New Orleans rapper and music mogul Master P has in a bid perhaps to keep up with P Diddy, changed his name to P. Miller.

In a statement released by his publicist, P. Miller stated, "I am changing my name because Master P is who I used to be, I call it my childhood and P. Miller marks my manhood. I wouldn't change my past because it has groomed me to be the man I am today.”

Miller goes on to explain the role hip-hop has played in his life and his major achievements as Master P.

“I will always love hip-hop; it plays a major role in who I am today. I have branched out into so many different arenas that range from being the first African-American to have a clothing line at Wal-Mart, to writing books, and speaking on Capitol Hill, but all of that gets overshadowed because I come from the hip hop industry.”

“There are a lot of people out there, who are afraid to grow up and change, but I'm not and P. Miller is the evolution of me, Percy Miller the entrepreneur, the businessman.”