We all know who Cash Money is. Whether you remember back when they started catching on big time with Juveniles "Back That Azz Up" or you became familiar when Weezy started dropping his Carter albums, we ALL know who Cash Money is. BUT I'm sure there's a fair amount of you out there that don't know as much about their history as you thought you did. Judging by the conversations I've had with people, the vast majority believes Cash Money started out with Juvenile, Wayne, BG, Turk, and Big Tymers. Unfortunately for the vast majority, they're wrong. Yes, Baby and Slim have been on board since day one and Mannie had been making beats for them FOREVER, but the artist lineup was completely different. Artists like Kilo G (who was the first artist to release an album on their label), UNLV, Mr. Ivan, Pimp Daddy, and others. Obviously most of these dudes don't offer much in the lyric department but these songs serve as a reminder that even the most well known record labels had humble beginnings. I figured I would post some tracks from these albums. Starting with a track from Baby's (then known as B-32 aka Baby With The 32 Golds) first album called "I Need a Bag Of Dope." I've heard nowadays he pretends this song doesnt exist...I don't blame him.
Their artist Mr. Ivan (RIP) fared better lyrically and musically than Baby (what a shocker) when he dropped his album "187 In A Ski Mask" back in 94. Mannie Fresh was making more funky tracks that made for a much more entertaining listen. Check this track "How U Kill" featuring Kilo G.
The next year Kilo G, the first artist to drop an album on CMR, came out with his second album "The Bloody City" in 1995. Check this track "Release Me" featuring Pimp C.
The same year Tec 9 (no not Tech N9ne) released his album "Straight From Tha Ramp!!!" which may contain one of the WORST album covers of all time. Luckily Mannie Fresh laced him with more of the smooth shit he was hooking Mr. Ivan and Kilo G with. Check out "Ridin High"
That same year, BG released an album called "True Story." On the original album the name says "The B.G.'z" because it was supposed to be a group containing BG who was then known as Lil Doogie and Lil Wayne who called himself Baby D which makes me laugh my ass off for obvious reasons. The next year, UNLV released "Uptown For Life" which was most known for its diss to Mystikal on the track "Drag Em N Tha River"
By 1997 Juvenile, Wayne, Turk, and B.G. were all on board. When B.G. dropped "It's All On U Vol. 1", Hot Boys released "Get It How U Live!", and Juvenile put out "Soulja Rags", the buzz surrounding Cash Money had gotten to a national level which led to Universal Records signing the label and starting them well on their way to the high profile success that they have today.
I can't say Juvenile's "Soulja Rag" is the first video ever done for Cash Money but it's the first video I've ever seen from them. Check out this video (the audio sucks...sorry) and then hit up Youtube and check out "HA" and see how much a difference a year and a major label distribution deal can make.
I'll admit I left out some artists like PxMxWx, Lil Slim, Ms Tee, Pimp Daddy, and Magnolia Shorty...there just isn't enough room on here to post EVERYTHING done by EVERYONE on the label.
Anyway...I hope this little history lesson taught you something you didn't know about one of the most popular labels out there. I also hope it helps remind you that even if you're at the bottom, with hard work and determination you can climb to the top. Alright...that's enough shit...I'm out!
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