S. Samuel
Cash Money Records' Baby recently discussed his company's venture into book publishing and its first retail release, Raw Law.
Speaking to director Derick G, Baby opened up about his motivation for launching his Cash Money Content company with a book about understanding the criminal system.
“I just want to introduce y’all to CMC, our Cash Money Content, which is our book company,” Baby said in an interview. “The first book we put out, [came] out 2/15, which is called Raw Law and it really speaks to the realities of our legal system. I think this is a book you should read especially if you in and out [of jail]. One of my brother’s doing life. One of my partner’s fighting a life charge. One of my brothers just came home from doing 20 years. And that was one of my inspirations on this book. [It’s about] trying to help them get in and out, finding the right legal system to help them get in and out of jail.” (Derick G)
Last month, Raw Law author, lawyer Muhammad Ibn Bashir spoke to SOHH about why fans should support the book.
“This is also a book that is targeted for our community. When I say “our” community, I’m talking about the hip-hop community, the generations that nobody speaks to. I am hoping this will become an empowering book, a book that you can read and say, “I walked away and felt, I’m feeling it and I know what to do now.” It’s one of those kinds of things. It gives you an opportunity to read something, enjoy it and understand what you were feeling. Having seen hip-hop for what it really is, growing up with it, it is a cultural phenomenon. It could be great or it could be destructive. So once you see that and self-awareness of pride in the culture, you’ll want to move it forward. My idea was to put it on a pad, like Chuck D said, “When I get mad, I put it on a pad.” This is what the hip-hop community needs. Sometimes you need to stop, look in the mirror and check yourself out. That’s what I’m doing with the book.” (5 Reasons Why)
In October 2010, Baby revealed his interest in starting up Cash Money Content.
“We publishing books,” Baby revealed in an interview when asked about Cash Money’s latest business venture. “We bought Iceberg Slim‘s whole collection. I’m just trying to grow as a team with the publishing company — with the books and with the movies, that’s going to be our little different entity. We grab hold and try to be an enforcer. It’s all circle entwined with entertainment. I didn’t want to go too far outside the entertainment so I think the book is something that could go with the music. The publishing goes with the music, the merch goes with the music and the music goes with the music so we stay within our realm to me. But always trying to grow and expand to do different things. We’re just trying, bruh.” (Niteside Nite Cap)
Last week, Baby was named one of hip-hop’s most wealthiest artists.
When it comes to net worth, Jay-Z is number two. The top spot goes to Sean “Diddy” Combs, who tops our accounting of rap’s richest with a fortune of $475 million, fueled by his interests in Sean John clothing, Bad Boy Worldwide record label and, most significantly, his Diageo joint-venture vodka brand Ciroc. Jay-Z ranks a close second, with $450 million. Super producer/rapper Dr. Dre ranks third with $125 million, fueled by past earnings generated from his own career and by helping to launch those of Snoop Dogg and Eminem. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, a onetime Dr. Dre protege who reaped a nine-figure payday from the sale of Vitamin Water to Coca-Cola, rounds out the top five in a tie with Cash Money Records cofounder Bryan “Birdman” Williams at $100 million. (Forbes)
Check out Baby’s interview down below:
