Master P has been ahead of the curve when it comes to mass production of music, entrepreneurship and more. Even now, with food products such as Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben having to change their names due to controversial origins, P has already launched his own “Uncle P” line of rice and other boxed food items.
Sitting down with GroovyTracks, the Ghetto D rapper who moonlighted in the NBA for the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors highlights another legend in his game for helping him realize his own worth.
“Best investment in my career was turning down that million dollars with Jimmy Iovine,” the New Orleans mogul said. “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.”
He added, “I only had $500 in my pocket, I’m thinking I’m about to be a millionaire. So me turning that down, so my thing is, anybody watching this, never do a deal when you’re desperate and don’t do a deal for money. Do something because you love it and you’re passionate about it, and the money will come.”
Both Jordan and P have made headlines in recent months for their causes towards social justice and reform. The Basketball Hall of Famer recently re-entered the national spotlight with the record-breaking documentary The Last Dance and also announced that he along with Jordan Brand were pledging $100 million to social justice causes.
The Bout It Bout It star continued, “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.
Because when you look at Hip Hop, people look at us like we don’t have nothing to pass down to our families. So this is what we can pass that wealth down, building a generational wealth and preparing that next generation to keep it going.”