Birdman Maps Out Young Money/Cash Money Takeover, Plans 16 Album Releases

Cash Money Records co-founder Birdman is planning to take 2012 by storm with the release of nearly 20 albums by the third quarter.

Birdman plans to put out new music ranging from rapper Bow Wow's Cash Money debut to Young Money star Nicki Minaj's sophomore LP.

Baby's ambition is clear: the flamboyant Cash Money CEO wants to release 16 albums under the YMCMB umbrella within the first six months of this year. "I think bringing Fred [Durst] and Limp Bizkit to the team gives us a different look," Birdman says. "We dominate rap, but we're also trying to grow in different areas; Pop, rock, gospel, country." Already, there's a rash of artists under the YMCMB umbrella with music on the way. Bow Wow's, Underrated, LP and Lil Twist's, Don't Get It Twisted drop a week apart on March 13 and March 20, respectively, while Nicki Minaj's, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded is slated for April 3. New albums from Busta Rhymes and Mystikal--also new YMCMB signees--have summer release dates as well. (XXL Mag)

Just last week, rap-metal group Limp Bizkit inked a deal with Cash Money.

"As both an artist and someone who has signed artists, I can say without a doubt that Cash Money is at the top of their game," Durst said in a statement. "What attracted me to the label is not only their great taste and hustle, but their belief in their artists and the family atmosphere. Slim and Birdman allow their artists to be themselves and encourage creative output and continued development. I look forward to bringing my vision as a director as well as my voice to the label and to Limp Bizkit putting out some of our best music to date." (Statement)

Following the recent Cash Money signings of rap veterans Busta Rhymes and Mystikal, "Why Stop Now" producer Sham "Sak Pase" Joseph spoke to SOHH about YMCMB's radio dominance.

"A lot of people are very indifferent about that decision," Sham told SOHH, referring to Busta's recent signing to Cash Money," but I think from a business aspect, it's got to be very attracting toward Google [Music] that Busta Rhymes has access to the biggest artists in the game right now. The reality of it is 70 percent of radio, I promise you, is controlled by Young Money. I don't see why there's a big issue. They're winning, so, I think a lot of people feel since he's been in the game for so long and has done so many things for hip-hop, he probably could have started his own label and do x, y and z. But they're a huge machine that's winning." (SOHH)

In November, Birdman cited his reliance on artistic freedom for making Cash Money a winning team.

"Whatever they bring to the table, whatever their vision is, [my role is] just to back it up and let them be the artist that they want to be and we support what they want to do," Birdman said in an interview. "We never was [the type] to try to tell no [artist] how to do music, that's not what we're about. We like to let an artist be an artist and we support what they want to do." (MTV)