In 2004, Cloverland native Lil’ Flip released his single “Sunshine,” which would reach the top three on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot Rap Songs Rhythmic and Hot 100 charts.
From there, Flip began to create a legacy for himself as a legendary freestyler and entrepreneur.
Seventeen years later, Flip is still making power moves. Flexing his “I Can Do That” muscle, the rapper has many projects ahead in the foreseeable future — but they aren’t all music-related.
While the Houston emcee has kept his rap skills sharp with his more recent releases like “Flip Mayweather,” he’s slowly moving into different ventures. In an effort to solidify his legacy, the rapper has become an investor and owner in different local and national businesses.
Flip, who’s now 40, has made millions in music, but as he matures, he says he sees changes within the music industry. While he’s still an independent artist, he’s sought out other means of financial gain.
“The Leprechaun” artist, who was once making and spending millions of dollars a month, now sees value in generational wealth and wants to leave behind a legacy for his family.
While Flip is considered one of Houston’s rap OGs, he is one of the younger artists to come up around the time of Screwed Up Click. He was able to soak up wisdom from Houston legends including Pimp C and James Prince, who once told him, “if you can count your money you don’t have enough,” which has become one of the driving forces in his continuous hustle.
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Having been raised on honor and respect, Flip believes that the key to success is showing appreciation to everyone, from the janitor to the CEO. Speaking from the inside of his Rolls Royce, starlight roof gleaming, he explained to me the importance of doing good business.
“My dad taught me to do great business,” Flip said. “Most people be like, you can either do bad business or good business, but my dad told me, you should do great business, and great businesses makes the person who decided to spend money with you not feel like they’re a lick.”
A “lick” would be someone getting one over on you, or fooling you, in a deceitful or harmful way.
“We’re all one business deal away from being broke, or being rich,” so it’s important how you treat people, Flip said. His willingness to go the extra mile in business deals has worked in his favor, as he has his hand in multiple business endeavors including tech, jewelry, clothing and even drinks.
With his “great business” mindset, he’s opened a jewelry store in Austin, become co-owner of boutique soda brand Exotic Pop, built a clothing line and worked on different movies, including his own biopic.
While making money does play a role in all of his projects, Flip told me money is not the sole motive. While he does look forward to leaving something behind for his family, he enjoys taking on projects with potential gains.
“You know, I don’t love money. But I like it a lot,” Flip says, laughing. “But we won’t sell our souls or compromise our beliefs for it.”
J. Prince once told Flip that he doesn’t love money, but he likes it a lot, enough to where you can’t tell the difference.
While there’s no telling what the Flip will do next, he’s still flipping his chips.
