Money Cash Data was a pressure to be reckoned with within the late 90s and early 2000s. The South positively had one thing to say when brothers Ronald “Slim” Williams and Bryan “Birdman” Williams determined to begin their powerhouse report label. We have been launched to a brand new sound of rap and a brand new wave of expertise, together with: Lil Wayne, DJ Manny Recent, and Juvenile.
Born in New Orleans, the Williams brothers grew up with mother and father that additionally had entrepreneurial mindsets. From an age, they noticed their father run a number of companies, and finally that hustler spirit rubbed off on the music duo. Money Cash Data was birthed through the time when bounce music was making its debut, and Birdman and Slim jumped on the chance so as to add their very own spin to it.
Because the label made waves, and introduced us Black cultural anthems like “Again That Azz Up,” the brothers set their sights on growth. The world was launched to the subsequent stage of Money Cash Data, and we have been launched to worldwide sensations Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Tyga. Lil Wayne, Drake, and, Nicki Minaj—also known as the BIG 3— have exceeded all expectations by dominating the music charts, radio and award exhibits.
As we proceed to honor hip hop turning 50, EBONY spoke with Bryan ‘Birdman’ Williams concerning the rise of his report label, what hip hop means to him, and the way he seeks out contemporary expertise in at this time’s tradition.
EBONY: What impressed you and Slim to create Money Cash Data?
Bryan ‘Birdman’ Williams: Our father owned a number of companies, together with bars and a laundromat. So my brother and I have been uncovered to a enterprise mindset early on. We knew that we needed to work for ourselves and run our personal enterprise. Music was a ardour for us, and since we have been tapped in to the most popular artist within the NOLA, we knew we may do one thing massive in music.
You all burst on to the scene when the bounce period was turning into mainstream, too. What was that like?
We liked the music, and we took that and approached it from a enterprise standpoint. Slim and I knew that the New Orleans sound may go away a mark the world over, and we made certain to at all times have a worldwide imaginative and prescient for what we have been doing.
The music trade has modified lots, how have you ever shifted your method to signing artists at this time versus again then?
Whereas expertise has modified the distribution, promotion and advertising and marketing of music, the one factor that hasn’t modified is true artistry. We seemed for artists to be themselves; to be genuine. So far as sound, we search for producers and artists that stand out and do one thing totally different. There isn’t a components, however there are indicators that we acknowledge even in artists who do not see it in themselves.
What does it imply to you to see hip hop attain 50 years?
Money Cash Data has been round for 30 of these 50 years, and we’re nonetheless going. So it’s good to take a second to acknowledge the anniversary—particularly for youthful generations. However additionally it is necessary for us to personal the historical past. We’ve not solely been part of the historical past, we made it. We wish the subsequent technology to acknowledge their energy. Nobody thought that two brothers from New Orleans may do what we’ve executed and are nonetheless doing.
How has the legacy of hip hop impacted your life?
Money Cash took an area music sound [bounce] and made it worldwide. We began the label with native stars like B.G., Juvenile, Lil Wayne, and Mannie Recent. Then got here our different artists like Nicki Minaj and Drake that grew to become international superstars. Hip hop is my life. I’m hip hop, and hip hop is me.
