Cash Money Records

Lore & Background

The label's foundation was built on a desire to escape poverty, with Bryan Williams stating his hope to get himself and others out of the projects. Cash Money's first release in 1992 was the single 'The Sleepwalker' by Kilo G, followed by the signing of U.N.L.V., a group that helped create the local bounce sound. The roster grew to include B.G., Lil Wayne, Juvenile, Turk, and Bulletproof (Birdman's cousin). In May 1997, Birdman organized the Hot Boys, uniting these artists; Bulletproof was never a member of the group and was murdered in 2002. The commercial breakthrough arrived in 1998 when Juvenile's 400 Degreez sold over five million copies worldwide. This success was fueled by Mannie Fresh's exclusive production until he left Cash Money in 2005, after which other producers like Bangladesh and David Banner worked with the label well before Cool & Dre became in-house producers in August 2010.

Reader's Guide

Cash Money Records holds the distinction of releasing 12 number one albums on the Billboard 200 and seven number one singles on the Hot 100. The chart-topping singles include Lil Wayne's "Lollipop," Jay Sean's "Down," Juvenile's "Slow Motion," and four Drake hits: "One Dance," "God's Plan," "Nice for What," and "In My Feelings." The label's name alludes to the Cash Money Brothers, a gang led by Nino Brown in the 1991 film New Jack City. Between 2001 and 2003 alone, the label sold 7 million albums. While B.G. and Juvenile left in 2002 citing financial mismanagement, Juvenile returned in April 2003. The label also signed Kevin Rudolf in September 2008 for his hit "Let It Rock," Jay Sean in October 2008, Bow Wow in August 2009, and the nu metal band Limp Bizkit on February 24, 2012.

Did You Know?

• Cash Money secured a landmark deal in March 1998 where they retained 50% of publishing royalties and ownership of all master recordings.
• Lil Wayne was named president of Young Money Entertainment in 2005 and remained in that role until at least 2010, overseeing the release of Tha Carter III in 2008.

Foundational Origins and Early Roster

Founded in 1991 by Ronald "Slim" Williams and Bryan "Baby" Williams, Cash Money Records began with a mission to provide a positive way out of poverty. The first artist signed was Kilo G, who released The Sleepwalker in 1992. The label subsequently signed U.N.L.V., releasing their projects 6th & Baronne, Mac Melph Calio, and Uptown 4 Life. Mannie Fresh began producing entirely for the label with Kilo G's second album, The Bloody City, in 1995. By 1997, Kilo G was murdered. The roster expanded to include Turk and Bulletproof (Derrick Williams), leading Birdman to form the Hot Boys in May 1997 with Juvenile, B.G., and Bulletproof. Lil Wayne joined shortly after his father's death, though Bulletproof was voted out before recording major releases.

The Universal Partnership and Commercial Breakthrough

In March 1998, Cash Money signed a three-year, $30 million distribution deal with Universal Records. The agreement provided the Williams brothers with $2 million advances per year and $1.5 million credits for their six artists at the time. Post-recoupment, Universal retained 15% of profits while Cash Money kept 85%, along with half the publishing royalties. Dino Delvaille, who orchestrated the deal, ensured they retained rights to their work. The first major success under this deal was Juvenile's 400 Degreez, released in November 1998, which sold over five million copies and featured Jay-Z. This era saw multiple Platinum albums from the Hot Boys, B.G., and Lil Wayne, with all production handled by Mannie Fresh.

Chart Dominance and the Young Money Era

Between 2001 and 2003, Cash Money sold 7 million albums despite B.G. and Juvenile leaving over financial disputes. In April 2003, Juvenile returned for a $4 million deal to release Juve The Great, which contained the number one hit "Slow Motion." In 2005, Lil Wayne launched Young Money Entertainment as an imprint of Cash Money and Republic Records. By September 2008, Nicki Minaj was signed exclusively to Young Money after a major bidding war, followed by Drake. This partnership, colloquially branded YMCMB, led to massive success in the late 2000s and 2010s. The label also signed Kevin Rudolf in September 2008 for "Let It Rock," Jay Sean in October 2008, and Bow Wow in August 2009.

Cultural Inspiration and Lasting Legacy

The name "Cash Money" references the Cash Money Brothers from the 1991 film New Jack City. The label's legacy is defined by its 12 number one albums on the Billboard 200 and seven number one singles on the Hot 100. Notable hits include Drake's "One Dance," "God's Plan," "Nice for What," and "In My Feelings," as well as Jay Sean's "Down" and Lil Wayne's "Lollipop." The label faced significant internal strife in early 2015 when Lil Wayne sued Birdman for $51 million over the delay of Tha Carter V, claiming he was being held "prisoner." Despite this, the label remained a dominant force, signing diverse acts ranging from Kevin Rudolf to Limp Bizkit by February 2012.