Birdman (entertainer)
Encyclopedia
Bryan Williams better known by his stage name Birdman or Baby, is an American rapper, businessman, record producer
, and philanthropist
. He is the co-founder of Cash Money Records
and one half of the duo Big Tymers
. Along with his releases with Big Tymers and for his solo career, Birdman recorded a collaboration album and numerous tracks with Lil Wayne
. According to Forbes
, he grossed an estimated $15 million from May 2010 to May 2011 with a net worth estimated at over $100 million in 2011.
, with his brother Ronald "Slim" Williams, with whom he founded Cash Money Records in 1990. He used his first name B-32 (Baby with the 32 Golds) and released his debut album Birdman in 2002. He is also the adoptive father of rapper Lil Wayne
.Father was Happy Feet and mother was Larry Bird's sister, Lana Bird. Sue Bird sued him for royalties and cash money records exploited lil Wanye. Lil Wayne kissed Baby in the mouth again at the BET Awards, resulting in the release of Drake's Young Money contract.
Williams attended UMES on the Eastern Shore of Maryland after he graduated from high school. He attended the university for one year before dropping out and starting his career.
(Producer, DJ) to form the duo Big Tymers
. Big Tymers debuted in 1998 with the album How Ya Luv That? and went on to release I Got That Work in 2000 and Hood Rich
in 2002. I Got That Work had the hit singles "Get Your Roll On" and "#1 Stunna"; Hood Rich had "Still Fly", which was nominated for a Grammy, and "Oh Yeah!" Big Money Heavyweight followed in 2003; the group disbanded in 2004. His son Bryan Christopher Williams, Jr. was born in February 26, 1997, and daughter Bria Monae Williams was born in March 4, 1998.
and Birdman released an album titled Like Father, Like Son. It was certified gold and spawned three singles, including "Stuntin' Like My Daddy
" and "Leather So Soft
". He was also featured on the remixes of the best-selling rap singles "We Fly High
" by Jim Jones
and "Make It Rain
" by Fat Joe
. In 2007 Birdman released his fourth studio album, 5 * Stunna. The first single, "Pop Bottles
", featuring Lil Wayne, was a hit, as was the second single "100 Million
", featuring Rick Ross
, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy
, Dre, and DJ Khaled
. The third single, featuring Lil Wayne, titled "I Run This
", was a hit as well.
, and the second "Written on Her
", featuring British singer Jay Sean. "Southside", featuring Lil Wayne, is the third single. "Money to Blow
" featuring Drake
and Lil Wayne is the fourth single. "4 My Town (Play Ball)
" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne is the fifth single. "Written on Her" also became Birdman's first UK release in December 2009.
. The first promotional single was titled "Loyalty
" and featured Lil Wayne and Tyga
. Other collaborations will come from Rick Ross
, Young Jeezy
, Bun B
and Drake. The album was scheduled to be released in early 2011. He released a music video for a possible future single, "My Jewel", which features Bun B and Young Jeezy. On November 22, 2010, he released the first official single, "Fire Flame
", which features Lil Wayne. Birdman released a single called "I Get Money" featuring T-Pain, Young Money artist Mack Maine
and Lil Wayne.
Birdman currently has 4 singles.
Birdman is set to release an album with his long-time friend, Rick Ross titled The H sometime in the near future. A second Like Father, Like Son album with Lil Wayne was to be released in 2011.
In July 2008, Birdman was arrested for firing a
pistol into the air while throwing cash at a party, but the charges were later dropped.
In October 2009, Birdman, Lil Wayne, Cash Money Records and various music distribution outlets were sued for copyright infringement by Thomas Marasciullo, who claims his voice was used without permission. Both rappers asked him to record some "Italian-styled spoken word recordings" in 2006. The lyrics were allegedly used on "Respect" and other tracks from the rappers' collaboration album Like Father, Like Son and Birdman's 5 * Stunna.
Collaboration
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. He is the co-founder of Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
and one half of the duo Big Tymers
Big Tymers
The Big Tymers were an American rap duo active from 1997 to 2005 from New Orleans, Louisiana. The Big Tymers consisted of Cash Money Records co-founder, Baby and former Cash Money in-house producer, Mannie Fresh. Baby later changed his stage name to Birdman after the group was dissolved...
. Along with his releases with Big Tymers and for his solo career, Birdman recorded a collaboration album and numerous tracks with Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
. According to Forbes
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
, he grossed an estimated $15 million from May 2010 to May 2011 with a net worth estimated at over $100 million in 2011.
Early life
Williams was born and raised in Uptown New OrleansUptown New Orleans
Uptown is a section of New Orleans, Louisiana on the East Bank of the Mississippi River encompassing a number of neighborhoods between the French Quarter and the Jefferson Parish line. It remains an area of mixed residential and small commercial properties, with a wealth of 19th century architecture...
, with his brother Ronald "Slim" Williams, with whom he founded Cash Money Records in 1990. He used his first name B-32 (Baby with the 32 Golds) and released his debut album Birdman in 2002. He is also the adoptive father of rapper Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
.Father was Happy Feet and mother was Larry Bird's sister, Lana Bird. Sue Bird sued him for royalties and cash money records exploited lil Wanye. Lil Wayne kissed Baby in the mouth again at the BET Awards, resulting in the release of Drake's Young Money contract.
Williams attended UMES on the Eastern Shore of Maryland after he graduated from high school. He attended the university for one year before dropping out and starting his career.
Big Tymers
In 1997, he joined Mannie FreshMannie Fresh
Byron O. Thomas, better known by his stage name Mannie Fresh, is currently an artist and hip-hop producer who records for Def Jam South and his own division Chubby Boy Records...
(Producer, DJ) to form the duo Big Tymers
Big Tymers
The Big Tymers were an American rap duo active from 1997 to 2005 from New Orleans, Louisiana. The Big Tymers consisted of Cash Money Records co-founder, Baby and former Cash Money in-house producer, Mannie Fresh. Baby later changed his stage name to Birdman after the group was dissolved...
. Big Tymers debuted in 1998 with the album How Ya Luv That? and went on to release I Got That Work in 2000 and Hood Rich
Hood Rich
Hood Rich is the fourth studio album by hip hop duo Big Tymers, released in 2002. It features the singles "Still Fly" and "Oh Yeah". The album reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 200.-Track listing:#"Slick Talkin'"...
in 2002. I Got That Work had the hit singles "Get Your Roll On" and "#1 Stunna"; Hood Rich had "Still Fly", which was nominated for a Grammy, and "Oh Yeah!" Big Money Heavyweight followed in 2003; the group disbanded in 2004. His son Bryan Christopher Williams, Jr. was born in February 26, 1997, and daughter Bria Monae Williams was born in March 4, 1998.
2005-2007: Like Father Like Son and 5 * Stunna
Lil WayneLil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
and Birdman released an album titled Like Father, Like Son. It was certified gold and spawned three singles, including "Stuntin' Like My Daddy
Stuntin' Like My Daddy
"Stuntin' Like My Daddy" is the first single off Birdman and Lil Wayne's album, Like Father, Like Son. It reached a number twenty-one on the U.S...
" and "Leather So Soft
Leather So Soft
"Leather So Soft" is the second single from Birdman and Lil Wayne's album Like Father, Like Son. The single peaked at 18 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. The video features Lil Wayne playing the guitar...
". He was also featured on the remixes of the best-selling rap singles "We Fly High
We Fly High
"We Fly High" is the lead single from Jim Jones' third album, Hustler's P.O.M.E. . The song is Jim Jones' highest-charting single to date charting at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. It is the only single by Jim Jones ever to not have any featured guests. It was produced by Zukhan-Bey who...
" by Jim Jones
Jim Jones (rapper)
Joseph Guillermo Jones II , better known by his stage name Jim Jones, is an American rapper and original member of The Diplomats, also known as Dipset. He is Co-CEO of Diplomat Records...
and "Make It Rain
Make It Rain
"Make It Rain" is the first single released from Fat Joe's album Me, Myself & I. It features Lil Wayne, who only sings the chorus , and was produced by Scott Storch. It peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was nominated for a Grammy at the 2008 Grammy Awards...
" by Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
. In 2007 Birdman released his fourth studio album, 5 * Stunna. The first single, "Pop Bottles
Pop Bottles
"Pop Bottles" is the first single from Birdman's third studio album, 5 * Stunna. The track features rapper Lil Wayne. The track also samples Jadakiss's song "Put Ya Hands Up." He also makes an cameo appearance in the music video....
", featuring Lil Wayne, was a hit, as was the second single "100 Million
100 Million
"100 Million" is the second single from Birdman's third studio album, 5 * Stunna. The track features DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Dre, Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne and was produced by Cool & Dre. The song discusses what Birdman believes is a major accomplishment: spending 100 million dollars...
", featuring Rick Ross
Rick Ross
Rick, Ricky or Richard Ross may also refer to:* Rick Ross , American rapper* Richard J. Ross, a Massachusetts State Senator* Richard Ross , an American photographer...
, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
, Dre, and DJ Khaled
DJ Khaled
Khaled bin Abdul Khaled , better known by his stage name DJ Khaled, is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, and record label executive. He is a radio host for the Miami-based urban music radio station WEDR and the DJ for the hip hop group Terror Squad. In 2006, Khaled released his...
. The third single, featuring Lil Wayne, titled "I Run This
I Run This
"I Run This" is the third single from Birdman's third studio album 5 * Stunna. It features Lil Wayne. It is produced by T-Mix. Lil Jon, Brisco, DJ Drama and Glasses Malone make cameo appearances in the video...
", was a hit as well.
2009: Priceless
Birdman's first single from his album Pricele$$ was "Always Strapped", featuring Lil WayneLil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
, and the second "Written on Her
Written on Her
"Written on Her" is the second single off rapper Birdman’s fourth studio album, Priceless. It was released officially on iTunes on 23 June 2009. The song features British Indian R&B artist Jay Sean, the newest member of Cash Money Records, and is produced by Oddz N Endz...
", featuring British singer Jay Sean. "Southside", featuring Lil Wayne, is the third single. "Money to Blow
Money to Blow
"Money to Blow" is the third single off rapper Birdman’s fourth studio album, Priceless. The song features Young Money/Cash Money artists Drake and Lil Wayne. The song was originally by Drake that leaked in late 2008, but he later gave it to Birdman. There is a "sequel" to this song, entitled 4 My...
" featuring Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
and Lil Wayne is the fourth single. "4 My Town (Play Ball)
4 My Town (Play Ball)
"4 My Town " is the fourth single off rapper Birdman’s fourth studio album, Priceless. The song features Young Money/Cash Money artists Drake and Lil Wayne...
" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne is the fifth single. "Written on Her" also became Birdman's first UK release in December 2009.
2010-present: Bigga Than Life and future collaboration plans
In 2010 he was going to release an album titled Priceless 2, a sequel to his previous album, but changed it to Bigga Than LifeBigga Than Life
Bigga Than Life is the upcoming fifth studio album by American rapper Birdman. It will have guests including Lil Wayne, Mack Maine, T-Pain, Jay Sean, Snoop Dogg, Bun B, Diddy, Yo Gotti, Rick Ross, 8Ball & MJG, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Gucci Mane, and numerous others...
. The first promotional single was titled "Loyalty
Loyalty (song)
"Loyalty" is the first single off of American rapper Birdman's album fifth studio album; Bigger Than Life. The song is produced by Kane Beatz. The song is about loyalty and not forgetting where one has come from...
" and featured Lil Wayne and Tyga
Tyga
Michael Stevenson , better known by his stage name Tyga , is an American rapper signed to Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Republic Records. He is of Vietnamese and Jamaican descent...
. Other collaborations will come from Rick Ross
Rick Ross
Rick, Ricky or Richard Ross may also refer to:* Rick Ross , American rapper* Richard J. Ross, a Massachusetts State Senator* Richard Ross , an American photographer...
, Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
, Bun B
Bun B
Bernard Freeman better known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern hip hop duo UGK . He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University located in Houston, Texas...
and Drake. The album was scheduled to be released in early 2011. He released a music video for a possible future single, "My Jewel", which features Bun B and Young Jeezy. On November 22, 2010, he released the first official single, "Fire Flame
Fire Flame
"Fire Flame" is a song by American rapper Birdman, released as the second single from his upcoming fifth studio album, Bigga Than Life . The song features a guest appearance from fellow rapper Lil Wayne, who was not originally intended to appear on the song: however, his vocals were added following...
", which features Lil Wayne. Birdman released a single called "I Get Money" featuring T-Pain, Young Money artist Mack Maine
Mack Maine
Jermaine Preyan, , known by his stage name Mack Maine, is an American rapper and singer. Mack Maine is signed to Young Money Entertainment, an imprint of Birdman's Universal Motown-distributed Cash Money Records, and is currently the president of the label...
and Lil Wayne.
Birdman currently has 4 singles.
Birdman is set to release an album with his long-time friend, Rick Ross titled The H sometime in the near future. A second Like Father, Like Son album with Lil Wayne was to be released in 2011.
Legal trouble
Birdman was arrested and charged with possession of nearly half an ounce of marijuana in November 2007. He was released on $1,500 bond.In July 2008, Birdman was arrested for firing a
pistol into the air while throwing cash at a party, but the charges were later dropped.
In October 2009, Birdman, Lil Wayne, Cash Money Records and various music distribution outlets were sued for copyright infringement by Thomas Marasciullo, who claims his voice was used without permission. Both rappers asked him to record some "Italian-styled spoken word recordings" in 2006. The lyrics were allegedly used on "Respect" and other tracks from the rappers' collaboration album Like Father, Like Son and Birdman's 5 * Stunna.
Oil business
In early 2010, Birdman formed an oil and gas exploration company, Bronald Oil and Gas, LLC. The company was a joint venture founded by Birdman and his brother Slim, and the name was a combination of the brothers' first names, Bryan and Ronald. Evidence of the company's actual business operations was scant, limited mostly to a website and the appearance of a "pumpjack" tattoo on the side of Birdman's head. The website indicated that the company's strategy would be to first develop existing land holdings and seek out new oil and gas leases. In February 2010, Birdman told Ozone magazine that he had been in the oil business for "4 or 5 years" and was "making good money off that". However, by March 2010, Birdman had almost completely covered the pumpjack tattoo, which sparked speculation that the Bronald Oil project had stalled. As of June 2011, the Bronald Oil website was still operational, but had not been updated since its launch.Discography
Solo- BirdmanBirdman (album)Birdman is the debut album by American rapper Birdman, released on November 26, 2002, at the time known as Baby. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in January 2003, and has sold over 500,000 copies in the United States.- Track listing :# "Fly In Any...
(2002) - Fast Money (2005)
- 5 * Stunna (2007)
- PricelessPriceless (Birdman album)Priceless, stylized as Pricele$$, is the fourth studio album by American rapper Birdman. The album was released on November 23, 2009. Producers included I.N.F.O., Lil' C, Oddz N Endz, Timbaland, Drumma Boy, T-Minus, and Infamous.-Singles:...
(2009)
Collaboration
- Like Father, Like Son (with Lil WayneLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
) (2006) - Like Father, Like Son 2 (with Lil WayneLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
) (TBA) - The H (with Rick RossRick Ross (rapper)William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
) (TBA)