James “J Prince” Smith is an American businessman and hip-hop mogul. J Prince is the founder and CEO of Houston-based hip-hop company Rap-A-Lot Records, which is credited with helping some of the most well-known rap artists in the world establish their careers.
His books “My Life As A B-Boy” and “The Art & Business of Making Music” are both popular works of fiction. The success of his label, as well as his investments in real estate and other enterprises, are largely responsible for J Prince’s wealth.
J Prince Net Worth
As of 2023, J Prince’s net worth is estimated to be around $25 million. He has earned his net worth as the CEO of Houston-based Rap-a-Lot Records.
His record label’s success, as well as his investments in real estate and other industries, are substantially to blame for this. Additionally, he has made a sizable sum of money from his real estate investments, which have been highly profitable.
J Prince Salary
According to some sources, He earns an annual income of $4.5 Million.
| Full Name | James L. Smith |
| Nickname | J Prince, Joel Prince |
| Net Worth | $25 Million |
| Date of Birth | 31 October 1964 |
| Age | 58 Years Old |
| Birth Palace | Houston, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Height | 5’6″/1.7m/170 cm |
| Profession | Music executive, music manager, investor, entrepreneur, A&R |
J Prince Real Estate Investment
Prince’s masterwork boasts a pricey two-story entrance. His home has an open floor plan with beautiful views of the pool and fountains, an outdoor fireplace, and other covered outdoor gathering spaces. The masterpiece includes 5 bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, and around 8 300 square feet.
It is valued at 4.2 million dollars. The ex-wife of Dion Sanders, who is Mr. Prince’s fiancée, lives in the Dallas region and has a home valued at $2.2 million. He was able to make over $1 million in 1986, and two years later he bought a ranch with 30 acres for himself and a house for his mother.
He did a variety of occupations to support his family, including cutting grass, selling birds and rabbits, hunting, and even working on a welding truck.
The Early Years of J Prince
James L. Smith, often known as J. Prince, was born on October 31, 1965. At the time of his birth, at the age of 16, his mother Sharon Johnson was already a mother to Prince’s 1-year-old daughter Zenia. The family resided in the Coke Apartments, popularly referred to as “the Bloody Nickel,” in Houson’s Fifth Ward.
At Kashmere High School, Prince participated in football while working odd jobs like mowing lawns and welding trucks. Zenia, Prince’s older sister, tragically perished while going home from junior high school one day after being struck by a train.
Following his graduation from Kasmere High School, Prince found employment right away in the Colonial Savings and Loan Company’s Fault Department. Two years later, he lost his job, so as a side hustle, he started refurbishing and selling bucket cars.
Eventually, he established Smith Auto Sales and entered the exotic automobile market. Athletes with plenty of money to spend made up the majority of his clientele. J. Prince had accumulated over $100,000 in savings by the time he was 21. By the age of 23, he had managed to buy a 30-acre ranch for himself and a house for his mother.
J Prince Career: A Legacy in the Making
Rap-a-Lot, a hip-hop record label based in Houston, was founded by Prince in 1986. On the second level of his car shop, he initially launched the business. His primary motivation for launching the record company was to offer his younger brother something to do and prevent him from getting into mischief on the streets.
Smoke-a-Lot Records is another name for the business. In 1988, he relocated the label to New York City and began to take notice of the abilities of two well-known acquaintances who worked for Def Jam, executives Russel Simmons and Lyor Cohen.
The Geto Boys, one of Rap-a-most lot’s well-known acts, introduced hip-hop to the South. In 1989, the business released “Grip It! On That Other Level” when he discovered the rapper’s Willie D and Scarface. The federal government looked into Rap-a-Lot in the same year.
The prosecution was abandoned since there was no evidence of illicit conduct on the label. Since then, it has continued to be prosperous and concentrated on gangsta and southern rap. The EMI companies Priority Records and Virgin Records distributed it between (1991 and 1994). (1994–2000).
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It was made available in the 2000s through WEA’s Asylum Records. The Notorious B.I.G. referred to it in the song “Flava in Ya Ear (remix)” when he rapped, “I’m not from Houston, but I Rap-a-Lot.”
Snoop Dogg commends the record label by declaring, “J. Prince, Jas Prince, Rap-a-Lot, still on top, 2007” towards the conclusion of Devin the Dude’s song “What a Job,” which features him. Southern Empire Entertainment is a label owned by Jay Prince, the son of J, and is distributed by Rap-a-Lot.
Drake is a music artist signed to a management deal with Rap-a-Lot by Jas Prince, who also played a part in Drake’s discovery by Young Money/Ca$h Money/Universal Records.
Lil Wayne’s signing to Young Money in early 2009 was made possible by his introduction of Drake to Lil Wayne. In 2018, J. Prince released “The Art & Science of Respect: A Memoir,” his autobiography.
J Prince Personal Life
J. Prince is the father of seven adult children. He still owns his Houston ranch, which generates $200,000 in revenue annually from the Angus cattle it raises. J. Prince also owns an island off the coast of Belize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the CEO of Rap-A-Lot Records?
One of the first and best-known independent rap labels, Rap-A-Lot Records, was run for decades by serial entrepreneur James Prince. He describes how he came to be known as one of the most admired men in hip-hop in his memoir.
How did J Prince get rich?
The majority of Prince's wealth came from his position as CEO of Rap-a-Lot Records in Houston. Rap artists are now supporting poor neighborhoods and communities after they spent 20 years promoting Houston's rap scene. J. Prince's net worth is projected to be about $25 million as of February 2023.
How much is Prince estate worth today?
The price of the previously unheard songs kept in his vault has increased along with album sales since his passing. The IRS estimated Prince's estate to be worth $163.2 million.
