As a recording artist, Master P is the hottest performer on the No Limit Records label.  His ferocious appetite for success has led him to the forefront of the music industry and several other businesses as well.  As founder and CEO of No Limit Entertainment, he presides over a business empire that includes No Limit Records Bout It Inc., No Limit Clothing, No Limit Films, No Limit Sports Management, P.M. Properties and Advantage Travel.  Master P ranked 10th on Forbes magazine's 1998 list of America's 40 highest paid entertainers with an estimated income of $56.5 million for last year.

Master P grew up in poverty in the Calliope Housing Project in New Orleans. After his mother moved to Richmond, CA, he and his four younger siblings were raised by their paternal grandparents. Determined not to get caught up in the world of a common street hustler, Master P later left New Orleans and moved to Richmond. Once a scholarship athlete at the University of Houston, Master P thought basketball would be his way to a better life. However, his dreams of life as a professional athlete were squelched after sustaining a serious knee injury. With his belief in himself and determination to succeed intact, he turned to his second love, music. Master P first entered the business community as a music industry retailer.  Using a $10,000 insurance settlement, he opened the No Limit Record Shop in 1990. Two years later, he launched his own record label and became the sole distributor for No Limit Records. And, from then on the sky has been the limit.

Not one to be blinded by fame and fortune, Master P is the antithesis of the image of a hip-hop impresario. He's dedicated to helping others fulfill their dreams just as he has. His Master P Foundation donates $100,000 every Thanksgiving to help feed needy families in Baton Rouge, LA, headquarters of No Limit Records Bout It Inc. He often speaks to youth groups around the country about the boundless potential they possess. Says Master P, "if I can make it to where I am, anyone can. I made it out of the ghetto; so can you. You must work hard, believe in your dream and stay focused. I'm living proof that there's no limit to what you can do." In an interview with THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine, Master P shared  more of his thoughts about success in life.

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN - What is your formula for success?

Master P - Discipline, and passion about what I'm trying to accomplish.
I surround myself with people that are as serious as I am, and often that means no sleep, tireless commitment, and the ability to juggle a lot at one time. I grew up with a grandmother who constantly reinforced the value of hard work in me. Even though we didn't have much, I lived by the philosophy of survival of the fittest!

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN - As a child what did you dream of becoming?

Master P - As a child I wanted to be a basketball star. I dreamed of basketball and I knew that someday I would play professionally. For me, it was a means out of the ghetto and I spent a lot of time perfecting my skill.

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN - What are your views on education for African Americans?

Master P- Education is a tool for making us better people. Like any other skill, we need to strive to perfect it whether by being self-taught or through an institution. Not everyone is able to afford school, and school isn't the answer for everyone, but it doesn't take much to absorb knowledge and a soldier in life will do his best to get results.

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN - What is your advice to African-American youth on how they can become successful professionally in life?

Master P - Never let anyone tell you that you can't accomplish your goals. Strive hard to be the fittest and don't ever give up. Understand that you have to make sacrifices to excel.

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN - Rap music often gets a bad rap in the media. What's your assessment of this? 

Master P - The media often shuns the truth and my rap is reality rap. The mainstream doesn't want to endorse anything that holds them responsible for the disparity of wealth in society or the perpetuation of racism.

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN - Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the overall future of African Americans?

Master P - Optimistic. The youth are all that we have!

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN - You've traveled the road of financial success already. What other key challenges await you?

Master P - An immediate challenge is making it to the NBA. A long-term challenge is becoming the best in whatever I take on making my sports management company the best, my film company the best, my music the best. As a Black man in America, everyday is a challenge, but I use challenge as a test to my will.

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN - What is the future game plan for Master P when the days as a rap star are over?

Master P - I'll always make music, and I'll always be looking for new challenges.

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN - If you could change one major aspect of your life, what would that change be?

Master P - I'd bring my brother Kevin {deceased} back.

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN - What advice do you have for African-American college students who are about to launch their careers?

Master P - Same thing I said before don't let anyone stop you from dreaming!

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN - How did you catapult your small record company into the major success it is today?

Master P - By being driven; by not sleeping when there was work to be done; by believing in myself; by convincing others to believe in me; by taking everything I made and putting it right back into the trade; and by employing people with a similar vision.

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN - Tell us briefly about each of your businesses.

Master P - No Limit Records is the most powerful independent record label in the country. Although it's distributed through Priority Records, I own all of my own Masters and I have 100% decision-making power when it comes to my artists.

No Limit Sports Management Company is a sports management company that recently signed Derek Anderson from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ron Mercer from the Boston Celtics. We handle contract negotiations, marketing, and financial planning for athletes. Although I am not the agent-of-record for my athletes, I am highly involved in their marketing plans. By signing with me, my athletes have an opportunity to get into films, music and all aspects of entertainment.

No Limit Films I inked an unprecedented deal with Miramax Pictures to distribute three of my films and this is just the beginning. In the same way that my record company jumped to success with frequent distribution of good music, I plan to frequently distribute good films. Three or four a year.

In order to increase the odds for a successful run as a film producer, Master P has enlisted the services of several key industry people including Jeff Clanagan, who'll serve as president of No Limit Films. Clanagan was a prominent concert promoter in the late 80s and 90s on the West Coast booking and promoting some of the nation's top rap and R&B acts.  The film company venture is yet another step in the evolution of Percy Miller from a "street soldier" to one of the wealthiest businessmen in America. For more information on Master P, visit his Web site at: http://www.nolimitrecords.com.