Who Is James Prince? Age, Biography, and Wiki
James Prince is an influential American music executive, promoter, and manager born on October 31, 1965. As of 2025, James Prince is 59 years old. He is best recognized for his significant contributions to the music industry, particularly in hip-hop. His career spans several decades, during which he has played a crucial role in the success of various artists. More details can be found on his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Talent Manager |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 31, 1965 |
| Age | 59 Years |
| Birth Place | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
James Prince's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
James Prince stands tall at approximately 6 feet (183 cm) and maintains a weight of around 180 lbs (82 kg). His well-maintained physique reflects his lifestyle and commitment to fitness. While specific body measurements are not publicly available, James's charismatic presence adds to his stature in the music industry.
James Prince (born James A. Smith; October 31, 1965) is an American record executive, music promoter and talent manager.
He founded the Houston-based Southern hip-hop record label Rap-A-Lot Records in 1986, which has discovered or signed artists including the groups Geto Boys, Do or Die, UGK, the respective solo careers of Scarface, Bun B and Pimp C, as well as rappers Devin the Dude, Z-Ro, and Trae tha Truth.
He and his son Jas have been credited as an early career mentors for Canadian rapper Drake.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
James Prince is known for being a private individual, and as such, little is known about his personal relationships. As of 2025, James remains single, focusing on his career and various business ventures. Speculations about a romantic partner circulate, but he maintains a respectful distance from public eye scrutiny regarding his dating life.
In 2021 Prince helped revive Drake and Kanye West's relationship with the goal of all three coming together to help Larry Hoover by raising awareness on incarceration in the United States. They threw a benefit concert in December 2021 with support for judicial reform advocacy groups.
The concert was at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and produced by DONDA and PHNTM. It was played in select IMAX theatres, including Grauman's Chinese Theatre, while being streamed on Amazon's Music and Prime Video services.
Net Worth and Salary
As an influential figure in the entertainment sector, James Prince has amassed substantial wealth throughout his career. In 2025, his estimated net worth is around $50 million. This wealth stems from his extensive career as a music executive, combined with his investments in various business ventures, including a record label and other ventures in the entertainment industry.
Prince co-founded Rap-A-Lot Records with Cliff Blodget, a Seattleite, in 1987. Blodget was a computer science major, who was an electrical engineer by trade and acted as the label's in-house engineer and producer alongside fellow producer Carl Stephenson. Prince used his last bit of funds to invest into the label.
He was inspired by Russell Simmons and the label he co-founded Def Jam Recordings. He moved the company in 1988 to New York City with Blodget.
Around this time Lyor Cohen would show Prince check books of Def Jam artists LL Cool J and Whodini which showed him the potential revenue to be made in the music industry enlightening him to continue his vision with the Geto Boys moving the whole label back to Houston.
Career, Business, and Investments
James Prince's career began in the 1990s, where he swiftly made a name for himself in the music industry. He founded Rap-A-Lot Records and has been instrumental in promoting the careers of several significant hip-hop artists. His business acumen extends beyond music; he has invested in various sectors, including real estate and technology, ensuring his financial growth and stability.
In recent years, he has also ventured into social media promotions and collaborations with emerging artists, adapting to the rapidly changing landscape of the music industry.
Prior to the success of Ice Ice Baby, Prince wanted to sign rapper Vanilla Ice after seeing him perform in 1990 at The Summit. He did not follow through as a result of his business partner Blodget feeling that the artist lacked talent.
Social Network
James Prince maintains a strong presence on social media platforms, notably Instagram and Twitter. With thousands of followers, he utilizes these platforms to connect with fans, share insights about the music industry, and promote his business ventures. His social media presence reflects his commitment to staying relevant in an ever-evolving industry.
Prince was working as a bank teller in 1985 in the fault department, then getting laid off at the age of 20. The initial goal prior to the label was to keep his younger stepbrother known as the rapper Sir Rap-A-Lot out of street life, as well as friends Raheem and Jukebox from skipping school.
They would meet on the porch of his grandmothers house to perform and practice. After purchasing an abandoned building, he turned the property into a used car dealership, known as Smith Auto Sales on the west side of Houston. At first he sold bucket cars,then moving on to exotic cars which athletes would come and purchase.
The same rundown two-story building that Prince owned, was where the artists then moved on to record into during 1986.
Education
James Prince's educational background includes attending local schools in Texas, where he grew up. While specific details regarding his academic qualifications are limited, his early experiences and passion for music have significantly shaped his illustrious career. He often credits his journey in the music industry to the lessons learned from life experiences rather than formal academic pursuits.
His sister died from getting hit by a train while walking home from school. Amongst other turbulence, friends and family were going to jail while Prince was rotating from school to school and between different homes. He played football at Kashmere High School, from which he graduated in 1982.
