Birdman has made a bold claim regarding the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop stating that CEOs are the reason the culture is celebrating half a century of existence.
The Cash Money Records co-founder took to Instagram on Tuesday (February 28) to share his thoughts on Hip Hop 50. According to Birdman, he doesn’t understand why all the talk about the 50th anniversary is revolved mainly around the “legendary artists” who changed the game.
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In his mind, the music executives should be celebrated just as much since they played just as important a role as the artists they helped put on.
“Im confused about 50yrs of Hip Hop where they salute legendary artists which is well respeked also I think CEOs who kept these artists alive to be great showed them how to keep hip hop alive should be saluted in a major way,” Birdman wrote. “I remember wen they said Hip Hop was dead and we Kept it alive YMCMB 20plus summers respek our hussle CEO s kept hip hop alive frfr @cashmoneyofficial #RICHGANG #STUNNAMAN.”
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Snoop Dogg wrote in the comment section: “Facts. great work cuz u and slim did that.”
Quality Control co-founder Pierre “P” Thomas added: “Real talk OG. This should be discussed in a major way. Let’s Go.”
Several legendary Hip Hop CEOs have contributed to the culture. Executives such as Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons, Murder Inc.’s Irv Gotti, Ruff Ryders founders the Dean brothers and so much more have all given the culture legendary artists that left their own legacy in the genre.
Birdman founded one of the most iconic Hip Hop labels in Cash Money Records. The imprint is considered one of the most successful record labels of the 2000s, with a combined 12 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart and 8 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Birdman’s comments arrive weeks after Billboard and VIBE published a “50 Greatest Rappers of All-Time List” that caused quite the chatter on social media. Rappers such as Bow Wow and Ja Rule were upset they were left off the list, while others voiced their displeasure with it overall.
Ice Cube claimed the panel that made the selections didn’t know about the culture even though he was included at No. 18 on the list.
“Who?” Cube asked rhetorically when the reporter mentioned Billboard’s list. “I don’t fuck with Billboard or the editor. Billboard ain’t Hip Hop so their opinion don’t matter. So who gives a fuck?”
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Cube added that his Mount Westmore contemporary Too $hort not being included on the list was definitely an undeserved snub.
“It’s an irrelevant list,” he continued. “It’s like assholes: everybody got one and they all stink.”
