July 14, 2015

Entrepreneurial Rappers (Billboard, June 5, 1999)


"It's no secret that many rap artists moonlight as entrepreneurs. Master P owns a real-estate agency and a sports management company, as well as other businesses. Sean Combs owns a successful restaurant and is embarking on a film career. Both Master P and Combs own record labels and clothing lines, as well. But clothing lines and record labels are not the only way for rappin' retailers to keep themselves busy when they're off stage. After bit parts in "House Party" and "Jungle Fever," Queen Latifah landed a starring role on the sitcom "Living Single." After the show was cancelled, Latifah returned to film in larger roles in movies like "Set It Off" and more recently "Living Out Loud" ... She also wrote an inspirational book for young women, "Ladies First: Revelations From A Strong Woman." Rap Veteran Spinderalla, Mos Def & Talib Kweli of Black Star and Lauryn Hill have all chosen distinctly different projects to help give back to their communities, establish themselves as a brand name or simply earn extra cash." Billboard looks into these artists and their successful business ventures outside of music, check it scanned above. Down below is an important video/message from Mos Def at Nkiru Books in Brooklyn, owned by him and Talib Kweli at the time.