Anyone who grew up in the 1990s has heard of Cash Money Records and the influence that it had over the hip hop genre. Co-owned with brother Ronald Slim Williams, Bryan Birdman Williams is the owner and CEO of Cash Money Records Hip Hop record label.
He is one of the most influential American rapper artists in the industry. His influence in the industry from Baby Birdman to the most commercially successful label comes with a story, especially with a net worth of $125 million.
Early Life of Birdman
Birdman was born in New Orleans and later spent some time in British Columbia, before returning back south to foster care. Growing up in the deep South of New Orleans, Louisiana, Birdman ran the streets with his stepbrother, getting into trouble by dealing drugs and engaging in theft activity.
During this time he lost his mom, Gladys Brooks, to an illness and was residing with his father and stepmother. After spending a year and a half in Elayn Hunt Correctional Center Birdman was released. Getting out of prison gave him the chance to reconnect with his biological brother Slim and become a co-founder to cash money records.
Cash Money Comes to Life
Recruiting talent across the South, especially Louisiana, and bringing that talent to the recording studio allowed Birdman and his brother the opportunity to find some of the best talents in hip hop music. One of the best partnerships that came early on was the introduction and relationship that they developed with DJ Mannie Fresh.
New Orleans because one of the growing cities for fast money, and that money really transformed with Birdman signed Carter and also created the hip hop duo between himself and DJ Mannie Fresh, known as the Big Tymers.
Today he is known as Lil Wayne, but one of the most successful acts that the found of Cash Money Records did was signing Dwayne Lil’ Wayne Carter back in 1995 after much success was happening in the Southern region of the country.
The Hot Boys band was also created around this time, with Lil’ Wayne, B.G., and Juvenile, artists who were maintaining success in the industry despite the number of disputes and murders between conflicting record labels in the hip hop industry.
Biggest Albums
To date, some of the biggest albums that came out of Cash Money artists were some solo albums and collaboration albums between two or more of the artists on the record label. The Big Tymers rap group’s debut album Hood Rich boosted their net worth and gave some of the spotlights back to Birdman.
Lil Wayne released Tha Carter, making it one of the most successful records released at that time. This record caught the attention of universal records who wanted to make a deal with Cash Money records. As the co-founder of the label, Slim and Birdman owned the right to make a decision regarding selling the company and generating substantial pay royalties with each song that is played.
Currently, they still have the most records sold compared to other record labels in that industry, making it a critical part of the history of hip hop. Most artists also have a solo career in conjunction with a collaborative album. Many of these records also went certified platinum and still making history in the hip-hop community.
Other Business Ventures
Taking a step back from the music industry as a producer and artist that was performing regularly, it was important for Birdman to shift his interests in other directions as a record producer. By this time, Birdman had become a father and family man, looking to make new investments and grow his net worth.
There was the clothing line that Birdman and Lil Wayne collaborated on in 2013 known as YMCMB and also a more exclusive brand known as Rich Gang. These two lines were focused on different audiences giving them the opportunity to reach different audiences and maximize their success.
Oil and Energy Venture
In another brotherly venture, Birdman and brother Slim co-founded the Bronald Oil brand which gave them an entry into the oil and energy industries that were growing still. In this company, they had all intentions of looking to discover domestic oil and drill it. When Birdman launched this company, there was still a strong desire to find domestic resources.
Real Estate
Once Birdman started generating a substantial income from Cash Money Records back in the 1990s, he started making an investment in real estate properties in his hometown. By the time he set his sights on Florida, Birdman owned several million dollars worth of property Some of these homes were used for family members who needed a place to stay while others were rented out.
Miami was the next city that Birdman set his sights on, and the Miami Beach mansion became home away from New Orleans for Birdman. Owning multiple properties in Miami, as well, Birdman was able to move his children, Bria Williams and Bryan Jr. to this estate.
Bringing his children meant that he could spend more time with them while continuing to work and take on the various business ventures in which he was involved.
Moving Forward
Considering all the various investments that Birdman has in companies everywhere, it is expected that Birdman’s net worth will continue to grow and generate more income. There was a bit of substantial loss the year of Hurricane Katrina since many of the properties owned were his.
As an American rapper, his career will not be the biggest take-of if he goes back into the studio, but his ability to locate and identify quality talent will keep him as a staple in the industry as one of the most successful record labels with record sold numbers higher than many other places and this is why the Birdman net worth will continue to grow.
