a16zWhy the People Who Built Hip-Hop Ended Up With Nothing
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Origins of Paid in Full Foundation 1:00
Steve Stoute, Ben Horowitz, and Nas describe how the Paid in Full Foundation began. Stoute says he bought the album Paid in Full for ten dollars but got at least five million dollars worth of value from it over his career, and felt there was no way to pay that back. He called Nas, who pointed out that hip-hop artists could not simply be handed money the way Quincy Jones's Jazz Foundation helped older jazz musicians. Instead, the help had to come with recognition of who these artists were and what they had done, which led to the idea of a Grandmaster Award honoring the true greats of hip-hop.
Scarface and Rakim as first honorees 4:01
The foundation's first honorees were Scarface and Rakim. Stoute recalls calling Scarface, who at the time needed a kidney transplant from his son and was struggling to secure the right doctors, and telling him the foundation would help financially. Scarface was in disbelief at receiving that call out of nowhere. Early on, several people did not believe the offer of help was real and some potential recipients refused the award because they suspected it was a scam.
Honoring Grandmaster Caz 9:00
The group discusses Grandmaster Caz, whose rhymes were used without credit in Rapper's Delight, the first major hip-hop hit. Everyone in the music industry reportedly knew this had happened, yet no one ever did anything about it or spoke up. Caz is described as carrying no bitterness despite this history, and the group reflects on how much bigger his career might have been had he received proper credit from the start.
Roxanne Shante and choosing recipients 10:33
Nas talks about Roxanne Shante, from his neighborhood, and how her 1984 record Roxanne's Revenge showed a woman boldly challenging an established rap group, which he found deeply inspiring. When asked if she felt bitter watching younger female rappers win mainstream awards, Shante said she did not want that award, she wanted the right award, meaning Paid in Full. The board describes reaching near-unanimous agreement when naming honorees, and honorees like Caz later become part of the committee voting on future recipients.
Reuniting a divided hip-hop community 16:32
Several speakers note how rare it was for legends across eras to be in the same room, recalling that Dr. Dre asked to be introduced to Kool Moe Dee and separately to Slick Rick despite decades in the industry, having never met them. Caz and Steve Stout describe how the industry and its focus on status and commercial success kept artists separated by era, even though real artists always respected the figures whose posters hung on their walls. The foundation is described as functioning like a class reunion that rebuilds those broken connections.
Why the culture failed its own creators 20:32
The group argues that hip-hop's lyrics preach breaking down barriers, entrepreneurship, and love, yet those values often were not lived out toward the artists who built the culture. They contrast Paid in Full with earlier efforts like the VH1 Hip Hop Honors, saying that recognition alone, without putting money in artists' pockets, does not properly acknowledge their contribution. Horowitz explains his belief that you cannot achieve something great by starting from what seems possible, you have to start from what is right, and since the number of people who created the art form is small, honoring them properly should be achievable.
Growth of the foundation and Grand Puba 24:31
Now in its fourth year, the foundation has refined its production and organizers hope to expand its reach further, while still keeping the personal focus on honoring specific figures like Caz, Roxanne Shante, Melle Mel, and the D.O.C. Horowitz notes he draws criticism in Silicon Valley for quoting rap lyrics in his business writing, but insists the ideas in his bestselling book came directly from those lyrics, so crediting them was simply doing what was right. The group recalls Grand Puba's recognition last year, noting he survived three distinct eras of rap history, from Masters of Ceremony to Brand Nubian to a solo career, when many artists could not make that leap, and they emphasize that the foundation's care and time invested go beyond simply writing a check.
The Quincy Jones Award origin 31:30
The Quincy Jones Award was created because the Grammys, in the speakers' view, botched their tribute to Quincy Jones, failing to honor him properly. Quincy's son, QD3, pushed for the foundation to create its own award to correct that, and it has since become an annual part of the Paid in Full Foundation's work. This year's recipient is Nile Rodgers, recognized for the guitar lick behind Good Times, his work with Sister Sledge, his hip-hop connections, and later hits like Get Lucky with Daft Punk.
Honorees doubt it is real 35:01
Several honorees have struggled to believe the award and support are genuine. Kurtis Blow from the Fat Boys reportedly did not think it was real even after walking off stage with it. Kool G Rap, called one of the greatest MCs and one of the speaker's biggest inspirations, was described as very appreciative when contacted. The organizers stress there are no employees selling merchandise or profiting; every dollar donated goes to the artists, doubled by a two-and-a-half-to-one match from Steve and Felicia.
Ice Cube, Scarface, and Rakim 36:30
At a past event, Ice Cube said he would not release an album until he heard what Scarface had to say about it, and Scarface performed right after him. That night, Scarface and Rakim, both regarded as among the greatest writers in any field, publicly acknowledged each other's writing skill and had a real conversation about craft and respect for the first time, something the speakers call proof of how special the room is.
Cass on how the grant changed his life 39:00
Cass, a recipient, describes the support as a five-year grant that changed his life: he bought a house in Pennsylvania and moved out of the Bronx projects he had lived in his whole life, after years of fearing he would die there. He notes hip-hop offers no social security or health benefits, so artists must keep grinding, and credits his visibility on radio, park jams, and tours for keeping him in people's consciousness. He also credits LL Cool J for putting him and Kid Capri on the radio and creating a platform, saying recognition from respected figures carries real weight beyond the money.
Hip-hop's overlooked fashion legacy 43:31
The speakers argue hip-hop pioneers shaped fashion and language far beyond music. Pumba's line 'first things first, obey your thirst' became Sprite's tagline, and Run-DMC's embrace of Adidas revived a brand that had only two percent US market share at the time. Tommy Hilfiger, once struggling to sell ties while imitating Ralph Lauren, got the idea for his branded underwear waistband after driving through Harlem and seeing young men wearing low pants with visible Calvin Klein briefs, a moment that launched his streetwear success, later echoed in luxury brands like Louis Vuitton working with Virgil Abloh.
Felicia's personal care for artists 48:00
Steve tells the story of Scarface, who feared going to the doctor for a needed heart surgery until Felicia flew to Houston and insisted he go; his aorta burst just as they arrived, and the timely intervention saved his life. This illustrates that the foundation's culture, run day-to-day by Felicia, goes beyond money or awards into genuine personal care, including small gestures like sending flowers or gifts when an artist or their family is unwell.
Friendship, Quincy Jones, and Nas's father 51:03
Steve recalls meeting Ben through a dinner years ago, bonding over shared love of music and food. He describes visiting Quincy Jones's home with Nas and Chris Tucker, watching Whoopi Goldberg's casting tape for The Color Purple, and Quincy suddenly producing a photo of himself with Nas's father, jazz musician Olu Dara, from Sierra Leone in the 1960s. Nas reflects that he never fully grasped how connected and respected his father was among musicians until that moment, tracing his own talent back to a family lineage rooted in Natchez, Mississippi.
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