Should Birdman take over at Def Jam?

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Coming out of his hiatus, Irv Gotti discussed a series of topics with MTV's RapFix. Among the things Irv Gotti talked about was Def Jam. The label was seen as the mecca of hip hop, but things have not been the same over the past few years. Gotti said hip hop without Def Jam is a problem.

During his interview, Irv Gotti said he was discussing this issue with Jimmy Iovine, the head of Interscope Records. When he was talking with Jimmy Iovine, he told him the new label in hip hop is Cash Money. Irv Gotti pointed out how there is no denying Cash Money, but it is no Def Jam.

Throughout the course of hip hop, there have been several other labels. Bad Boy Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, and Irv's own label, Murder Inc., have been met with success. Despite their success, Irv Gotti said there will never be another Def Jam. Even though hip hop is still successful, Irv Gotti said Def Jam has to be the focal point of hip hop.

Def Jam has been very successful over the years and has continued to dominate with the ever-popular artists on their label, Kanye West, Ace Hood, and Rick Ross, among others. While Def Jam is dominating, it is not the way it used to be. Cash Money Records, on the other hand, has had a legacy, which has rich history in its own right. Before he decided to rap, Birdman was simply known as one half of the CEOs of Cash Money, back when the label was still on the local level in New Orleans.

Cash Money Records has experienced all types of success and has a nice deal with Universal Records, which has allowed sub-labels, such as Young Money, to emerge. Def Jam had a similar deal, during its early days, with Columbia Records. However, Def Jam was purchased by MCA, which eventually morphed into the Universal Music Group. Currently, Cash Money Records is riding its third wave of success, with the first being on the local level, the second being the Hot Boyz, run and then there is now.

Birdman and Slim are obviously doing the right things to make Cash Money successful. Irv Gotti said the first thing Def Jam needs is a real CEO who cares. While he wants the job, he is willing for anyone, who is able, and who cares, to take the job. Irv Gotti is even ready to see his rival, Chris Lighty, take over the label if he wants to. Of course, Birdman is under contract with Universal Records for several years. But, if things were different, could Birdman be the person to right the ship at Def Jam?

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Lil Wayne sets World Record for most songs on the Billboard Hot 100

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In the span of five years, Lil Wayne has done the impossible several times over. Had anyone, in 2006, said Lil Wayne could sell one million records in a week, no one would have believed it and now it is expected of him. Lil Wayne set another world record this week.

For the second time, within a year, Lil Wayne has been placed in the Guiness Book of World Records. Lil Wayne was initially placed in the book for having the most "likes" on Facebook. His second feat is just as impressive, as he one-ups Jay-Z for yet another time.

Lil Wayne has had the most songs on the Billboard Hot 100, with a total of 82. Back in 2000, he first landed on the charts, through his "Shine" single, with The Hot Boyz. Since that time, Wayne has been on the top of the charts twice and has been in the top ten several times over.

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J. Prince confident in Cash Money reunion

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

For years, fans have been wanting The Hot Boyz to reunite, as each member has gone in a different direction. During their peak, Juvenile was the most popular rapper in the crew. B.G. also had strong buzz, but Lil Wayne was nothing more than the sidekick of the crew. Even Turk had more buzz.

Juvenile has been in the game for years and he has gone through several record labels. He started his career with Cash Money Records, but left after a contract dispute. In recent years, Juvenile has been signed to Koch and Atlantic Records and is now with Rap-A-Lot Records.

J. Prince, the head of Rap-A-Lot, is confident he will be able to reunite the Hot Boyz. Now, he has plans of reuniting the entire crew. Juvenile said he was ready to do a reunion album, but Lil Wayne's prison sentence stopped things from happening. J. Prince has plans of talking with Birdman to see if Rap-A-Lot Records and Cash Money Records can unite to become one crew.

While Juvenile's album does not have a title yet, J. Prince is convinced it will be a classic. He wants the entire Cash Money crew to be featured on the album. Prince feels they were family once and they can be family again. Because he, Birdman, and Slim are all businessmen, J. Prince thinks they can work something out to have the entire crew on the next Juvenile album.

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Juvenile returns to Rap-A-Lot Records, possible Hot Boyz single

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In 2003, Juvenile returned to Cash Money Records, but he also established his UTP Records' label and the group. For their project, he set up a business deal with Rap-A-Lot Records. The group released their first and only album, The Beginning of the End, through Rap-A-Lot.

Soon, Juvenile cut ties with both Cash Money and Rap-A-Lot to focus on his own career. Soon, he had established a distribution deal with Koch Records. After spending a few years with Koch, the UTP label was relocated to Atlantic Records. Juvenile released three albums under Atlantic.

Juvenile is following up 2009's Cocky & Confident with a new album on Rap-A-Lot Records. J. Prince, the head of the label, has reached out to Lil Wayne and B.G. He wants the former members of the Hot Boyz to team up with Juvenile for his lead single. In 2009, the three rappers teamed up for a song on B.G.'s Too Hood 2 B Hollywood.

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The Hot Boyz - "I Need a Hot Girl"

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The Hot Boyz - "We on Fire"

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