Percy “Master P” Miller, the iconic founder of No Limit Records, delivered what he confirmed would be his very last musical performance Sunday night. The grand finale took place inside the Caesars Superdome, marking a milestone farewell at the Essence Festival of Culture.
“A Celebration” in the Hometown
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Master P shared, “My last show has to be with Essence. It has to be big. A celebration.” His decision to retire came after he recently accepted the role of head coach and president of basketball operations at the University of New Orleans. “It’s a blessing now to be able to transition into doing something that’s bigger than me. Being a servant is my most important job,” he added.
Born in New Orleans, Master P spent decades building an empire. He sold over 100 million records under No Limit and pioneered artist ownership with his 85/15 distribution split deal. His journey began in public housing before launching No Limit Records in Richmond, CA, teaming with figures like E‑40. “I was just a kid trying to make it out the ghetto,” he recalled.
Reflecting on Growth and Legacy
Elaborating on his decision to step back, Master P explained, “That chapter closed itself with maturing and growing up and not being afraid to grow.” He acknowledged challenges in hip-hop: “There is a lot of negative stuff going on in hip‑hop and people don’t want to talk about the positive things.”
Now known as “Coach P,” he emphasized his devotion to mentoring youth. “I love these kids. And I’ve got a chip on my shoulder because people don’t understand the level of basketball and experience… I want to bring the whole city up.”
Sunday marked Essence Festival’s closing night, celebrating Black excellence with legends like LL Cool J, Boyz II Men, Tamar Braxton and Nas. Master P’s appearance was met with standing ovations and emotion, as attendees cheered his final “Uhh” one last time.