Hip-hop pioneer Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell recently took to Instagram Live to candidly vent about his strained relationship with his children—placing much of the blame on the mothers of his kids and the fallout from years of legal and personal battles.
The former 2 Live Crew frontman didn’t hold back during the emotional livestream, revealing that he has spent millions over the years in child support payments.
“That’s $2.7 million in child support. Yes, that is what I paid,” Luke said. “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.”
Campbell, who rose to fame in the late '80s and early '90s with his Miami-based rap group known for its controversial lyrics and First Amendment legal battles, has often portrayed himself as unapologetically bold.
But in this video, he seemed more vulnerable than brash—clearly hurt by what he perceives as alienation from his children.
“They would not dare call me and say ‘Happy Father’s Day,’ because the motherf***ers turned them against me. Which is okay. God has a way of teaching people,” he continued.
Luke went on to express the depth of his frustration, suggesting that if his children harbor such resentment toward him, they should distance themselves entirely—even down to the family name.
“I tell all my kids, if you hate me that much, change your last name,” he said. “Nobody wants to do that.”
The livestream struck a chord with fans and followers, many of whom expressed sympathy for the emotional toll parental estrangement can take—regardless of one’s celebrity status or financial contributions. Others debated whether public platforms are the best place to air private family matters.
Luke’s comments also sparked discussion around parental alienation, a phenomenon where one parent is believed to manipulate a child into turning against the other. While it’s impossible to know the full details of his familial relationships, Luke’s statements reflect a sense of deep betrayal and helplessness that many estranged parents feel.
Over the years, Luke has been open about his challenges as a father, businessman, and entertainer, including his past marriages and legal battles related to child support. But this recent outburst suggests the emotional weight of these issues may be heavier than he’s let on before.
As of now, none of Luke’s children have responded publicly to his statements.
Source: Instagram
