Cash Money Records. The name alone conjures images of iced-out grills, lavish music videos, and a distinct New Orleans sound that permeated the late 90s and early 2000s. But when did this empire, built by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams, truly 'take over'?
While Cash Money was bubbling in the mid-90s with artists like B.G. and Juvenile, the shift occurred around **1998-1999**. This period marked the label's major distribution deal with Universal Records, giving them unprecedented reach. Albums like Juvenile's "400 Degreez" (1998) and Hot Boys' "Get It How U Live!" (1997) exploded, topping charts and defining the sound of a generation.
By the early 2000s, with Lil Wayne's solo career taking off and collaborations dominating the airwaves, Cash Money cemented its place as a dominant force. The 'takeover' wasn't an overnight success, but a gradual build culminating in a cultural and commercial peak that reshaped hip-hop forever. So, next time you hear that classic Cash Money beat, remember the years of hard work that propelled them to the top.
