Birdman Reflects on Cash Money’s Early Struggles: Rejections, Roadblocks, and a Historic Deal

Hip-hop mogul Birdman recently opened up about the hurdles Cash Money Records faced before securing its legendary deal with Universal. In a candid conversation on Counsel Culture, he recalled how major labels, including Def Jam, turned them down, sometimes for reasons that still baffle him today.

Photo Credit : Hip Hop Wiki

Birdman and his brother Slim first approached Warner Bros., where executive Sylvia Rhone dismissed their music, saying it “didn’t work” for the label. Then came Def Jam, where Russell Simmons rejected them, not because of their sound, but because he disliked their album artwork. “What about the music?” Birdman remembered asking. “So I left”.

Another potential deal with Priority Records fell apart due to industry politics. Birdman claims that Master P, who was already signed to Priority, threatened to leave if the label signed Cash Money. With doors closing around them, Birdman and Slim had no choice but to keep grinding independently.

Eventually, Universal came calling, leading to one of the most lucrative deals in hip-hop history. Birdman’s perseverance paid off, proving that rejection is often just a stepping stone to success.

Cash Money’s rise from a local New Orleans label to a global powerhouse is a testament to resilience, vision, and an unwavering belief in their music.