Uncle Louie: From The Rap Life To The Wrestling Life

A Boss Goes From One Genre To Another

Uncle Louie It’s been a long time since we caught up with entertainment impresario Louis “Uncle Louie” Gregory. In the past, we’ve talked to him about his monumental work in hip hop with such legendary groups as The Fat Boys, Eric B and Rakim, Jennifer Lopez and Mary J. Blige; he has worked alongside P. Daddy, Jay-Z and even 50 Cent. Uncle Louie has delved into Pop Music too, working with Shontelle Layne and recently was seen (sporting a Fat Boys shirt nonetheless) with Grammy Winner Sam Smith. As recently as the Summer of 2015, Uncle Louie was lending his network and resources to the legendary Chic front-man Nile Rodgers to assist in promoting a live music series in Eastern Long Island called Fold Fest.

We know Uncle Louie’s reach in music is both hugely renown and diverse but when we found out what he is doing in the entertainment business now, we had to learn more. He has been all over the radio and television in markets throughout the United States promoting a company called Legends of Wrestling over which he presides as the President and CEO. When we took to the internet to do some research before sitting down with the music mogul, we learned that in just the previous two months alone, his Legends of Wrestling show had played two Major League Baseball Stadiums; CitiField in Queens and Marlins Park in Miami. Not too shabby for a music guy right? So we got Uncle Louie on the phone and squeezed him for some more insight into what he does that seems to lead to success, time and again, after two decades in the entertainment business.



AllHipHop: After being so successful in music, why did you get into the Pro Wrestling stuff?


Uncle Louie: First and foremost, I am humbled by the success I’ve been blessed with. Without my mentors, I would not be where I am today. Everything in this business is about how you conduct yourself and how you handle your business. At 16 years old, Prince Markie Dee took me under his wing. Shortly thereafter, I was lucky enough to cross paths with Eric B and I am thankful everyday for the lessons learned. Even after all of these years, I still call Eric B almost every day for advice and council. As for Pro Wrestling, that’s a great question. Not so east to answer though (laughing). Many years ago, Bill Goldberg and I met and at the time, I started to give him some pointers regarding social media. From there, we became very good friends; he is like a big brother to me too. Years later, Brian Knobs asked Goldberg to be involved with Legends of Wrestling. Goldberg and I got on a call with Knobs and his other partner Frank and well, after a while they decided I’d be a good fit to be the President of Legends of Wrestling, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity and their trust in me.

AllHipHop: How was your show at CitiField in Queens in June and did it have any similarities to your Legends of Hip Hop and R&B shows from the past?


Uncle Louie: It was such an amazing experience to be a part of such a great team. The Wrestlers were all terrific and the Mets organization was stellar. This show literally took the work of a team of over 100 people to accomplish and when I heard that over 10,000 tickets were sold, I knew all the hardwork of everybody had paid off. A lot of the things I’ve learned through the years in music, and in entertainment in general were and are applicable to Legends of Wrestling. The only difference is, I get to take batting practice on a major league baseball field quite often now and hang out with legendary wrestlers as opposed to legendary rappers and DJs! It was great to have Shontelle Layne ringside at that show and to have Eric B at my side the entire time. I was very proud to see everything come full circle.

AllHipHop: Last month, Legends of Wrestling was at Miami Marlins Park. The event took main stream media by storm and was even on the MLB Network and various other media outlets.

AllHipHop: What makes Legends of Wrestling so successful and why is it out performing its competition?

Uncle Louie: We really try to provide an “experience” rather than a “show”. There is a lot of interaction between the fans and the Wrestlers. We encourage fans to take selfies and to collect autographs. We even had a contest giving away a championship belt to the fan with the best wrestler costume. On that particular night though, I presented Marlins’ ace pitcher Jose Fernandez with a special championship belt made just for him by Rey Rey’s World Championship Belt. Major League Baseball picked up on that and it went viral. It’s one of those outside the box things that I do a lot but this time, it actually worked (laughing). I am riding my wavyboard and dodging people tryna get to my gate so bear with me if it’s loud here, I’m sorry.

AllHipHop: You have a whole new demographic of fans now with Wrestling. Your social media continues to soar and all of the wrestling sites run stories on you and your company routinely.

AllHipHop: Does all of this mean you will no longer be doing music? When you spoke to Chuck Creekmur last week, you referred to Legends of Wrestling as your “post hip hop” plan, can you explain please?


Uncle Louie: That’s true, I did say my “post hip hop” life but to be fair, I have to be realistic. I just boarded a flight so I will have to talk fast! Hip hop will always be my love; you can see that even in what I wear at the Wrestling events; flat brim hat, big gold chains, you know? Hip hop will always be in my blood, it’s more than just music to me, it’s the culture that I grew up in. I actually had to hire a stylist recently because as the president of a company like Legends of Wrestling, I need help trying to look more “business like” and professional. I am expected to be wearing a shirt and tie but in reality, I want to wear a fitted and a jersey (laughing). But if I don’t diversify my portfolio per say, I will be reliant upon only one sector and it’s a sector where many people have a short shelf life. I am blessed to have been able to go from artist, to producer, to manager/agent, to actually running my own events and sitting at the end of a conference room table of my own company. I am making movies, doing the Wrestling thing but also working with UFC fighters, Glory Kickboxing, and yes, I am absolutely still doing music. Shontelle has two new albums in the works and I am so excited to be involved with her and Jah. I have to get on this flight but I am going to leave you with this, my true wish for what I’d really love to help make happen. An Eric B and Rakim reunion tour! Gotta run, the flight attendant is telling me to hang up. Let’s catch up again soon, ok?

And just like that, Uncle Louie was off to another state, grinding in true Louie fashion! He will reunite The Fat Boys again in a  October 3rd show in NYC with DMC, Digital Underground, Positive K and others. Stay tuned for more updates on Uncle Louie’s Legends of Hip Hop shows and his new Legends of Wrestling events which he says will be lived streamed by Sprint. Stay tuned…