Lil' Wayne, Kanye West & Michael Jordan - Entrepreneurs?

**bestill** · 03-15-2009 04:06 PM

I think outside the box, like most entrepreneurs. But what about outside the entrepreneur norm box. What about entertainers? We often think small business owners, but I think entertainers are more entrepreneurial then we think. Maybe instead of worshiping them (or hating them) we can learn something from them. I have written a bit about Lil' Wayne, Kanye West & Michael Jordan. Follow this link

Let me know what you think!

**myfayt** · 03-15-2009 05:16 PM

I don't see celebrities as entrepreneurs

**bestill** · 03-15-2009 05:17 PM

That's why we all have opinions.

**itzpaul** · 03-15-2009 05:27 PM

Celebrities are entrepreneurs at times. Most go to start multiple businesses with their wealth.

**bestill** · 03-15-2009 05:38 PM

I'm talking more about how they brand themselves, what their trademark is, how they stay great, why they are popular.

**chrispalko** · 03-15-2009 06:13 PM

SOME entertainers are entrepreneurs. Some are exactly what they are: entertainers.

Many times it's the record labels and sponsors that call the shots. The entertainers just end up being their marketing/advertising strategy.

Would you call the hip hop artists that go to jail for stupid crimes entrepreneurs?

I would consider 50 Cent an entrepreneur with his own clothing and shoe line. I wouldn't call him an investor, though, since he lost millions in the stock market.

Here's a couple stats from wikipedia: Russell Simmons is the third richest hip hop entertainer, having a net-worth estimate of $325 million [2], third to rapper Jay-Z's $347M and CEO P Diddy's $340M.

Some entertainers are entrepreneurs, some are a marketing strategy for the real entrepreneurs (the record labels and sponsors).

**Mattie412** · 03-15-2009 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by chrispalko

SOME entertainers are entrepreneurs. Some are exactly what they are: entertainers.

Many times it's the record labels and sponsors that call the shots. The entertainers just end up being their marketing/advertising strategy.

Would you call the hip hop artists that go to jail for stupid crimes entrepreneurs?

I would consider 50 Cent an entrepreneur with his own clothing and shoe line. I wouldn't call him an investor, though, since he lost millions in the stock market.

Here's a couple stats from wikipedia: Russell Simmons is the third richest hip hop entertainer, having a net-worth estimate of $325 million [2], third to rapper Jay-Z's $347M and CEO P Diddy's $340M.

Some entertainers are entrepreneurs, some are a marketing strategy for the real entrepreneurs (the record labels and sponsors).

Nice points.

**bestill** · 03-15-2009 06:42 PM

Good points Chris. I definitely agree with you. I am not only talking about Hip hop artists though (Michael Jordan being an example). I want to explain that the article is more about how these individuals stand out, compared to other people in the entertainment world. How they are not afraid of the image that they portray.

**Lambo** · 03-15-2009 08:25 PM

they create a product, sell it to the masses, then diversity into other products....OFCOURSE they are entrepreneurs.

they also get paid like 20K to show up to clubs....if thats not creative...then I dont know what is

**bestill** · 03-15-2009 09:11 PM

Finally!! Great insight Lambo. You are absolutely right! Glad you know what I am talking about. Hope you enjoyed the article.

**discountedclothing** · 03-16-2009 06:16 AM

Yes they are entrepreneurs because the items they endorse/created/branded is for public sale.

**Moneymaka** · 03-16-2009 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by chrispalko

SOME entertainers are entrepreneurs. Some are exactly what they are: entertainers.

Many times it's the record labels and sponsors that call the shots. The entertainers just end up being their marketing/advertising strategy.

Would you call the hip hop artists that go to jail for stupid crimes entrepreneurs?

I would consider 50 Cent an entrepreneur with his own clothing and shoe line. I wouldn't call him an investor, though, since he lost millions in the stock market.

Here's a couple stats from wikipedia: Russell Simmons is the third richest hip hop entertainer, having a net-worth estimate of $325 million [2], third to rapper Jay-Z's $347M and CEO P Diddy's $340M.

Some entertainers are entrepreneurs, some are a marketing strategy for the real entrepreneurs (the record labels and sponsors).

What about the investment he made in Vitamin water?
I heard he earned $350 million.

**starwahf** · 03-16-2009 08:26 AM

Im not sure i would call showing up to a club because your being paid, an entrepreneur. I would call that an over paid job. I would say what makes someone an entrepreneur is being able to work from the ground up. I just dont see an overpaid entertainer as that, many of them describe the struggle they went through to get were they are then they become arogant. I think i will stick with the over paid entertainer label.

**x-nelly-x** · 03-16-2009 08:27 AM

I actually agree with you on the point that you made, but i must admit that are some cellebraties that are there just for entertainment and i would never call them entrepernours, because they just want to be famous. there are also some celebraties who actually do open actual businesses like anthony hutton. he is planning to open a hairdressing business. he might not be know outside england, but those who watch big brother, would know who he is and he also did not spend the money he got on himself, he used to help others.

**Gaulkin** · 03-16-2009 10:31 AM

The most successful entertainer entrepreneur in my opinion is Gene Simmons. He took the Kiss brand and made it into an empire and still going strong today.