What is Luther Campbell's Net Worth?
Luther Campbell, an American rapper and producer, has a net worth of $7 million. Known as 'Luke Skyywalker,' 'Uncle Luke,' or simply 'Luke,' his net worth stems from not only his rap career but also his roles as a promoter, entrepreneur, record label owner, and actor. Campbell is particularly famous for his controversial career that played a part in a Supreme Court decision on free speech during the 1990s.
Early Life
Luther Roderick Campbell was born on December 22, 1960, in Miami, Florida. Named after Martin Luther King Jr., he was brought up alongside four siblings by parents with Jamaican and Bahamian backgrounds. Campbell's mother enforced strict rules, insisting he leave the house from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily, job or not.
Early Career
Campbell started his career working as a cook at Mt. Sinai Hospital and promoting concerts in Miami, managing to attract popular rap groups. In 1983, he took an eight-week course in audio editing and music production at a local radio station, marking the beginning of his musical journey.
His career significantly advanced upon discovering the 2 Live Crew, a California-based group behind the hit 'Revelation.' Their success in Miami nightclubs led Luther to manage them, eventually organizing their Miami performances and steering their career.
2 Live Crew
As Campbell managed the 2 Live Crew, his involvement in the music scene deepened. The group relocated to Florida in 1986, and under Luther's guidance, recorded several singles. They formed Luke Skyywalker Records together, with Campbell joining the group under the MC name 'Luke Skyywalker,' eventually signing them to his label.
Their debut album, 'The 2 Live Crew is What We Are,' released in 1986, achieved gold certification. In 1988, 'Move Somethin'' also earned gold certification, featuring the hit 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy.' Unexpectedly, this album drew controversy leading to a legal case over its alleged obscenity, pushing Luther to release a clean version.
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In 1989, the group's album 'As Nasty As They Wanna Be' attained double-platinum status despite its controversial content, which led to it being the first album to be legally classified as obscene. However, this decision was later overturned. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. played a crucial role in the defense, marking a significant free speech case.
In 1990, Luther released 'Banned in the U.S.A,' a largely solo effort later credited as a 2 Live Crew album. Featuring singles like 'Do the Bart,' it reached top 20 on the charts, with tracks addressing political issues.
The 2 Live Crew's final album by the original members was 'Sports Weekend: As Nasty As They Wanna Be, Pt. 2' in 1991. Campbell's solo career continued with 'I Got S*** on My Mind' (1992) and 'In the Nude' (1993), followed by 'Freak for Life' (1994) and 'Uncle Luke' (1996).
His record label, Luke Records, Inc., went bankrupt in 1995, but he continued to release music, including 'Changin' the Game' (1997). Campbell also ventured into acting with the film 'Ride' (1998) and released his seventh album 'Somethin' Nasty' in 2001, culminating with 'My Life & Freaky Times' in 2006. That same year, he contributed voice work to the video game 'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.'
Relationships
Campbell has seven children from five different relationships. In 2008, he married Kristin Thompson, a law school graduate. They welcomed Luther's seventh child together.
Legal Issues
Campbell faced legal troubles in 2009 when he was arrested for failing to pay child support.
Real Estate
Luther Campbell's primary residence is a 6,400 square-foot lakefront home in Miami's suburbs, purchased for $725,000 in 2012 and currently valued at $1.3 million.
