*New artist, Nicki Minaj has been turning heads lately with some dramatic career changes. The Cash Money rapper recently dropped out of Rihanna’s ‘Last Girl on Earth’ tour and allegedly fired her manager Debra Antney.
Antney also manages rapper Gucci Mane and is the mother of So Icey artist Waka Flocka Flame, reports TheBoomBox.com reports.com.
Antney said the termination was unexpected, however she received a suspension letter before the termination.
She claims the reasons behind Minaj’s decision are unknown, but she will continue to support the artist as a friend.
*Bangladesh is a country east of Pakistan, west of India that was partitioned from Pakistan in 1971 after a war of independence against Pakistan. That’s about as much as we knew about Bangladesh prior to last week. And as far as producers named Bangladesh, we hadn’t a clue … until last week, as well.
OK, sure he has worked with Beyonce, Usher, 8 Ball and MJG, Jamie Foxx, Lil’ Wayne, Ludacris and Missy Elliot, but it’s not like we’re running around reading CD labels anymore. What, with all the subpar production going on?
But Bangladesh, born as Shondrae Crawford in Iowa of all places, has been producing hot tracks since 2000. Who knew? There are so many trash tracks masquerading as hits that we tend to not even listen to broadcast radio preferring to download music instead. To our surprise Bangladesh even agrees with our assessment of modern pop-leaning rap music.
“The music is dumb because, in this generation, the parents are terrible,” Bang tells our Lee Bailey. “It’s all a chain reaction. You’ve got kids that are raising themselves and they set the standards kind of low. If they only look up to Souljah Boy, and that’s the standard, then that’s not hard to do. They’re kind of dumbed out already. They’re dumb.”
That’s awfully critical to be certain. Normally artists and producers are hesitant to criticize others in the industry for obvious reasons, you can’t cross a bridge you’ve already burned. But the advocate of modern pop-leaning rap music will quickly mention those controversial rap groups of the past that had America wanting to censor everything, but Bang says common sense still starts at home.
“Honestly, if you’re not being parented you can’t blame it on the music,” he told us. “I was brought up on NWA, Ice Cube and 2Live Crew. See, the difference is I learned in the home. I learned right from wrong being parented, not only by my mother and father, but by my aunt, my uncle, the lady down the street, the dude at the park … all that. So, I didn’t believe what was happening in the music. My kids won’t have an excuse to blame it on the music. It’s entertainment. Even if something makes you contemplate on something that really happened to you or somebody you may have lost, it’s nothing to make you wild out and start taking drugs and acting out what you hear in the music.”
As the interview progressed it was no time before it started like he was indicting the music industry for crimes against artistry.
“I grew up on music that was changing the game. I grew up on Organized Noize, which created Outkast, which is one of the best groups, creativity wise, in Hip-Hop history. I grew up on Timbaland, who changed the game of beat making. I was inspired by a whole nutha level of people. Today they look up to Souljah Boy, and I ain’t knocking him, but we just need more of a variety of things to look up to.”
Everything is all fun and games when it’s time to dish out the criticism, but when Bang was asked about the role he plays in helping perpetuate modern music’s creative malaise he quickly jumped to defend his craft and explains why he’s different.
“Me, personally, I’m on a whole different creative level,” he explained. “I don’t give a f**k what a song says in it. It’s how you say it. Even if you talking about murdering somebody. It’s how you say it. It’s the creativity you put in it that’s going to let me know if you’re on a whole different level or if you’re just saying something simple and plain. I put in way more than anybody else. I love this music. It’s more than just making money. I’ve got a track record of game-changing music.”
Those that are not certain as to why Bang is relevant today we need only offer “A Milli” the hit single by Lil’ Wayne. The beat is unquestionably hot and is still banging the asbestos off the pipes at your local hole in the wall. But as hot as it is, Bangladesh tells EURweb.com that he’s still trying to get his money. Sure he’s getting industry props and some of his money, but, in the words of Jay-Z, if a man is owed 10 dollars he ain’t trying to take 9.
“The thing with that is, for ‘A Milli’ getting played on the radio, I get paid for that. But the unfortunate thing with Cash Money, the record company, is they get their money first. All the money comes to them first. It don’t go through no other company. It goes through them first and they pay Universal. It’s up to them to be responsible and dish out the rest of the money. It’s not Universal or Interscope that’s not paying royalties or nothing like that. It’s Cash Money Records. It’s so crazy that they were taking (former Cash Money producer) Mannie (Fresh) performer’s rights away.”
Wait, Mannie Fresh? Aren’t he and Baby like fric-and-frac, peanut butter and jelly and so forth?
“That’s my whole point,” he continued. “You’re looking at the situation like they’re tight and they’re best friends, they definitely don’t give a f**k about me. He (Baby Williams) is screwing his best friend around. What they do in the camp is they pay people cash to take their mind off what they’re really supposed to have. You might get a million dollars, but you’re supposed to have 5 million. If you’ve never had money you’re going to take that million dollars and be quiet. You wouldn’t expect for anybody to do their boy like that. He’s a big reason why you’re prospering and why people are playing your f**king music. He’s one of the founder’s of Cash Money. Why wouldn’t he pay him? Why wouldn’t he pay? You’re still making money. He’s gotta be extra greedy.”
That’s a whole lot of money and Bang tells us that he’s just trying to get what’s his. He says the sad part about it is this is simply how Cash Money does business. He says he did everything that he was supposed to do but Baby is simply trying to wait him out.
“There’s nothing that I did to get myself into this situation. Plain and simple, they’re not paying me the money. There’s nothing in my contract that gets them into a little loophole where they ain’t got to pay. And that’s just what they do, they don’t pay and you have to sue them to get your money. A closed mouth don’t get fed and Baby has done this to a lot of other people and they don’t say nothing because they’re scared and I guess they just don’t want to get paid. There’s no bad paperwork. I get paid royalty from Beyonce, which is much bigger than Lil’ Wayne. I get royalty from everybody I work with, that’s accumulated royalty money. That’s just what you’re supposed to get. They’re just blatantly not paying and they’ve done this for years. I’m just the only one that’s saying something about it. The whole industry knows that Cash Money doesn’t pay royalties. Nobody says anything and that’s why they keep doing it. If you don’t claim yours then you’re not going to get paid. As soon as I say something about it I look like a hater. I’m trying to go against the team because Wayne’s in jail, naw man! It’s nothing like that. They need to pay what’s owed, man!”
*Fresh from his twitpics of wager earnings on the New York Giants, 50 Cent has now threatened to fill the Twitterverse with a picture of his penis is the Giants lose the Super Bowl.
The bet was prompted by one of his Twitter followers, @MyBestAssets, who tweeted at Fiddy: “Lets bet. If the Giants lose the Superbowl, u must post ur [d---] on the twitter. If they win, I’ll post my boobs & face on here. Bet?”
After careful consideration, the rapper — whose penchant for Twitter flirtation is well documented–replied with the following:
“Ok”
Fifty also told rapper and Cash Money CEO Bryan “Birdman” Williams that he would throw a cool million dollars behind Eli Manning’s team, having already scored a half million bucks betting on Big Blue in the playoffs.
*Omar Epps is getting busy again this year as he adds screenwriter and producer to his list of accomplishments.
The actor wrote a romantic comedy, “Between Us,” is about two great friends who can’t seem to find the right one.
The project will be produced by Tracey Edmonds and financed by Young Money/Cash Money Records CEOs Bryan “Baby” Williams and Ronald “Slim Williams.
Also in the making, Kimberly Elise is doing something new with VH1. She’s starring in a new drama pilot, “Bounce.” The show is about a team of professional basketball dancers. If the show is a hit, it’ll be VH1’s second scripted series, after “Single Ladies.”
*Break ups can get really ugly, especially when there are kids involved.
Despite The Dream and Christina Milian being separated for some time now, some mud is still being thrown.
Christian interviewed with Houston’s 97.9 The Box recently and discussed working with the Cash Money crew as well as her relationship between her, her ex-husband and their daughter, Violet.
Well, daddy is sort of not in Violet’s life at the moment and is playing deadbeat.
“I’m not happy at the moment, but I have come to the realization that I have to be 200% mom for her and it’s not about finances, it’s about spending time,” she said. “We live in different cities, he’s in Atlanta and I’m in LA. There are planes and plenty of money for airplanes so… as far as Skyping: I’m just gonna leave it at that. My daughter is a great kid and someday their will be a healthy man in my life that will love her the way I do.”
Despite her playing both roles, Christina is doing her thing and is working on some new music after signing with Cash Money. She calls it her new family and says she’s happy where she’s at.
According to TMZ, the Cash Money rapper from Lil’ Wayne’s old group Hot Boys appeared in federal court in New Orleans today after previously pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm during a 2009 traffic stop in eastern New Orleans.
The 31-year-old, born Christopher Dorsey, later obstructed justice by pushing one of his associates to falsely claim ownership of the firearm, according to Nola.com.
B.G. already had three felony drug convictions on his record.
*Life’s tough for criminal rappers like B.G. The former Cash Money artist and founding member of Hot Boys who is going to jail for 14 years for crimes including felony gun possession and witness tampering.
“At the end of the day, I possessed a firearm and I was a convicted felon,” he said in his last public interview with DJ Slab 1 of New Orleans Q93 radio. “I shouldn’t have had a firearm. I had a firearm. I can’t take that back. I gotta do my bid. It is what it is.”
He was actually given the opportunity to get a lesser sentence, but it would have required the classic snitch. B.G. said that’s not his style.
“At the end of the day, you gotta live with the decisions you make as a man. I made my bed, I gotta lay in it,” he said. “You know how the Feds operate. If you don’t want to give them nothin’ then they be extra harsh on you. So, I don’t regret being real. I don’t regret not taking nobody with me. I’m cool and comfortable in my situation.”
In the meantime, while away on ‘vacation’ (as they tell the kids), he’s going to keep releasing new music. How is that possible? Unless it’s tracks already in the can, we don’t know.
*Evelyn Lozada is in the midst of some serious changes in her life.
The reality television star is working with motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant to find her “inner peace” on the upcoming OWN Network series show, “Iyanla, Fix My Life,” according to Jawn Murray’s Always A List blog.
The newly-unhappily wed Lozada, released her first novel “Inner Circle: The Wives Association,” on Cash Money on June 12.
Last month before the alleged headbutting incident went down, when all was well with her and Chad Johnson, Lozada posted several photos (see below)on her, Vanzant and another person, a trainer we assume, on her site, EvelynLozada.com.
*No matter how cold, angry or weird they may seem, celebrities have feelings too. Really, they do. Well …. most of them.
Anyway, Nicki Minaj made that very apparent recently when she lashed out on critics via Twitter after getting the 5th degree from fans when she canceled two shows due to vocal trouble.
She was scheduled to perform at two shows in the U.K. and Ireland, but couldn’t make it happened because she was straining her vocal cords.
“Barbz, u know how much I hate disappointing u guys,” she tweeted. “All you do is rip people apart and when they’re dead & gone u won’t lose a wink of sleep. #goF*ckYourselves,” she shared in a separate tweet.
Then she took time to explain.
“I was in jeopardy of losing my voice entirely and needing surgery on my vocal cords. If u can’t understand that, your mother’s a WHORE! I will NOT let you people make me feel horrible for a f*cking HEALTH issue! That’s what got me in this mess! I shldve listened to the doctor!”
She couldn’t be lying, right?
No way. The rapper/singer sounded pretty strained during her performance on Aug. 14 at New York’s Roseland Ballroom.
While fans are disappointed, she was sure to hint that she’d be returning with a little surprise.
*Lil Wayne’s daughter has official joined the family business as the newest member of her father’s Young Money family.
Reginae Carter, 14, has officially signed with the label, president Mack Maine confirmed to Rap-Up TV last week.
“Just expect greatness,” he said of Carter, who previously performed with OMG Girlz. “She’s Toya’s [Wright] daughter and Wayne’s daughter, so that’s a great combination. She’s a star, just put it like that. A super, megastar.”
Maine also named PJ Morton, Torion Sellers and We The Future among his most recent signees.
Young Money, Lil Wayne’s Cash Money imprint and home to Drake and Nicki Minaj, is part of Universal Music Group.
*NEW YORK, NY – Broadcast Music, Inc.®, (BMI®), the global leader in music rights management, will present the BMI Icon Award to Cash Money’s Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams at the 2013 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, to be held Thursday, August 22, at the Manhattan Center in New York City. The star-studded event, formerly known as the BMI Urban Awards, draws the entire entertainment community together to celebrate the songwriters, producers and publishers of the most-performed r&b/hip-hop songs of the previous year.
BMI Icons are selected because of their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” As the 2013 honorees, Cash Money’s Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams will join elite ranks that include Mariah Carey, the Jacksons, Snoop Dogg, George Clinton, James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Little Richard, and Al Green, among others.
“Bryan and Ronald Williams’ creative and entrepreneurial acumen has resulted in over 20 years of global success for them personally, and for their enterprise, Cash Money Records. I’m personally thrilled to recognize two individuals I’ve seen achieve so much success in their careers. Their innate ability to cultivate talent, build and sustain a brand while composing chart-topping songs is an accomplishment worthy of the Icon designation,” said Catherine Brewton, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta.
“It’s absolutely incredible to be honored in this fashion. Cash Money Records is a family first and foremost, and we share this achievement with our entire team and roster. It’s because of the immensely talented artists we’re blessed to work with that we’re in this position, and I want to thank them. They deserve this as much as we do. We also want to thank BMI and everybody who’s ever believed in this dream that my brother and I first had over 20 years ago. We’re going to keep everything going even stronger for the next 20,” said Bryan “Birdman” Williams.
“This recognition from BMI is one of the greatest honors we’ve ever received. It’s something that my brother and I would’ve never been able to imagine at the genesis of our label. To be recognized by the industry like this, it’s humbling, and it’s inspiring. We want to thank BMI, every artist on our roster, Universal, and anyone else who’s been a part of Cash Money Records’ success,” said Ronald “Slim” Williams.
Inspired to create opportunities for local talent, New Orleans natives and brothers Bryan “Birdman” and Ronald “Slim” Williams co-founded the independent label Cash Money Records in 1991. Attaining regional success with rappers B.G, Young Buck and a then unknown Lil Wayne, led to an unprecedented production and distribution deal with Universal Music Group. Armed with ownership of all its master recordings – a rarity for a bourgeoning record company – Cash Money started churning out hit albums including Juvenile’s 400 Degreez (4.8 million units sold) and Lil Wayne’s debut, Tha Block Is Hot (1.4 million units sold). As a recording artist, Bryan “Birdman” Williams has released four solo albums and has earned six BMI Awards. In addition, he released a collaborative album, Like Father, Like Son, with Lil Wayne, and five albums with producer Mannie Fresh under the moniker Big Tymers. Together, the Williams brothers have overseen the growth of the Cash Money brand: Cash Money Content, the book publishing arm distributed by Atria/Simon & Schuster, has released three New York Times best sellers and will be releasing the highly anticipated new book by the Reverend Al Sharpton this fall; and Young Money Entertainment – the joint venture with Lil Wayne – which has steered the ascendancy of recording artists Drake, Nicki Minaj and Tyga. In 2012, Cash Money celebrated the sale of 500 million songs worldwide, a feat made possible by its top-tier artists and savvy leadership.
Despite their immense success in the entertainment industry, the Williams brothers are dedicated to giving back to their community: They have hosted a Turkey Giveaway for the past 16 years, where they personally hand out over 2,000 Thanksgiving turkeys, and at the same event, also provide access to free medical screening.
The BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards will include an all-star musical tribute to Cash Money’s Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams, as well as the presentation of the Social Star Award, and R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter, Producer and Publisher of the Year crystals. BMI President and CEO Del Bryant and Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton will share the evening’s hosting duties with recording artist Ray J. For more information on the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards and other BMI R&B/Hip-Hop events, visit http://www.bmi.com/genres/rb_hiphop. To join the conversation about the Awards, use hashtag #BMIRnBHipHopAwards.
About BMI
Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®), is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in more than 7.5 million musical works created and owned by more than 600,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI’s repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit www.bmi.com, follow us on Twitter @BMI or stay connected through Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) Facebook page.
source:
Jamil Walker / BMI
jwalker@bmi.com
Silvia Davi / BMI
sdavi@bmi.com
Vickie Charles/ Cash Money/Young Money/Republic Records
Vickie.charles@umusic.com
*Rev. Al Sharpton signed a book deal under the Cash Money imprint last month and has faced criticism including an unfavorable letter from a former associate.
His book “The Rejected Stone” follows Sharpton’s transition from personal evolution to New York street activist to political candidate, civil rights spokesman and television host. His choice to go through the Cash Money empire took most people by surprise given his open criticism of Cash Money affiliate Lil Wayne and his lyrics. Sharpton was seen meeting with PepsiCo and the late Emmett Till’s family when Wayne dished out offensive lyrics that referenced Till’s death.
Chef and former associate of Sharpton, Carl Redding, wrote an open letter to the Reverend that was later published on RapRehab.com. Redding suggested that Sharpton return the “blood money” he was paid for signing the book deal with Cash Money.
“As one who has spent years publicly crusading against the harmful effect of misogynistic lyrics on our young people, it’s clear that your decision to cut a lucrative financial deal with those who propagate such destructive images in our community, is the latest example of your failed leadership,” Redding wrote. “Dr. Martin Luther King, who you claim to emulate, is doing somersaults in his grave.”
Redding also goes on to point out the hypocrisy of the situation.
“Your decision to cooperate and do business with a record label that routinely calls black women outside of their name, is deeply problematic and begs the question: where is your commitment to the black community?”
Read the full letter at RapRehab.com. Sharpton’s “The Reject Stone” is due out on October 8.
l to r: BMI President and CEO Del Bryant, Lil Wayne, Slim, BMI Vice President, Catherine Brewton, and Birdman
*Broadcast Music, Inc.®, (BMI®), the global leader in music rights management, presented last night the BMI Icon Award to Cash Money Records‘ Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams at the 2013 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, held at the Manhattan Center in New York City. The star-studded event, formerly known as the BMI Urban Awards, celebrates the songwriters, producers and publishers of the most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs of the previous year.
Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams were named BMI Icons because of their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” The brothers, who co-founded Cash Money Records in 1991, were treated to an all-star tribute, which included performances by Kevin Rudolf, DJ Khaled, Mystikal, Future, Curren$y, Ace Hood, Busta Rhymes, Turk, Mannie Fresh and Juvenile. Each artist delivered a dynamic interpretation of a Cash Money classic, such as “Slow Motion,” performed by Curren$y, and “Ha” performed by Mystikal.
Nicki Minaj and Benny Blanco shared the Songwriter of the Year crown by each writing four songs that rank among the year’s most-performed. Nicki’s top contributions include “Dance (A$$),” “Girl On Fire,” “Make Me Proud,” and “Starships.” Benny Blanco was recognized for “Diamonds,” “Heart Attack,” “Payphone,” and “Work Hard Play Hard.” Nicki Minaj’s ubiquitous “Starships” earned Song of the Year honors for its writers Minaj, Wayne Hector, and RedOne, as well as publishers Harajuku Barbie Music, Money Mack Music, Songs of RedOne, Songs of Universal, Inc., Sony/ATV Songs, LLC and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Hit-Boy earned the Producer of the Year crystal. The incredible songwriter/producer has helmed boards for hits by Kanye West, Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky, among many others. In addition to Hit-Boy, BMI also recognized top producers Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis, Warren “Oak” Felder, Jim Jonsin, Ryan Lewis, Marquel “MaRz” Middlebrooks, Troy Taylor, Andrew “Pop” Wansel and Tyler “T-Minus” Williams.
With 16 songs among the most-performed, Universal Music Publishing Group clinched the prestigious Publisher of the Year crown.
Machine Gun Kelly won the BMI Social Star Award. Selected by fans voting via Twitter, the award salutes the BMI R&B/hip-hop songwriter who has best demonstrated the power of social media to showcase their songwriting talents.
During the ceremony, BMI also recognized the songwriters of Billboard No. 1 singles on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts over the past year.
BMI President and CEO Del Bryant and Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton shared the evening’s hosting duties with recording artist Ray J.
About BMI
Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®), is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in more than 7.5 million musical works created and owned by more than 600,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI’s repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit www.bmi.com, follow us on Twitter @BMI or stay connected through Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) Facebook page.
source:
Jamil Walker / BMI New York
jwalker@bmi.com
*EURweb media partner theJasmineBRAND.com is reporting that Birdman’s (real name: Bryan Williams) record label is accused of stiffing their lawyers on the bill after they successfully won them legal battles accusing them of stealing music. The firm, Goldberg & Rimberg, filed suit in NY Court on March 31st against Cash Money Records, whose roster includes Lil Wayne, […]
*September is National Literary Month and in celebration Cash Money Content (CMC), the literary division of the Cash Money Records, has launched a community reading encouragement campaign designed to challenge the African American community to develop a habit of reading. “Reading is an important step in the right direction toward making a difference in our […]
*Juvenile made his return to Cash Money after leaving the label for not getting the amount of money he felt he deserved, according to YBF. When he stopped by “The Breakfast Club,” he discussed Lil Wayne and Birdman‘s beef as well as his own former beef with Cash Money. After leaving Cash Money, Juve released diss tracks […]
*Drake says he has absolutely nothing to do with his appearance in a new documentary that is set to play in theaters for one night only. “Drake’s Homecoming: The Lost Footage,” a concert film featuring a 23-year-old Drake performing at Toronto’s Sound Academy in 2009, will screen on Thursday (March 19) in nearly 350 movie theaters at […]
*Lil Wayne hasn’t dropped his $51 million lawsuit against Cash Money Records, contrary to previous reports. The lawsuit was moved from New York to New Orleans, according to Rolling Stone. Cash Money and Universal Music Group offices are in New York, but Wayne originally signed his record deal with the former in New Orleans in 1998. The […]
*Toni Braxton apparently puts more than just respek on Birdman’s name. According to TMZ, the Cash Money CEO showed up at her Grammy Park performance in Brooklyn on Sunday, and things got rather cozy backstage. “Backstage was sealed off so very few people could see them together,” reported TMZ, adding that the above pic of the […]
*Lil Wayne has folks speculating about new music he may or may not have in store for 2017 after posting a cryptic message on Facebook late Tuesday (Jan. 3). In the caption of a photo showing Weezy at a party, the caption reads: “CV. Funeral. D6.” The three terms are apparently album titles, with the coming […]
