Rap mogul Master P has never had a birthday party. That changes Saturday at Smoothie King Center. | Keith Spera

As a child rising up in New Orleans’ Calliope tasks, Percy Miller by no means had a birthday celebration. Neither has he thrown himself one as Grasp P, rap mogul and actuality TV star. To at the present time, he discourages members of his group from celebrating his birthday.

However that modifications Saturday, when Miller presides over the No Restrict Reunion Tour at his hometown Smoothie King Heart.

The present falls sooner or later after he turns 52. Sooner or later, he’s anticipating to obtain a lavish cake onstage.

The live performance coincides along with his birthday weekend as a result of it was postponed from its authentic date, April 22, so the Smoothie King Heart could accommodate a Pelicans playoff game.

Grasp P and his military of veteran No Restrict “troopers” – his brother Silkk The Shocker, Mystikal, Mia X, Fiend, Mr. Serv-On and Choppa Model, plus particular visitors the Ying Yang Twins and Juvenile, the latter of whom recorded for No Restrict rival Money Cash Information – will maintain court docket on the Smoothie King Heart on Saturday as an alternative.

Tickets for the unique present can be honored on the brand new date. Loads of further tickets can be found for buy beginning at $99 plus service expenses. Present time is 7 p.m.

Fueled by Miller’s relentless work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and intimate understanding of the way to market to his viewers, No Restrict launched a slew of albums beginning within the early Nineties that generated many hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in income.

Miller constructed No Restrict into an unbiased powerhouse, establishing New Orleans as a power in hip-hop. From its stylized album paintings to the sound of its recordings and the content material of its movies, No Restrict had its personal distinctive aesthetic.

Working from bases in Baton Rouge after which Los Angeles, Miller ultimately branched out into attire, filmmaking, sports activities administration and different ventures. Considered one of his newest endeavors, a snack meals line referred to as Soldier Snacks, is the sponsor for Saturday’s live performance.

This week, Miller received on the cellphone to advertise the postponed present.

“To me, that is historical past for our metropolis, for us and to be a birthday factor for me,” he stated. “It’s going to be an enormous celebration, bringing everyone collectively – Uptown, downtown, throughout the river, everyone. It’s celebrating all these artists that we carried out made historical past with, to have the ability to give them their flowers.”

The present now falls on the primary Saturday of the 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Pageant. Have you ever ever been to Jazz Fest?

I’ve been on the market. They need me to carry out at Jazz Fest. Possibly subsequent 12 months.

You went to the Pelicans recreation on the Smoothie King Heart on the night time you had been speculated to have a live performance there.

Yeah. (laughs) The factor about it, man, they thanked me for transferring the date again. It was gonna be an enormous ol’ authorized…..I’m like, “Nah, man, (let’s make it) a win-win for all of us.” Now we’ve turned it into the Grasp P Birthday Bash, which goes to be unbelievable.

Was it unusual to be on the April 22 recreation realizing you had been speculated to carry out that night time?

Nah. It was good. The individuals confirmed love. All people was comfortable and excited.

Did they offer you good seats at the very least?

I at all times sit on flooring seats once I come to the video games, so it’s enjoyable. I’m simply comfortable for the Pelicans, to be sincere with you. I’m comfortable for them. It didn’t appear like we was gonna have an important season then unexpectedly it circled. That’s unbelievable.

You had goals of being a basketball participant as a younger man. It’s ironic that certainly one of your live shows received bumped by a basketball recreation.

As a child, I used to be an enormous Pistol Pete (Maravich) fan. With the ability to go into the Superdome and watch Pistol Pete, and now with the ability to come to the Smoothie King Heart and watch the Pelicans play, after which carry out in that area…it’s simply unbelievable. Youngsters rising up would most likely by no means think about being in that place to try this. It’s superb.

Will this No Restrict reunion be much like the one you staged on the Essence Pageant in 2017? A revue-style present, the place everyone does 4 or 5 songs?

All people will get an opportunity to do their factor. The best factor with that is you’ll get an opportunity to see Money Cash and No Restrict collectively. (Money Cash artist) Juvenile is performing. So it’s going to be a celebration for town.

It’s time, man. That is historical past. We don’t get an opportunity to see lots of issues like this, 25 years of affection. That’s what we’re calling this: 25 years of affection. It’s not a live performance. It’s a celebration.

Are you in New Orleans a lot as of late?

I’m transferring round however I’m spending time in New Orleans. We simply put the Soldier Snacks in Rouses.

What’s your favourite Solder Snack?

I believe honey barbecue. That’s the inexperienced camouflage bag. You’re going to see lots of that within the area (on Saturday).

I’m simply ready to see my birthday cake. They are saying it’s speculated to be one thing unbelievable. They’re going to shock me. So we’ll see.

I’ve by no means had a birthday celebration, so this live performance, the Grasp P Birthday Bash, can be my first official birthday celebration.

Wait, you by no means had a birthday celebration as a child?

No. I by no means had a birthday celebration. You understand how these celebrities have fun their birthdays? I’ve by no means carried out that.

I imply, c’mon, man. I grew up within the tasks. My dad and mom purchased me a birthday cake. I had a birthday cake. However I’m saying I by no means had a celebration.

How do you spend most of your time?

It’s principally with my children. My son who’s in tenth grade is likely one of the high basketball gamers within the nation. My different son goes to be a freshman in faculty enjoying basketball at Xavier College in Cincinnati, Ohio. Spending time with my children and doing enterprise after which doing the music stuff, the leisure stuff – that’s what I’m doing.

Lately, you’ve gotten concerned with organizations that mentor youth and also you’ve promoted music with clear lyrics.

I’m concerned with charity stuff. That’s an important factor. Staff HOPE, giving again to the aged and the youth – that’s what I’m principally targeted on.

You’ve received to be proud that two of your sons have basketball careers. Are you residing vicariously by them?

Nah. I’m excited for them as a result of they carried out made a reputation for themselves. I type of allow them to do their factor as a result of I would like them to have their very own goals. Solely factor I need to do is assist them. They’re A college students, they’re doing good at school and so they’re elite basketball gamers. So God is nice, my brother.

They weren’t enthusiastic about doing music?

No. They’re not . They’re targeted.

You had been speculated to carry out on the Smoothie King Heart in 2020, however the pandemic canceled that present. Then the present received delayed one other week by the Pelicans playoff recreation.

Three strikes, you out. That is it. That is historical past proper right here.

So it’s going to occur this weekend it doesn’t matter what?

It’s about to be a homerun.