People, whether celebrities or not, have been doing what they can across the world to help out in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s a global lockdown, at this point, with the U.S. getting his the hardest right now. Government orders are in place with initiatives to help those in need but many prominent figures are also putting their money up to help those less fortunate.

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Birdman, a proud native of New Orleans, hit the ‘Gram where he announced that he’d be giving back in a big way. Sharing a picture of himself and his brother Slim, he revealed that he’s offering to pay rent for the month of May for residents in the neighborhood where he was born and raised.

“I would like 2 offer to pay everybody rent for month of May (for those who in need) in residents area of UPTOWN New Orleans where I was born and raised at from mac melph calio and ST Thomas housing also from 3rd ward to 17th ward,” he wrote on Instagram before calling on leaders in his community to join him in the initiative, including the mayor of New Orleans. 

Birdman also made sure to give a special shout out to all the hospital workers who are working the frontline during the pandemic.

Check out Birdman’s post below. 

Birdman and Toni Braxton keep their personal life under wraps for the most part. Rarely does the couple ever step out in public and, because of that, they’re prone to break-up rumors all the time. It was speculated last year that the two had separated but, according to Toni Braxton, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

After initially setting a date for their wedding, Birdman and Toni decided that they no longer wanted a grandiose event, instead opting for something more family-oriented. Then, they changed their minds again and wanted something big. Although they can’t seem to get their minds made up, one thing is for sure. The wedding is happening this year, whether it ends up being a big or small event.

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“We have gone back and forth on wedding dates. We had a great day but then it was getting too big,” said Toni Braxton, calling into the Rick & Sasha radio show. “We’ve been trying to figure it out but we are definitely going to do it this year.”

Hopefully, COVID-19 doesn’t ruin her plans. We don’t know how long this crackdown will last so to be planning anything for later this year is a little risky. 

Still, congratulations to Birdman and Toni!

Though things between Lil Wayne, Birdman, and Young Thug appear to be alright at this point, the same couldn’t be said five years ago. Thug and Birdman were tied to the 2015 Lil Wayne tour bus shooting in Atlanta but Wayne’s tour bus driver is now coming forth wondering why neither of them have not been charged.

According to TMZ, Alvin Lewis filed documents to court where he questioned why prosecutors in Cobb County, GA haven’t pursued filing charges against Birdman or Young Thug, even though they were described as co-conspirators in the indictment of the alleged shooter, Jimmy Winfrey. Lewis brought up the overwhelming amount of evidence that connected both hip-hop stars to the incident, citing phone records, confessions, and payment promises.

Lewis claims he ultimately suffered several physical and mental injuries from the shooting. Prosecutors have kept him looped in on the developments surrounding Winfrey’s case, he said, but he’s been denied anytime he’s inquired about Birdman or Thug. He believes that the two may have cut a deal with the D.A.’s office and he’s requesting they hand over information and documents pertaining to their dealings with the District Attorney’s office.

As of now, Winfrey is currently being retried in his case after the Supreme Court in Georgia overturned his conviction. We’ll keep you updated on any new developments surrounding the case. 

“It’s written all over my face

It’s tattooed, it can’t be erased

One of a kind, I can’t be replaced” 

It’s usually easy to trace an artist’s lineage. On the whole, there’s usually a trait or two that’s derivative of someone that came before, or a contemporary that spearheaded the wave. Yet from the moment that he seceded from The Hot Boyz and placed Cash Money’s rickety future on his shoulders as a solo performer, seeking parallels to understand Dwayne Carter quickly became a futile pursuit. A singular entity that implanted his New Orleans drawl into the commercial and critical foreground, Weezy made the vast majority of his contemporaries seem mundane by comparison. In response, he began to identify as something otherworldly.

“I’m different from y’all. So instead of saying, ‘I’m different,’ I have a cool way of saying, ‘I’m a martian’,” he informed XXL in 2008. “I’m so glad I’ve developed into that type of artist. Cause I never could see that shit from the Hot Boys days, to become a n***a that’s just lyrically out there. And make a muthafucka love it.”

Based not only on his own prolific catalogue of mixtapes, albums and even his dishearteningly underexposed TIDAL exclusive album project, the barriers that Wayne levelled have given today’s hungry young artists a set of flexible guidelines to follow if they hope to attain a similar status of greatness.

Approaching the traditional “legacy act” age-range, conventional wisdom would dictate that Wayne wouldn’t be able to sustain his status as an innovative force in music. However, the Young Money mogul has overcame expectations at every interval in his career. Yet with the announcement of his Las Vegas residency and the hit-filled, career retrospective that he’s likely to deliver each night at DRAIS, it naturally leads to speculation over who, if anyone, has the attributes to follow in Weezy’s trailblazing footsteps.

In order to have any hope of entering the same stratosphere as Wayne, there are 3 key characteristics that they must have or be capable of manifesting as the years tick by– 1) work ethic, 2) raw talent that can be converted into star power and, 3) longevity. Although it’s not an entry requirement as such, it’s perhaps telling that each artist that may take up Wayne’s mantle also harbours a deep-seated appreciation for the rapper.

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The most natural recipient of the title and one that he’s been grooming himself for since the embryonic stages of his career, the obvious answer to the question would be Young Thug. Described by Jeffery himself as his “idol for life”, everything from Thugger’s aesthetic to his bewildering flow and Birdman’s eagerness to align with him made it clear that he’s cut from the same cloth as Wayne. Coupled with the steadily mounting eccentricity that’s became one of Thugger’s calling cards, his commitment to transforming mixtapes from throwaway to something more enduring and artful has been evident since the days of I Came From Nothing, and feels indebted to the revolution that Weezy oversaw. Having claimed that he’d “get in the studio with Wayne before Michael Jackson” in 2014, the overt hero-worship may have tapered off as Thugger found his own, often-imitated artistic voice but the connection is alive to this day.

For all that animosity between the two of them has festered ever since he was embroiled in Birdman’s longstanding feud with Tunechi, Wayne saw Thugger’s homage to Tha Carter series with The Barter 6 as something that was made with “total respect.” Cited as an inspiration in his own right for a new breed of rappers, Thug has put in the necessary hours to be considered with his hero and did so while continually pushing the boundaries of his sound. To his credit, when a BBC article that discussed the most influential artists of the decade proclaimed him to be number one, Thugger went out of his way to endorse Wayne’s protests of “me, that’s who” with a simple “facts.”

Boasting his own famed mixtape series with Slime Season and showing no signs of slowing down as we barrel towards his upcoming album Punk, he’s certainly doing his best to emulate the productivity levels of his hero but only time will tell if the cultural relevance can be upheld.

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From his overt rock influences to his garish, individualistic style, there’s certainly grounds to point the finger at Philadelphia’sLil Uzi Vert as a clear descendent of Weezy F. Once derogatorily described by Fat Joe as “a bad version of Lil Wayne,” the Terror Squad don also assessed that Uzi would never been seen among the elite of the game. Well, in the midst of Eternal Atake and its deluxe expansion pack arriving to a frenzied response from the world, Uzi officially entered the ranks of hip-hop’s winner’s circle by repeating Weezy’s feat of having three songs inside the top ten of the Billboard chart simultaneously.

After saluting Weezy on EA’s “No Auto” by retooling the boisterous Tha Carter classic “BM JR,” Uzi inspires a similar level of fanaticism from his fans as Tunechi does. Not to mention, he’s all too acquainted with making his adoring public wait for a project due to a spate of label drama.

Although he’s not known for his efficiency, reports from inside his camp suggest that producers such as Supah Mario sent Uzi upwards of “300 beats” and implies that he’s as eager to churn out content as Wayne. So, if the charismatic artist can establish a run of momentum, there’s no telling where his ceiling lies in comparison to that of Weezy.

On the subject of keeping yourself in fighting condition, two modern artists that have set the wheels in motion for long, illustrious careers by staying active are Lil Baby & Gunna. Both hailing from Atlanta, GA, the two platinum-selling “Close Friends” keep themselves in heavy rotation, churning out features and collaborating with artists across the gamut. Both armed with iconic mixtape themes in the shape of their Drip and Hard series, it’s Lil Baby that’s found himself courting overt comparisons to Wayne while Gunna has discussed how the NOLA sound that brought Weezy to the fore was crucial in igniting his creative drive.

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In response to the parallels that’d been drawn between the two, the man that was drafted in to feature on Funeral’s lead single “I Do It” was humbled by the suggestion that he was in the same league. “I’m definitely honored! That’s the perfect word for it,” Lil Baby explained. “Even if it’s far-fetched to somebody, but just for more than one person to compare me to somebody like him, I’m definitely honoured and it makes me want to go harder.”

For all that they’re riding high, the real litmus test of this pair’s capabilities to follow in Wayne’s footsteps is whether they can produce a succession of projects that have either the impact or versatility of a classic instalment of Tha Carter, Da Drought or Dedication.

Heading away from the Dirty South, the South Florida region has quietly become a hotbed for musical ingenuity. Rising from an outpost to become synonymous with innovation, the rise of Carol City and the surrounding areas recalls the stream of artists that billowed out of Louisiana to make a worldwide commercial impact in the mid-to-late 90’s.

At the nucleus of the area’s rise, Denzel Curry certainly has a lyrical pedigree to rival a young Wayne as well as a refusal to rest on his laurels before returning to the studio. Among labelling Wayne “the goat” in 2016, Zeltron has actually mirrored Weezy’s journey in a lot of ways. After setting out as a member of The Raider Klan, Zel’s shift away from their ranks enabled him to refine his style and in turn, usher in the SoundCloud rap era just as Wayne took 50’s lead and challenged music’s traditional format with his string of iconic, DJ Drama-hosted mixtapes in the mid 2000s.

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As Wayne did before him, Denzel has been vocal about setting the pen aside in favour of the spontaneity that rhyming off the dome provides. Concerned that writing may result in material that sounds “too stiff and rigid,” the organic feel that imbued 2019’s mostly freestyled Zuu record had that same fascinating spark of ingenuity that made post-“10000 Bars” Weezy such a uniquely unpredictable MC to behold.

While Carol City offers a worthy, lyrically gifted candidate to follow Weezy’s lead, there’s a fair amount of speculation over whether the true heir to Wayne’s throne could emanate from closer to home. Hailing from nearby Baton Rouge, Louisiana, NBA Youngboy, much like Wayne in the Hot Boyz days, has been making a name for himself from a prodigious age. Carrying himself with a simmering bravado that invokes the spirit of a young Weezy, the enterprising artist has been plying his trade since charging out of the gate with his first mixtape at the tender age of 15. 2019 aside, Youngboy has averaged a minimum of two tapes a year since 2015 and has displayed a willingness to lend his distinct vocal style to anyone that wishes to enlist his services.

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Much like the young Weezy, the 20-year-old MC is no stranger to a run-in with the law but he’s refused to let it halt his progress. Along the way, he’s been sure to express his pronounced respect for the elder statesman. Stated most explicitly on the swaggering “Diamond Teeth Samurai”, its use of the refrain from “The Block Is Hot” recalls Wayne’s youthful exuberance and desire to prove himself. In line with today’s supply-and-demand dynamic, NBA has flooded the market and, in particular, made YouTube his domain with visual after visual in a way that a younger Tunechi likely would have, had he came up in this era.

In addition to guesting on a litany of tracks with Weezy’s former “daddy,” Birdman has been forthcoming with his praise for Louisiana’s new leading light. “I think NBA YoungBoy gon’ be one of the biggest artists that we done ever seen,” said the rap mogul. “I think he gon’ be real big.” Granted, NBA is still in his relative infancy as an artist. If he can keep chipping away and place an emphasis on creating his own sound, there’s no reason why he can’t become the Bayou state’s next great artist.

While no one can ever usurp Weezy, this eclectic bunch of MCs look to be among the prime candidates to forge his path onwards in 2020.

Who do you think has the potential to be the next Lil Wayne? Sound off in the comments. 

It looks like Birdman and Young Thug might be up to something again. On Saturday, the Cash Money CEO took to his Instagram to share a pic of him and Thugger doing some “Slatt business” together.

With a double cup in hand, Birdman captioned the pic: “Slatt Slatt business #YSLRG @thuggerthugger1 @birdman #RICHGANG #RICHNIGGASHIT?” while he and Thugger gazed into the camera. Unfortunately, there’s no information as for what these two moguls are up to, but something looks to be brewing. If we had to guess, it’s probably something to do with music too. Check out the pic (below) and sound off in the comments.

For those of you who are hoping their could be a possible Rich Gang reunion in the works, I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Thugger has been very vocal over the years that he will never work with Rich Homie Quan again, despite Quan saying he would put aside their differences and squash the beef. Either way, something between Thugger and Birdman is a brewing.

This pic comes just days after Thugger wished his “oldest son,” Lil Keed, a happy birthday. “Happy bday to my oldest I love u kid… get richer,” wrote Thugger on Instagram.

Respect is typically something that is earned over time, not given. The co-founder of Cash Money Records, Bryan “Birdman” Williams, has built enough of a success story for his respect to be automatically handed out. Take a quick look at his track record; the music executive has proven himself time and time again. Although he may go on rants here and there about how he deserves to be treated with even more respect, he is rightful in demanding it. 50 Cent granted his wish through his birthday message to Bria Williams, the daughter of the Cash Money brain.

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Sharing a photo of Birdman with his then-toddler daughter, 50 Cent wished Bria Williams a happy 22nd birthday. “Shout out to @birdman,” wrote the New York legend. “In a culture that’s out with the old and in with the new we stick around, that’s how you know you have a gift. God Bless you and @briawilliams1 happy birthday, wishing you and yours much success.”

Birdman recently gave an extensive interview where he spoke on his infamous “respect” moment on The Breakfast Club, admitting that he does not regret his outburst. He also recently entered a bold prediction by saying that Baton Rouge rapper Youngboy Never Broke Again will end up being one of the most popular artists of all time. Do you think he will add to his near-spotless record?

It was four years ago when a tense moment on The Breakfast Club became a meme. It's one of the most talked-about incidents on the radio talk show: Birdman wanted The Breakfast Club to "put some respect on my name." It was clear back in 2016 that Birdman's real target was Charlamagne Tha God as the Cash Money leader addressed the radio host directly with pointed words.

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Last week, Birdman sat down with Everyday Struggle and was asked by Akademiks if he regretted the way he handled that situation. "Not at all," the rap mogul said. "It just was what it was and that's behind us. A n*gga grown and I believe in respect. I grew up on respect and I think disrespect, you deal with that sh*t accordingly. However you feel [you have] to deal with it and at that time I just wanted really to go and speak to that man and to let him know we believe in respect."

"Sometimes, bloggers get out of they character and say sh*t 'bout people that ain't got nothing to do with what's going on," Birman added. "I just felt the need to step to him, go there and see him and see what's happening. Just ask him to respect me." Birdman also said that although he may not be a person who reacts to the negativity that may be shared about him, he "sees all that sh*t." He continued, "You can't beat the internet. You gotta let it be."

Watch the clip of Everyday Struggle with Birdman below along with his heated exchange with Charlamagne Tha God from years ago.

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4 years ago Birdman pulled up to the breakfast club demanding respect from the 3 cohosts. Now he answers if he regrets that move or not.

A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akadmiks) on Feb 24, 2020 at 10:46pm PST

Birdman has always held Nicki Minaj at high regard but it sounds like he wants the rest of the rap game to do the same. Speaking to B. Dot with MTV News, Birdman spoke about the reign of Cash Money ahead of their new Spotify series, “New Cash Order.” Regardless of how you feel about Baby’s business practices, you can’t deny that his ear for talent in unmatched and Nicki Minaj is a prime example of that.

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“Honestly, I don’t think Nicki gets the credit she deserves. I come in an era when females, it was hard for ’em. She come broke the chain. Nicki broke the cycle for females,” he said. “Nicki did more than any female artist, ever. And you have a lot of great artists before Nicki Minaj. But Nicki Minaj changed the game for females. “

He then went on to explain Nicki Minaj’s work ethic. “Nicki used to be in the studio with nine, ten n***as every night with us in Miami,” he said. “Every single night, putting in the body of work to become who she became. So, I don’t think Nicki gets the credit she deserves, but you know, time tells all.”

Nicki’s undoubtedly shifted the game in her own right but perhaps the next studio album she releases will gain her the respect and recognition that Birdman believes she should receive. 

Slim and Birdman will be premiering a four-part docuseries about the rise of Cash Money Records called New Cash Order on Spotify this week. On Wednesday, Spotify dropped the trailer for the exciting new series, which chronicles the legendary label’s co-founders’ journey to success.

According to a press release, New Cash Order “tells the genesis story of Cash Money Records’ meteoric rise to success” through interviews and archival footage, which will “unveil never-before-seen takes behind the million-dollar deals that have maintained Cash Money as a label standing the test of time.” Through firsthand accounts, the series will explore how the brother-duo landed “the historical Universal Music Group deal” and will go into detail about “the creative processes that pioneered the success of the label’s artists like Juvenile, Lil Wayne, Drake and Nicki Minaj.” It will also go in depth about the label’s impact on the new wave of artists today, including signees like Blueface and Jacquees.

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Cash Money’s impact and success are undeniable, and can be detected through a new Billboard record set by Young Money Entertainment—an imprint of Cash Money Records—artists Drake, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj. The trio of rap heavyweights are now the top three rappers with the most singles on the Billboard Hot 100 in history.

New Cash Order will premiere exclusively on Spotify this Friday, February 21st, within Spotify’s influential hip hop playlist, RapCar.

While Lil Wayne‘s new album may be morbidly titled Funeral, its release is still a cause for celebration. The album dropped on Friday without many details provided ahead of time, so fans have been spending the weekend digesting 24 tracks that showcase the many sides of Weezy F. Baby. While the previously-teased Young Thug feature did not appear on the tracklist, we have proof that Wayne has made amends with another former foe: Birdman. 

It was confirmed that Wayne and Birdman had patched up their years-long dispute back in September when the two of them reconnected on a Juvenile-assisted song, “Ride Dat”. Things got ugly when their father-son bond crumbled into a public spat over record deals and royalties. Regardless of what went down, seeing this legendary hip hop relationship rekindled lifts your spirits. 

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On Saturday night (Feb. 1), an album release party for Funeral was hosted in Miami and Birdman was photographed sitting beside Wayne. Photos from the event show Wayne looking just as happy aside his recently-revealed fiancee, La’Tecia Thomas. He confirmed his relationship with the Australian model on several songs on Funeral. 

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Gerardo Mora/Getty Images

Wayne doing press for Funeral has led to some shocking revelations about him, like the fact that he thought 21 Savage was a group for a period of time.