James L. Smith is an American music executive, promoter, and manager who is also known as James Prince, J. Prince, and Lil J. He is the CEO and co-founder of the record company Rap-A-Lot, which is based in Houston. Smith and his son Jas are known for introducing Canadian rapper Drake to Lil Wayne and helping Drake sign to Young Money Entertainment in 2009.
He has also worked as a manager for boxers like Andre Ward, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Shakur Stevenson, who are all very successful. Read the post to learn more about him.
About J Prince
| Net Worth: | $45 Million |
| Date of Birth: | Oct 31, 1964 |
| Place of Birth: | Houston, Texas |
| Salary (Annual): | $4.5 Million + |
| Monthly Income: | $0.3 Million + |
| Profession: | Music executive, music manager, investor, entrepreneur, A&R |
J Prince early life
Prince’s mother, Sharon Johnson, was only 16 years old when he was born. She already had a sister, Zenia, and a younger half-brother, Thelton. They grew up in the “Bloody Nickel” apartments in Houston’s Fifth Ward, which were known for drug use and being poor. He was always interested in business and liked to play football.
Since he was 7 years old, he earned money in Shady Acres by mowing the yards of his neighbours, playing craps, selling stolen marijuana plants, and working on a welding truck. His sister was hit by a train on her way home from school and died. Friends and family were going to jail, among other things, while Prince moved from school to school and house to house. He went to Kashmere High School and got his diploma.
J Prince started a record label first
In 1986, Prince opened the hip hop record label Rap-a-Lot in Houston. At first, he ran the business out of the second floor of his auto shop. He started the record label so that his little brother would have something to do and not get into trouble on the streets. Smoke-a-Lot Records is another name for the same company. 4
In 1988, he moved the label to New York City and began to watch his famous friends, Def Jam executives Russel Simmons and Lyor Cohen, perform. The Geto Boys, the most well-known group from Rap-a-lot, put the South on the hip-hop map. He found Scarface and Willie D, two rappers.
In 1989, the company released “Grip It! On That Other Level.” In the same year, the federal government looked into Rap-a-Lot. When there was no evidence of wrongdoing, the case was dropped. Since then, it has kept its popularity and continued to focus on gangsta and southern rap. It was sold by EMI’s Priority Records and Virgin Records from 1991 to 1994.
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J Prince and the Southern Empire Entertainment
During the 2000s, it was sold by Asylum Records, which is part of WEA. The Notorious B.I.G. made a reference to it in his song “Flava in Ya Ear (remix)” when he said, “I’m not from Houston, but I Rap-a-Lot.” At the end of “What a Job,” a song by Devin the Dude that features Snoop Dogg, Snoop Dogg says, “J. Prince, Jas Prince, Rap-a-Lot, still on top, 2007.”
Jay Prince, who is J’s son, has a record label called Southern Empire Entertainment. This label is sold by Rap-a-Lot. Drake, who is signed to Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Records, was found by Jas Prince, and the artist has a management contract with Rap-a-Lot.
He put Drake in touch with the rapper Lil Wayne, which helped him get signed to Young Money in 2009. “The Art & Science of Respect: A Memoir,” J. Prince’s book about his life, came out in 2018.
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J Prince net worth
It is thought that J Prince, an American businessman, is worth about $45 million. He is known to be the CEO of Rap-a-Lot Records, which is based in Houston at the moment. In 1986, he started the record company. J Prince has worked hard for 20 years to promote the rap scene and Houston’s rap artists. At the moment, he tries to help poor neighbourhoods and communities.
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J Prince assets
Prince’s Mediterranean masterpiece has a pricey entryway with two stories. His house has an open floor plan with beautiful views of the pool fountains, an outdoor fireplace, and several covered outdoor areas that are perfect for parties. The piece of art is worth $4.2 million, has 5 bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, and is almost 8,300 square feet in size.
Mr. Prince also owns a $2.2 million home near Dallas where his fiancee, who is also Dion Sanders’s ex-wife, lives with him. In 1986, he made more than $1 million, and two years later, he bought a house for his mother and a 30-acre ranch for himself. He did a lot of different things to help support his family. He sold birds and rabbits, cut the grass, went hunting, and even worked on a welding truck.
To Conclude
J Prince also known as one of the godfather of the rap music industry has a net worth of around $45 million. We have also shared many other detail about him in the post. Hope you liked it.
