When rapper Michael “Killer Mike” Render debuted on the scene in 2001, he seemingly had the red carpet laid out for him. He was introduced to the world by the biggest rap group in the world at the time, Outkast. He won a Grammy for his appearance on their single “The Whole World” before he even had an album out. And he was making a lot of money, so much that he wanted to open his own business, a barbershop. But some advice that he now regrets kept him from achieving that dream.

“The first business manager I had in my career was a white guy and when I told him my idea for opening a barbershop, and how much the initial investment would be, he shut the idea down and I took his advice,” he says. “That is probably the worst thing that I could have done.”

While his career started off as a rapid fire, the years that followed would be a slow burn, with even slower money. Mike parted ways with Columbia/Sony Records, making him an independent artist. His relationship with Outkast soured, making him a black sheep in the industry. While things did get rough to the point of him losing cars and homes, he continued to invest the money he was making into his Grind Time Official record label, releasing three albums under his I Pledge Allegiance To The G.R.I.N.D. series (Get Rich Independently); and eventually striking it big with his critically acclaimed 2012 album R.A.P. (Rebellious African People) Music.

Now that he is back touring and on his feet, Mike took his new cash-flow and finally invested in the barbershop he always wanted, Grafittis SWAG Shop, in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Established in November 2011, the “Shave, Wash And Groom” Shop is located minutes away from the airport and already boasts a clientele that includes Big Boi of Outkast, T.I. and GZA of WuTang Clan. The location has also become a popular setting for rap videos and television shows. With plans to open a second location in Tampa, Florida next year, Mike’s ultimate goal is to open 150 shops, making Graffiti’s a franchise.

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Source: Black Enterprise Magazine