YOUNG MONEY*

In 2005 Lil Wayne was announced the president of Cash Money Records, which is a record label that was founded by Bryan “Birdman”  Williams, and developed his own label Young Money Entertainment at the same time. YM was modeled directly after Cash Money Records and is also distributed by Universal. Lil Wayne still remains CEO of Young Money, but in 2007 stepped down from running both of the labels and handed management of Young Money Entertainment over to Cortez Bryant. The structure changed one more time in 2009, when Mack Maine began serving as president of the label, effectively relieving Cortez Bryant of his position.

Young Money had a big year in 2009, when We Are Young Money was released on December 21^st. This is a record that was a collaboration of some of the leading artists of YM and was the start of a Young Money Tour. Success was building for this record upon the earliest release of the single “Every Girl”, which is a song that features Lil Wayne, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, Drake, and Mack Maine. This song peaked at the number 10 spot on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Following the success of “Every Girl”, the single “Bedrock” was released on November 14, 2009. Although this track was meant to be the third single, “Bedrock” was leaked and actually became the second. This song featured Lil Wayne, Drake, Gudda Gudda, Jae Millz, Nicki Minaj, Tyga and Lloyd. Peaking at the number 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, this was the most successful single of the record, and really spring boarded the success of Young Money Entertainment. The album We Are Young Money hit 9 on the US Billboard 200 chart, and sold 142,000 copies within the first week alone. It has since been certified gold in the United States, selling over 500,000 copies.

In 2010 Young Money Entertainment had three top 10 hip hop album sales of the year with Drake’s “Thank Me Later”, Lil Wayne’s “Rebirth” as well as “I Am Not a Human Being”. This was an amazing accomplishment for this label that was only 5 years old at the time. In recent years Young Money has signed Christina Milian, Cory Gunz and Torion Sellars. There are many future releases planned in 2013 for this label including albums from artists Lil Wayne, Tyga, Lil Twist, Drake and many others.

Listed below are artists that are signed to Young Money:

Lil Wayne

Name: Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.

Born: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

About: Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., or simple Lil Wayne, is known primarily as an American rap artist from New Orleans. Lil Wayne Started out on Birdman’s Cash Money Records when he was just 14, as part of the duo The B.G.’z. He grew with the label and founded Young Money Entertainment in 2005 after he was made president of Cash Money Records. In his extensive career, Lil Wayne has received 15 Grammy Award Nominations and has won 4.

Christina Milian

Name: Christina Flores

Born: Jersey City, Jersey, USA

About: Christina Flores, known professionally as Christina Milian, is a singer-songwriter, model, actress, and dancer from Jersey City, New Jersey. Although Milian started professionally as an actress and had minor roles in movies like “American Pie”, however she now prefers music and has released three studio albums. She became the Social Media Correspondent for “The Voice” in 2012, and also signed with Young Money. Her fourth studio album release by Young Money is expected in 2013.

Cory Gunz

Name: Peter Cory Pankey Jr.

Born: Bronx, New York, USA

About: Cory Gunz is a rap legacy, born to famous rapper Peter Gunz. Cory had his own reality show on MTV “Son of a Gun” which followed him around after he signed to Young Money in 2010. Since the start of his career Gunz has released 8 mixed Tapes, and his first studio album will be released in 2013. Cory also has his own record label, “Militia”.

Drake

Name: Aubrey Drake Graham

Born: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

About: Drake is well known as an R&B Singer, Songwriter, and Rapper from Toronto. However, when he first made it big he was acting as character Jimmy Brooks on “Degrassi: The Next Generation”, a television show. Drake has released several mixtapes early in his career and signed to Young Money in 2009 after the release of “Brand New”. Since his addition to the Young Money crew, Drake has released two albums, and both have been certified platinum.

Flow

Name: Widner DeGruy

Born: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

About: Flow is a known rapper from New Orleans, and is typically associated with his music with The Flame aka Flame Gang Muzik Group. He appeared on Lil Wayne’s “Sorry for the Wait” mixtape, and was signed to Young Money in 2012. Flow is expected to drop a new mixtape in 2013.

Gudda Gudda

Name: Carl Lilly

Born: San Jose, California, USA

About: Gudda Gudda is an American rapper originally from California, but grew up in New Orleans. Double G has been friends with Lil Wayne since he was a teenager, and that’s how he was introduced to rap. Before teaming up with Young Money, Gudda was part of a rap group named Squad Up with Lil Wayne and T-streets.

Jae Millz

Name: Jarvis Mills

Born: Harlem, New York, USA

About: Jae Millz was born in Washington Heights, Harlem, and that’s where he was first introduced to rap. Jae Millz originally received recognition for performances legendary underground rap battles in NYC. In 2008 he signed with Young Money and is completing “Nothing is Promised” and this debut album is set to be released in 2013.

Lil Chuckee

Name: Rashad Ballard

Born: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

About: Lil Chuckee is a teenage rapper that relocated to Atlanta when Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005. He is the second youngest member of Young Money and was discovered when he was only 9 years old. Lil Wayne spotted Lil Chuckee when he was at a video shoot.

Lil Twist

Name: Christopher Moore

Born: Dallas, Texas, USA

About: Christopher Moore, known by Lil Twist, as a Singer, Songwriter, Rapper and Actor that was born in Dallas, Texas. When this teenager opened for Lil Wayne at a concert in Texas he was immediately signed to Young Money. Lil Twist, also known as Twizzy, will release his debut album in the spring on 2013 named “Don’t Get it Twisted”.

Mack Maine

Name: Jermaine Preyan

Born: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

About: Mack Maine is a recording artist from New Orleans, and he has known Lil Wayne his whole life. They grew up together from the age of 8, and are still really good friends. He is currently the president of Young Money. His main role is to keep an eye on daily operations, but he still finds time to head into the studio every now and then.

Nicki Minaj

Name: Onika Maraj

Born: St. James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

About: Nicki is a world-wide star known as a singer, rapper, and actress who was raised in Queens, New York. She met up with Lil Wayne after he saw her on “The Come Up: Volume 17” DVD. She then signed with Young Money in August of 2009. Originally recognized for her verse in the Young Money collaboration “Bed Rock” she has soared to success and her debut album “Pink Friday” has been certified Platinum. She currently is a judge on American Idol, and working on her third studio album “Pink Friday: The PinkPrint”.

PJ Morton

Name: Paul Morton Jr.

Born: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

About: PJ Morton is a jazz and soul singer that has been singing in New Orleans since he was 8 years old. PJ Morton may have started singing in his church, but is now singing for Young Money. Lil Wayne, Birdman, and Mack Maine signed him in the beginning of 2012 after hearing his unique voice. He is currently working on his 5^th career album, but this will be his debut album for Young Money.

Shanell

Name: Shanell Woodgett

Born: Anaheim, California, USA

About: Shanell, also known as SnL is a choreographer, and singer-songwriter that lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Shanell is known for writing for Lil Wayne’s “Prom Queen”, and being a member of a group named “The Girls Club”.  She is currently working with other artists like Ne-Yo, Jay-Z, and Usher on upcoming songs.

Short Dawg

Name: Supreme Williams

Born: Houston, Texas, USA

About: Supreme is from Houston and is known by Short Dawg or Elvis Freshley. He is known for his appearance on Lil Wayne’s single “Me and My Dank” in 2008. After Lil Wayne and Short Dawg had been friends for a few years, Short was officially signed to Young Money. Currently, Short Dawg is working on his debut album which is titled “Fresh”

Torion

Name: Torion Sellers

Born: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

About: Torion is a 14 year old rapper, singer, and dancer that was discovered performing at his church. David McPherson, his manager, was in attendance and spotted his talent from his pew, and he was signed to Young Money in 2011. Torion had already released a few mixtapes but is now working on his debut album that is expected to be released in 2013.

Information On Torion : News, Wallpapers, Quotes, Music, Pictures, Videos, Lyrics, Official Music Videos

T-Streets

Name: Carl Watts

Born: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

About: T-Streets is a rapper that grew up on the streets of New Orleans and originally wanted to have a professional sports career. However, that athletic goal changed the minute he met Lil Wayne and fell in love with rap. He was a member of Squad Up with Gudda and Weezy when he was a teenager. T-Streets released a mixed tape in 2012 titled “The Street is Watching”.

Information On T-Streets : News, Wallpapers, Quotes, Music, Pictures, Videos, Lyrics, Official Music Videos

Tyga

Name: Michael Stevenson

Born: Compton, California, USA

About: Tyga is an American rapper, director, producer and porn star from Compton that was signed to Young Money in 2007. He met Lil Wayne through Travis McCoy, frontman of Gym Class Heroes. Tyga’s first career album “No Introduction” was released in 2008. He released his debut Young Money album “Careless World” at the beginning of 2012. Tyga recently crossed over into the adult industry and produced, directed and starred in “Rack City XXX”.