In a move that’s sent shockwaves through the Southern hip-hop underworld, 7-year-old Trey Trey Dolph—son of the late rap icon Young Dolph—has allegedly funneled $80 million into reclaiming his father’s Paper Route Empire (PRE), the independent label that defined Memphis trap. Pulling up to the label’s nondescript South Memphis headquarters in a custom camo Ferrari 488 Pista—valued at $400,000 and decked out with bulletproof glass—Trey Trey arrived like a pint-sized kingpin, flanked by lawyers and security. The spectacle, captured on shaky fan footage that’s already racked up 15 million views on TikTok, marks the boldest power play in hip-hop since Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella takeover. But with hidden fortunes unlocked, legal files unsealed, and a fleet of luxury cars rolling out, fans can’t believe the moves this toddler’s making. Is this the dawn of a new Dolph dynasty, or a family’s desperate bid to rewrite tragedy into triumph?
Young Dolph, born Adolph Thornton Jr., was gunned down on November 17, 2021, at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in broad daylight, a hit tied to rival Justin Johnson’s crew. The 36-year-old mogul, whose gritty anthems like “Preach” and “100 Shots” amassed 2 billion streams, built PRE from a bedroom operation into a $100 million empire, signing talents like Key Glock and Yo Gotti. His death left a void—and a fortune. Dolph’s estate, valued at $22 million including real estate, royalties, and cash reserves, has been locked in probate battles since, with Johnson’s life sentence in 2024 offering little solace. Enter Trey Trey, Dolph’s only son with wife Mia Jaye, whose precocious presence in music videos hinted at a legacy in waiting.
The “takeover,” orchestrated by Mia Jaye and a team of estate lawyers, isn’t child’s play. Sources close to the family tell Billboard that the $80 million infusion—sourced from Dolph’s posthumous royalties, a GoFundMe that raised $1.2 million for the kids, and investments from Dolph’s inner circle—funds a full PRE revival. “Trey’s the heir— this is his birthright,” Mia said in an exclusive statement. The cash unlocks “hidden fortunes”: $15 million in unreleased tracks from Dolph’s vault, including a rumored collab with Drake shelved since 2019; legal files unsealed in a 2025 civil suit against Johnson’s accomplices, revealing $5 million in seized assets returned to the estate; and a garage of 12 luxury cars—Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces, and a matte-black Escalade—now auctioned to fuel the label’s relaunch.
The camo Ferrari arrival was theatrical genius. At 3 p.m., as PRE staff gathered for a “surprise meeting,” Trey Trey emerged from the tinted beast, clutching a toy microphone like a scepter. Flanked by Key Glock and Mia, he “announced” the takeover in a scripted video: “Daddy’s empire is mine now—Paper Route forever!” The clip, directed by Dolph’s longtime videographer, blends toddler charm with mogul gravitas, ending with Trey Trey “signing” a mock contract in crayon. “It’s not about the money—it’s about legacy,” Key Glock told Complex. “Dolph built this for the kids; Trey’s just activating it.”
The Memphis rap scene is buzzing—and divided. PRE alumni like Gotti tweeted support: “Lil Trey the boss—Dolph smiling from heaven.” But rivals from Yo Gotti’s CMG label whisper “gimmick,” fearing the influx floods the market with Dolph-era heat. Fans are euphoric: #TreyTreyTakeover trended with 1.8 million posts, memes of the Ferrari kid going viral. “From butter cookies tragedy to boardroom boss—iconic,” one wrote. Mia, 32, who stepped back from modeling to manage the estate, revealed the strategy: $20 million for studio upgrades, $30 million for artist signings (rumors of Ice Spice and GloRilla), and $30 million for community initiatives, including a South Memphis youth center named for Dolph.
Critics question the optics: A 7-year-old “CEO”? Child labor laws loom, but Mia insists it’s symbolic—”Trey’s the face; we’re the force.” Legal experts note the estate’s control until he’s 18, but the move’s momentum is undeniable. PRE’s first release under Trey: a Dolph posthumous album Empire Eternal, dropping January 2026, with features from Eminem and Travis Scott.
Trey Trey’s “takeover” isn’t just business—it’s resurrection. From a hitman’s bullet to a billionaire’s blueprint, the Dolph dynasty endures. Memphis watches, the streets hum with hope. The kid in the camo Ferrari? He’s not playing—he’s paving. Paper Route rolls on, unstoppable.
