Houston native and legendary entrepreneur/music mogul James Prince will receive an honorary doctorate degree from Texas Southern University during commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 18. Prince will be honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters.
Prince, also known as J. Prince, is the founder and CEO of Rap-a-Lot Records, a Houston-based hip-hop record label created in 1986. His diverse interests also include the world of boxing, where he has been a successful manager to the likes of Andre Ward and Floyd Mayweather Jr., as well as real estate investment and ranching.
“J. Prince is a Houston icon, and his connection to Texas Southern is strong,” said TSU President Dr. Austin A. Lane. “In honoring him with this degree, we are expressing our appreciation for his ongoing support, and we are sending a message to all of the TSU community that following one’s dreams, against all odds, leads to great things.”
Last fall, Prince authored his first book, “The Art & Science of Respect,” a memoir in which he explains how he earned a reputation as one of the most respected men in hip-hop by staying true to his principles of heart, loyalty and commitment, and an unwavering faith in God.
TSU hosted Prince on campus upon the book’s release and he spoke to hundreds of students. That experience, as well as other connections with the university, including internships that Rap-a-Lot provides to TSU students and the fact that KTSU was one of the first stations to expose the music world to his talents, led Prince to establish a generous endowed scholarship for TSU students in need of financial support.