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For 20-plus years, Southern hip-hop has flourished in cities like Atlanta, Houston, Memphis, Miami and New Orleans. Rap icon Master P, also known as the Ice Cream Man or Percy Miller, was one of the founding fathers of Southern rap and hip-hop.
Despite a global pandemic and racial cruelties, Master P has completed his latest project, the five-part BET docuseries No Limit Chronicles. The series, which depicts the highs, lows and reincarnation of Master P’s record label, premiered on BET on Wednesday, July 29.
Read More: Master P says rapper J. Cole is training for the NBA
“It was all about timing, the right timing,” Master P told theGrio. “It was in God’s time and it all came together. There is so much going on in the world and I thank God that I was able to tell my story. People look at my success but don’t know where I came from; they don’t know the sacrifices I had to make, the suffering, the pain, and why I kept ongoing.”
Master P didn’t shy away from showcasing his struggles and humble beginnings prior to founding his record label. As a child, he was living in the notorious Calliope Projects in New Orleans with 15 relatives, including his grandparents, their 12 kids, and his brother. But, he didn’t let his circumstances deter him from superstardom and longevity in the business.
“I want people to know that they can take their struggles and turn it into success. My mom and dad didn’t live with me growing up but I still made the best out of what I had,” said Master P. “I didn’t want to speak negatively and a big part of my success is me not having [wealth] growing up. I dealt with not having, so I had to go out and get it. I was already thinking like a boss.”
Master P felt right at home when he presented the idea to BET because he worked with the network years earlier. Currently, the series is the No. 1 show on BET, which speaks volumes about it’s quality.
“Many people told me, ‘Man this is so good, you should have it on Netflix or Hulu.’ But BET is a great platform for our core audience. I always felt like I was an underdog and right now, I think BET is the underdog too,” explained Master P. “I always dealt with underdogs so it’s a win-win for the both of us. It’s the No. 1 show because when something is good, people will find a way to tune in. It’s a blessing and I thank BET. we are going to do more things in the future.”
Master P and his son, Romeo Miller, teamed up with the series executive producer Randy Ferrell after a meeting with him in the office. The “Make ‘Em Say Ugh” rapper called out Ferrell’s character when he said, “I hear you’re supposed to be a good dude.” Thankfully, Ferrell rose to the challenge and earned Master P’s trust while working on the project.
Ferrell knew he needed to dig deep to tell a good visual story. In the documentary, Master P’s friends, family, and No Limit Records label-mates discussed their encounters with the rap mogul. The content was edited so production could have a five-part series, but the central theme was not dismissed.
“I learned so much about Master P while producing the film, and Southern hip-hop should get it’s fair due,” Ferrell told theGrio. “Master P is the founding father of hip-hop business and showed people how to make money in the music industry. His story is inspirational and it shows you why you should keep your mind sharp and vision clear so you can achieve great things. Yes, Master P struggled and had to figure things out and still followed through with his vision.”
Several No Limit label-mates shared how and why Master P was a father-figure, talent scout and mentor when they made their debut in the music industry. Fellow rap icon Snoop Dogg stated Master P saved his life and freed him from his corrupted deal with Death Row Records. Rappers Mystical, Mia X, and Fiend appreciated the family-oriented aspect of the label and Master P’s vision. Fiend said the biggest lesson he learned from No Limit Records is: “A good soldier prepares for war during a time of peace.”
Read More: Swizz Beatz thinks rappers should pay ‘taxes’ to Hip-Hop founders
Master P told theGrio that he is extremely proud and thankful to God that he had the ability to see the endless possibilities for No Limit Records. It was a great way for him to provide for his family and educate others along the way about music and entrepreneurship.
“Without education, we are always going up those dead ends. I want to give the new generation the real and the raw. I want them to know if I can do it, you can do it too,” said Master P.
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