Cash Money Records

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Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records.jpg
Parent company Universal Music Group
Founded 1991[1]
Founder Bryan "Birdman" Williams
Ronald "Slim" Williams
Distributor(s) Republic Records
(In the US)
Universal Island Records
(Outside the US)
Genre Various
Country of origin United States
Location New Orleans, Louisiana/Miami, Florida[2]
Official Website Official Site

Cash Money Records is an American 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 Republic Records as of 2012.[3][4] The CEOs are Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams.

Contents

History

1991-1999: Beginnings and deal with Universal Records

Cash Money Records was founded in 1991. Bryan Williams told some of his close friends the original 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"[5]

For its first few years (1991–1994), Cash Money played host to a number of local releases by artists, selling only one album without ever releasing a music video or having a Billboard hit. Some of the label's releases garnered some regional success in New Orleans, 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. (Uptown Niggas Living Violently), Kilo G, Lil Slim, and PxMxWx. In 1995, the label signed young rappers B.G., Young Buck 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 (rapper) (who had already been regionally successful before Cash Money). 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 1998 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 with $3 million advance contract with Universal, entitling the label to 85% of its royalties, 50% of its publishing revenues and ownership of all masters. Dino Delvaille, who orchestrated the deal, later told HitQuarters: "I made certain they retained 100% ownership of their work. They deserve it."[6]

After the deal Cash Money records 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,[7] 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[8]), 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 flavour, and I had to work hard to get them to open up to making records with Cam’ron, Puffy, and Clipse, among others."[6]

2000-2012: Continued success and various signings

This 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.[9] 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 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, 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.[10] In 2008, Lil Wayne re-signed with Cash Money, ensuring that his next few albums will be produced by the label.[11]

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 announced that he had signed with Cash Money Records.[12][13] 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.[14] In early 2009 former Roc-A-Fella Records artist Freeway signed with the label.[15] On August 16, 2009, Bow Wow announced that he signed with Cash Money Records.[16]

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. 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.[17][18]

On August 19, 2010, Birdman signed DJ Khaled to the label also signing his label We the Best Music Group as a subsidery of Cash Money.[19] On February 24, 2012, Cash Money Records signed the nu metal band Limp Bizkit.[20] Wayne said the same day they were close to signing Ashanti.[21]

2013-present: Rich Gang

In February 2013 Birdman released a compilation mixtape with Cash Money and Young Money titled Rich Gang: All Stars. Short after he announced a compilation album titled, Rich Gang: Flashy Lifestyle that is due to be released on May 21, 2013 featuring members of Cash Money, Young Money and their various collaborators.[22] The first single from the project, "Tapout" would be released on March 19, 2013, which features Lil Wayne, Future, Mack Maine, and Nicki Minaj, with production by 808 Mafia's Southside and TM88.[23] "Fly Rich" featuring Stevie J, Future, Tyga, Meek Mill and Mystikal was also released as a promotional single.[24] The albums release date would be pushed back to June 25, 2013.[25]

Artists

Legal issues

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.[29]

In 2011, Cash Money Records, along with Lil Wayne, Universal Music Group, and Young Money Entertainment, was sued for US$15 million by Done Deal Enterprises, who claim Lil Wayne's song "BedRock" was stolen from Done Deal.[30] There were also claims in the lawsuit that both Cash Money and Young Money were never under Universal Music Group.

Discography

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.cashmoney-records.com/home.asp The year Cash Money Records was founded Cash Money Records. Accessed May 12, 2010.
  2. ^ Ben Westhoff (January 14, 2010). "Cash Money Records, now based in Miami, again dominates the charts like it's 1999 – Page 1 – Music – Miami". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2011-05-07. 
  3. ^ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/ethiopia-habtemariam-named-senior-vice-president-1005312132.story
  4. ^ http://charts.bdsradio.com/bdsradiocharts/charts.aspx?formatid=5
  5. ^ "Interview with Bryan "Cocksucker" Williams". HitQuarters. February 6, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2012. 
  6. ^ a b "Interview With Dino Delvaille". HitQuarters. March 1, 2004. Retrieved May 12, 2011. 
  7. ^ www.riaa.org
  8. ^ www.allmusic.com
  9. ^ Reid, Shaheen. Juvenile Tears Into Cash Money, Lil Wayne — And FEMA, MTV News. Published March 9, 2006. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  10. ^ Checkoway, Laura. Weezy F. Baby: Uncut, Vibe. Published October 2, 2007. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
  11. ^ Hobbs, Linda. Lil Wayne Re-Signs With Cash Money Records, Vibe. Published September 16, 2008. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  12. ^ Miah, Shuhel. Jay Sean to take on the U.S., insidedesi.com. Published October 16, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
  13. ^ Beyond Bhangra, The Independent. Published February 27, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  14. ^ Hinckley, David. 'Black overclass' rich in opinion Money talks – via affluent athletes and music-biz bigs, The New York Daily News. Published February 25, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  15. ^ "Weezy Pushed Again, Freeway Signs To Cash Money | Lil Wayne". Rap Basement. June 3, 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-06. 
  16. ^ "Bow Wow Joins Cash Money". MTV (New York). 
  17. ^ Production group Cool & Dre signed with Cash Money Records, Zillasays. Published August 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  18. ^ Harling, Danielle (August 5, 2010). "Producers Cool & Dre To Join Cash Money | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2011-05-07. 
  19. ^ "DJ Khaled Joins Cash Money Records". Rap Radar. August 19, 2010. Retrieved 2011-05-07. 
  20. ^ http://allhiphop.com/2012/02/27/birdman-slim-and-fred-durst-discuss-limp-bizkit-deal/
  21. ^ http://www.complex.com/music/2012/12/the-25-biggest-hip-hop-fails-of-2012/fred-durst-joins-ymcmb
  22. ^ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22966/title.tyga-s-hotel-california-album-pushed-back-will-now-be-released-in-april
  23. ^ http://www.complex.com/music/2013/03/listen-birdman-f-lil-wayne-future-mack-maine-and-nicki-minaj-tapout
  24. ^ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fly-rich-feat.-stevie-j-future/id606963719
  25. ^ http://www.missinfo.tv/index.php/birdman-rich-gang-tapout-video-feat-lil-wayne-future-mack-maine-nicki-minaj/
  26. ^ http://www.cashmoney-records.com/artist/
  27. ^ http://www.republicrecords.com/artists/sarah-lenore/
  28. ^ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.23163/title.birdman-signs-t-rone-to-cash-money-records-ymcmb
  29. ^ "Lil Wayne Accused of Stealing 'BedRock'.". Rolling Stone. August 4, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2011. 

External links

Cash Money Records
Founder
Artists
Former artists
Subsidiaries
Founder
Artists
Current
Former
Releases
Singles
Related articles
  • Cash Money
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