Cash Money Records
Encyclopedia
Cash Money Records is a record label
founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group
, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011. Current CEOs are Bryan "Birdman" Williams, Ronald "Slim" Williams.
(Uptown Niggas Living Violently), Kilo G, Lil Slim, and PxMxWx. In 1995, the label signed young rappers B.G.
and Lil Wayne
. The signees marked what would be the second wave of Cash Money artists. In 1997 B.G. and Lil Wayne formed the group the Hot Boys
together with Juvenile
(who had already been regionally successful before Cash Money), and Turk
. Although initially they didn't make much impact outside of the region, they would become the label's most well known artists.
Cash Money's big break came in 1997 when the Hot Boys
, B.G.
and Juvenile
in particular, caught the attention of Universal Records
executives. In 1998, Cash Money signed a $30 million pressing and distribution contract with Universal, entitling the label to 85% of its royalties, 50% of its publishing revenues and ownership of all masters. Dino Delvaille, who signed the label, later told HitQuarters
: "I made certain they retained 100% ownership of their work. They deserve it."
After the deal Cash Money would reach success it hadn't come close to previously. The release of Juvenile
's 1998 album 400 Degreez
, which was certified 4X Platinum by the RIAA, solidified Cash Money as a powerful label in the national hip-hop scene. 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 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:
The label's success continued into the 21st century. 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
later left the label in 2002, claiming financial mismanagement. 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 would go on to sell over a million copies and contained the Billboard Hot 100
#1 hit "Slow Motion". Cash Money also signed deals with several other artists, including Sean John and Jacob the Jeweler. In 2007, former Hot Boy member Lil Wayne
was named president of Cash Money Records and CEO of Young Money Entertainment
, giving the rapper full creative control over all releases under the two labels. Later that year, however, Lil Wayne stepped down as president to focus on his career, especially Tha Carter III
. In 2008, Lil Wayne re-signed with Cash Money, ensuring that his next few albums will be produced by the label.
In September 2008, the label diversified by releasing 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 Collin Branch announced that he had signed with Cash Money Records. 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. In early 2009 former Roc-A-Fella Records
Artist Freeway
and 2 Pistols
signed with the label. On August 16, 2009, Bow Wow announced that he signed with Cash Money Records. On 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.
On August 5, 2010 production group Cool & Dre
signed with Cash Money Records the production group announced the news on there via Twitter. They are the first in house producer Cash Money has had since Mannie Fresh. On August 19, 2010, Birdman signed DJ Khaled
to the label, being the second producer in the label and the first Disc-Jockey ever. Shyne
and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins of TLC
also signed to the label to release albums.
In 2011, Cash Money Records, along with Lil Wayne, Universal Music Group, and Young Money Entertainment
, was sued for by Done Deal Enterprises, who claim Lil Wayne's song "BedRock" was stolen from Done Deal.
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011. Current CEOs are Bryan "Birdman" Williams, Ronald "Slim" Williams.
History
For its first few years (1992–1997), Cash Money played host to a number of local releases by artists, selling hundreds of thousands of albums without ever releasing a music video or having a Billboard hit. Some of the label's releases garnered some regional success in New Orleans and Louisiana, but the label was little known to the national rap scene. Artists on the label during this period included the group U.N.L.V.U.N.L.V. (group)
U.N.L.V. are a hip-hop group from New Orleans, Louisiana, originally consisting of rappers Tec-9, Lil Ya, and Yella Boy. Their name is an acronym for "Uptown Niggas Living Violently". They were one of the first artists signed to Cash Money Records, where they recorded four albums from 1993 to 1996...
(Uptown Niggas Living Violently), Kilo G, Lil Slim, and PxMxWx. In 1995, the label signed young rappers B.G.
B.G. (rapper)
Christopher Dorsey , better known by his stage name B.G. , is an American rapper and actor, from New Orleans, Louisiana. He began his music career signed to Cash Money Records in 1993 with Lil Wayne as half of the duo The B.G.'z...
and Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
. The signees marked what would be the second wave of Cash Money artists. In 1997 B.G. and Lil Wayne formed the group the Hot Boys
Hot Boys
The Hot Boys is a music American hip hop group active from 1996 to 2001 and reformed in 2007. The group consists of rappers formerly on the New Orleans-based record label, Cash Money Records. The members are Lil Wayne, Juvenile, B.G. and Turk.-History:The members of the group were rappers, Lil...
together with Juvenile
Juvenile (rapper)
Terius Gray, better known by his stage name Juvenile, is an American rapper, He is also a former member of hip-hop group the Hot Boys . At the age of 19, he began recording raps, releasing his debut album Being Myself in 1995...
(who had already been regionally successful before Cash Money), and Turk
Turk (rapper)
Tab Virgil, Jr., better known by his stage name Turk , is an American rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is best known for his time with Cash Money Records and with the Hot Boys. His debut album Young & Thuggin became a Top 10 hit on the Billboard 200 and pushed his album to Gold sales in the...
. Although initially they didn't make much impact outside of the region, they would become the label's most well known artists.
Cash Money's big break came in 1997 when the Hot Boys
Hot Boys
The Hot Boys is a music American hip hop group active from 1996 to 2001 and reformed in 2007. The group consists of rappers formerly on the New Orleans-based record label, Cash Money Records. The members are Lil Wayne, Juvenile, B.G. and Turk.-History:The members of the group were rappers, Lil...
, B.G.
B.G. (rapper)
Christopher Dorsey , better known by his stage name B.G. , is an American rapper and actor, from New Orleans, Louisiana. He began his music career signed to Cash Money Records in 1993 with Lil Wayne as half of the duo The B.G.'z...
and Juvenile
Juvenile (rapper)
Terius Gray, better known by his stage name Juvenile, is an American rapper, He is also a former member of hip-hop group the Hot Boys . At the age of 19, he began recording raps, releasing his debut album Being Myself in 1995...
in particular, caught the attention of Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
executives. In 1998, Cash Money signed a $30 million pressing and distribution contract with Universal, entitling the label to 85% of its royalties, 50% of its publishing revenues and ownership of all masters. Dino Delvaille, who signed the label, later told HitQuarters
HitQuarters
HitQuarters is an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It is noted for in-depth interviews with industry figures, with past subjects including Simon Cowell, Martin Kierszenbaum, Jason Flom, Diane Warren, Peter Edge, Ron Fair and RedOne, as well as its A&R...
: "I made certain they retained 100% ownership of their work. They deserve it."
After the deal Cash Money would reach success it hadn't come close to previously. The release of Juvenile
Juvenile (rapper)
Terius Gray, better known by his stage name Juvenile, is an American rapper, He is also a former member of hip-hop group the Hot Boys . At the age of 19, he began recording raps, releasing his debut album Being Myself in 1995...
's 1998 album 400 Degreez
400 Degreez
400 Degreez is the third studio album by New Orleans-based rapper Juvenile, released June 2, 1998, on Cash Money Records. The album received rave reviews and introduced Juvenile to mainstream hip hop listeners, selling over four million copies in the United States...
, which was certified 4X Platinum by the RIAA, solidified Cash Money as a powerful label in the national hip-hop scene. Later albums in 1999 such as the Hot Boys
Hot Boys
The Hot Boys is a music American hip hop group active from 1996 to 2001 and reformed in 2007. The group consists of rappers formerly on the New Orleans-based record label, Cash Money Records. The members are Lil Wayne, Juvenile, B.G. and Turk.-History:The members of the group were rappers, Lil...
' Guerrilla Warfare
Guerrilla Warfare (album)
-Album chart positions:-Release history:...
, B.G.
B.G. (rapper)
Christopher Dorsey , better known by his stage name B.G. , is an American rapper and actor, from New Orleans, Louisiana. He began his music career signed to Cash Money Records in 1993 with Lil Wayne as half of the duo The B.G.'z...
's Chopper City in the Ghetto, and Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
's Tha Block Is Hot
Tha Block Is Hot
Tha Block Is Hot is the debut album by Lil Wayne, released November 2, 1999, on Cash Money Records.The album debuted at number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with 229,000 copies sold in its first week released. This was significant, as none of the other members of Hot Boys had released solo...
also saw great chart success and furthered the label's reputation. These albums contained major Billboard hits such as Juvenile's "Back That Azz Up
Back That Azz Up
"Back That Thang Up" is a 1999 hit single by Juvenile for Cash Money Records, the second single from his 1998 album 400 Degreez...
" (#19 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
), B.G.'s "Bling Bling
Bling Bling (song)
"Bling Bling" is a song by New Orleans rapper B.G., released as the first single from his fifth studio album Chopper City in the Ghetto. It features Hot Boys and Big Tymers. The song peaked at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it B.G.'s most successful single to date...
" (#36), and the Hot Boys' "I Need a Hot Girl
I Need a Hot Girl
I Need A Hot Girl is a single performed by New Orleans hip-hop group, the Hot Boys. The single was featured on their Platinum selling album Guerrilla Warfare. The song, as well as the entire album, was produced by Mannie Fresh. "I Need A Hot Girl" was written by Lil Wayne, B.G. and Turk. Juvenile...
" (#65). All of Cash Money's albums and singles in this period were solely produced by the label's in-house producer, Mannie Fresh
Mannie Fresh
Byron O. Thomas, better known by his stage name Mannie Fresh, is currently an artist and hip-hop producer who records for Def Jam South and his own division Chubby Boy Records...
. 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 flavour, and I had to work hard to get them to open up to making records with Cam’ron, Puffy, and Clipse, among others."
The label's success continued into the 21st century. Between 2001 and 2003, the label sold 7 million albums. The song "Still Fly" by the Big Tymers
Big Tymers
The Big Tymers were an American rap duo active from 1997 to 2005 from New Orleans, Louisiana. The Big Tymers consisted of Cash Money Records co-founder, Baby and former Cash Money in-house producer, Mannie Fresh. Baby later changed his stage name to Birdman after the group was dissolved...
was nominated for two Grammy Awards. However, B.G.
B.G. (rapper)
Christopher Dorsey , better known by his stage name B.G. , is an American rapper and actor, from New Orleans, Louisiana. He began his music career signed to Cash Money Records in 1993 with Lil Wayne as half of the duo The B.G.'z...
and Juvenile
Juvenile (rapper)
Terius Gray, better known by his stage name Juvenile, is an American rapper, He is also a former member of hip-hop group the Hot Boys . At the age of 19, he began recording raps, releasing his debut album Being Myself in 1995...
later left the label in 2002, claiming financial mismanagement. 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
Juve the Great
Juve the Great is the sixth studio album by rapper Juvenile, and his last on Cash Money Records. The album was certified platinum July 20, 2004, becoming his third album to do so, after 400 Degreez and Tha G-Code. Juve the Great includes the hit single "Slow Motion" featuring Soulja Slim...
, an album which would go on to sell over a million copies and contained the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
#1 hit "Slow Motion". Cash Money also signed deals with several other artists, including Sean John and Jacob the Jeweler. In 2007, former Hot Boy member Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
was named president of Cash Money Records and CEO of Young Money Entertainment
Young Money Entertainment
Young Money Entertainment is an American record label founded by rapper Lil Wayne. Young Money's president is Lil Wayne's lifelong friend Mack Maine. The label is an imprint of Cash Money Records and is distributed by Universal Republic Records...
, giving the rapper full creative control over all releases under the two labels. Later that year, however, Lil Wayne stepped down as president to focus on his career, especially Tha Carter III
Tha Carter III
Tha Carter III is the sixth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released June 10, 2008 on Cash Money Records. It follows a long string of mixtape releases and guest appearances on other hip hop and R&B artists records, helping to increase his exposure in the mainstream...
. In 2008, Lil Wayne re-signed with Cash Money, ensuring that his next few albums will be produced by the label.
In September 2008, the label diversified by releasing rocker Kevin Rudolf
Kevin Rudolf
Kevin Rudolf is an American singer-songwriter and record producer signed to Cash Money Records. Rudolf is mostly known for singing and producing rock/pop music...
's smash-hit debut single "Let It Rock
Let It Rock (Kevin Rudolf song)
"Let It Rock" is the debut single of Kevin Rudolf from his debut album In the City. It features rapper Lil Wayne. The track was produced and written by Rudolf....
" featuring label-mate Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
. On October 15, 2008 at the MOBO Awards
MOBO Awards
The Music of Black Origin Awards, established in 1995 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music....
, British R&B singer Jay Sean Collin Branch announced that he had signed with Cash Money Records. In February 2009, the Williams brothers were featured in CNBC
CNBC
CNBC is a satellite and cable television business news channel in the U.S., owned and operated by NBCUniversal. The network and its international spinoffs cover business headlines and provide live coverage of financial markets. The combined reach of CNBC and its siblings is 390 million viewers...
's Newbos: The Rise of America's New Black Overclass, a documentary show profiling several black multi-millionaires. In early 2009 former Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
Artist Freeway
Freeway (rapper)
Leslie Edward Pridgen , better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper. Best known for his tenure on Roc-A-Fella Records and his affiliation with Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, he is recognized by his high-pitched delivery and for the long beard he keeps due to his Muslim faith...
and 2 Pistols
2 Pistols
Jeremy Lemont Saunders , better known by his stage name 2 Pistols, is an American rapper from Tarpon Springs, Florida.- Early career :...
signed with the label. On August 16, 2009, Bow Wow announced that he signed with Cash Money Records. On 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.
On August 5, 2010 production group Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
signed with Cash Money Records the production group announced the news on there via Twitter. They are the first in house producer Cash Money has had since Mannie Fresh. On August 19, 2010, Birdman signed DJ Khaled
DJ Khaled
Khaled bin Abdul Khaled , better known by his stage name DJ Khaled, is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, and record label executive. He is a radio host for the Miami-based urban music radio station WEDR and the DJ for the hip hop group Terror Squad. In 2006, Khaled released his...
to the label, being the second producer in the label and the first Disc-Jockey ever. Shyne
Shyne
Moshe Levi Ben-David , better known by his stage name Shyne, is a Belizean rapper.-Background:...
and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins of TLC
TLC (band)
TLC is an American musical trio whose repertoire spanned R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and new jack swing. Originally consisting of singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper-singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas it found success in the 1990s while also enduring a series of spats...
also signed to the label to release albums.
In 2011, Cash Money Records, along with Lil Wayne, Universal Music Group, and Young Money Entertainment
Young Money Entertainment
Young Money Entertainment is an American record label founded by rapper Lil Wayne. Young Money's president is Lil Wayne's lifelong friend Mack Maine. The label is an imprint of Cash Money Records and is distributed by Universal Republic Records...
, was sued for by Done Deal Enterprises, who claim Lil Wayne's song "BedRock" was stolen from Done Deal.