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Cash Money Records’ Bittersweet Dominance

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Birdman and Slim (via Forbes)

by Dan Runcie

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Last week, Birdman said that Cash Money’s masters generate $20 – 30 million in revenue per year. He dropped the news in an interview with Wallo from Where’s Wallo? the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast.

The deal of a lifetime. Cash Money’s wealth stems back to its 1998 distribution deal with Universal Music Group:

-80% profit split for Cash Money
-85% share of royalties
-$2M annual advance
-Cash Money kept its masters

The record labels wanted in on that southern, New Orleans sound. This was hip-hop’s Louisiana purchase. Cash Money delivered and took over advantage.

In 2019, the label accounted for 1% of market share for the entire music industry. That’s huge for a label that focuses on one genre! The label has been a valuable asset for both Republic Record and UMG.

Do better. Cash Money is notorious for not doing right by its artists and business partners.

Birdman’s ruthless, take-no-prisoners negotiation style helped him get that deal. But they kept that same energy with other business partners and artists. With No Limit, Master P showed us that great deals can be secured without doing wrong by his people.

Watch the full interview with Wallo and Birdman here.

Dan Runcie

Dan Runcie

Founder of Trapital

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