Giant Steps: Artists Who Went From Pupils To Moguls

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The more things change the more they stay the same. While the likes of Jay Z, Sean Combs and Swizz Beatz repeatedly find themselves on Forbes Hip-Hop Cash Kings list, it’s important to remember when they got their start.

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Many of today’s moguls were mentored by OGs from the previous decade. For those who doubt it, take a look at the list of artists who went from pupils to moguls.
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Photo: WENN

photo: WENN

Before he was Diddy or Puff Daddy, Sean Combs was just an intern under Andre Harrell’s Uptown/MCA imprint working on acts like Father MC and Heavy D.

It turns out 2014 wasn’t the first time people questioned Jay Z wearing garb that representing the The Nation of The Gods and The Earths. Check the video for “The Originators” where Jaz O helped put Jay in the game.

An assist from Rap A Lot Records progeny Jas Prince familiarized Lil Wayne with Drake’s music. Wayne reached out to the Toronto rapper, and the rest is history.

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If you want to know who taught 50 Cent how to write hooks and learn some of the basics of the industry, look no further than Legendary Run-DMC member Jam Master Jay.

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Not only did Teddy Riley have a hand in legendary works by Big Daddy Kane and Slick Rick while pioneering the New Jack Swing sound, he also helped The Neptunes get their start as his protégées.

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Those strong-arm tactics Suge Knight allegedly used at Death Row can be attributed to his mentor Dick Griffey, who made his name at Sound of Los Angeles Records working with The Deele, Shalamar and The Whispers. Somewhere in between all that Griffey helped back Suge Knight.

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The entrepreneurial spirit is in Swizz Beatz’s blood. One of the reasons he had an opportunity to produce tracks for Eve and DMX was because his uncles, Dee and Waah Dean, co-founded Ruff Ryders.

Kanye West actually comes from the Bad Boy family tree not the Roc-a-fella tree. Hitmen producer Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie says he helped a young West regain his publishing rights, and the credits to Angelettie’s 2000 album Tell Em Why U Madd corroborate the statement. West has production credits on five songs.

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Before he was an international Pop icon, Pitbull was a pretty foul-mouthed rapper. What would you expect from someone who was schooled by Luther Campbell of 2 Live Crew fame.

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Early in his career, Quincy Jones told a young Tech N9ne to only speak on what he knew. It seems to have worked well, as Tech went on to sell over a million albums independently.

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Legend has it that Jodeci producer DeVante DeGrate named Timbaland and gave him his start as part of his “Swing Mob” production team. Sometimes the pupil surpasses the master.

Nayvadius Wilburn is part of Southern Rap’s royal family. His older cousin is Rico Wade of The Dungeon Family production team.

photo: WENN

photo: WENN

Under Lyor Cohen’s run, Def Jam saw Onyx, Ludacris and DMX succeed. It probably helped that Cohen was mentored by Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons.

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For you kids out there wondering who’s the random, old tattooed guy that keeps calling himself Lil Wayne’s daddy, revisit some original Cash Money material. Back when he was just “Baby” Bryan “Birdman” Williams showed Wayne the ropes and helped build YMCMB into the multimillion-dollar empire it is today.