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S1 E38 | Birdman
01:40:30
DJ Scream and Big Bank share nothing but “Big Facts” in their podcast, as they chop it up with today’s popular figures in the entertainment industry.
Big Bank and DJ Scream are back with another installment of the “Big Facts” podcast and it’s another heavy hitter! On the latest episode, the crew was joined by music executive and record label co-founder Birdman.
The Cash Money Records boss addressed several matters including rumors surrounding his often criticized business dealings, his contribution to the music industry, and much more.
Since creating his music label with his older brother Ronald “Slim” Williams in the early 90s, Birdman has gone on to sign some of the music business’ most successful acts including Lil Wayne, Juvenille and more. Drake, Nicki Minaj, and other MCs would later be signed to Weezy’s Young Money imprint under Birdman’s label. However, with his experience in the industry, Stunna, whose real name is Bryan Christoper Williams, feels like he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
“I can say this here. I bless more lives than any one of these dudes who do what I do,” the 52-year-old expressed, noting his intentions are not to disrespect other figures in the business. “But ain’t no nigga put on more nigga than me. No nigga in the game. My list go long.”
He continued, “But, I don’t get the [credit] and I ain’t tripping. I don’t give a fuck about it because I get the money. That’s what matters the most to me more than anything. I just think because we southern, we don’t get the respect.”
The label owner went on to list fellow executives who he believes don’t get the proper recognition they are warranted including Pierre “Pee” Thomas of Quality Control and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith of Top Dawg Entertainment, otherwise known as TDE.
Birdman also discussed the younger generation of rappers. Fans have seen some alarming patterns with newer acts relating to drugs and crime. The “Still Fly” rapper says it’s the same with any generation of artists. He argued that technology has just made room for an audience, which ultimately makes more room for criticism.
“You got these little young niggas nowadays is all the way wilding. That’s why they all going to penitentiary,” he said. “I was like that too so I can’t say nothing about it. I live like they live… All that shit they was doing we were doing this shit, but now I think the technology different. They couldn’t watch us. I was a bad boy, like, we were really thuggin’. We was thuggin’ like they thuggin’. Now you got social media they could caught quicker.”
Ultimately, Birdman wants the younger acts to understand that “they could become powerful with the money than just the fame.”
Later on, he offered some clarity behind long standing rumors that he steals from his artists. When asked how does he feel when he hears negative remarks like that being made about him, the “Leather So Soft” emcee says he doesn’t take it personal but maintained, “I ain’t never took from no nigga. I always bless niggas.”
“I had some incidents early on because I was really young in this shit. I ain’t know no better,” he explained. “But, any problem I had I cleared it up. I paid any nigga. Remember because I was young. I’m telling you 20 years old. So, a lot of shit happened early on, I just ain’t know. And I’m with these white folks and they not attending to the business. [And] I’m not really knowing, but any nigga that had any problem from my son on down — and I gave him 50 million — and I cleared it up.”
Birdman also briefly addressed his financial tensions with Wayne, who sued Cash Money for $51 million in 2015 claiming the label violated his contract terms and withheld tons of money after delaying his album Tha Carter V several times. The parties ultimately reached a settlement in 2018.
With a little over three decades in the game, Birdman says his motivation to keep going comes from knowing he can “continue to bless young niggas.” He added, “I want continuously to make these niggas millionaires and superstars.” All the CEO asks is that his artists “stay 10 toes down” and “Don’t become a new nigga.”
If you like what you heard, be sure to stay tuned every week for new episodes of “Big Facts.” Also, don’t make sure to watch the latest show above!