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How Chi Modu, Hip Hop’s Iconic Photographer, Helped me Build the Wealth Superhighway: Structured investment vehicles

Simply Global

Updated: Sep 27, 2024

The Simply Global Story

Simply Global CEO and Chi Modu art work
CEO Marley Watkins and patron at Chi Modu gallery opening “Uncategorized (Photo: Zurisaddai Corona Jr) Wu-Tang & Friends, Staten Island, 1993, Sotheby’s

Chi Modu: Revolutionizing Photography and Empowering Creatives Through Corporate Structures


It all started one evening at Soho House in downtown New York. I had just wrapped up a busy day managing corporate entities for high-profile clients at CT Corps and was catching up with my friend Chi Modu, the visionary photographer known for capturing some of the most renowned faces in history. While many recognize him for his stunning photos of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., Chi's work transcended just one subject, shaping the visual legacy of hip-hop culture and beyond.


The Conversation That Sparked a Movement


That night, feeling drained from the day's work, I shared insights from my corporate experience, explaining how billionaires grow and safeguard their wealth using multiple business entities. 

I saw the question in Chi’s eyes, so I broke it down. As I described the benefits and seeming magic of corporate structuring, I saw a light forming on his face. 


Chi, always thoughtful, paused and asked a game-changing question:

“Why don’t you do this for us—the workers, the grinders, the athletes, the entertainers—the people who hustle hard but aren’t getting the same benefits?”


Chi Modu's Vision: Financial Empowerment for All


Chi’s question struck a chord. Why shouldn’t the people at the heart and soul of their industries have access to the same financial strategies and structured investment vehicles as billion-dollar corporations? The perks were massive: incredible profits, ironclad asset protection, and unbeatable legacy planning. Big companies like Sears might fade away, but their structures ensure they keep thriving. It was all about structure.


Chi’s work wasn’t just about photography; it was a global operation, with travel and production costs exceeding those of a typical photographer.

“My expenses are higher than anyone,” he explained. “I spend a ton just to be there.”

By translating his career into a structured business entity, Chi could maximize tax benefits, protect his assets, and build long-term wealth—just like major corporations.


Building a Multinational Business Empire for a Creative


Inspired, we brainstormed how to structure Chi’s business more effectively. Using industry-specific NAICS codes, I helped map out his operations into several business entities, covering different aspects of his work. This setup allowed his tax advisors to optimize deductions, asset protection, and future growth potential.

Chi had already laid the groundwork with LLCs and copyrights for his work, but this new corporate structure elevated his business to a new level. It became a blueprint for other similar business looking to optimize their finances.


Empowering Artists Like Chi


As we shared stories about our clients and communities, we realized that many high-earning, talented individuals—like Chi—are essentially running multiple businesses. Their passions, ideas, investments, and intellectual property span a variety of ventures.

I always thought these successful people had teams handling everything, but it was surprising to discover that no one had ever discussed these strategies with them.


Chi Modu's Lasting Legacy: Beyond the Lens


Chi wasn’t just focused on his own success—he was passionate about helping his peers unlock their full financial potential. 


His insights into the needs of the household names he photographed also revealed a common frustration: despite all their hard work, they often didn't see 98 cents of every dollar they earned. They were vulnerable, unprotected, and uninformed. Chi finally asked, “Can you build these structures for us?”

I looked at him, took another sip, and smiled.


Simply Global: Chi Modu's Vision in Action


Simply Global was born that night, created to help hardworking individuals—whether they are artists, business owners, photographers, athletes, or entertainers—take control of their financial futures through powerful business structures. We believe that:

  • Hard Workers Deserve More: Individuals should receive the full benefits of their earnings.

  • Asset Protection is Key: Safeguarding personal and business assets is essential.

  • Legacy Planning Matters: Passing down wealth and creating a lasting legacy is crucial.

  • Ideas are Businesses: Every idea is intellectual property and has the potential to become a thriving business.

Our conversation that night laid the foundation for Simply Global’s mission to empower high-net-worth individuals of all backgrounds. Chi’s legacy continues, not only through his photography but also through the financial strategies he championed for his peers.



Tupac and Chi: An Iconic Moment Behind the Camera


Chi and I chatted long into the night, and eventually, the topic shifted to one of his favorite subjects, Tupac. Chi leaned in and shared the story behind one of his most iconic images, one I spent hours admiring —Tupac holding his headband and smoking.


Chi Modu art gallery


“This was an outtake from an interview I was shooting with Pac. He’d just been acquitted… In the middle of the interview, he jolted up, walked away, and said, ‘Chi, I’m tired of talking.’ He took a smoke, and I felt the energy shift. I shouted, ‘Hold it!’ and started shooting.”


Classic Pac. Classic Chi.


We get what our community of high-net-worth individuals are striving for, and we know the hustle. That’s why Simply Global is here to help you turn your passions into corporate ventures, transforming personal projects into thriving businesses. Your work, purpose, lifestyle, and interests are seen through our lens to elevate your future. Because at the end of the day, it’s more than personal—it’s business.


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