Uncle Luke Gets Candid on Strained Family Ties: “I Paid Millions, But My Kids Still Hate Me”

Raising families is tough business, even if you’re a rap pioneer. Hip-hop icon Uncle Luke, best known as the frontman of 2 Live Crew and a trailblazer in Southern rap, recently took to Instagram Live to open up about the deep emotional wounds caused by his strained relationship with his children.

In a raw and revealing livestream on Sunday (May 11), the Miami native—born Luther Campbell—vented his frustrations, claiming that despite paying over $3 million in child support and legal fees over the years, his children still resent him. According to Luke, their anger is fueled not by his actions, but by the influence of their mothers.

“That’s $2.7 million in child support,” he said emphatically. “Yes, that is what I paid. Now I got the numbers, ’cause I never added it up. And that’s not including paying the attorney’s fees, so it’s well over $3 million. Because you’ve got to pay the other side’s attorneys’ fees.”

Sheesh.

Get this, while known for his unapologetic style both on and off the mic, Luke didn’t hold back while speaking on the emotional toll of being alienated from his children.

“They would not dare call me and say ‘Happy Father’s Day’ because the motherfers turned them against me,”* he said. “Which is okay. God has a way of teaching people.”

While the pain was palpable, Luke also pointed to what he sees as a contradiction: his children allegedly continue to benefit from his legacy while denying him respect.

“I tell all my kids, if you hate me that much, change your last name,” he said. “Nobody wants to do that.”

That part.

The deeply personal broadcast comes just weeks after Luke received a major honor in his hometown of Liberty City, where a street was officially renamed “Luther Campbell Way” in recognition of his contributions to Miami culture and hip-hop history.

What’s more, that public celebration contrasts sharply with the private turmoil he described. Luke’s family drama has previously made headlines—in 2019, he was arrested for falling $10,000 behind in child support payments, a legal incident that added to the public scrutiny around his role as a father.

“Everybody mad at me,” Luke said during the livestream, his tone reflective of both regret and defiance.