Baby (rapper)
| Birdman | |
|---|---|
Birdman performing at Hot 97's Summer Jam 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Bryan Williams |
| Also known as |
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| Born |
February 15, 1969 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | |
| Website | stunnalife |
Bryan Williams (born February 15, 1969), known by his stage names Birdman or Baby, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and public face of Cash Money Records which he founded with his older brother Ronald "Slim" Williams in 1991 and expanded the brand. He is also one half of the hip hop duo The Big Tymers with producer Mannie Fresh.
Along with his releases with Big Tymers and for his solo career, Birdman has released a collaboration album and numerous tracks with rapper Lil Wayne whom he took under his wing at an early age. Birdman has also made his name by contributing to the making of YMCMB (Young Money Cash Money Billionaires), a portmanteau of the former's "Cash Money" and Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment imprint under the label.
Williams was born February 15, 1969 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His mother "Ms. Gladys", died when he was two years old. His father, a Vietnam veteran and pimp, also died when he was five. Birdman stated that he was in a boys home and was later homeless. He spent his formative years growing up in the notorious crime-ridden Magnolia Projects in the 3rd Ward of New Orleans. While living in the Magnolia, he began committing robberies and selling Heroin "dope bags" for money. He was later arrested at the age of 16. He was arrested again for Drug possession and was sentenced to 3 to 5 years in Elayn Hunt Correctional Center. He served 22 months before he was acquitted of all charges.
In 1997 to 2002, he joined producer and DJ Mannie Fresh to form the duo Big Tymers. Big Tymers debuted in 1998 with the album How Ya Luv That? and went on to release I Got That Work in 2000 and Hood Rich in 2002, respectively. I Got That Work had the singles "Get Your Roll On" and "#1 Stunna". Although the singles failed to debut on The Billboard Hot 100 music chart, I Got That Work was certified Platinum by the RIAA for selling over 1 million copies in the United States. Hood Rich had "Still Fly", which was nominated for a Grammy, and "Oh Yeah!" Hood Rich was also certified Platinum in the US. Big Money Heavyweight followed in 2003. "Big Money Heavyweight was certified Gold in the US. In 2005, Mannie Fresh left the group & resigned from Ca$h Money. After his group Big Tymers broke up he changed his name from "Baby" to "Birdman".
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