Happy Birthday, Birdman!

Today, Feb. 15, is the 50th birthday of Cash Money Records co-founder Bryan "Baby" Williams, also known as Birdman.

After coming up in the Magnolia Projects in New Orleans, LA, Birdman and his older brother, Ronald "Slim" Williams, came up with the idea to start the Cash Money imprint in 1991, when they noticed that the bounce scene in NOLA was becoming more and more popular. By 1992, Baby began building a roster of local artists, with the label's first release coming in the form of the late Kilo G's debut album, The Sleepwalker. 

Fast forward to 1998 and Birdman was ready to take his label to new heights, when Cash Money signed a distribution deal with Universal Music Group. From there, acts like Juvenile, Lil Wayne and B.G. helped the 'Nolia entrepreneur take his imprint from the local music scene to the mainstream.

Not only a record label exec, the CMB boss also raps, serving as one half of the rap duo, Big Tymers, along with Mannie Fresh, the rapper and producer who is responsible for much of the signature sound that Cash Money was known for in the earlier days. Big Tymers dropped their debut album, How Ya Luv That?, in 1997 and went on to drop five albums in total. The most successful Big Tymers project was 2002's Hood Rich, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, was certified platinum by the RIAA and featured the smash hit single, "Still Fly." Most recently, the duo reunited for a concert in Chicago before dropping a new song, "Desiigner Caskets," in 2018.

Birdman also has released several solo albums, the most successful of which is his self-titled project that was released in 2002. The Birdman album reached No. 24 on the Billboard 200 and is certified gold by the RIAA.

As an exec, Baby has also helped foster the careers for a second generation of Cash Money affiliated artists, including names like Drake, Nicki Minaj, 2 Chainz and more.

Most recently, Baby has made amends with his longtime business partner and a man he considers to be family, Lil Wayne. He's also dropped another project with Jacquees, Lost At Sea II, and has gotten engaged to acclaimed R&B singer, Toni Braxton.

Through it all, Bryan "Baby" Williams has had a massive career full of triumphs that has lasted for the better part of three decades, proving that the number one stunna can truly fly in any weather.

Happy Birthday, Birdman!

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