Birdman

50 Cent Challenges Birdman To Million-Dollar Super Bowl Bet

26 Jan 2012 12:29:15 EST

Fif already won half a million betting on his hometown New York Giants in the playoffs.
By Rob Markman

50 Cent
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

50 Cent is ready to double down. After winning half a million dollars betting on the New York Giants to beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL playoffs last week, Fif wants to bet $1 million in next week's Super Bowl. And it's not just any old bet — 50 specifically challenged Cash Money boss Birdman via Twitter on Wednesday night.

"I'm up 500,000 off the last one. F--- it ill bet it back Ill put a 1,000,000 on my G MEN. STUNNER you got the # hit me if you want it," 50 wrote Wednesday night in support of his hometown team. "I just check the spread Hold up the M casino in vegas said patriots-3 I'm have to bet over there unless STUNNTER giving up points. Get at me." Fif's tweets came in response to the general challenge that Birdman threw out into the world on Monday after the 2012 Super Bowl matchup between the Giants and the New England Patriots was made official. "I like New ENGLaNd. my nephew play RB #42. "I'm Bet 5 million 2 any ni----. like tha Giants YMCMB. BabyMoney anybody kan Getit," he wrote. The "#42" Birdman referenced in his tweet is New England running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. On Wednesday, the #1 Stunna issued another general challenge when he wrote: "New England ni---. #42 ... 5 Million is like 5 racks New york standup Giants. BabyMoney. YMCMB." 50 followed Birdman's tweet by directly calling out Baby. No word as to whether or not the Cash Money CEO accepted the G-Unit general's bet. Last year Birdman bet $1 million on the Green Bay Packers — Lil Wayne's favorite team — who managed to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers. Super Bowl XLVI will be held in Indianapolis on February 5.

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Birdman Boasts Of YMCMB 'Family Atmosphere' In 'Y.U. Mad' Video

28 Nov 2011 15:11:06 EST

'We're unified,' Birdman tells MTV News of clip featuring Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne.
By Rob Markman

Nicki Minaj, Birdman and Lil Wayne on the set of "Y U Mad"
Photo: MTV News

Birdman has every reason to smile, and in his latest video, for "Y.U. Mad," the #1 Stunna puts his diamond-encrusted grill on full display. Not only is his YMCMB record label the biggest rap label of the year thanks to high-profile releases from Lil Wayne and Drake, but the camaraderie displayed in his new clip, which premiered on MTV2 on Sunday, is very real — both on and off camera.

"We like this with each other on an everyday basis. It's just fortunate that it's a video and they get to see it in that way," Birdman told MTV News from his trailer on set of the "Y.U. Mad" video shoot in Miami back in October. "It's a family atmosphere, and we talk a lot and we work a lot, and when it comes down to the music, we do it together, we're unified. It's what Lil Wayne and Birdman and Young Money, Cash Money all about — working as a team." The proof is in the Gil Green-directed video off Birdman's upcoming solo LP Bigga Than Life. Nicki Minaj sets things off, in character as "The Female Weezy." Dressed in a white wifebeater, camouflage pants, skater sneakers and a blond dreadlocked wig, Nicki embodies Lil Wayne's persona as she prances on the screen rapping her verse. It wouldn't be a Birdman video if the #1 Stunna didn't flaunt his wealth. In one scene, Baby rides around M-I-A in a white convertible Mercedes Maybach, in another he sits with YMCMB execs Mack Maine and Cortez Bryant at a long dining table littered with vodka bottles and exuberant amounts of cash. Still, it's the ear-to-ear grins that make "Y.U. Mad" stand out from previous Birdman videos like "Fire Flame" and "Always Strapped." Wayne may have had the most fun on set, rocking a high-top, red fur hat, colorful shorts and a backpack containing his skateboard. The song was originally something that Nicki was working on but then gave to Birdman in order to keep it in the family. From the first listen, the Cash Money CEO was in love with what is now his latest single. "I liked it from the start," he said. "Working with Nicki is just special anyway. It was something she gave me and I felt good about it so we rocked with it." And apparently they had a blast doing it.

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Birdman Won't Try To Change Busta Rhymes Musically

22 Nov 2011 20:13:20 EST

'We like to let an artist be an artist and we support what they want to do,' Cash Money Records boss MTV News.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Travis Laurendine

Birdman
Photo: Prince Williams/ FilmMagic

Busta Rhymes made headlines when he inked with Birdman's Cash Money Records last week, but don't expect Baby to try and change up the Dungeon Dragon.

Nope, the #1 Stunna wants Bussa Bus to just be himself. "Whatever they bring to the table, whatever their vision is, [my role is] just to back it up and let them be the artist that they want to be and we support what they want to do," Birdman told MTV News of recent CMR recruits Busta and Mystikal. The new deal links Busta Rhymes' Conglomerate label with Cash Money and Google Music. "It's just amazing to see that they understood what Busta Rhymes means to the music, what Busta Rhymes means to the culture, what Busta Rhymes means to the embodiment of authentic hip-hop," the fire-spitting MC told MTV News when we spoke to him last week. "We never was [the type] to try to tell no [artist] how to do music, that's not what we're about. We like to let an artist be an artist and we support what they want to do," Birdman told us while out in New Orleans handing out Thanksgiving turkeys to the local community on Friday. Bus began his career in 1991 as one-fourth of the rap quartet Leaders of the New School, but after the group disbanded he kicked off his solo career in 1996. Now a 20-year rap vet, Busta is responsible for a number of solo hits, including "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check," "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" and "Touch It," as well as scene-stealing cameos on A Tribe Called Quest's 1992 posse-cut "Scenario" and, more recently, Chris Brown's "Look at Me Now."

Some skeptics have questioned how Rhymes, a New York veteran, will blend with Birdman's Southern record label. Throughout the years, however, Busta has collaborated with the label's flagship artist Lil Wayne on Weezy's own Tha Carter III and IV, as well as Busta's 2009 single "Respect My Conglomerate." Bus also appears on YMCMB member Lil Twist's new single "Turnt Up," so chemistry shouldn't be a question. Busta's latest single, "Why Stop Now," reunites the rap speed demon with Brown on a record that sounds like a continuation of this year's "Look at Me Now." What do you think of Busta signing to Cash Money? Tell us in the comments.

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Rick Ross Receives Well Wishes From Nicki Minaj, Birdman

15 Oct 2011 15:04:22 EDT

The Cash Money crew says Ross is "like family" and wish him a speedy recovery.
By

Rick Ross
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

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Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV Near-Million Sales 'Cool' With Birdman

07 Sep 2011 12:53:18 EDT

On Sway's Shade 45 radio show, Baby shoots down rumors that Cash Money bought up Weezy's albums to ensure a big debut.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

lil Wayne and Birdman
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV may have fallen just short of the million mark in its first full week of sales, but Birdman feels platinum regardless.

The #1 Stunna spoke with MTV News' Sway Calloway on his Shade 45 "Sway in the Morning" radio show about Weezy's #1 album and 964,000 copies sold. "People doin' different numbers," Birdman said of the initial predictions, which had Wayne selling more than a million. "But this comes from Billboard. To me, that's a million; 964, we right there, so it's cool. We'll just keep grinding, I guess." Baby also touched on the Internet rumors that he and Cash Money purchased copies of Tha Carter IV to ensure a mega-sales debut. "Nah, man, that really don't make no sense. Why would we do that?" Birdman asked. "I press and distribute 'em. Ain't no need for me to buy 'em. That's hustling backwards; we ain't in it for that. I ain't ever been a part of that type of scheme to be buyin' records. We don't do that, homey. We be working too hard to be — that don't go with what we do. We truly what we do. We're real about what we do, we work hard every day at it, and we work for the people. That's what we do music for: for people. And we appreciate the love they give us back. But no such thing as me buying no CDs. I wouldn't even play it like that." After being pressed by Sway, the Cash Money CEO estimated that the company made about $10 per album sold, but the exact number remains to be seen. Regardless, Birdman insists that the Cash Money/ Young Money camp is back to work and focusing on Drake's sophomore album, Take Care, which is set to be released October 24. Catch MTV News' Sway Calloway on "Sway in the Morning," on SiriusXM Radio's Shade 45, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon ET.

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Young Money President Mack Maine Plans New Label

22 Apr 2011 15:10:28 EDT

Still-untitled imprint will be under the Cash Money umbrella.
By Rob Markman

Mack Maine
Photo: Alexander Tamargo/ Getty Images

Birdman's Cash Money and Lil Wayne's Young Money labels haven't been shy about signing new talent and releasing music. After dropping debut albums from both Drake and Nicki Minaj in 2010, YMCMB have artists Tyga, Lil Twist, Cory Gunz, Mack Maine, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda and R&B alternative singer Shanell all waiting to drop LPs. Add already-established acts such as Birdman, Bow Wow and Lil Wayne to the mix, and it's easy to see how some artists on the roster can get lost in the shuffle. Well, Young Money president Mack Maine has a plan to ensure fans see a steady flow of Cash Money-helmed releases.

"You know how Roc-A-Fella had State Property; I'm actually in the process of starting a new label ... a sub-label, basically," Mack said of the still-untitled imprint that he will head under the Cash Money umbrella. Wayne is scheduled to drop Tha Carter IV on June 21, and there are plans for Birdman's fifth solo album, Bigger Than Life, to follow in July. And, that isn't all: According to the YM prez, Tyga will be dropping Careless World this year, Lil Twist will be putting out his first effort, Don't Get it Twisted, and Drake is readying his sophomore LP, Take Care. "[Drake] let me hear 10 songs the other night — 10 bangers he's working," Mack said. "Drake's coming in September, just know that." Not to be left out, Mack himself also will be releasing an album this summer. With at least six projects already on the proposed schedule, the New Orleans rapper/executive said adding a third label to the YMCM structure will help facilitate the flow of releases. "I want to make sure I put a few people out through that vessel instead of putting everybody out under the same label, which is hard," he said. "But we're all one big family." Which Young Money Cash Money project are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

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Birdman Taps Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj For Bigger Than Life Singles

29 Mar 2011 16:39:01 EDT

'We work whenever we wanna work,' Cash Money captain tells MTV News of crafting July 7 album.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Ade Mangum

Birdman
Photo: MTV News

The Young Money/ Cash Money juggernaut is gearing up for a summer takeover. Lil Wayne's highly anticipated album, Tha Carter IV, is set to drop May 16. And now the Birdman is scheduled to follow with his next release, Bigger Than Life, due July 7.

The YMCMB boss' first two singles will be "Get Money," featuring Wayne and Mack Maine, and "Why You Mad," featuring Weezy and Nicki Minaj. "We work whenever we wanna work," Birdman told MTV News about the making of his forthcoming set. "We always have to have access to a studio, 24/7. We couldn't be on tour if we didn't have a way to record or if Wayne didn't have it. So whenever we wanna work, we can. That's how we live life: we do how we want to whenever we want to." Last year, just before Wayne finished his well-documented prison sentence, Birdman said he and his protégé would likely release another Like Father, Like Son project after Weezy wraps Tha Carter IV. The New Orleans native explained how the entire team was working hard while Wayne was away, resulting in a stream of music that should see the light of day this summer. "Everybody just working hard, energized about him about to come home," he said at the time. "We worked, but him being gone — that was just a left turn in life. We wasn't expecting anything like that but we had to deal with it." Which YMCMB release are you most anticipating? Tell us in the comments!

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Birdman To Appear On Thursday's 'RapFix Live'!

14 Mar 2011 21:24:59 EDT

Cash Money boss' interview, airing at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com, will serve as a preview for the new MTV series 'Deep Cover.'
By D.L. Chandler

Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

Fresh from making the top five of Forbes' highest-paid hip-hop entertainers list, Cash Money honcho Birdman is this week's featured guest on Thursday's "RapFix Live" at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com. After new Shady Records signee Yelawolf graced the studio last week with his smooth Southern charm, this week's show will focus on an in-depth interview with New Orleans native Birdman. The $100 million man is doing pretty well for himself thanks to the overwhelming popularity of protégé Lil Wayne's Young Money roster, which includes fellow hitmakers Drake and Nicki Minaj.

Birdman has been in the news of late as well due to a supposed brewing feud between the Cash Money mogul and Jay-Z. In Kanye West and Jay's "H.A.M." collabo, Birdman took umbrage to Jay's line "Really, you got baby money," the assumption being that Jay was aiming his barbs at Lil Wayne's Young Money success. Birdman responded vaguely via Twitter with, "We gonna keep spending 'baby money' ...billionaire minds stay tuned." Birdman's appearance on "RapFix Live" serves as a preview for the new MTV series "Deep Cover," in which Sway will take viewers deep into the daily operations of Birdman and his Cash Money Records operation. Keeping things in the Cash Money family, "RapFix Live" will also focus on Lil Wayne's I Am Music II Tour and will be featuring exclusive coverage of the Wednesday night kickoff with live-blogging from MTV's RapFix staff. Don't miss "RapFix Live" this Thursday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com for Sway's interview with Cash Money boss Birdman.

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Birdman

Birdman Joined By Lil Wayne For 'Fire Flame' Remix Video

10 Jan 2011 18:18:19 EST

Behind-the-scenes footage of the rappers on the set of the video shoot has emerged.
By Hillary Crosley

Lil Wayne
Photo: Derrick G

Birdman's "Fire Flame" video has earned plenty of spins, and now that the Cash Money CEO's "son" Lil Wayne is home from prison, the duo have paired up for a remix clip. MTV News commandeered footage from the video, courtesy of photographer Derick G, and members of the Cash Money/ Young Money camp were in good spirits on the set.

"It's amazing, can't believe n---as are using real cars and sh--, you know times have changed," Wayne joked, marveling at the sports cars being utilized in the clip's fiery scenes. The video looks to be a performance clip that alternates between shots of a set where a red car is parked on a black set peppered with fiery lights and a raised stage where the MCs trade bars, flanked by members of the Cash Money/ Young Money camp. "The addition to this song is, of course, Lil Wayne and the anticipation of his first video [since he got out of prison]," Gil Green, the clip's director, said as he prepared for the shoot. "I haven't even spoken to him since he's been out. I look forward to seeing him and working with him again ... The song's called 'Fire Flame' so you're in our fire room. Right now, it doesn't look like much but in a few seconds ... it's going to be incredible. It's going to get real hot in here." Meanwhile, Young Money president Mack Maine revealed, "The first one was a movie and this one's the sequel." DJ Khaled also was on hand. "Shout to Weezy, Birdman. I love this record because it's that hood sh--," he said. "Right now they have this whole 'Fire Flame' scene going on that's so crazy. It's only right they're doing big things." Are you excited to see Birdman's "Fire Flame" remix video with Lil Wayne? Tell us in the comments.

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Birdman Delivers Thanksgiving Joy To New Orleans

24 Nov 2010 16:04:54 EST

Cash Money CEO brings turkeys to his hometown neighborhood.
By Steven Roberts, with reporting by Travis Laurendine

Birdman
Photo: Ray Tamarra/ Getty Images

We rarely see the soft side of Cash Money CEO Birdman, but MTV News caught up with the 5-Star General in his hometown of New Orleans on Tuesday afternoon for his 15th annual turkey giveaway. The event was in Shakespeare Park, across the street from the housing projects Birdman, born Bryan Williams, grew up in. He said he was very happy to be home. "It feels good to see people that you grew up with, that you've been knowing your whole life and your family," Birdman said. "[They] know more about you than you know about yourself."

He said the drive means a lot to those in the community, not just because of the giveaway, but also because the town is thrilled just to see Birdman and the rest of the Cash Money family. "They see us on TV so much, but never get to see us [in person]. But for them to see us, shake our hands, tell us they know our momma, they know our daddy, so many that watched me as a kid that tried to keep my head straight when I was younger — it feels great, not just good." Birdman said Cash Money have been giving away turkeys for 15 years, but every year, it gets more exciting. He said that when they started, it was just to help out those that didn't have anything for Thanksgiving. "We caught ourselves trying to help the neighborhood, the older folks who didn't have anything," he recalled. "Now it's a different trade for me to come home and get [a reception] like this. It still means the world to me." What are your Thanksgiving plans? Let us know in the comments!

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