"Cash Money Records"
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The Magnolia Projects, one of the largest and poorest housing projects in New Orleans, was home to Birdman and his brother Slim. Birdman was drawn to the allure of the streets, inspired by the fly, iced up hustlers around the neighborhood. Recognizing the poverty and lack of opportunities in Magnolia, he desired more. Hustling became second nature, and the fast money from selling drugs got him respected.
Slim, on the other hand, was the quiet, laid-back one with a sharp business mind, always thinking about ways to make money. Together, Birdman's hustling instincts and Slim's business acumen drove their pursuit of independence.
As hip-hop exploded across the United States in the '80s, regions adopted elements suited to their local culture. The brothers saw an opportunity to enter the hip-hop scene. Inspired by Master P's success, they studied the industry and, in 1992, launched their own record label, Cash Money Records. They traveled to nightclubs across Louisiana, scouting for talent to sign.
Before the internet and SoundCloud, getting new hip-hop artists noticed required significant legwork and investment. Birdman claims that by the age of twenty, he had already made a million dollars from the streets. In 1995, Cash Money artist Lil’ Slim introduced a then 12 year old Dwayne Carter (Lil Wayne) to Birdman after being impressed by his talent at a block party. Dwayne was signed as the youngest artist on the Cash Money label.
In 1998, Cash Money Records signed a $30 million deal with Universal Records. For most of the 2000s, Lil Wayne was the best rapper, with his 2008 album, Tha Carter III, rated as one of the best albums of all time.
The subsidiary label, Young Money Entertainment, also began making waves by the late 2000s. By the 2010s, Drake and Nicki Minaj earned widespread success with albums like Pink Friday and Take Care.
Lil Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj became one of hip-hop’s most famous trios. Although none of them are with the label today, their names are forever etched in its history.
HELLA INSPIRED.
Slim, on the other hand, was the quiet, laid-back one with a sharp business mind, always thinking about ways to make money. Together, Birdman's hustling instincts and Slim's business acumen drove their pursuit of independence.
As hip-hop exploded across the United States in the '80s, regions adopted elements suited to their local culture. The brothers saw an opportunity to enter the hip-hop scene. Inspired by Master P's success, they studied the industry and, in 1992, launched their own record label, Cash Money Records. They traveled to nightclubs across Louisiana, scouting for talent to sign.
Before the internet and SoundCloud, getting new hip-hop artists noticed required significant legwork and investment. Birdman claims that by the age of twenty, he had already made a million dollars from the streets. In 1995, Cash Money artist Lil’ Slim introduced a then 12 year old Dwayne Carter (Lil Wayne) to Birdman after being impressed by his talent at a block party. Dwayne was signed as the youngest artist on the Cash Money label.
In 1998, Cash Money Records signed a $30 million deal with Universal Records. For most of the 2000s, Lil Wayne was the best rapper, with his 2008 album, Tha Carter III, rated as one of the best albums of all time.
The subsidiary label, Young Money Entertainment, also began making waves by the late 2000s. By the 2010s, Drake and Nicki Minaj earned widespread success with albums like Pink Friday and Take Care.
Lil Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj became one of hip-hop’s most famous trios. Although none of them are with the label today, their names are forever etched in its history.
HELLA INSPIRED.