Master P Debuts A Cable Network Among Other Things

Former Hip Hop mogul Master P has completed his image makeover with a name change and the announcement to create his own cable television channel. P's reinvention of himself as Percy Miller, his birth name, was announced earlier this week via a press release, and the creation of his Better Black Television network would seem to signal the end of the old Master P.

"I believe that there is a market in our community for a new diverse network that provides a new brand of superior programming that caters to all aspects of television, from reality to original programming," Miller tells the Hollywood Reporter. "We believe TV content can be positive and responsible and still have good ratings with great content."

The move is in line with Miller's profanity free label, Take A Stand Records. As expected, the new network will be in direct competition with BET, whose founder, Robert Johnson, may have inadvertently provided its inspiration.

"I wanted to know TV, so I hung out with Bob [Johnson] and learned the TV game from one of the best in the business," adds Miller.

BBTV has already assembled an advisory board that includes Denzel Washington, NAACP Executive Director Vicangelo Bullock, DJ Kool Herc and several high-ranking people in the business world. The network's list of developmental programming includes the video show Sunset and Vine, the stand-up showcase One Shot Comedy Show, Manage Your Money, the What's Cooking TV Show and youth-oriented programming such as Gee Gee the Giraffe.

As far as Miller's decision to change his image, he released the following statement:

"I've branched out into so many different arenas that range from being the first African-American to have a clothing line at Wal-Mart, to writing books, and speaking on Capitol Hill, but all that gets overshadowed because I come from the hip-hop industry. There are a lot of people out there, who are afraid to grow up and change, but I'm not and P. Miller is the evolution of me, Percy Miller the entrepreneur, the business man."

Tags: A, Among, Cable, Debuts, Master, Network, Other, P, Things

Comment by IM WAT U CALL CHANGE on August 15, 2008 at 3:54pm: lol dis man is doin thing above . keep it up master p or shall i say Mr. Percy Miller

Comment by ORANGE MOUND VET.AKA MR.22 SHOTS. on August 15, 2008 at 3:59pm: THIS NIGGA P OR WHAT EVER HE WANT'S TO BE CALLED KNOW'S HOW TO REINVENT HIMSELF TO EXPAND HIS BRAND REMBER HE STARTED THESE RAPPER'S WITH STRAIGHT TO DVD MOVIES WITH I'M BOUT BOUT A HOOD CLASSIC IF I MUST SAY SO MYSELF.HE'S FROM THE SOUTH TO WE ARE NOT ALL COUNTRY BUMPKIN'S LIKE HUSTLE&FLOW POTRAYED MY CITY OF MEMPHIS...

Comment by MacBoney on August 15, 2008 at 4:56pm: We need a new channel because BET has gone soft. If you ain't cool with BET hosts they wont play yo video and that some bitch shit. Look they don't play no 50 because he put Rocsi in her place. Fuck it cuz this site hotter than Bet.

Comment by BOBB DOBB on August 15, 2008 at 5:06pm: WAY TO GO BIG HOMIE PUT ON FOR DA KIDZ BUT ANY WAY BE ON DA LOOKOUT FO 4TH WARD ENT &DOESHUN ITS A NEW DAY IN DA A BABY

Comment by Toneman on August 15, 2008 at 6:04pm: Dam Big Dog Let This Nigs Kno How to get real money.

Comment by Rob Carter on August 15, 2008 at 6:35pm: change is good do yo thang

Comment by CrystalShine on August 15, 2008 at 9:34pm: I support that to the fullest, I like to see my black men in a suit and has intelligence.

Comment by WE LOVE OUR HATERS on August 15, 2008 at 11:00pm: KEEP IT UP P YOU ARE TRULY MY ROLE MODEL

Comment by Waney B on August 15, 2008 at 11:05pm: NIgga People Are Sleeping On P,But That Cat Have That Money More Than All This Niggas Cuz,He Was The Richest Blackman At On Time An That Was The 90's At That Homie