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Cash Money Records founders Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams were surrounded by their revered artists, family and friends as they were honored for their 30+ years of service in the music industry.
On Thursday night, June 27, Birdman and Slim attended YouTube's Leaders and Legends Gala at Nya Studios in Los Angeles. The New Orleans natives were presented with the Leaders and Legends Award by New Orleans City Councilmember Helena Moreno and YouTube's Lyor Cohen while OG Cash Money artists Lil Wayne, Juvenile, Turk, and Mannie Fresh were in the crowd. Rappers like LL COOL J, Yo Gotti, 2 Chainz, NLE Choppa, and others were also in the building to support.
“I made the studio our streets,” Birdman during his acceptance speech. “We was southern n***as. When n***as was saying Hip-Hop was dead, we felt like it was our time to take over. We were bringing it back to life.”
"All I thought about was saving four lives, and we ended up saving thousands of muthaf**kin' lives," he continued. "I give my gratitude to my brother. YMCMB forever. Cash Money for life. Rich gang till the death of me.”
“Y’all know I don’t do all that talking," Slim began his rare speech. “My brother, we had to go through a lot of stuff to get to this point...To grow up, me and my brother, someone told us ‘you ain’t gon' never be s**t’…you gotta do better than that to break me…I will never let no one discourage me and tell me what I can’t be.. Ain’t nobody else alive gon’ do what we done.”
Baby and Slim were honored amid Cash Money Records' 30th anniversary festivities. After they were presented with the key to the city of New Orleans earlier this year, the music executives announced the plans to reunite artists from the iconic label during a massive headlining performance at Essence Fest next month.
Like Birdman said, it's Cash Money for life! Check out more moments from YouTube's Leaders and Legends Gala below.