Cash Money Records | |
---|---|
Parent company | Universal Music Group |
Founded | 1991[1] |
Founder | Ronald "Slim" Williams Bryan "Baby" Williams |
Status | Active |
Distributor(s) | Republic Records (United States) Universal Records (1998–2006) Universal Music Group (International) |
Genre | Various, with a focus on hip hop |
Country of origin | United States |
Location | New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Miami, Florida, U.S. [2] |
Official website | cashmoney-records |
Cash Money Records is an American record label founded in 1991 by brothers Ronald "Slim" Williams and Bryan "Birdman" Williams. In its early years, the label signed and released albums for New Orleans-based musical acts Juvenile, B.G., and Hot Boys. [3] It became an imprint of Universal Records, a division of Universal Music Group in March 1998, and remained so during its following iterations as Universal Republic, Universal Motown and ultimately Republic Records.
In the late 2000s, Cash Money signed and released projects for a number of prominent hip hop artists, including Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Tyga. Wayne launched Young Money Entertainment in 2005, which operated as an imprint of the label and Republic Records until 2018; a joint venture colloquially branded as Young Money Cash Money Billionaires (abbreviated as YMCMB). The label has been commonly regarded as among the most successful urban contemporary music labels of the 2000s–2010s. [4]
Artists signed to Cash Money Records have achieved a combined 12 number one albums on the Billboard 200 chart and seven number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (Juvenile's "Slow Motion", Lil Wayne's "Lollipop", Jay Sean's "Down" and Drake's "One Dance", "God's Plan", "Nice for What", and "In My Feelings").
The label's name alludes to the Cash Money Brothers, drug kingpin Nino Brown's gang from the 1991 crime film New Jack City . [5]
Bryan Williams told some of his close friends the motivation for starting the label:
I was hoping it would get us out of the projects and into a positive way of life. And we wanted to help other people get out of this poverty... [6]
Kilo G was Cash Money's 1st artist and releases "The Bloody City" which features Ms Tee & UGK. U.N.L.V came shortly after and released "6th & Baronne", "Uptown 4 Life" & "Mac Melph Calio". They were a group of 3 rappers named Lil Ya, Tec 9, & Yella Boy. They were some of the original bounce rappers that help create a sound in New Orleans along with Mannie Fresh. Along the way he met a lot of influential people on the road with the Hot Boys. Wendy Day negotiated the deal between Cash Money and Universal Music Group's Universal Records (now Republic Records), which became a 70%-30% distribution deal. Later, UMG acquired a portion of Cash Money Records, making it a UMG subsidiary.
Starting in 1996, Cash Money signed a slew of new artists such as B.G., Lil Wayne, & Juvenile, who already had a buzz in the streets in the mid-1990s. At this time, Turk and another local rapper by the name of Bulletproof (aka Lil Derrick) (Derrick Williams Birdman's nephew) joined the roster. In May 1997, Birdman organized a rap group that included Juvenile, Turk, B.G. and Bulletproof. After his father's death, Lil Wayne joined the group, which became known as the Hot Boys. Shortly before the Hot Boys took off, Bulletproof was voted out the group according to Turk. Lil Derrick still was around (#1 Stunna Video) and was releasing music calling himself Lil Derrick the #2 Stunna. He was later killed in 2002. Cash Money's big break came in 1998 when the Hot Boys, B.G. and Juvenile in particular, caught the attention of Universal Records executives. [7]
Cash Money signed a three-year, $30 million distribution deal with Universal Records in March 1998, under which the Williams brothers were given a $2 million advance each year and a credit of $1.5 million for each of the six artists that they had at the time. After recouping, Universal Records would retain 15% of profits from album sales, while Cash Money retained 85%, as well as 50% of their publishing royalties and ownership of all master recordings. [8] Dino Delvaille, who orchestrated the deal, later told HitQuarters: "I made certain they retained (the rights) of their work. They deserve it." [9] Cash Money's first success under Universal was Juvenile's November 1998 release, 400 Degreez . The album peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Top 200 and would ultimately go on to sell over five million copies worldwide. The success of 400 Degreez solidified Cash Money as a powerhouse label in the national hip-hop scene. The album featured guest appearances from Cash Money artists Turk, Lil Wayne, B.G., Baby, and Mannie Fresh (both individually and as their groups the Hot Boys and Big Tymers), as well as a guest appearance from Jay-Z, the first time an East Coast rapper collaborated with Cash Money.
After the deal, Cash Money achieved a new level of success. Later albums in 1999 such as the Hot Boys' Guerrilla Warfare , B.G.'s Chopper City in the Ghetto , and Lil Wayne's Tha Block Is Hot also saw great chart success, were all certified Platinum by the RIAA, and furthered the label's reputation. These albums contained major Billboard hits such as Juvenile's "Back That Azz Up" (#19 on the Billboard Hot 100), B.G.'s "Bling Bling" (#36), and the Hot Boys' "I Need a Hot Girl" (#65). All of Cash Money's albums and singles in this period were solely produced by the label's in-house producer, Mannie Fresh. Their A&R at Universal, Dino Delvaille, said:
When they first came into the business, they were very reluctant to make records with other people. They probably felt that people would steal their style or flavor, and I had to work hard to get them to open up to making records with Cam'ron, Puffy, and Clipse, among others. [9]
The label's success continued into the 2000s. Between 2001 and 2003, the label sold 7 million albums. The song "Still Fly" by the Big Tymers was nominated for two Grammy Awards. However, B.G. and Juvenile left the label by 2002, claiming financial mismanagement. [10] In April 2003, Juvenile returned to the label for a reported $4 million deal, and in return, he signed over the rights to Juve The Great , an album which sold over a million copies and contained the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit "Slow Motion". In 2007, former Hot Boys member Lil Wayne was named president of Cash Money Records and CEO of Young Money Entertainment. Later that year, Lil Wayne stepped down as president to focus on his career, especially Tha Carter III . [11] In 2008, Lil Wayne re-signed with Cash Money, ensuring that his next few albums will be produced by the label. [12]
In September 2008, Cash Money released rocker Kevin Rudolf's smash-hit debut single "Let It Rock" featuring label-mate Lil Wayne. On October 15, 2008, at the MOBO Awards, British R&B singer Jay Sean announced that he had signed with Cash Money Records. [13] [14] In February 2009, the Williams brothers were featured in CNBC's Newbos: The Rise of America's New Black Overclass, a documentary show profiling several black multi-millionaires. [15] In early 2009, it was announced that former Roc-A-Fella Records artist Freeway signed with the label, although he was never officially signed to the label. [16] On August 16, 2009, Bow Wow announced that he signed with Cash Money Records. [17]
In 2009, they took part in a major label bidding war for Queens native rapper Nicki Minaj. Eventually, they won the bidding war and Nicki Minaj was signed to them exclusively for Young Money. Cash Money Records popularity grew after signing Minaj and Canadian rapper Drake. On August 5, 2010, production group Cool & Dre signed with Cash Money Records. The production group announced the news via Twitter. They are the first in house producer Cash Money has had since Mannie Fresh. [18] [19]
On August 19, 2010, Birdman signed DJ Khaled to the label, also signing his label We the Best Music Group as a subsidiary of Cash Money. [20] On February 24, 2012, Cash Money Records signed the nu metal band Limp Bizkit. [21] Wayne said the same day they were close to signing Ashanti. [22]
In 2011, Cash Money Records signed a co-publishing venture with the Atria Publishing Group called Cash Money Content. [23]
In February 2013, Birdman released a compilation mixtape with Cash Money and Young Money, entitled Rich Gang: All Stars. Shortly afterwards, he announced a compilation album entitled Rich Gang: Flashy Lifestyle that was due to be released on May 21, 2013—it featured members of Cash Money, Young Money, and various collaborators. [24] The first single from the project, "Tapout" was released on March 19, 2013, and features Lil Wayne, Future, Mack Maine, and Nicki Minaj, with production by 808 Mafia's Southside and TM88. [25] "Fly Rich" featuring Stevie J, Future, Tyga, Meek Mill and Mystikal was also released as a promotional single. [26]
The album's release date was then pushed back to July 23, 2013, [27] while the title was also shortened to just Rich Gang . The album garnered a mixed critical reception and debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200.
On December 4, 2014, just five days before Tha Carter V was due to be released, Wayne issued a statement saying the album would not be released on its expected release date due to his displeasure with Birdman refusing to release the album, although it had been completed. Wayne also expressed his feelings by stating he felt he and his creative partner were being held "prisoner". Lil Wayne filed a lawsuit. [28] [29] On January 20, 2015, Wayne self-released Sorry 4 the Wait 2 , a sequel to his 2011 mixtape, to compensate for the continued delay of Tha Carter V. [30] [31] Upon Sorry for the Wait 2's release, it was noted that Wayne disses Birdman and Cash Money Records several times throughout. [32] [33] [34] Birdman was reported to be upset with this. [35] In late January 2015, Lil Wayne filed a $51 million lawsuit against Birdman and Cash Money over the delay of Tha Carter V. [36]
In January 2015, Wayne stated that when he leaves Cash Money, he would take Drake and Nicki Minaj with him. [37] On June 22, TMZ reported new details on the lawsuit. According to documents filed by Lil Wayne, Birdman and Cash Money have mismanaged Young Money, including Drake and Minaj. The documents allege that Birdman and Cash Money haven't paid people. [38] [39] [40] In June 2015, Wayne joined Jay-Z's Tidal as an artist owner and exclusively released a single on the service titled "Glory". [41] On July 4, 2015, Wayne released Free Weezy Album exclusively through Tidal under Young Money and Republic Records. [42] On July 15, prosecutors allege Birdman and Young Thug conspired to murder Lil Wayne and were involved in the April 26 shooting. [43] On July 16, Birdman filed a $50 million lawsuit against Jay Z's Tidal streaming service over Lil Wayne's Free Weezy Album. The lawsuit claims that Cash Money Records exclusively owns the rights to Lil Wayne's music, although he is now independent and the label no longer owns these rights. [44]
On April 12, 2017, Birdman accepted a plaque in honor of Cash Money Records having sold one billion units. [45] On September 13, 2018, it was announced that Young Money was no longer a joint business venture with Cash Money. Ownership of the imprint was granted entirely to Lil Wayne as part of the legal settlements with Birdman that were finalized. [46]
Act | Year signed (as of 2018) | # Albums under label |
---|---|---|
Birdman | Co-founder | 6 |
Jacquees | 2014 | 6 |
Juvenile | 2014 (re-sign) | 5 |
Turk | 2015 (re-sign) | 1 |
Elettra Lamborghini [47] | 2017 | 1 |
9lokkNine [48] | 2018 | 1 |
Saviii 3rd [49] | — | |
Blueface [50] | 1 | |
Rublow | 2022 | — |
Saxkboy KD [51] | — | |
B.G. [52] [53] | 2023 (re-sign) | 6 |
Rich Gang | |
---|---|
Genres | Hip hop |
Years active | 2013–present |
Labels | Cash Money |
Members | Birdman Young Thug Jacquees Rublow Saxkboy KD |
Past members | Robb Banks [54] BTY Young'n (deceased) Caskey J-Soul Neno Calvin Trev Rich Money Man Young Greatness (deceased) Derez De'Shon |
Rich Gang is a hip hop collective and side project introduced by Birdman in 2013, initially composed of members from the Cash Money Records roster. The group's debut single, "Tapout" (featuring Future) was released in March 2013. Georgia rappers Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan became the core of the Rich Gang, debuting with guest appearances on the group's 2014 single "Lifestyle". The duo were also the primary artists on Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1 (2014). Later Rich Gang members—such as Derez De'Shon, Robb Banks, and Money Man—were part of the group despite not being signed to Cash Money as solo artists. [55]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | R |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Rich Gang | Best Group | Nominated |
From its founding until 2005, Mannie Fresh was the well-known production head of all Cash Money releases, as the label's resident producer. The label would be without a proper in-house producer until August 2010, when production duo Cool & Dre signed to the label. [56] Since then, the label has grown its production division by signing more producers.
In October 2009, Cash Money Records, Birdman, Lil Wayne and various music distribution outlets were sued for copyright infringement by Thomas Marasciullo, who claims his voice was used without permission. The rappers asked him to record some "Italian-styled spoken word recordings" in 2006. The lyrics were allegedly used on "Respect" and other tracks from the rappers' collaboration album Like Father, Like Son and Birdman's 5 * Stunna . [65]
In 2011, Cash Money Records, Lil Wayne, Universal Music Group, and Young Money Entertainment were sued for US$15 million by Done Deal Enterprises, who claim Lil Wayne's song "BedRock" was stolen from Done Deal. [66]
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
US [67] | US R&B [68] | US Rap [69] | ||
Rich Gang (Birdman) |
| 9 | 2 | 2 |
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, and is often mentioned among the greatest rappers of all time. He was signed by American rapper Birdman to his record label Cash Money Records in 1995, becoming the youngest member of the label at age eleven. In the following years, he emerged as the flagship artist of Cash Money Records before ending his association with the imprint in June 2018.
Big Tymers was an American hip hop duo composed of Cash Money Records co-founder Baby and the label's lead producer Mannie Fresh, both of whom originate from New Orleans, Louisiana. Active from 1997 to 2005, and once more in 2018, it was spun off from the label's supergroup, Cash Money Millionaires.
Bryan Christopher Williams, better known by his stage names Birdman or Baby, is an American rapper and record executive. He is the public face of the record label Cash Money Records, which he co-founded with his older brother Ronald "Slim" Williams in 1991. Birdman released his eponymous debut studio album in 2002, and released three follow up albums—Fast Money (2005), 5 * Stunna (2007), and Priceless (2009)—to moderate commercial success and mixed critical reception; in 2020, he announced the latter as his final. Along with his solo career, he is a member of the hip hop duo Big Tymers with producer Mannie Fresh, as well as the supergroup Cash Money Millionaires.
The Hot Boys where an American hip hop group formed in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1997. The group was made up of B.G., Lil Wayne, Juvenile and Turk.
American rapper Lil Wayne has released thirteen studio albums, one collaborative album, three compilation albums, five extended plays, and twenty-nine mixtapes. Wayne made his album debut in 1999, with Tha Block Is Hot, which was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. His later albums, Lights Out released in 2000, and 500 Degreez, released in 2002, attracted minor attention. In 2004, he released the first of his infamous Carter series, with Tha Carter. In 2005, Tha Carter II was released. In 2006, Wayne released a collaborative album with rapper Birdman, titled Like Father, Like Son. In 2008, Wayne released his best-selling album so far, titled Tha Carter III. Certified triple platinum by the RIAA, Tha Carter III won the Best Rap Album award at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Lil Wayne founded record label Young Money Entertainment and released a collaborative album featuring rappers signed to the label, We Are Young Money, in 2009, followed by his debut rock music album Rebirth in 2010. While serving an 8-month prison sentence in New York he released another album entitled I Am Not a Human Being, in September 2010. The next addition to Tha Carter series, Tha Carter IV, was released on August 29, 2011. In 2013, Wayne released a sequel to his 2010 album I Am Not a Human Being, titled I Am Not a Human Being II, followed by two compilation albums with his labels, Rich Gang (2013), and Young Money: Rise of an Empire (2014). After years of legal battles, his 12th studio album Tha Carter V was released on September 28, 2018. Lil Wayne released another album, Funeral, on January 31, 2020.
Young Money Entertainment is an American record label founded by rapper Lil Wayne in 2005. It was launched as an imprint of Cash Money Records — a joint venture colloquially branded as Young Money Cash Money Billionaires — and Republic Records until 2018, after which the label operated severally as an imprint of latter. Wayne's longtime affiliate, rapper Mack Maine was appointed the company's president in 2009.
"Got Money" is a song by American rapper Lil Wayne featuring fellow American singer T-Pain, released as the third single from the former's sixth studio album Tha Carter III (2008). Both artists use the Auto-Tune effect in the song. The single was released as a digital download on iTunes on May 27, 2008. Lil Wayne and T-Pain performed the song at the BET 2008 awards and the 2008 MTV Music Video Awards. MTV also ranked the song as the number 19 Hip-Hop song of 2008.
List of albums released or distributed by Cash Money Records.
We Are Young Money is the first compilation album by American hip hop record label Young Money Entertainment, and released on December 21, 2009 by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Motown Records. The album garnered a positive reception but critics were divided on the quality of the label's choice of artists. We Are Young Money debuted at number 9 on the Billboard 200 and spawned three singles: "Every Girl", "BedRock" and "Roger That". The album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over 1,000,000 copies in the United States.
"Y.U. Mad" is a hip hop song by American rapper Birdman. The song features Cash Money/Young Money recording artists Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. The song was sent to U.S. Urban radio on September 20, 2011. and U.S. Rhythmic radio on October 11, 2011.
"You the Boss" is a song by American rapper Rick Ross. It was originally released as the first single from his fifth studio album, God Forgives, I Don't on October 7, 2011, along with "I Love My Bitches" but was later taken off the final track list. It was released to U.S. rhythmic radio on October 18. and Urban radio on November 1, 2011. Even though the song charted well, it was later confirmed that "Touch'N You" was the new first single from the album. It features Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj and was produced by K.E. on the Track. The song was certified Gold September 18, 2014, almost three years after its release.
"Take It to the Head" is a song by American hip hop producer DJ Khaled, released as the lead single from his sixth studio album, Kiss the Ring. The song features American singer Chris Brown, rappers Rick Ross, Lil Wayne and Trinidadian American rapper Nicki Minaj. The song was premiered via DJ Khaled's Twitter on March 26, 2012. It was later released for digital download in the United States on April 3, 2012. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 digital copies. Musically, "Take It to the Head" is a hip hop song with elements of trap from Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, and R&B from Chris Brown.
"High School" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj, featuring American rapper Lil Wayne. It was released on April 16, 2013 by Young Money, Cash Money and Republic as the third and final single from the reissue of Minaj's second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up (2012).
"Tapout" is a song released by American hip hop group Rich Gang featuring performances by Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj and American rappers Lil Wayne, Mack Maine, Future, and Rich Gang founder Birdman. Produced by Southside & TM88 with co-production and uncredited vocals by Detail, the song is the lead single of the eponymous YMCMB compilation album, premiering on March 12, 2013 and becoming available for digital download on March 19. The song has since peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Rich Gang is the debut studio album by American record labels Young Money and Cash Money as the supergroup Rich Gang. The album was released July 23, 2013, by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records. The album contains contributions from several YMCMB members, including Birdman, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Mack Maine, Limp Bizkit, Bow Wow, Ace Hood, Jae Millz, Cory Gunz, Gudda Gudda, Caskey, Detail, Busta Rhymes and Mystikal. The compilation also features guest appearances from artists outside the labels, including Future, Meek Mill, French Montana, T.I., Yo Gotti, Flo Rida, Chris Brown, Rick Ross, the Game, Kendrick Lamar, and R. Kelly. Rich Gang was supported by the three singles: "Tapout", which peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100, along with "We Been On" and "50 Plates".
Carl Eugene Lilly Jr., better known by his stage name Gudda Gudda, is an American rapper from New Orleans. He was originally a member of Sqad Up with Kidd Kidd and Lil Wayne. After forging a long-time friendship with Wayne, he signed to Young Money Entertainment, and later Republic Records.
Young Money: Rise of an Empire is the second studio album by American supergroup Young Money Entertainment. The album was released on March 11, 2014, by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records. Rise of an Empire's recording process took place from 2013 to 2014. It contains contributions from several Young Money recording artists including, Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Christina Milian, Shanell, Mack Maine, Jae Millz, Cory Gunz, Gudda Gudda, Lil Twist, Chanel West Coast and PJ Morton, among others.
London Tyler Holmes, known professionally as London on da Track, is an American record producer, rapper, and songwriter. He is a frequent collaborator of fellow Atlanta rapper Young Thug and has also worked with Kodak Black, Nicki Minaj, Juice WRLD, Birdman, Lil Wayne, Lil Baby, Rich Homie Quan, Gucci Mane, Giggs, Drake, Post Malone, T.I., 21 Savage, 50 Cent, Sfera Ebbasta, Summer Walker, Roddy Ricch and Ariana Grande, among others.
"Truffle Butter" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj featuring Drake and Lil Wayne. It is included as an exclusive bonus track on the iTunes edition of Minaj's third studio album The Pinkprint (2014). Produced by Young Money Entertainment with help by Cash Money Records and Republic Records, the song was released as the fifth single from the album on January 23, 2015. "Truffle Butter" is hip hop song and contains a sample of Maya Jane Coles' song "What They Say" (2010). In March 2015, it was sent to urban contemporary and contemporary hit radio.
Free Weezy Album is the eleventh studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne. It was released on July 4, 2015, by Young Money Entertainment and Republic Records, exclusively on TIDAL. It was released on Spotify and Apple Music on July 3, 2020, to commemorate its fifth anniversary, though some samples were changed due to clearance issues, and some tracks are absent completely.
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