J. Prince is a businessman and hip-hop producer from the United States. Prince made the majority of his fortune as the CEO of Houston-based Rap-a-Lot Records. He has spent the last two decades developing Houston’s rap scene, and rap artists are now working to boost underserved neighborhoods and communities.
Early Life
J. Prince, also known by his birth name of James L. Smith, came into the world on October 31, 1965. His mother, Sharon Johnson, was just sixteen years old when she gave birth to him; nevertheless, she was already a mother to Prince’s daughter Zenia, who was just one year old at the time.
The family had an apartment in what was colloquially referred to as “the Bloody Nickel” and was located in Houston’s Fifth Ward neighborhood. While attending Kashmere High School, Prince was on the football team. He also worked odd jobs, such as mowing lawns and working on welding trucks.
When Prince’s older sister Zenia was on her way home from junior high school one day, she was tragically struck and killed by a train. After graduating from Kashmere High School, Prince moved on to secure a position in the Fault Department of Colonial Savings and Loan as soon as possible.
Two years later, he lost his job and decided to turn to restore bucket vehicles into a full-time profession instead. After some time, he established his own company, Smith Auto Sales, and entered the market for exotic automobiles.
His primary clientele consisted of wealthy athletes. He catered primarily to them. J. Prince had accumulated more than $100,000 in savings by the time he turned 21. By the time he was 23, he had already bought a home for his mother and a ranch that spanned 30 acres for himself.
Personal Life
J. Prince is the father of seven children who has reached adulthood. He maintains ownership of his ranch in Houston, which is responsible for the generation of the annual revenue of $200,000 thanks to the Angus cattle he raises. Additionally, J. Prince is the owner of an island located off the coast of Belize.
Career
In 1986, Prince established the hip-hop record label known as Rap-a-Lot in Houston. Initially, he established the business on the upper level of the building that housed his auto shop. It was his primary objective to establish the record label in order to provide something for his younger brother to do in order to prevent him from getting into problems on the streets.
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The business is also famous for the sublabel Smoke-a-Lot Records that it released. In 1988, he relocated the label to New York City and began analyzing the work of some well-known pals, Def Jam executives Russel Simmons and Lyor Cohen. The Geto Boys, Rap-a-most lot’s famous act, are credited with putting the South on the map of hip hop.
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He was responsible for discovering the rap artists Scarface and Willie D, and in 1989, his firm released the album “Grip It! On That Other Level.” During the same year, the federal government conducted an investigation into Rap-a-Lot. The matter was closed once it was determined that the label was not involved in any criminal activities.
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Since then, it has continued to focus on gangsta and southern rap, which has contributed to its continued success. EMI labels Priority Records (1991–1994) and Virgin Records (1994–2000) were responsible for its distribution throughout those years. Asylum Records, which is part of WEA, was the label that handled distribution in the 2000s. On the track “Flava in Ya Ear (Remix),” the Notorious B.I.G. made a reference to it when he declared, “I’m not from Houston, but I Rap-a-Lot.”
At the conclusion of the song “What a Job,” which features Snoop Dogg, Devin the Dude, Snoop Dogg offers his congratulations to the record label by saying, “J. Prince, Jas Prince, Rap-a-Lot, still on top, 2007.” Southern Empire Entertainment is the name of J’s son Jay Prince’s record label, and Rap-a-Lot is the label’s distributor.
Drake, a musical artist signed to Young Money/Ca$h Money/Universal Records, was found by Jas Prince, who is also responsible for discovering him. Drake is currently signed to a management contract with Rap-a-Lot. In early 2009, he was able to get Drake signed to the Young Money record label thanks to an introduction he made to the musician Lil Wayne. 2018 saw the release of “The Art & Science of Respect: A Memoir,” which was J. Prince’s autobiography.
Philanthropy
After encouraging Houston’s rap scene and rap artists for the past 20 years, Prince is now focusing his efforts on promoting economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and communities.
He has just recently started construction on a community center in his old area in the 5th Ward, which will assist young children, teenagers, and adults in being more successful in their life. On January 30, 2007, the Houston City Council and Mayor Bill White paid tribute to Prince and his body of work by declaring that day to be Prince Day. In February of 2007, Prince began a campaign to raise awareness among young people about HIV/AIDS testing and prevention.
What is J Prince’s net worth?
J Prince is a prominent American entrepreneur who has accumulated a net worth of $35 million throughout the course of his career. As the Chief Executive Officer of Rap-a-Lot Records, which is situated in Houston, J Prince has contributed significantly to his personal wealth.
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