From Rap Fame to Venture Game: Bobby Shmurda’s Power Moves

In Season 4, Episode 3 of Turning Pro, Ben Sharf sits down with Bobby Shmurda, a name synonymous with viral fame, legal battles, and now, business reinvention.

Known for his meteoric rise in hip-hop and the legal storm that followed, Bobby (real name Ackquille Jean Pollard) has reemerged with a different mission: ownership, equity, and community impact. In this wide-ranging and often hilarious episode, Bobby walks us through his transformation from the streets of Brooklyn to the boardrooms of venture capital and cannabis startups.

He unpacks how juvenile centers taught him time management, why he refuses traditional managers to maintain control, and how a single jailhouse conversation with a former kingpin changed the course of his life. From "pimp nerd" to budding VC, this is Bobby like you’ve never heard him before.

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.

10 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM BOBBY SHMURDA’S EPISODE

1. Structure Came from the System: Juvenile centers and prison gave Bobby the unexpected gift of structure. That same schedule-based discipline now fuels how he runs multiple businesses.

2. “I’m a Pimp Nerd”: That’s Bobby’s own label for himself—someone who’s obsessed with equity, capital gains, and margin points. He’s now reading contracts, building pitch decks, and negotiating deals like a seasoned exec.

3. Ownership Over Optics: Bobby avoids traditional managers so he can stay in control of his career. He brings on specialists project-by-project and works directly with legal counsel.

4. Wealth Isn’t Valuation: He’s quick to call BS on inflated startup valuations. “They said my company’s worth $40M… but that doesn’t mean I’m rich yet.” Until the money’s in your account, it’s just potential.

5. Turning Point in a Prison Cell: The most pivotal moment came during a jailhouse conversation with an ’80s kingpin. It shifted Bobby’s mindset from fast money to long-term wealth.

6. You Can’t Let Pride Lead: He opens up about sacrificing pride - and even loyalty at times - to stay alive and make smarter, slower, and safer moves outside the streets.

7. Every Deal Is Personal: Bobby’s decision to dive into venture capital came from being surrounded by real entrepreneurs. VentureRap, his music-meets-business project with Eli Taylor-Lemire, is just the start.

8. Cannabis and Crypto Are His First Plays: Bobby’s early business bets include a Times Square dispensary (Charlie Fox), a line of smoke products, and crypto side hustles. Legal drugs, legal gains.

9. Charity Comes First: Through Prevention Before Care and The Big Gift Bag, Bobby is giving back to shelters, juvenile centers, and underserved families. His priority? Real impact, not photo ops.

10. He’s Building for Legacy, Not Just Hype: Bobby doesn’t just want to go viral—he wants to outlast the moment. Whether it’s music, cannabis, or venture capital, every move he makes now is rooted in building something that lasts longer than fame.

Bobby Shmurda’s story isn’t just about redemption. It’s about reinvention. He’s proof that street smarts, when channeled with purpose, can translate into boardroom brilliance. Whether he’s reading contracts or rapping bars, Bobby’s playing a different game now and he’s playing to win.

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