Brief Profile Overview
Full Name: Bryan "Baby" Williams \
Age: 54 \
Birthday: February 15, 1969 \
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana
Social Media:
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Birdman, born Bryan Williams on February 15, 1969 in New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in the rough Magnolia Projects. As a teen he turned to crime, serving time in prison on drug and gun charges.
Music provided an escape from the streets. In 1991, Birdman and his brother Ronald "Slim" Williams co-founded the iconic label Cash Money Records. Though initially struggling, their persistence paid off.
"We started from the bottom up in a real way. We know what it feels like to not have nothing." – Birdman
The big breakthrough came in 1998 when Cash Money artist Juvenile released his 4x platinum album "400 Degreez". Hits like "Ha" and "Back That Azz Up" put Cash Money on the map.
Rise to Success with Cash Money Records
Bolstered by Juvenile‘s success, Cash Money signed young talent Lil Wayne who became the label‘s biggest star. His albums Tha Carter III and I Am Not a Human Being went multi-platinum.
Throughout the 2000s, Birdman expanded Cash Money‘s roster by signing and developing major talents like Nicki Minaj and Drake. Under Birdman‘s leadership, Cash Money Records has sold over 150 million records worldwide.
Birdman also found solo success with the duo Big Tymers (with producer Mannie Fresh) and his gold-certified solo debut Birdman. He formed the supergroup Rich Gang with Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan as well.
Style and Persona
Visually, Birdman rocks:
- Tattooed head
- Grills in mouth
- Black glasses epitomizing "nerd chic"
Lyrically, his deep, auto-tuned vocals rap slick verses about wealth and status. But collaborators describe him as a generous mentor who nurtured their careers.
"Birdman was always nurturing. He‘d say ‘You got it, this is your time‘ and big me up." – Lil Wayne
Investments and Ventures
Beyond music, Birdman boasts a $100 million net worth from ventures like:
- Bronald Oil Company
- Stunna Beverage Group alcohol brands
- Miami restaurant Subscribe
- Nashville restaurant Yeh Mon
- Luxury car collection with Maybach, Bugatti, and Bentley vehicles
His lavish spending habits are legendary – he previously owned a 30,000 sq ft $30 million Miami mansion.
Feuds and Controversies
As a high profile rap mogul, Birdman has sparked various feuds and controversies:
- Lil Wayne sued Birdman for $51 million over unpaid royalties. They settled out of court in 2018.
- Arrested multiple times for marijuana possession and assault
- Beef with rapper Jay Z over unpaid royalties led to lyrical shots on Jay‘s album 4:44
- Prevented Lil Wayne from working with rival 50 Cent, sparking more drama
Legacy
Now in his 50s, Birdman takes a backseat at Cash Money Records. But his legacy is undeniable. Hits like "Still Fly" and "Pop Bottles" epitomized thelabel‘s sound. His use of auto-tune showed artistic daring. And he built a platform that took inner city kids from poverty to fame.
Birdman once said "We gon‘ keep grindin‘ til I die." Though controversial at times, his hustler spirit and business savvy built an immortal hip-hop empire.