Young Money Artists: Where Are They Now?

Young Money artists are considered some of the most significant contributors to Hip Hop. Since the late '90s and even until now, the New Orleans-centered label has been a force in Hip Hop. First, it was Birdman, Slim, Curren$y, Lil Wayne & Sqad Up, and Juvenile with the Hot Boyz. As time went on, Wayne eventually put the label on his back, dropping hits, mixtapes, and albums that are still essential to Hip Hop.

Eventually, Tunechi was ready to sign prominent artists. He got exactly what he was looking for in Drake and Minaj. The big three took over Hip Hop and continue to stop the world whenever they drop. However, there have been plenty of artists who have been signed to Young Money that helped make the collective the respected brand it is today. Let’s take a look at what some of these artists are doing now. Of course, we excluded Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Curren$y, and DJ Khaled. It wasn't because they should be excluded, but with their success, we're pretty sure you're slightly familiar with where they currently stand in their careers.

In 2012, Lil Wayne signed singer and actress Christina Milian. After having deals with The-Dream and MySpace Records, the 30-year-old, at the time, signed with Young Money. Wayne and the “Dip It Low” singer dated for a while but called it quits in 2015. Still, she remained with the label. Nowadays, she doesn’t make much music but instead focuses on her acting career. She was also featured in the TV series Step Up: High Water.

Cory Gunz caught Lil Wayne’s eye in 2010. He ultimately signed with the label later that year.  The New York artist appeared on the original version of Wayne's hit “A Milli.” Cory Gunz also was on another of Tunechi’s biggest songs, “6 Foot 7 Foot." At the end of last year, on the Flip Da Script podcast, the 35-year-old discussed his current deal with Young Money and new music coming.  

To be honest, Gudda Gudda has been with Wayne from the start. Since the Sqad Up days, when they were dropping one mixtape after another. Gudda still appears on Lil Wayne’s Dedication series to lend a verse. He also doesn’t miss the chance to hit the stage with the Young Money boss as he joined Wayne during his Rolling Loud performance last month. Though he is not one of the biggest stars of Young Money, Gudda has his own material. His Guddaville mixtape series reportedly has a fourth installment on the way.

After opening up for Lil Wayne at 12 years old, Lil Twist’s life changed forever.  Since then, he has been down with Young Money and still is today. He was recently on WEtv’s Growing Up Hip Hop, becoming a fan favorite. On the show, he performs and gives aspiring artists advice. He had his run-in with the law, but Twist has managed to come out of the other side with a good head on his shoulders.

Just like Gudda Gudda, Mack Maine has watched Young Money develop from the start.  He grew up with Wayne, and they attended the same school. Mack is one of the founders of Young Money alongside Wayne. He doesn’t make much music, but he is an executive for the label and has been since 2009. Besides music, Mack Maine is a businessman who just last year invested in emoji and NFT startup Yat. 

Of course, Lil Wayne’s daughter was signed to his label. She hasn’t made music in a while. You can see her on social media with her boyfriend Armon Warren. Last year, she was in one of the cyphers at the BET Hip Hop Awards, and she was praised for her addition. Besides being Wayne’s daughter, she was also in a high-profile relationship with rapper YFN Lucci.

You probably remember Shanell from Lil Wayne’s hit song “Prom Queen.” The Atlanta singer has been signed to Young Money since 2009. Though she hasn’t released music since 2015, the 42-year-old reportedly still has a contract with the label. Last year, Level 77 Music won Pop Track of the Year for “Be Mine” at The Production Music Association’s Mark Awards. Shanell also wrote and produced the hit single. "Be Mine” is on the album G.I.R.L. (Girls in Real Life).

T-Streets is more like a family than an artist to Lil Wayne. Growing up in New Orleans, T-Streets was an up-and-coming rapper as well. He eventually joined Lil Wayne in the Sqad Up group. His last mixtape was in 2011, but he still reportedly remains with the label.

In 2013, Young Money decided to take a different route.  They found pop artist Austin Mahone, who was projected to be the next Justin Bieber. After signing with Wayne, Mahone released an EP, The Secret, the following year. Due to low sales numbers, Young Money decided to drop the young artist. Today, Mahone still releases music as he was just at the Country Music Awards. Unfortunately, he is in some legal trouble as he is one of eight celebrities charged with promoting cryptos without disclosing that they are receiving compensation.

Chanel West Coast started her rapping career in 2009. Three years later, Lil Wayne signed her to Young Money. After releasing a mixtape shortly thereafter, that seemed to end her run with the label. Then, Chanel released her debut album in 2020 independently. While promoting her album, she finally discussed her Young Money deal. She claims that she never had problems with Wayne, but other people on the label were tearing her down. Some speculate she was talking about Nicki Minaj, as it has been known that these two did not see eye to eye.

Although he is from the North, he signed with the most prominent label in the South. Jae Millz was a notorious battle rapper in Harlem before signing with Wayne. Today, he continues to drop music, but under his own imprint, Potent Dept. His last project came last year, titled Potent Vibes Only 4. Millz was spotted at the Young Money Reunion last year in Toronto as he hit the stage alongside Wayne, Minaj, and Drake.

Just like T-Streets and Gudda Gudda, Kidd Kidd was also a part of Sqad Up. After issues with the group, he went to sign with Young Money on his own. After appearing on the hit song “Mrs. Officer,” Kidd Kidd left Young Money because he wasn't in the music video.  =A few years later, he signed with 50-Cent and G-Unit.  =Kidd Kidd would be a part of three G-Unit compilation albums. In 2018, he started his own label, RLLNR Entertainment. Last year, he dropped his LP, Street Fame.

Omarion has a short time at Young Money.  n 2009, Wayne announced he had signed the former B2K artist. After not receiving his advance in the scheduled time, Omarion became frustrated, and Wayne was nowhere to be found. The two even released a song titled “I Get It In,” but that same night Mack Maine took to Twitter to let the public know Omarion was no longer with the label.