Baby (rapper)

Brian "Baby" Williams (born February 15, 1974) is an African-American record executive and rapper. He and his brother, Ronald "Suga Slim" Williams, own Cash Money Records. Baby, also known as The Birdman, recorded a number of albums with producer Mannie Fresh as The Big Tymers and became one of the label's most prominent solo acts after the departures of Juvenile, The B.G., and Turk.

Related Topics:
February 15 - 1974 - African-American - Record executive - Rapper - Ronald "Suga Slim" Williams - Cash Money Records - Producer - Mannie Fresh - The Big Tymers - Juvenile - The B.G. - Turk

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Brian and his brother Ronald started the label Cash Money Records after attending a local party in 1991. The brothers noticed how the crowds reacted to the local music and decided to jump head first into the bourgeoning rap music scene. The label quickly signed local acts Pimp Daddy and three men crew U.N.L.V. Then, as luck would have it, Brian reconnected with a local DJ, Byron "Mannie Fresh" Thomas, who had returned from California to look for production work. Mannie immediately became the Cash-Money inhouse producer and is noted for producing almost all of Cash Money's songs. As for Brian, around the mid 1990s, he befriended a young Christopher "B.G." Dorsey, and signed the young rapper to his label.

Related Topics:
1991 - Pimp Daddy - U.N.L.V - Byron "Mannie Fresh" Thomas - California - 1990s - Christopher "B.G." Dorsey

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Pairing B.G. with another young artist, Lil Wayne, the label released their group effort, "True Story". As success started to pile up for Cash Money, Baby signed on noted local rapper Juvenile and new-comers Bullet and Turk. The quintet was merged into the supergroup Hot Boys, borrowing a name from his brother Terrances' crew, and began touring. Bullet soon left the label, and with just four artists, and his Big Tymers group, Baby built a strong buzz for his label. Universal came calling and offered a 30 million dollar deal that allowed Cash Money to keep their masters. Brian signed the deal and Cash Money records blew up thanks to the succession of hits that included Juvenile's Ha, Back That Azz Up and B.G.'s Bling Bling.

Related Topics:
Lil Wayne - Bullet - Hot Boys - Universal

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But as his artists became more aware of their financial situation, they began to inquire Brian about his mismanagement of their funds. Around the same time, a few more sinister rumours emerged about the Big Tymer. On B.G.'s song Made Man, Brian brags about "putting the nigga to sleep" and "putting change in his feet," alluding to long running rumours of his connection to distributing heroin and playing a role in the death of U.N.L.V's Albert "Yella Boi" Thomas. Thomas had previously angered Brian by putting bullet holes in some of Brian's prized vehicles. The other major rumour was that Brian actively fostered both B.G. and Turk's heroin addiction in order to keep them in check and attached to the label.

Related Topics:
Mismanagement - Heroin - Addiction

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Following a massive exodus in 2001 over funds, Cash Money dwindled down to just Lil Wayne and the Big Tymers. Unfazed by his situation, Brian adopted the "Birdman" moniker and began taking rap more seriously. He soon replaced Juvenile as the label's marquee artist and released the gold-selling #1 Stunna album.

Related Topics:
2001 - Big Tymers

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In 2003, Juvenile returned to the label for one final album, and once again put Cash Money in the forefront of the industry. Taking advantage of the success, Brian inked a new deal with Universal, this time, for 100 million dollars.

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Of the rappers who once toured with Cash Money, also worth noting is Young Buck who rapped in a group called Head Bussa and is now a member of 50 Cent's G-Unit after losing a deal with AfterShock Records From Southern Maryland.

Related Topics:
Young Buck - Head Bussa - 50 Cent - G-Unit

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His hometown is New Orleans, Louisiana. He currently resides in gated community in a portion of the city known as the 9th Ward. He is the surrogate father of Lil Wayne, a member of Hot Boys and is a solo rapper. Baby teamed up with Lugz shoes and designed the Birdman Lugz, casual shoes, and came out with the single "Neck of the Woods" featuring Lil Wayne in 2005.

Related Topics:
New Orleans, Louisiana - 9th Ward - 2005

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