Jimmy Iovine gave HBO CEO some sage career advice – credits “Hip-hop.” for his wealth

At recent screenings of “The Defiant Ones” — a documentary series on Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre — HBO CEO Richard Plepler recalled getting early career advice from Iovine, the Interscope Records co-founder who went on to launch Beats Electronics with Dre.

Thirty years ago, when Plepler was starting out, Iovine “had already notched enough success to have a place in Malibu,” Plepler explained, according to a spy.

Plepler “went to visit Jimmy’s Malibu house, only to find a touch-football game with actors, musicians and pro athletes at the beach.”

The future HBO boss was so impressed by the A-list turnout, he recalled asking Iovine, “Jimmy, how did you make all this money?”

Iovine replied only, “Hip-hop.”

Plepler paused and asked, “You think I could get into hip-hop?” But Iovine just shook his head, “Hip-hop, not for you,” he said, then advised, “TV is for you.”

Plepler has been at HBO for more than 25 years.

At NYC and LA screenings have been Eminem, P. Diddy, Kendrick Lamar, Trent Reznor, LL Cool J, Pharrell Williams and Q-Tip.