I know must people are curious about the YMCMB label... This is the history of the label
The Early Days
1991
Cash Money was started by brothers Bryan "Baby" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams in the Magnolia Projects in Uptown New Orleans. The initial roster included: U.N.L.V. (Uptown Niggas Living Violently), Kilo G, Lil Slim and PmMxWx (Projects' Most Wanted). Local DJ Mannie Fresh would soon come to Cash Money and become the label's sole in-house producer.
After a few years of considerable success in New Orleans, Cash Money began looking to sign younger talent. In 1994, Baby signed Lil' Doogie (later B.G.), age 13, and Baby D (Lil Wayne), age 11. In 1996, Juvenile and Turk would sign and join B.G. and Wayne to form the Hot Boys. They were now the foundation of Cash Money, and Baby began cutting out the artists he started with.
After four records with the label, Cash Money released UNLV. Soon after, UNLV member Yella Boy was murdered. The case remains unsolved, though rumors implicating Birdman have circulated the Internet.
UNLV's 2004 album Gutta 4 Life includes a track called "Drag 'Em Pt. II (Fuck Cash Money)," a remix of "Drag 'Em in the River," their biggest hit with Cash Money. In the song, UNLV claims Yella Boy's murder is no mystery: "Bad ass Yella Boy, this is for you/Homie, we know the true story, and we know what to do."
Nearly ten years later, UNLV would bring a lawsuit against Cash Money.
End of the Hot Boys
In 1998, Cash Money signed with Universal for a whopping $30 million. After the deal, Juvenile released 400 Degreez, which went 4x platinum and still stands as Cash Money's best-selling release. By 2002, Cash Money was competing with the biggest labels in hip-hop. Their consolidated lineup now included the Hot Boys and the Big Tymers, the duo of Baby and Mannie Fresh, who was still Cash Money's sole producer.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Cash Money experienced its first case of drama in the public eye. After Project English, Juvenile's least successful record of his four with Cash Money, he announced he was leaving the label. Juvenile sought out lawyers who confirmed his suspicions of financial mismanagement. He demanded $4 million; Baby & co. refused–so they went to court. Juve ended up winning $11 million, though the case lasted almost three years.
After Juvie's victory, B.G., following the release of his own record, Checkmate, also left the label. He went on to create his own imprint, Chopper City Records, and his next record, Livin' Legend, contained diss tracks fired at Baby & Lil Wayne, including "I Keep It Gangsta."
Turk soon followed suit, and Lil Wayne was the only Hot Boy who remained.
Fresh Finally Leaves
Mannie Fresh, who, since joining with Cash Money, has produced every single song in the Cash Money discography, leaves the label also citing financial mismanagement. In 2006, they reached an settlement, the terms of which were never released. He's still not happy with the money situation.
Tha Carter III
In 2008, Lil Wayne released Tha Carter III, which went 3x platinum and won three Grammys. As much as it's still lauded today, the album remains equally notorious for the number of lawsuits it inspired. A total of five producers on the album claimed they weren't paid any royalties, and each filed separate lawsuits against Cash Money.
The first to speak out was Bangladesh, producer of "A Milli." In a May 2010 interview, Bangladesh publicly aired his discontent with Cash Money. Though he stated he doesn't "give a fuck about Wayne," he placed the blame primarily on Birdman: "This is why Mannie Fresh don't fuck with [Cash Money] because he never got no royalty money… It's not even Wayne's fault. He is given money, but he's not getting money."
Bangladesh went on to file a $500K suit against Birdman for his denied royalties on "A Milli." Others took notice.
Jim Jonsin, co-producer of "Lollipop," filed another suit of $500K.
David Kirkwood sued for $1.5 million for songwriting royalties on "Love Me or Hate Me," a bonus song that was only included on the deluxe edition.
Play-N-Skillz brought $1.5 million to the table for their efforts on "Get Money."
Lastly, Deezle filed by far the biggest suit yet, suing Cash Money for $20 million for his co-production on "Lollipop." He brought forth an additional $1.5 million for "Mrs. Officer."
Weezy Speaks
In 2011, Birdman signed veterans Busta Rhymes and Mystikal, who years ago, had been the target of a UNLV diss track. Last year, they both ended their contracts with the label. Neither man released an album while on Cash Money. Both men cited creative differences and said their respective splits were amicable.
Another departure soon followed, as British pop star Jay Sean, the man behind "Down," announced he was leaving the label. He said he left because he was no longer interested in pop success, though he, too, said the split was amicable.
Late last year, we began hearing the first signs of turmoil out of the Young Money camp. In early October, Tyga tweeted: "Gold album been done. My label holding me hostage so I can't release nothing. Might just leak it for my fans then let them make $ off it." Soon after, Tyga confirmed The Gold Album would be released independently, pushing back the release date to late January. A week before the supposed release date, though, Tyga tweeted: "The gold album won't be released the 27th still fightin with Label on my release. But will keep u guys updated."
Then, in early December, came the biggest story: Lil Wayne shocked the hip-hop world by blaming Birdman for the long delay of Tha Carter V, tweeting: "my album won't and hasn't been released bekuz Baby & Cash Money Rec. refuse to release it." He went on: "I want off this label and nothing to do with these people but unfortunately it ain't that easy."
Drake and Nicki
Nearly two months after the inflammatory tweets, Lil Wayne proved he wasn't all talk, suing Birdman and Cash Money for an incredible $51 million.
He has since released a mixtape, Sorry 4 The Wait 2, and has announced plans for The Free Weezy Album. On "CoCo," off Sorry 4 The Wait 2, he raps, "I ain't trippin, I got Barbie, I got Drake too," signaling his plans to take Young Money with him if he's released.
And though Nicki and Drake haven't explicitly spoken on the matter, there have been signs showing Young Money's biggest stars are siding with Weezy.
A recent video shows Birdman and his posse being denied from a pre-Grammy party held by Nicki Minaj.
Last week, Drake, out of nowhere, dropped If You're Reading This It's Too Late. It first seemed to be a mixtape, but soon was only available for purchase on iTunes. Drake later confirmed it was a mixtape–though it still costs $12.99. This has led to speculation that the mixtape is part of a contractual obligation, put out by Drake in order to expedite his release from Cash Money. Indeed, the mixtape's title can be seen as a shot taken at Birdman.
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