While on the red carpet, rolling out caught up with the pioneers and new school artists who have made Southern hip-hop a movement that can no longer be ignored.
–amir shaw
Luke
It feels good to be honored. When I was creating music in my mother’s house, I would dream of this day. It’s something to start something and see it grow. I had to own a record label because they weren’t signing groups out of Miami back then. I had to manufacture, press and distribute my own records, but it all paid off.
Rick Ross
The Miami hip-hop movement meant a lot to me. To know that Luke was one of the first black record label owners and distributors of his own music, that touched me the most and inspired me to do the same thing. I try to mold myself after him when it comes to ownership in hip-hop.
Slimm Thugg
I think this honor was overdue and I’m glad the South is getting the respect that it deserves. I was influenced by J. Prince the most. I want to be like him more than I want to be like Scarface. His business hustle is great. He’s doing more than rap; he has his hands in a lot of businesses.
Gucci Mane
I’m happy to see that we are being honored now. Some people feel like it’s overdue, but it’s good to be recognized for our contributions to hip-hop.
Juvenile
I think it was overdue. Rap-A-Lot was like Def Jam to the South. A lot of people were influenced to start record labels because of [J. Prince]. It’s a great thing.
