With Lil Wayne, Drake and Nicki Minaj sitting atop rap as three of the top selling artists in Hip-Hop, Cash Money/ Young Money Records is arguably the leading Hip-Hop label in rap music today.

But the house that Brian "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams built didn't climb this mountain overnight.

It has been a long hard road for YMCMB to take it's place as a dominant rap label in the game.

Over the years, some artists have come, some artists have gone, but they all have a place in the Cash Money/Young Money legacy.

Today, we're taking a look back at Cash Money's run, as we remember the lost ones of YMCMB.

Hit the next pages to view The Forgotten Artists Of YMCMB.

One of the original members of The Hot Boys, Young Turk is securing plans to start his own label once he is released from his 10-year prison sentence. The former Cash Money artist and partner of Lil Wayne, B.G and Juvenile was convicted of shooting a Memphis S.W.A.T. officer during a raid of an apartment in 2004.

YNT is the name of the label that Turk is planning to start once he comes home. He and Lil Wayne have remained close and the label could actually be a Young Money imprint.

Reps for Turk have reported that the New Orleans rapper should be out of prison sooner than expected.

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It looks like Lil Wayne's former rhyme partner and fellow Hot Boy$ member Turk will finally be coming home in the next few months if not sooner.

While not disclosing his official release date, Turk checked in with DJ Smallz and discussed everything  from his first meal once he is released, to a Hot Boy reunion, including a tour and new album.

Turk has been locked up for 7 1/2 years now (Damn has it been that long).

In 2006,  he was sentenced to 12 years in prison after entering a "best interest" plea for his role in the 2004 shooting of a S.W.A.T. team deputy.

Turk was accused of firing shots from a bedroom closet during a drug raid. The shots fired from inside the closet hit S.W.A.T. team member Chris Harris four times.

Turk also seems to have not lost a beat on the mic  as he spits new fire over Wayne's "6'7" beat.

Peep Turk speaking and his freestyle below:

Turk -  "6'7 Freestyle"

For the interview in its entirety, tune in to SouthernSmokeRadio.com Sunday 4-6pm EST.

Juvenile, who is set to perform with Wacko and Skip, states that the Southern Hip-Hop Honors is great in theory, but they overlook a lot of people who were influential in helping the whole southern movement explode on the mainstream.

“At first I was cool with it,” Juvenile said. “But when I realized that Cash Money wasn't being honored, it really threw me off. How can you honor the South without Cash Money? I mean, we really blew the South up, if it wasn't for Cash Money, Luke, J. Prince, Scarface and everyone else that laid the foundation there would be no South.”

When asked about his performance, Juve states that it was to pay tribute to Rap-A-Lot who signed the UTP trio.

“Nolia Clap was released through Rap-A-Lot, so it was only right that we went up there to perform to pay tribute to [J] Prince.”

Overall, Juvenile states that he is not surprised with how VH1's Hip-Hop Honors turned out as according to Juvenile it was created by “people who don't understand” the music.

“I came to the conclusion that I am not mad at VH1, they don't play my records or the records of the artists they are honoring, so what do people expect.”

The 7^th Annual Hip-Hop Honors has garnered a lot of controversy surrounding the selected artists paid tribute to and the overall selection process that VH1 used to come to their decision.

Many in Southern Hip-Hop feel it's a way to overlook the contributions that the south has made to Hip-Hop, but VH1 states otherwise.

"2010 VH1 Hip-Hop Honors: The Dirty South" is the first time that the show has honored a particular geographic region for its Hip-Hop celebration," said Lee Rolontz, Executive Vice President, Original Music Production and Development, VH1 .

“The Southern style of music and its artists, have been significant on the NYC-born genre and helped to expand its appeal worldwide.  In order to continue our efforts to honor the best in Hip-Hop, it is so important that we recognize the South and the tremendous impact that it has had on Hip-Hop music.

The southern experience is one that is unique to America and while filled with its own testimony of trials and triumphs, Hip-Hop has served as a universal medium where the journey is shared.  Some of the most popular current Hip-Hop artists are from The South.

Our honorees opened the door for the southern story to be told, and it is one that continues to resonate with all people all over the world."

Previous Hip-Hop Honored luminaries who were credited for breaking new ground and propelling Hip-Hop into the true cultural phenomenon that it has become have included Def Jam Records, NWA, Ice-T, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Wu-Tang Clan, The Beastie Boys and Africa Babattaaa.

VH1 Hip-Hop Honors will air tonight (June 7) at 9p.  This year's honorees will be The 2 Live Crew, J. Prince, Jermaine Dupri, Luther “Luke” Campbell, Master P, Organized Noize and Timbaland.

Jermaine Dupri & Diddy Rocking "Welcome To Atlanta" Remix

Juvenile, who dropped his first album 15 years ago, continues to stay relevant after so many years and hopes to reach #1 on the billboard charts since his last number 1 album “Reality Check.”

Juvenile gave a brief statement on the concept and what we can look forward to with the album,
“The main reason for putting out this record in the summer is that it's a summer album.  I made this album for my fans, especially for my female fans out there.”

“Beast Mode” is the follow up to Juvenile's last album, “Cocky and Confident” which was released last year on UTP/Atlantic/E1 Music. 

The new album will still be released on UTP/E1 music, and will kick off with the first single “Drop That Azz.”  You can peep the single below, and make sure to stay with Hip-Hop Wired for all the latest info on Juvenile and his new project.



Ronald Smith, the rappers brother, was found by police after a pedestrian noticed a body that had been shot several times, lying on the ground behind a Daiquiri shop.

Turk who has been incarcerated for 6 years stated that he is very hurt and saddened by the loss of his little brother and best friend, but even more so that he is unable to help his mother during this time of tragedy:

“My little brother and I were as close as brothers can be and it hurts me to lose him at such a young age, but as a man I must be strong. I have been in jail now for over 6 years and there's not much I can do.  My mother is mourning over the loss of her youngest child and over the fact that there is no insurance or funds to arrange the proper burial.”

It has been reported that authorities have a suspect in custody, 19 year old Travis Dennis, who has already admitted to the shooting.

In addition to support from family, Turk recently sent out a message to the media asking fans for financial help after his tragic family loss.

“I am asking for you to get the word out and to also help financially in any way you can” Turk pleads.   “Any donations can be sent to me at the Shelby County Jail by Western Union and for those who know me personally funds can be given directly to my mother Ms. Pamela Smith.”

Fans wishing to help contribute to the services can do so via Western Union:

Western Union Blue Quick Collect Form
Pay to: SSC
Code City: Cobra Cash, FL
Account# 2M8115125virgil

Wetsern Union can also be done over the phone at 1-800-325-6000.

Turk is currently serving a twelve year sentence for an array of charges after shooting a Tennessee police officer in 2004. Turk was later convicted in 2005 on Federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a fugitive from justice in possession of a firearm, and an unlawful user addicted to a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.

If you would like to write to or send letters of condolence to Turk, use the address below:

Tab Virgil #8115125
201 Poplar 1A/12
Memphis, TN 38103

This is definitely a sad case, but the question on everyone's mind is where is Birdman?  

With his protégé' Turk incarcerated and Lil' Wayne on his way in, the Cash Money Millionaire should be on the lookout for their families. As of press time there was no word on whether Birdman would be contributing to the aid of Turk's family, but only time will tell.

HipHopWired.com will continue to give you more information as the story develops, be sure to follow us on Twitter @hiphopwired for the latest updates.

Rapper B.G. was barely able to escape as he was arrested last Tuesday following a traffic stop when authorities found three weapons in the vehicle and two were reported as being stolen.  He was booked into the Orleans Parish Prison on a charge of illegally carrying a weapon.

Appearing in magistrate court last Thursday, B.G. was able to post bond and ducked the cell, but no further information has been released in regards to another court appearance.

Speaking with HipHopWired, the rapper weighed in on the gun situation and maintains the fact that he was unaware of their presence.

“As far as I know they could've been in there when I was in there, I have no knowledge. I plead the 5^th on this one.”

The rapper also shed some light on his feelings towards Wayne, whom he said he hasn't spoken with since his sentence was announced.

“Fawk man, he in a Fawked up situation, hopefully they give him some house arrest or something.”

In regards to the Hot Boys reunion, B.G. stated that there will probably be a hold on it due to the circumstances, but the record is all rapped up.

Birdman stated the album might be ready for summer 2010.

A parole violation resulted in Boosie's sentence being lengthened.  B.G. talks about the upcoming mixtape that the two crafted and adds that a person just has to look at the time in front of him/her and just deal with it.

“With Boosie, we just did a mix tape together. I'm about to put this Boosie and B.G. mix tape out in probably a couple of weeks. I've done mine, my time, I done mine. You can't wine about it, you got to do it. You can't feel like you're above the law, they're trying to make examples out of us.”

Louisiana rappers have been hit hard as it relates to the legal system.  Adding himself to the fray as it regards to doing time, C-Murder is dealing with a potential life sentence and Turk is still doing his time.

The rapper also gave an update on Turk who was convicted in 2006 for attempted murder of a Tennessee police officer that he shot back in 2004.

“He should be going to the halfway house soon...They tell me he getting hit with civil law suits but I think he's going to be alright.”

With trouble continuing to follow rappers, B.G. must continue to look forward with the release of Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood, dropping December 8.

“I got two singles out right now.  One featuring Pleasure P called “Hands On You” and it's already at cross over radio and we got “Gotta Get It.”  It was produced by Precise who used to do Mystikal's music in the beginning.  That single is also out everywhere and we getting ready shoot a video for that.  I got a helluva project and you definitely gonna get the title out of it.  It's just that…Cocky & Confident. It's an up-tempo album that wakes you up.  It's not dark at all.  It's one sample on the album just to show you the range of the music.  Mouse that does beats for Boosie and Webbie also produced some stuff and it's one of my best projects.  I'm still UTP / Atlantic even though E1 is handling all the marketing, radio, promotions and everything like that.”

Since his last album Reality Check, Juve has also been through a transition and has moved back to New Orleans from Atlanta since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.  Giving the run down on his city, Juvenile also discussed the economic hardships of the ghettos of New Orleans, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and how gentrification is running rapid after millions were displaced.

“I still live in New Orleans.  I lived in Atlanta for a couple of years but I moved back after I built my house back.  So it's all good, I'm at home.  Man, in New Orleans right now, we still in the rebuilding stage.  We having our same financial difficulties like everybody else but I don't think we have it as worse as everybody else.  Our tourism is up, Canal and Bourbon Street is fixed back up.  New Orleans is pretty much doing alright.  The only problem we're having is we got high crime and that's because the cats from the minority side.  We haven't seen anything yet.  It's crazy when you get to that part.

If you g go through the ghettos of New Orleans and you ride around, you'll see stuff being rebuilt.  You'll see houses but the problem is who's moving in them.  The people who actually lived in those areas are not getting the opportunity to move back in them.  So that's why I say it's still messed up in a sense.  Not by the naked eye it probably won't look like that but it is still messed up.

I don't have an opinion on Ray Nagin.  I get asked this question a lot and it doesn't bother me to be asked this question but I really don't have an opinion on Ray Nagin because I don't know him.  And I really don't see what he did that was so big or dramatic or great for the city.  So I don't have no opinion.  I don't have nothing bad to say about him but I don't have anything good to say about him either."

Cash Money's breakthrough artist also spoke to Hip-Hop Wired about the highly anticipated reunion.

“It's definitely gonna be a Hot Boy$ reunion.  I be talking to Baby like everyday.  That's all I can tell you, the ball is in their hands right now.  We definitely been in the studio but the songs we recorded earlier got leaked but people know we definitely been in the studio.  But we waiting for Wayne to finish all the trips (tours) he doing and then we all gone fly back down to Miami and then we gone really get down on it.

Working with Cash Money again, it's cool.  I mean it don't hurt.  When you think about it and look at your past, we had a dynasty.  So it won't hurt me reaching back at all.  It's all pluses for me.  As far as Mannie Fresh being involved in the project, that's something he gotta take up with Baby and them because that would be over my head right there.  That part there but I definitely feel and want Mannie to be involved in it.  If you asking me, yeah."

While B.G., Wayne and Juve are all on board for the union, it's still up in the air if the fourth-man of the team Turk will be involved in the reunion.  Locked up since 2004 for the attempted murder of a Memphis police officer, Turk's case has gone through a number of appeals and he has been scheduled to be released several times but has yet to see freedom. Juve also added,

“I spoke to Turk months back and he told me he was getting out of jail.  Then I heard he signed with J. Prince (Rap-A-Lot) so I really don't know what Turk's situation is.  I even put money up in the past to get him out and they still ain't let him out so I don't know what's going on with that.  But what I can tell you is I wanna see him on the street.  He's a good dude and I know he ain't shoot no cop.  He should have been out two years ago.  So I don't know what's going on with Turk.  If he's getting into more trouble while he up in there or if they threw another charge on him?  If they holding him because it involved the police?  You gotta think about it.  It's in Memphis and it's the police.  It's a touchy subject man.”

Stay tuned to Hip-Hop Wired for our upcoming feature with the original Solja Boy.  Cocky & Confident will be released on November 17^th.