in 2021. Aron also broke a number of stories through his extensive interviews with beloved figures in the culture. These include industry vets (Quality Control co-founder Kevin "Coach K" Lee, Wayno Clark), definitive producers (DJ Paul, Hit-Boy, Zaytoven), cultural disruptors (Soulja Boy), lyrical heavyweights (Pusha T, Styles P, Danny Brown), cultural pioneers (Dapper Dan, Big Daddy Kane), and the next generation of stars (Lil Durk, Latto, Fivio Foreign, Denzel Curry). Aron also penned cover stories with the likes of Rick Ross, Central Cee, Moneybagg Yo, Vince Staples, and Bobby Shmurda.
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