Birdman is a hustler at heart. Before partnering up with Universal Music in 1998, Baby built his Cash Money brand as an independent juggernaut, and none of the success that he’s experienced over the past 15 years has softened his stance. Enter Rich Gang, Birdman’s new rap collective that includes Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Meek Mill and Future just to name a few.
“First it’s based on hard work, a grind,” the Cash Money CEO began to explain of the crew when he appeared on “RapFix Live” on Wednesday. “I’ve been doing this half of my life, 22 years of my life — I’m 44 years old and I think it’s just a symbol of hard work and it pays.”
On June 25, Baby will drop his Rich Gang: Flashy Lifestyle compilation, and while the project will be released on Cash Money Records, it will feature music from non-YMCMB stars as well. “We have other artists like Future, who is not signed to us but a part of us. French, Ross, Meek and all these [guys] are friends that we rock with and call on,” Birdman promised. “A lot of business we do don’t necessarily have to be about money, it’s about relationships and this is about people that we have relationships with.”
The compilation’s first single, “Tapout,” boasts an all-star lineup including Weezy, Nicki Minaj, Mack Maine, Birdman and Future on the hook. Birdman, Christina Milian, Paris Hilton, Bow Wow, DJ Khaled and Detail all appear in the Hannah Lux Davis-directed video.
Of course the #1 Stunna appreciates the finer things in life, but he maintains that the Rich Gang isn’t all about finances. He says that fans don’t have to be in the millions to appreciate the lifestyle, just as long as you’re trying to better your situation. “It’s all about expanding, it’s about growing and it’s about living the life,” he said. “Great music first and just to show that we come from the bottom and we work hard for ours. Ain’t nothing ever came easy for us and I appreciate that, that nothing came easy.”
Source: mtv.com
