Cash Money Records

Refimprove|date=November 2007
founded = 1991
founder = Ronald "Slim" Williams & Bryan "Baby" Williams
distributor = Universal Records (U.S.)
genre = Contemporary R&B Southern Hip Hop Gangsta rap
country = U.S.
url = [http://www.cashmoney-records.com cashmoney-records.com]

Cash Money Records is an record label founded in 1991 by brothers Bryan "Baby" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams in New Orleans, Louisiana.

History

The label's first artist Kilo-G released "The Sleepwalker in 1992. Over the next 4 years Cash Money played host to a number of local releases by artists such as Pimp Daddy, U.N.L.V., Ms. Tee, Mr. Ivan, Lil' Slim, B.G., among others, selling hundreds of thousands of albums without ever releasing a music video or having a Billboard hit.Fact|date=July 2008 Cash Money's big break came in 1997 when the label's most popular artists, the Hot Boys, B.G. and Juvenile in particular, caught the attention of Universal Records executives. Juvenile's Cash Money release "Solja Rags" sold 20,000 copies independently. In 1990, co-CEOs Ronald "Slim" Williams and Brian "Baby" Williams signed a US$30 million pressing and distribution contract with Universal Records, entitling the label to 85% of its royalties, 50% of its publishing revenues and ownership of all masters.

Between 1991 and 2001, Cash Money churned out numerous Top Five Billboard singles and 12 platinum and multi-platinum albums, almost all of which were supervised by in-house producer Mannie Fresh.Fact|date=July 2008 Controversy arose when two of the Hot Boys left the label claiming financial mismanagement by "Birdman" Williams. The first artist to leave was B.G., who claimed he had never received a check for any album released before 2003, an amount that would exceed 3 dollars. The second to leave was Juvenile, who claimed he had only received half of the tour money he had accumulated over 4 years, and did not receive proper payment for his quadruple platinum album, "400 Degreez". The artist filed three simultaneous lawsuits, asking for more than $5 million in damages. The lawsuits were dismissed, however, for lack of evidence.

The departure of Cash Money's two biggest stars did not seem to affect the performance of the Hip hop company. Between 2001 and 2003, the label sold millions of albums, and the song "Still Fly" by the Big Tymers (Williams and Mannie Fresh) was nominated for two Grammy awards. In April 2003, Juvenile returned to the label for a reported deal, and in return, he signed over the rights to "Juve The Great," an album which would go on to sell million copies.

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 in 2007, Lil Wayne stepped down as president to focus on his career, especially "Tha Carter 3". [ [http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2007/10/lil_wayne_excerpts/ October 2, 2007 Vibe interview with Lil Wayne] ]

Filmography

*"Baller Blockin" (2000)

Artists

* Lil Wayne
* Birdman
* Glasses Malone
* Brisco
* Yo Gotti
* All Star Cashville Prince
* Mack 10
* Stack$
* Teena Marie
* Kevin Rudolf

Young Money Entertainment

* Dizzy
* Jae Millz
* Lil Chuckee
* Mack Maine
* Nicki Minaj
* Tyga
* T-Streets
* Nutt Da Kid
* Soulja Boyz

Former Artists

* DJ Crack Out
* Kilo-G
* Pimp Daddy
* Lil' Slim
* Mr. Ivan
* PxMxWx
* U.N.L.V.
* Magnolia Shorty
* Juvenile
* B.G.
* Turk
* Mannie Fresh
* Young Buck
* T.Q.
* Mikkey
* Hakim
* Bizzy
* Lac & Stone (D-Boyz)
* Gillie Da Kid
* Curren$y
* Jazze Pha (producer)
* Six Shot
* Tateeze {aka} Strings
* Boo & Gotti

ee also

* Young Money Entertainment
* Cash Money Millionaires
* Hoo-Bangin' Records

References

External Links

* [http://www.cmdegreez.com/ Cash Money Records Official Fan Website]