# Young Money Entertainment

Young Money Entertainment is an American record label founded by rapper Lil Wayne in 2005. It was launched as an imprint of Cash Money Records — a joint venture colloquially branded as Young Money Cash Money Billionaires (abbreviated as YMCMB) — and Republic Records until 2018; it has since operated as an imprint of Republic. Wayne's longtime affiliate, rapper Mack Maine, was appointed the company's president in 2009.
The label has released 16 albums that topped the Billboard 200 chart: Tha Carter III, I Am Not a Human Being, Tha Carter IV, Tha Carter V, and Funeral by Lil Wayne; Thank Me Later, Take Care, Nothing Was the Same, If You're Reading This It's Too Late, What a Time to Be Alive (along with Epic Records artist Future), Views, More Life, and Scorpion by Drake; and Pink Friday and Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded by Nicki Minaj.
Since its formation, the label has signed and released projects for artists including Wayne himself, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tyga, DJ Khaled, Austin Mahone, Cory Gunz, Gudda Gudda, and Jae Millz, among others. The label is also the namesake of a supergroup that has released three studio albums — We Are Young Money (2009), Rich Gang (2013; with Cash Money Records), and Young Money: Rise of an Empire (2014).

## History

The label was formed in 2005. In 2007, In an interview with Vibe magazine, Lil Wayne detailed he stepped down as President of the label, and had given the position to Cortez Bryant. As of 2009, Mack Maine is serving as president. Canadian rapper Drake signed a joint venture between Cash Money Records and Young Money. President Mack Maine confirmed that Omarion was no longer on the label after many rumours were circulating the internet.
To promote the label's first collaboration album, We Are Young Money, Young Money artists embarked on the Young Money Tour. The collaborative album was released on December 21, 2009, and debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 142,000 copies in its first-week sales. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over a shipments of 500,000 copies in the United States.
We Are Young Money featured the highly successful single "BedRock", which debuted at thirty six on the Billboard Hot 100 on the week ending December 12, 2009. On the week ending March 13, 2010, the song reached a peak of two, making it the most successful single by the group on the chart. "BedRock" debuted in the UK Singles Chart on February 6, 2010, at forty. On March 6, 2010, the single climbed to twenty two, and the subsequent week the single climbed to eighteen, marking Young Money's first Top 20 hit in the UK. Peaking at number nine on April 3, 2010, making it Young Money's first Top 10 hit in the UK.
The label had three of the top 10 highest 2010 hip hop album sales with Drake's Thank Me Later, and Lil Wayne's Rebirth and I Am Not a Human Being.
On March 6, 2010, Lil Wayne confirmed that rapper Cory Gunz was the latest artist to sign. In 2011, Konvict Muzik artist T-Pain signed to the Young Money roster after he and Akon agreed to part ways after his last Konvict release RevolveR. Later that year, T-Pain revealed that he was close to signing a deal with Young Money, but it never concluded. In November 2011, Lil Wayne introduced 14-year-old singer Torion Sellers to Young Money.
On February 15, 2013, Mack Maine announced group We the Future and Lil Wayne's 14-year-old daughter Reginae Carter had signed to Young Money. In the same year, Young Money released Lil Wayne's I Am Not a Human Being II, Tyga's Hotel California and Drake's Nothing Was the Same on March 26, April 7, and September 24, respectively.
In December 2012 Mack Maine announced a second Young Money album would be released. In February 2013, label co-owner Birdman released a compilation mixtape with Cash Money and Young Money titled Rich Gang: All Stars. Shortly after, Birdman announced compilation album Rich Gang and its schedule for release to be on May 21, 2013. He added Rich Gang would feature members of Cash Money, Young Money and various Young Money collaborators. The first single from the project, "Tapout", was released on March 12, 2013, and featured Lil Wayne, Future, Mack Maine, and Nicki Minaj and produced by 808 Mafia's Southside and TM88. The album would then be pushed back to July 23, 2013.
On January 22, 2014, it was revealed that Young Money would be releasing their own compilation album on March 11, 2014, titled Young Money: Rise of an Empire. That same day, the first single "We Alright" featuring Lil Wayne, Birdman and Euro was released. Drake's Nothing Was the Same leftover "Trophies" would also be included on the album.
The album's second single, "Senile", was released February 14, 2014. It is by Tyga, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne and was produced by David D.A. Doman. "Trophies" and Minaj's "Lookin Ass" were met with more chart success than the first two singles.
After years of tensions with Birdman and Universal Music Group over unpaid advances and rights to his catalogue, Lil Wayne filed for lawsuit in 2015 initially for $51 million. In 2018, Lil Wayne and Universal settled, which detailed Lil Wayne would be compensated over $10 million from previously failed payments, and Young Money's ownership would be transferred from Cash Money to Universal directly. Additionally, Birdman's 49 percent ownership in Young Money would be transferred to Wayne, which took effect on September 13, 2018.
In June 2020, Lil Wayne, through the Young Money name, sold his master recordings in a settlement from Republic Records to its overhead company, Universal Music Group for $100 million. It was confirmed later in December that the settlement not only included his masters, but also the entire Young Money Entertainment catalog, including Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tyga, among other artists in their roster. As of December 2020, UMG reportedly owns all of Drake's pre-2018 album catalogue that has been released with the Young Money record label.

## Artists
### Current

| Act | Year signed | # Albums under label |
| Lil Wayne | Founder | 7 |
| Mack Maine | 2005 | — |
| Gudda Gudda | 2008 | — |
| Shanell | 2008 | 1 |
| Lil Twist | 2010 | 3 |
| Cory Gunz | 2010 | 1 |
| Reginae Carter | 2013 | — |
| Baby E | 2015 | 5 |
| Hoodybaby | 2015 | 1 |
| Jay Jones | 2017 | 1 |
| Vice Versa | 2018 | — |
| Drizzy P | 2022 | — |

### Former

* Austin Mahone
* Boo
* Chanel West Coast
* Currensy
* DJ Khaled
* Drake
* Glasses Malone
* Jae Millz
* Jay Sean
* Kevin Rudolf
* Kidd Kidd
* Lloyd
* Nicki Minaj
* Omarion
* PJ Morton
* Tyga

## In-house producers

* Detail
* The Olympicks

## Discography
### Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions and certifications :
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Certifications |
| Title | Album details | US | US R&B | US Rap | Certifications |
| We Are Young Money | Released: December 21, 2009 Label: Young Money, Cash Money, Republic Formats: CD, digital download | 9 | 3 | 1 | RIAA: Platinum |
| Rich Gang (with Cash Money Records) | Released: July 23, 2013 Label: Young Money, Cash Money, Republic Formats: CD, digital download | 9 | 2 | 2 | |
| Rise of an Empire | Released: March 11, 2014 Label: Young Money, Cash Money, Republic Formats: CD, digital download | 7 | 4 | 2 | |

### Mixtapes

List of compilation albums, with selected details :
| Title | Album details |
| Young Money: The Mixtape Vol. 1 | Released: 2005 Label: Young Money, Cash Money Format: CD, Digital download |

### Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions :
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Year | Title | US | US R&B | US Rap | CAN | IRE | NZ | UK | Certifications | Album |
| 2009 | "Every Girl" | 10 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | RIAA: Gold | We Are Young Money |
| 2009 | "BedRock" (featuring Lloyd) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 17 | 21 | 9 | RIAA: 7× Platinum BPI: Platinum | We Are Young Money |
| 2010 | "Roger That" | 56 | 15 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | We Are Young Money |
| 2013 | "Tapout" (featuring Future) | 45 | 10 | 8 | — | — | — | — | RIAA: Gold | Rich Gang |
| 2014 | "We Alright" | — | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Young Money: Rise of an Empire |
| 2014 | "Trophies" | 50 | 13 | 5 | — | — | — | — | BPI: Silver | Young Money: Rise of an Empire |
| 2014 | "Lookin Ass" | 104 | 28 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | Young Money: Rise of an Empire |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification. |||||||||||

### Other charted songs

| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Year | Title | US | US R&B | US Rap | Certifications | Album |
| 2009 | "Pass the Dutch" (featuring Short Dawg) | — | 119 | — | | We Are Young Money |
| 2009 | "Steady Mobbin'" (featuring Gucci Mane) | 48 | 17 | 6 | RIAA: 2× Platinum | We Are Young Money |
| 2009 | "Gooder" | 109 | — | — | | We Are Young Money |
| 2014 | "Senile" | — | 50 | — | | Young Money: Rise of an Empire |
| 2014 | "Moment" | — | 57 | — | | Young Money: Rise of an Empire |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. |||||||

## Full discography

Albums released on Young Money Entertainment label :
| Artist | Album details | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Sales |
| Artist | Album details | US | US R&B | US Rap | AUS | CAN | GER | IRE | NZ | SWI | UK | Certifications | Sales |
| Lil Wayne | Title: Tha Carter III Released: June 10, 2008 Singles: "Lollipop", "A Milli", "Got Money", "Mrs. Officer" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 47 | 1 | 29 | 34 | — | — | 23 | RIAA: 8× Platinum BPI: Gold MC: 2× Platinum | |
| Drake | Title: So Far Gone – EP Released: September 15, 2009 Singles: "Best I Ever Had", "Successful" | 6 | 3 | 2 | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | RIAA: Gold | |
| Young Money | Title: We Are Young Money Released: December 21, 2009 Singles: "Every Girl", "BedRock", "Roger That" | 9 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | RIAA: Platinum | |
| Lil Wayne | Title: Rebirth Released: February 2, 2010 Singles: "Prom Queen", "On Fire", "Drop the World" | 2 | 1 | 1 | 51 | 5 | — | — | 33 | 15 | 24 | RIAA: Gold | US: 775,000 |
| Drake | Title: Thank Me Later Released: June 15, 2010 Singles: "Over", "Find Your Love", "Miss Me", "Fancy" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 81 | 1 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 69 | 15 | RIAA: 3× Platinum BPI: Platinum | US: 1,551,000 |
| Lil Wayne | Title: I Am Not a Human Being Released: September 27, 2010 Singles: "Right Above It" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 60 | 16 | — | — | — | 46 | 56 | RIAA: Platinum | |
| Nicki Minaj | Title: Pink Friday Released: November 19, 2010 Singles: "Your Love", "Right Thru Me", "Roman's Revenge", "Did It On'em", "Moment 4 Life", "Super Bass", "Girls Fall Like Dominoes", "Fly" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 8 | — | 17 | 15 | — | 16 | RIAA: 3× Platinum ARIA: Platinum BPI: Platinum | |
| Lil Wayne | Title: Tha Carter IV Released: August 29, 2011 Singles: "6 Foot 7 Foot", "John", "How to Love", "She Will", "Mirror" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 13 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 8 | RIAA: 5× Platinum BPI: Gold | |
| Drake | Title: Take Care Released: November 15, 2011 Singles: "Marvins Room", "Headlines", "Make Me Proud", "The Motto", "Take Care", "HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)", "Crew Love" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 42 | 30 | 19 | 45 | 5 | RIAA: 6× Platinum BPI: 2× Platinum | US: 2,000,000 |
| Tyga | Title: Careless World: Rise of the Last King Released: February 21, 2012 Singles: "Far Away", "Still Got It", "Rack City", "Faded", "Make It Nasty" | 4 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 56 | RIAA: Platinum | US: 307,000 |
| Nicki Minaj | Title: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Released: April 3, 2012 Singles: "Starships", "Right by My Side", "Beez in the Trap", "Pound The Alarm", "Va Va Voom" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 49 | 2 | 3 | 29 | 1 | RIAA: 2× Platinum ARIA: Gold BPI: Platinum IRMA: Platinum | US: 915,000 |
| Lil Wayne | Title: I Am Not a Human Being II Released: March 26, 2013 Singles: "My Homies Still", "No Worries", "Love Me", "Rich As Fuck" | 2 | 2 | 1 | 43 | 5 | 70 | 85 | — | 35 | 29 | RIAA: 2× Platinum MC: Gold | US: 529,000 |
| Tyga | Title: Hotel California Released: April 9, 2013 Singles: "Dope", "For the Road", "Show You" | 7 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 5 | — | 42 | 8 | — | 11 | RIAA: Gold | US: 84,000 |
| PJ Morton | Title: New Orleans Released: May 14, 2013 Singles: "Only One" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | |
| Rich Gang | Title: Rich Gang Released: July 23, 2013 Singles: "Tapout", "We Been On" | 9 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | |
| Drake | Title: Nothing Was the Same Released: September 24, 2013 Singles: "Started from the Bottom", "Hold On, We're Going Home", "All Me", "Pound Cake", "The Language", "Too Much", "Worst Behavior" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 2 | RIAA: 4× Platinum BPI: Platinum MC: 3× Platinum | US: 1,029,000 UK: 100,000 |
| Young Money | Title: Young Money: Rise of an Empire Released: March 11, 2014 Singles: "We Alright", "Trophies", "Lookin Ass" | 7 | 4 | 2 | — | 24 | — | — | — | — | 148 | | |
| Nicki Minaj | Title: The Pinkprint Released: December 15, 2014 Singles: "Pills n Potions", "Anaconda", "Only", "Bed of Lies", "Feeling Myself" | 2 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 6 | 70 | 31 | 25 | — | 22 | RIAA: 2× Platinum BPI: Platinum GLF: Gold | |
| Drake | Title: If You're Reading This It's Too Late Released: February 13, 2015 Singles: "Preach", "Energy" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 89 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 3 | RIAA: 3× Platinum BPI: Platinum MC: 2× Platinum | CAN: 89,000 US: 1,071,000 |
| Chris Brown x Tyga | Title: Fan of a Fan: The Album Released: February 24, 2015 Singles: "Ayo", "Bitches N Marijuana" | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 31 | 9 | 6 | 7 | BPI: Gold | |
| Drake x Future | Title: What a Time to Be Alive Released: September 20, 2015 Singles: "Jumpman", "Big Rings" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | 30 | 8 | — | 6 | RIAA: 2× Platinum BPI: Gold MC: Platinum | |
| Drake | Title: Views Released: April 29, 2016 Singles: "Hotline Bling", "One Dance", "Pop Style" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | RIAA: 6× Platinum ARIA: Gold BPI: 2× Platinum BVMI: Gold MC: 6× Platinum | |
| Lil Wayne | Title: Dedication 6 Released: December 25, 2017 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | |
| Lil Wayne | Title: Dedication 6: Reloaded Released: December 29, 2017 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | |
| Drake | Title: Scary Hours – EP Released: January 19, 2018 Singles: "Diplomatic Immunity" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | |
| Drake | Title: Scorpion Released: June 29, 2018 Singles: "God's Plan", "Nice for What", "I'm Upset", "Don't Matter to Me", "In My Feelings", "Nonstop" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | RIAA: 5× Platinum ARIA: 2× Platinum BPI: 2× Platinum MC: 2× Platinum RMNZ: Platinum | US: 233,000 |
| Nicki Minaj | Title: Queen Released: August 10, 2018 Singles: "Chun-Li", "Bed", "Barbie Dreams" | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | RIAA: Platinum BPI: Gold | |
| Lil Wayne | Title: Tha Carter V Released: September 28, 2018 Singles: "Uproar" | 1 | 6 | 6 | — | 24 | — | — | — | — | 99 | RIAA: 2× Platinum | |
| Lil Wayne | Title: Funeral Released: January 31, 2020 Singles: "I Do It", "Shimmy" | 1 | 1 | — | 68 | 5 | — | 73 | — | 29 | 61 | | |