This one’s personal.
I grew up in a world where the men who raised me weren’t just my Dad, Step-Dad, or Uncles. My older cousins and close homies were part of that circle. But so were rappers. Not in the fantasy sense — I’m talking real guidance. Survival codes. Life blueprints. These artists weren’t just entertainers; they were mentors from a distance, filling in the gaps and dropping jewels I couldn’t get from textbooks or classrooms.
Let me break down 5 rappers who helped shape parts of who I am today — and why.
1. Tupac Shakur – The Heart & Soul of the Struggle
Tupac was my introduction to emotional intelligence before I even knew what that was.
He taught me it was okay to feel everything — anger, sadness, pride, love for your people. ‘Pac showed me how to be passionate without apologizing for it. Tracks like “Keep Ya Head Up” and “Dear Mama” had me looking at Black women differently. Then you’d flip the script and get “Hail Mary” or “Against All Odds”, where he’s a general in the war for respect.
Tupac was complex, and I related to that. One minute I wanted to fight the system, next minute I just wanted to protect my family and make them proud.
He made me realize I didn’t have to fit into one box. Real men have depth. Real men stand on truth.
2. Jay-Z – The Blueprint of the Boss
Jay-Z showed me how to go from the corner to the corner office.
What stood out most wasn’t just his rhymes — it was the evolution. I watched Jay go from Reasonable Doubt to Roc Nation, from Marcy to mogul. He didn’t just tell street tales — he made strategy sound fly. When I heard him talk about ownership, about staying ten steps ahead, about not letting your emotions mess up the bag — that was game.
Hov taught me to think long-term. To treat my name like a brand. To build something I could pass on. Every time I make a business move, or think about my legacy, his voice is somewhere in the back of my mind whispering, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.”
3. Master P – The Hustler’s Hustler
Say what you want about his style — but Master P is the reason I believe in self-made success.
P showed me how powerful ownership is. No Limit was more than music — it was a business empire built off street smarts, consistency, and belief. He flipped mixtapes into millions and did it without waiting for a seat at someone else’s table.
What really stuck with me was his work ethic. I saw someone who looked like me take control of his destiny. He didn’t just rap about getting it — he got it. P was proof that you can be from the bottom and still win big if you move smart and stay relentless.
To this day, when I hit a roadblock or start doubting my worth, I remember Master P’s grind. It keeps me pushing.
4. 50 Cent – The Power of Strategy & Survival
50 Cent was the first rapper that made me look at life like chess.
Every bar, every move, every brand he touched — it was calculated. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ wasn’t just an album, it was a mindstate. It taught me resilience. How to take your trauma, flip it, and use it as fuel.
What really shaped me was how 50 never played victim. Life hit him with everything — bullets, betrayal, bankruptcy — and he came back harder every time. He showed me how to keep your cool, stay focused, and make your enemies irrelevant by outworking them.
Plus, his fearlessness? That rubbed off heavy. I stopped tiptoeing and started stepping boldly, thanks to him.
5. Nipsey Hussle – The Marathon Mentality
Nipsey’s impact hit me different. He spoke to my future self.
He wasn’t about quick flips — he was about foundations. He had that street smarts + book smarts combo that felt spiritual. When I heard him say, “Ownership is everything,” or “The marathon continues,” it wasn’t just a slogan. It became a philosophy.
Nip reminded me that this grind I’m on is bigger than today. He made legacy cool. He gave me permission to dream long-term while still being real about where I come from. And even after he passed, his messages are still guiding me.
I don’t just want to be successful — I want to be impactful. That’s Nip’s influence, 100%.
Honorable Mentions That Still Raised Me
I gotta show love to a few more voices that added weight to my thinking:
- Scarface (Ghetto Boys) – Raw truth. Mental health, inner pain, and emotional depth before anyone else was talking about it.
- Nas – The poet. The observer. He taught me to look deeper, read between the lines, and tell my story with purpose.
- Cam’ron – Swag and hustle. Cam showed me that you can be flashy and business-minded. Style and structure ain’t mutually exclusive.
Hip-Hop Was One of My First Teachers
These artists didn’t just rap. They raised me. Not in the literal sense — but they helped shape my mind, my hustle, my values. They were part of the circle of men — blood and chosen — that helped me become Bobby R.O. Smalls.
So when I’m building GMIXMAG, working on my brand, or just trying to be a better man, I know I’m carrying the lessons these legends left behind.
This is what Hip-Hop gave me. This is why I give back through content, creativity, and truth.
– Bobby R.O. Smalls
CALL TO ACTION:
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