Why the People Who Built Hip-Hop Ended Up With Nothing

Ben Horowitz and Erik Torenberg sit down with Nas, Grandmaster Caz, and Steve Stoute for a conversation about the Paid in Full Foundation and its mission to recognize and support the pioneers who built hip-hop. Ben, Nas, and Steve share how the foundation began, why simply giving artists money wasn’t enough, and how the Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards became a way to pair financial support with the recognition many foundational artists never received. Caz brings the perspective of one of those pioneers, reflecting on his role in hip-hop’s earliest history and what receiving the award has meant for his life and legacy. They also discuss the enormous cultural and commercial impact of hip-hop beyond music, from language and fashion to some of the world’s biggest brands, why so many of its pioneers captured so little of that value, and what happens when generations of hip-hop finally come together in the same room. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Meet the Paid In Full Foundation 01:43 - The Origin Story: $5M in Value, $10 for the Album 09:49 - Grandmaster Caz & the Rhymes That Became Rapper's Delight 17:16 - What This Foundation Actually Does for Its Honorees 25:08 - Celebrating the Legends: Melle Mel, Roxanne, D.O.C. 33:05 - The Quincy Jones Award & Annual Tradition 40:05 - Grandmaster Caz: "Hip Hop Don't Have Social Security" 45:21 - Tommy Hilfiger, the Culture & Who Owes Back 50:48 - How Ben, Steve & Nas Became Friends for Life 56:15 - PaidInFullFoundation.org: How to Get Involved Resources: Learn more about the Paid in Full Foundation: https://paidinfullfoundation.org Follow Nas on X: https://x.com/Nas Follow Steve Stoute: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevestoute/ Follow Ben Horowitz on X: https://x.com/bhorowitz Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

Ben HorowitzguestSteve StouteguestErik TorenberghostNasguestGrandmaster Cazguest

Sep 20, 202657mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: September 20, 2026
Duration: 57m
Channel: a16z
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Ben Horowitz and Erik Torenberg sit down with Nas, Grandmaster Caz, and Steve Stoute for a conversation about the Paid in Full Foundation and its mission to recognize and support the pioneers who built hip-hop. Ben, Nas, and Steve share how the foundation began, why simply giving artists money wasn’t enough, and how the Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards became a way to pair financial support with the recognition many foundational artists never received. Caz brings the perspective of one of those pioneers, reflecting on his role in hip-hop’s earliest history and what receiving the award has meant for his life and legacy. They also discuss the enormous cultural and commercial impact of hip-hop beyond music, from language and fashion to some of the world’s biggest brands, why so many of its pioneers captured so little of that value, and what happens when generations of hip-hop finally come together in the same room. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Meet the Paid In Full Foundation 01:43 - The Origin Story: $5M in Value, $10 for the Album 09:49 - Grandmaster Caz & the Rhymes That Became Rapper's Delight 17:16 - What This Foundation Actually Does for Its Honorees 25:08 - Celebrating the Legends: Melle Mel, Roxanne, D.O.C. 33:05 - The Quincy Jones Award & Annual Tradition 40:05 - Grandmaster Caz: "Hip Hop Don't Have Social Security" 45:21 - Tommy Hilfiger, the Culture & Who Owes Back 50:48 - How Ben, Steve & Nas Became Friends for Life 56:15 - PaidInFullFoundation.org: How to Get Involved Resources: Learn more about the Paid in Full Foundation: https://paidinfullfoundation.org Follow Nas on X: https://x.com/Nas Follow Steve Stoute: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevestoute/ Follow Ben Horowitz on X: https://x.com/bhorowitz Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

SPEAKERS

Ben Horowitz
guest
Co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz and co-founder of the Paid in Full Foundation supporting hip-hop pioneers.
Steve Stoute
guest
Music and branding executive; author of "The Tanning of America" and co-founder of the Paid in Full Foundation.
Erik Torenberg
host
a16z podcast host and interviewer.
Nas
guest
Rapper and cultural icon; co-founder/board member involved with the Paid in Full Foundation.
Grandmaster Caz
guest
Bronx hip-hop pioneer and Paid in Full Foundation grant recipient.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of a16z, featuring Ben Horowitz and Steve Stoute, Why the People Who Built Hip-Hop Ended Up With Nothing explores paid in Full fights hip-hop’s exploitation by honoring and funding pioneers Paid in Full Foundation was created to honor hip-hop’s originators and ensure they are “paid in full” financially, culturally, and spiritually through grants and public recognition.

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