“All Hail Weezy,” demands Lil Wayne on “Blunt Blowin’,” a track off his album Tha Carter IV, and, for a few years, we did. In 2007, Lil Wayne ruled the rap world. That year alone he released over a hundred songs on the internet, all for free. These releases included the classic mixtape Da Drought 3, the only EP of his career The Leaks, and scores more of singles, features, and unauthorized mixtapes. It was such a mind-boggling outpouring of creativity. Those lucky of us to be paying attention witnessed an artist at the absolute peak of his powers, a rare sight to behold.
Birdman, Wayne’s longtime friend and Cash Money Records founder, realized Wayne’s potential and offered him the presidency of his label. Wayne accepted and his first acting order was to establish Young Money Entertainment, an imprint label off Cash Money Records led and curated by none other than Weezy himself.
Young Money quickly established itself as a juggernaut in the rap world. It released the triple-platinum album Tha Carter III, dropped two compilation albums (three if you include Rich Gang, their collaborative effort with Cash Money), and won a high-stakes bidding war for Nicki Minaj. Oh yeah, they also gambled on a Canadian actor from a teen-drama TV series.
Yet, all peaks must come with valleys. And there’s been a few in recent years. The empire showed signs of crumbling when the unthinkable happened in 2015: Lil Wayne and Birdman broke up. For reasons still unknown, Birdman halted the release of the highly anticipated Tha Carter V which resulted in Wayne suing his former mentor. Weezy threatened the record label by saying that when his contract expires he’s leaving Cash Money (and therefore Young Money), and he’s taking Drake and Nicki Minaj with him. There’s also the whole story where Young Thug and Birdman conspired to kill Lil Wayne, although those allegations were never proven. The issues between Birdman and Wayne are ongoing, and the release of Tha Carter V remains a confusing topic.
Though, as of 2017, Lil Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj all still reside with Young Money Entertainment, which makes it arguably one of the most powerful labels in the business. With assistance from their official website, here is a breakdown of the 2017 Young Money roster.
Lil Wayne
Where else would we start? The curator, the founder, and the cornerstone of Young Money Entertainment. Without Lil Wayne, Young Money wouldn’t exist. Although his future with the company remains up in the air following his fallout with Birdman, there’s no doubt he remains the most influential talent on the label. Self-proclaimed as the “greatest rapper alive,” for a while, nobody disagreed with him. It would take all day listing his accomplishments so we’ll just highlight the most noteworthy:
- Every single album he’s released has been certified gold by the RIAA.
- He completely revolutionized the mixtape game by releasing a total of 24 mixtapes throughout his career.
- His album sales soar past fifteen million copies sold.
- And he’s been named dropped by Barack Obama several times.
He’s simply one of the best-selling artists of all time, but the end could be nigh. Over and over again, he’s hinted that Tha Carter V will be his last album before retirement. Even though the album’s been delayed numerous times, here’s hoping it not only gets released in the near future, but, also, that he can reconcile his broken relationship with Birdman and end his career where he needs to be…with YMCMB.
CHOICE CUT: “A Milli.” Simply one of the greatest rap songs ever recorded. This monster track showcases Wayne at the peak of his popularity, delivering his most powerful, most technically skilled song. Three and a half minutes of Lil Wayne rapping like there’s no tomorrow. A song which still keeps us scratching our heads, pondering the almighty question: “what’s a goon to a goblin?”
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: "I'm the greatest rapper alive"
MOST RECENT RELEASE: "Like A Man," in August 2017.
Mack Maine
Mack Maine knows a thing or two about rising to the occasion. Born in New Orleans, Maine’s big moment arrived in 2003 when he placed 16th in an MTV hosted freestyle competition, beating out nearly a thousand other competitors. His showing, along with a heart-stopping performance at the BET Awards the following year, earned him a spot next to Lil Wayne (who was also a friend since childhood) as the cofounders of Young Money Entertainment. Since then, he’s released ten mixtapes, rocked Saturday Night Live alongside Weezy, pocketed two BET Awards, and released two Young Money collaborations, one of which received Gold certification by the RIAA. Oh yeah, twelve years later, he still resides as acting president of Young Money Entertainment. Although he hasn’t released any of his own music since 2013, these days he’s busy keeping his company alive as the rap game torch-bearer. Earlier this year he promised releases from his label’s biggest stars including Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne while also teasing a new Young Money compilation album. And hey, there’s also a chance he will finally drop Maine 4 President, his much hyped but, also, much delayed debut album.
CHOICE CUT: “Celebrate.” A 2013 single off the still waiting to be released Maine 4 President, this track features help from Talib Kweli and Lil Wayne. “Celebrate” parties all night with a feel good beat, coupled with a joie de vivre chorus celebrating a new day every day. Yet, Maine’s verse shows him contemplating life and death, with an introspective knowing that it could all end at any moment.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: He released "Pussy Whipped" back in 2015.
Drake
These days, it’s almost impossible to go a day without hearing a Drake song. Whether you’re scanning through the radio, attending a Bar Mitzvah, or hitting up the club on a weekend, Drake’s music follows you wherever you go, whether you like it or not. The singer/writer/rapper/actor has transcended celebrity status into a cultural icon and constant meme fixture. He’s arguably the most popular recording artist in the business and everything he touches turns into gold (or, in most cases, platinum). He signed with Young Money back in 2009, and literally everything he’s released with the label has reached number one on the Billboard charts. From albums (Take Care, Thank Me Later, Nothing Was the Same, Views) to mixtapes (If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, What a Time to Be Alive) to playlists (More Life). He’s got his fingers on the pulse of today’s generation. Although he plans on leaving Young Money with Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, for now he still resides with the label, and it’s a good bet that if he releases more music with YMCMB it will most likely generate millions of dollars in revenue.
CHOICE CUT: “Marvin’s Room.” Perhaps Drake’s greatest achievement, this Take Care centerpiece showcases Drake at his most vulnerable. He’s drunk, lonely, and calling his ex-girlfriend. Don’t worry, Aubrey, we’ve all been there.
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: "Hey don’t change anything, don’t start singing about killing nobody, don’t start singing about the streets. Keep it Canadian, man.” Lil Wayne’s advice to an upstart Drake when he first signed to Young Money
MOST RECENT RELEASE: In terms of project, it's More Life. However he's released music since, most recently appearing on Metro Boomin's "No Complaints" single with Offset.
Nicki Minaj
All praise Queen Nicki. The most influential female rapper signed with Young Money after a high-stakes bidding war placed her as one of the most wanted artists in the game. She quickly cemented her status as a rising star with a career-defining verse on Kanye West’s “Monster,” a single off the universally applauded album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and then followed it up with Pink Friday, an album which soared to number one and spent an incredible 73 consecutive weeks on the charts. Her second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, debuted at number one and achieved double-platinum status by the RIAA. She’s won ten BET Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, and six American Music Awards. She’s received ten Grammy Nominations, hosted the twelfth season of American Idol, and appeared in numerous films including Ice Age: Continental Drift and Barbershop: The Next Cut. She’s revolutionized women’s fashion, solidified herself as a positive role model for young, aspiring female rappers around the world, and sold 20 million singles as a lead artist, 60 million singles as a featured artist, and 5 million albums worldwide making her the best-selling female rapper ever. There’s no stopping the Queen.
CHOICE CUT: “Beez in the Trap.” The third single from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, this incredibly catchy, ear-worm of a track features Nicki rapping behind a super minimal beat with 2 Chainz on the feature. If you’re looking for Nicki, you now know where to find her, she “beez in the trap.”
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: "I always wanted more for my artists and saw Nicki’s potential from the first moment I laid eyes on her. She’s reached far beyond everything I would have imagined. Man, she’s so influential and doing all the right things.” Lil Wayne on Nicki Minaj’s potential.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Nicki Minaj has kept her presence felt through out hip-hop with a bevy of features lately. Her last solo release came as a trio of tracks in March, including her response to Remy Ma "No Frauds." However, her most recent features were given to Fergie for "You Already Know" and London On Da Track for "No Flag," however she's also doled out verses to Future ("You Da Baddest"), Calvin Harris ("Skrt On Me"), 2 Chainz ("Realize") and Yo Gotti ("Rake It Up"-- the top-performing collab of the bunch), all this past summer '17.
Christina Milian
Christina Milian can do it all. Before signing with Young Money in 2012, she already racked up a lucrative acting career in both television and film. After warming up with parts in hit sitcoms like Sister, Sister, Smart Guy, and The Steve Harvey Show, she hit the big time with star-making roles in Be Cool and Love Don’t Cost A Thing. She even scored an Emmy with her hosting role on the hit show The Voice. These achievements would please any wannabe actor wandering the streets of Hollywood Boulevard, but not Christina. She decided her true passion belonged to music. Her last two albums cracked the Billboard 200 top twenty including a hit single with Fabolous called “Dip It Low,” which peaked at number 5 on the charts. After signing to Young Money, she and Wayne collaborated on “Video Model,” which appeared on Rise of An Empire and plans to release her fourth album sometime soon. She had a brief dating stint with the YM boss in 2014-15 as well, which resulted in a series of collaborations. Christina Milian knows no boundaries.
CHOICE CUT: “Dip It Low.” Her most successful singles to date, “Dip It Low,” shows Milian transitioning from innocent child actress into a sultry pop star. It’s powered by an unclaimed sample from a 1983 track titled “La Sirena,” and Milian instructing us how to dip it low.
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: “You see my team is right next to me/You don’t see Tina right next to me/I thank her for takin my breath from me/But the second me gon be the better me,” Lil Wayne’s verse off his “Hype,” remix referencing his former relationship with Christina Milian.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: 4U. An EP released December 4, 2015, although the release was through Milian's own company, Milianheiress Music, not an official Young Money release.
Baby E
Baby E, born Ethan Lowry, signed to Young Money in 2015 behind the strength of his single “Finessin,” a traditional pop song which wouldn’t seem out of place in Justin Bieber’s catalogue. He dropped his debut mixtape, Girlfriend Material, in 2011 and signed a publishing deal with Dr. Luke where he began writing songs for Juicy J., Pitbull, Miley Cyrus, and other top recording artists, prior to the Young Money deal. He’s currently working on his debut album and first official project for Young Money while still writing songs for Dr. Luke associated artists.
CHOICE CUT: “Finessin’.” A pop song about the life of a drug dealer. Baby E eats sushi rolls, kicks it with models, shops at the Gucci Store, and shouts out his buddy Jay who didn’t drop any names while in jail. Whether the “weight” he’s moving is pounds of coke or dime bags of shake, it doesn’t matter, because Baby E’s finessin’. The song was later remixed by Wayne.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Kill the Noise, a mixtape released via Soundcloud on January 9, 2017.
Lil Twist
While most kids his age were struggling with the awkwardness of puberty, Lil Twist was too busy signing with Young Money Records when he was only fourteen years old. Since then, he’s appeared on XXL “2011 Freshman Class,” copped a verse on the song “Finale,” off We Are Young Money, released eight mixtapes, and became well-known for his tumultuous friendship with Justin Bieber. This year alone, he reclaimed his freedom after being imprisoned for assaulting a Nickelodeon star, tattooed “Loyalty,” in Hebrew on his face, released a mixtape titled Young Carter, and spoke out about the elusive Tha Carter V. To be young and free.
CHOICE CUT: “Nerve.” Fresh out from jail, Lil Twist released this single featuring Lil Wayne and Fooly Faime. Twist raps about narrowing his narcotic addiction down to only Percocet while Wayne inspires with one of his best verses in years.
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: “His energy, he’s a pure entertainer. I know that kid is gonna make it. It’s like in sports when you got that Kobe Bryant. You don’t know what to do with him, whether to play him the guard, center, small forward-you just know we’re gonna win with him.” Lil Wayne on Lil Twist’s potential.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Young Carter a mixtape released April 12, 2017.
Euro
Lil Wayne announced Euro’s signing with YMCMB back in 2013 on his Dedication 5 mixtape. The Dominican Republic-born rapper’s bars kick off the second Young Money compilation album, Rise of An Empire, an album where his talents are on full display with three different appearances, including his own solo track titled “Induction Speech.” Back in 2014, he released a seven track mixtape titled July which supposedly served as a preview for his official debut mixtape, Don’t Expect Nothing, which was set to release later that year. The album never came out and witnessed several delays. A release date could possibly happen this year but, don’t expect nothing.
CHOICE CUT: “Induction Speech.” This solo track off Rise of An Empire showcases Euro rapping behind an Omega beat as the rapper copes with his newfound fame and success. “I think I’m getting wasted tonight/I realized that I made it tonight.”
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: “We have my young boy Euro, and that’s my secret weapon right there.” Lil Wayne boasting about Euro’s potential.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: July, a mixtape released July 31, 2014, however he also appeared on Wayne's recent In Tune We Trust EP.
Shanell
A classically trained jazz, ballet, and modern dancer, Shanell first stepped onto the hip-hop scene as a dancer in music videos for Ciara. Her defining moment arrived backstage, after a gig as a principal dancer for Ne-Yo, when she met Lil Wayne who was so enamored with her performance that he offered her not only a spot on his Young Money roster, but also complete creative control of her projects, and the opportunity to join him onstage during his I Am Music tour. She’s released six mixtapes, appeared on both Young Money compilation albums, and not only provided backup vocals, but also penned “Prom Queen,” a single off Lil Wayne’s Rebirth album which peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Not bad for someone who started off as a ballet dancer.
CHOICE CUT: “So Good.” Released on her Midnight Mimosas mixtape, this track features Lil Wayne and Drake and it’s an absolute banger. Sandwiched between adequate Wayne and Drake verses, Shanell steals the show here with an angelic vocal performance paired with an endlessly euphoric and warm chorus. It all works together so well one can’t help but wonder why this wasn’t 2011’s song of the summer.
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: “Let me clear up this rumor, man: Shanell is not pregnant from me.” Lil Wayne after being questioned about the rumors of him and Shanell having a baby together.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: 88 Keyz. A mixtape released on January 19, 2016.
Chanel West Coast
Before Young Money, Chanel West Coast began her musical exploration on the East Coast. Splitting her childhood between living with her mom in Hollywood and her father in New York City, Chanel’s father introduced her to the club life at the age of eight when he let her tag along to his DJ performances at nightclubs throughout the city. Yet, her musical career was delayed by the acting bug. She switched careers and landed prominent roles on the MTV reality shows Fantasy Factory and Ridiculousness. But music soon pushed its way back into her main passion. After releasing her own music for free on the internet, Young Money signed her in 2012 and she dropped her first mixtape, Now You Know, the following year with features from heavyweights such as French Montana, Snoop Dogg, as well as Robin Thicke. She’s currently at work on her debut studio album.
CHOICE CUT: “Alcoholic” A song dedicated to the art of binge drinking. Chanel shines here as she raps with a bratty, know-it-all swagger with a middle finger raised to those who question her drinking techniques. With a chorus proclaiming that she drinks “like an alcoholic,” at least she’s admitting there’s a problem, which is the first step to recovery.
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: I’m psyched to have my artist, Chanel West Coast, involved as she personifies what Trukfit Juniors and this life is all about.” Lil Wayne on why he picked Chanel West Coast as the model for his clothing line.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: “New Bae,” a single featuring Safaree. A single released August 21, 2017.
Gudda Gudda met Lil Wayne at the age of fifteen while participating in a dice game. Before the fateful game, Gudda never considered a life as a rapper but something about Wayne inspired him, so he decided to pick up a pen and start writing. Wayne mentored Gudda, even helping him write his first rap. The two became close friends and, together, they formed the group Squad Up. Gudda Gudda was hanging around when Wayne created the idea for Young Money and therefore solidified his spot as one of the first artists to sign with the label. He’s released four mixtapes with Young Money, including the wildly popular Guddaville while also appearing on both of the label’s compilation albums. Last month, Gudda Gudda appeared on Lil Wayne’s track, “Loyalty,” along with Hoody Baby. He also plans to release the hotly anticipated Guddaville 4 sometime in the near future.
CHOICE CUT: “Gettin to the Money.” This Guddaville existential love song to money shows Gudda Gudda rapping with a laid-back style. He doesn’t know where he’s going in life, but he doesn’t care, because once he wakes up in the morning and brushes his teeth, there’s only one thing left to do...getting to the money.
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: “He started rapping because I said, ‘I like your look. You should rap.’” Lil Wayne on why Gudda Gudda started rapping.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Apart from his a string of guest appearances, the most recent being on Lil Wayne's "Loyalty," Gudda's most recent solo project was Red Rum, a mixtape released March 11, 2013.
Cory Gunz signed with Young Money Entertainment in early 2010. The same year, he entered the national spotlight when he dropped a guest verse on Tha Carter IV’s platinum single “6 Foot 7 Foot,” but his big break could have came years earlier when he recorded a verse for Lil Wayne’s “A Milli.” Unfortunately for Gunz, the verse was scrapped for another Wayne verse. In 2011, MTV followed him around with cameras for the reality show “Son of A Gun,” a show depicting Gunz journey before and after he signed with Young Money. He’s released two mixtapes with the label, appeared on the compilation album Rise of An Empire, and plans to drop his anticipated Kriminal Minded EP later this year.
CHOICE CUT: “6 Foot 7 Foot.” Is there a better way to introduce yourself to the world than being the sole feature on Tha Carter IV’s first single? Gunz holds his own paired with Wayne as he raps about llamas, Dramamine, and the Son of Sam.
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: “I have something for you to hear…we gon’ have to attack this.” Lil Wayne to Cory Gunz when he showed him the “6 Foot 7 Foot,” beat.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: His last full-length effort came in the form of his Datz WTF I’m Talkin Bout mixtape released July 16, 2013, however he got the 'net talking with his recent Funk Flex freestyle.
Flow
Flow falls into the category of an artist who could achieve so much more if only he stayed out of trouble with Johnny Law. From New Orleans, he signed to Young Money Entertainment after a heroic performance on “Inkredibles,” a track off Lil Wayne’s Sorry 4 the Wait. He’s released three different mixtapes with the label, including 2014’s Withdrawals, and appeared on the Rise of An Empire track titled “Fresher than Ever.” Yet, time and time again, he’s found himself in and out of jail. In 2013, the troubled rapper found him behind bars after being arrested for attempted first-degree murder. Once freed, he ended up behind bars after him and two other suspects caught an indictment for a double murder.
CHOICE CUT: “Withdrawals.” The title track off his 2014 mixtape starts with Leonardo DiCaprio’s speech in Wolf of Wall Street concerning his daily drug diet. Flow eyes this character not as a troubled individual but as an inspiration.
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: Wayne showed his appreciation for Flow when he posted $500,000 bond for Flow in 2015.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Withdrawals. A mixtape released June 3, 2014.
Hoodybaby
HoodyBaby didn’t take his rap career seriously until somebody shot him. Cooped up in a hospital bed for several months, he decided rapping and producing would be his only exit from the streets which didn’t involve a body-bag. The enigmatic artist switches personas freely on his tracks; switching from the cool, confident Hoodbaby to Fat Leopard (the emotional one), and then over to Super Hood (a character which represents his old self). He signed with Young Money in 2015 and is primed for stardom. In 2017, he dropped bars on the single “Loyalty,” with Lil Wayne and Gudda Gudda, and released his mixtape Kitchen 24: Slangin Off Key, with guest appearances from Quavo, Wiz Khalifa, and Tya.
CHOICE CUT: “Think I’m Lying.” This track appears on We Bout Dat Life Vol. 4 and shows Hoodbaby dominating verse after verse, rapping about both his financial and hood status, until Wayne and Tyga jump in at the end for support. It’s essential listening.
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: “Wayne loves that idea of other characters,” Hoodybaby on what Lil Wayne thinks of his multiple personas.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Apart from an appearance on In Tune We Trust, Hoody's last proper release came in March 2017, Kitchen 24: Slangin Off Key.
Reginae Carter
The heiress to the throne. Born to Antonia Wright and Young Money boss Lil Wayne, Reginae showed the world her rapping skills when she dropped a verse on 2009’s documentary The Carter Documentary. She signed with Young Money when she was sixteen years old, celebrated her birthday in grand fashion on MTV’s “My Super Sweet Sixteen,” and is currently working on writing both music as well as a book, and dropping a clothing line called YMCMP (Young Money Cash Money Princesses) with Birdman’s daughter Bria Williams.
CHOICE CUT: “Mind Goin’ Crazy.” One of her few actual releases, dropped back in 2014, this track has Reginae using Autotune, a dope beat, and repeating “Mind Goin’ Crazy,” ad nauseum. It all mixes together for a weird, but catchy pop single.
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: Mack Maine described Reginae as a "a super megastar," we can only assume Wayne thinks similarly.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Reginae plans to release her debut project Becoming Reginae, though there hasn’t been a confirmed release date. The album was first announced upon her signing to YM, so it's been a minute.
Stephanie Acevedo
Stephanie Acevedo is a half-Cuban, half-Puerto Rican model and singer from Miami, Florida. She signed with Young Money back in 2015 after numerous photographs surfaced on the internet showing her with YM head honchos Lil Wayne and Mack Maine. Although she graduated college with a medical degree, she decided to pursue modeling which saw her gracing the cover of several different magazines while also being featured as a ring-girl for the MMA. Her only release so far is a video showing her covering the Leona Lewis classic “Bleeding Love,” although she's often been spotted hanging in various YM circles, and has a feature on No Ceilings 2 with "Crystal Ball." This year she revealed her debut project with Young Money will be called Acercate, and is set for release later this year.
CHOICE CUT: “Bleeding Love.” Backed by an accordion and backed by cold, distant drums, Acevedo shows off her range with her take on this modern day classic.
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: "It’s definitely going to be very interesting and very different from what Young Money has done in the past. We’ve had talks about doing Spanish music, bilingual, making sure that a little piece of me is in the music," Stephanie on music discussions and direction with Lil Wayne.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Acercate. Her musical debut set to release later this year.
T-Streets
T-Streets never consider rapping a serious career option until he met Lil Wayne. Wayne inspired him, pushed him, and eventually signed him as one of the original Young Money artists. They’ve surpassed friends and now regard each other as brothers. In recent years Streets has been relatively quiet, with his last release in 2011, The Streets is Watching. It's unclear what he's currently up to.
CHOICE CUT: “Leave Me Alone.” Featuring Mack Maine and Blazed, this 2011 track shows Streets adding some Autotune to his catalog. It’s a warning to the streets.
WHAT WAYNE SAYS: “He’s more like my brother…He’s like my protector. Anybody wanna play games, T-Streets is right there. So I make sure T-Streets is on everything I do, always around.” Lil Wayne on the bond between him and T-Streets.
MOST RECENT RELEASE: The Streets is Watching released August 2011.
