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United States Luther Campbell, known as Uncle Luke, is a pioneering rapper, record executive, and actor who established one of the first Southern hip hop record labels and led the influential group 2 Live Crew.
Luke Skyywalker, Uncle Luke and simply Luke, is an American rapper, promoter, record executive, actor, and former leader of the rap group 2 Live Crew.
Starred in 'Luke's Parental Advisory', a short-lived show on VH1.
Worked as a cook in the early 1980s.
Enrolled in an eight-week study course where he learned basic audio editing and production techniques (1983).
Initially started as Luke Skyywalker Records, it became Luke Records, under which many of 2 Live Crew's and his solo albums were released.
Distribution deal partner for Luke Records, facilitating the release of 2 Live Crew material.
Co-founded this inner city youth sports program (1994). This initiative included mentoring young athletes, such as future college football player Devonta Freeman.
Purchased the catalogs of Luke Records, Inc. after Campbell's bankruptcy in 1995.
Released his album "Uncle Luke" (1996) under this label.
Released the album "Changin' the Game" in collaboration with Luke Records (1997).
Appeared in the video game as DJ Luke for the hip-hop station Fresh 105 FM (2006).
Launched this company and took it public, trading under the symbol LKEN on Pink Sheets (2007).
Interviewed for the documentary "The U," which premiered as part of the series (2009).
Became a columnist for this alternative weekly newspaper, penning "Luke's Gospel," a column discussing politics, sports, and entertainment (2010).
Released the album "Somethin' Nasty" through Koch Entertainment Label Alliance (KELA) (2001).
Luther Roderick Campbell was born on December 22, 1960, in Miami, Florida. The youngest of five sons, his father was a Jamaican-ancestry custodian and his mother a Bahamian-ancestry beautician. After graduating from Miami Beach Senior High School in 1979, Campbell began working as a cook at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach and as a concert promoter in Miami. In 1983, he gained foundational audio editing and production skills through an eight-week course at Miami’s WDNA public radio station.
Campbell’s career in music began in earnest in 1984 when he noticed the California-based group 2 Live Crew. Impressed by their single “Revelation,” he brought them to Miami, eventually becoming their manager and officially joining the group. In 1986, Campbell and 2 Live Crew launched Luke Skyywalker Records and released “Throw the D.” The group’s debut album, “The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are” (1986), achieved gold certification, making them regional rap superstars. Their second album, “Move Somethin'” (1988), also went gold and charted higher, reaching No. 68 on the Billboard 200. The group’s third album, “As Nasty as They Wanna Be” (1989), became their highest-selling record, earning platinum certification from the RIAA. This album gained significant legal attention, being the first in history to be deemed legally obscene in a 1990 U.S. District Court ruling, a decision later overturned. This legal battle led to Campbell, along with 2 Live Crew members, being formally acquitted in an obscenity trial, with Henry Louis Gates Jr. testifying on their behalf.
In the 1990s, Campbell continued to release music and diversify his career. His 1990 album, “Banned in the U.S.A.,” was notable as the first release to carry the RIAA Parental Advisory sticker and peaked at number 20 on the Hot 100. This album defiantly addressed the legal controversies by including the track “Fuck Martinez,” interpolating Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” He released multiple solo albums, including “I Got Shit on My Mind” (1992), featuring his signature song “I Wanna Rock” (also known as “Doo-Doo Brown”), which charted at No. 73 on the Hot 100. His 1993 album, “In the Nude,” reached No. 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 1993-1994, Campbell was central to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., concerning the use of a parody of Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman,” a case that affirmed free speech principles. Beyond music, Campbell co-founded the Liberty City Optimists, an inner-city youth sports program in 1994, showing his commitment to community development. In 1998, he appeared in films “Ride” and “The Players Club,” further expanding his presence in entertainment. His career has been marked by both musical innovation and significant contributions to legal precedents in music and free speech.
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