The rise of Cash Money is the stuff of legend, a label and collective so popular, uncompromising, profitable, and infamous that thinking of them today seems like it was much longer ago. Regardless, brothers Birdman and Slim built an empire that continues to hold weight as one of the most important rap group movements in history so far, and they recently stopped by a SiriusXM show to talk about their experience (the former through a call, the latter in person). They told the story of how they allegedly once blindfolded a Universal executive who wanted to sign them, took him to the New Orleans projects, and placed a gun on the table during their negotiations to make their intentions and energies very clear.
Of course, this is something to laugh back at these days since everything worked out, but it’s still quite the scary situation if it actually happened. On the flip side, this could just be a Birdman and Slim story that’s meant to further mythologize Cash Money as a group and the image of how they conduct business… right? At the end of the day, who knows, but whatever happened was enough to nab them keys to the city of New Orleans. Deservedly so, we might add, considering the sheer impact that they had not just artistically, but commercially and for entrepreneurship.
Birdman & Slim’s Alleged Universal Exec Story
What’s more is that Birdman and Slim’s legacy might see even more reevaluation, appreciation, and throwback appeal this year. After all, Cash Money will reunite at this summer’s Essence Fest in New Orleans, a very exciting and much-requested affair. At press time, we’re still not super sure on who exactly will pop out alongside Stunna. But whoever they are, we’re sure that it will be a very special moment.
Meanwhile, this anecdote about the Universal blindfold is quite interesting considering previous statements from Birdman speaking to his “love and respect” for the label allowing him to own his masters. Some fans were suspicious of this sentiment at first, and maybe this adds more fuel to that fire. But we know for sure that they had the power and, frankly, the balls to demand them. So who knows what history could’ve changed if things with Universal went another way?
About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a music and pop culture news writer for HotNewHipHop. He started in 2022 as a weekend writer and, since joining the team full-time, has developed a strong knowledge in hip-hop news and releases. Whether it’s regular coverage or occasional interviews and album reviews, he continues to search for the most relevant news for his audience and find the best new releases in the genre. What excites him the most is finding pop culture stories of interest, as well as a deeper passion for the art form of hip-hop and its contemporary output.
Specifically, Gabriel enjoys the fringes of rap music: the experimental, boundary-pushing, and raw alternatives to the mainstream sound. As a proud native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, he also stays up-to-date with the archipelago’s local scene and its biggest musical exponents in reggaetón, salsa, indie, and beyond.
Before working at HotNewHipHop, Gabriel produced multiple short documentaries, artist interviews, venue spotlights, and audio podcasts on a variety of genres and musical figures. Hardcore punk and Go-go music defined much of his coverage during his time at the George Washington University in D.C.
His favorite hip-hop artists working today are Tyler, The Creator, Boldy James, JPEGMAFIA, and Earl Sweatshirt.
