Master P

Music career

Master P released his debut studio album Get Away Clean on February 12, 1991, followed by Mama's Bad Boy in April 1992, both through In-A-Minute Records. In 1992 he also released his first collaboration album with his group TRU, Understanding the Criminal Mind, and in 1993 they issued Who's da Killer?. His third studio album, The Ghettos Tryin to Kill Me!, came out in March 1994 and was re-released as a limited edition under Priority in 1997.

On June 6, 1995, he released his fourth album 99 Ways to Die. TRU's third album True, released in 1995, was the group's first major release after two independent albums, reaching number 25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 14 on the Top Heatseekers; its first single was "I'm Bout' It, Bout It". In 1995 Master P moved from California back to New Orleans to relocate No Limit Records with new artists and in-house producers Beats By the Pound.

1995–2000: Return to New Orleans and mainstream success

His fifth album Ice Cream Man, released April 16, 1996, included the hit single "Mr. Ice Cream Man". TRU's Tru 2 da Game, released February 18, 1997, featured Master P alongside his brothers C-Murder and Silkk the Shocker. His breakthrough album Ghetto D, released September 2, 1997, sold over 760,000 copies in its first week and went triple platinum; its single "Make 'Em Say Uhh!" earned an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Rap Video.

On June 2, 1998, he released his seventh and best-selling album MP Da Last Don, which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Top 200, selling more than 400,000 copies in its first week and over four million total. On October 26, 1999, he released Only God Can Judge Me, which went certified gold. On November 28, 2000, he released Ghetto Postage. On December 18, 2001, he released Game Face, the first album on The New No Limit.

His eleventh album, Good Side, Bad Side, was released on March 23, 2004, debuting at number 1 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart. In 2005, Master P and his son Romeo Miller formed the independent label Guttar Music, releasing Living Legend: Certified D-Boy on November 29, 2005. On December 6, 2013, he released The Gift, which was re-released on February 21, 2014 as a video album titled The Platinum Gift.

Business career

Master P opened a record store in Richmond, California, called No Limit Records And Tapes, which later became the foundation for No Limit Records. After the death of his grandfather, he inherited $10,000 as part of a malpractice settlement. In 1996, he struck a deal with Priority Records: No Limit kept full ownership of its master recordings and 85% of sales, while Priority got 15% for pressing and distribution. His parent company No Limit Enterprises became a financial force.

Did You Know?

• Master P's brother Kevin Miller was killed in 1990, which increased his motivation to become a successful entrepreneur.
• He attended three high schools: St. Augustine High School, Booker T. Washington High School, and Warren Easton High School.
• Master P worked at two jobs in his lifetime: Bellsouth Mobility and Remco.
• Master P's 1997 album Ghetto D sold more than 760,000 copies in its first week.