By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Until the vision is visible, many do not see the vision of others, whether it be big or small. In the case of the Williams brothers, Bryan and Ronald, the vision was big. The two men did not let their surroundings, a poor area in New Orleans, Louisiana, define them. Instead, they built the gateway from these neighborhoods into superstardom when they established Cash Money Records.
Cash Money Records soon became an outlet for local New Orleans rappers to gain exposure. While things were going well for Cash Money Records, things were much better for No Limit Records, a crosstown rival. They were the ones on television and selling millions of records, despite being launched after the brothers’ Cash Money label.
It is easy to contemplate giving up when others around you are doing better, especially in a shorter span of time. The fortunes for Cash Money Records, which were already good, became much better when popular New Orleans rapper, Juvenile, signed to the label. Juvenile was followed by the additional signings of B.G., Turk, and Lil Wayne, who also formed a group, The Hot Boyz.
Universal Records soon caught wind of Cash Money’s movement and offered a lucrative deal to Bryan and Ronald, who were now going by the monikers Baby and Slim. Baby would alternate between his name, sometimes being Baby, other times being Birdman. In recent years, it seems as though he has settled upon being called Birdman. Regardless of his name, Birdman will always be called rich, he has made sure of that, pulling Cash Money Records back from the brink of irrelevance to become the biggest label in hip hop.
During a recent interview, flagship artist, Lil Wayne, announced things will be getting even bigger for Cash Money Records. Lil Wayne says he hears about new signings on a daily basis, with Limp Bizkit being the latest act to sign with the label. In 2009, Cash Money Records had a rock act signed, but nothing ever came from the deal. However, this has not stopped them from jumping back into the rock game and this time, they have a legendary group to represent for them.
Lil Wayne also said former Murder Inc. songstress, Ashanti, may be signing with the label. In a matter of months, Cash Money Records has added Mystikal, formerly of No Limit, Busta Rhymes, Christina Milian, now Limp Bizkit, and possibly Ashanti.
