S. Samuel
Young Money leader Lil Wayne recently opened up about signing Drake and Nicki Minaj to his ever-growing record company and the rapid growth of each artists' buzz.
Speaking on Drake, Weezy said he told media early on about the rapper/singer’s unseen talents.
“The first thing I said was this kid’s a superstar,” Weezy told MTV News about his introduction to Drizzy. “I don’t think you can remember, but I did some interviews back then when they were asking me about him and I said he’s better than me. I can’t sing. I can make a song, but this kid has the actual R&B presence. Then he’s one of the dopest lyricists. That right there, he has a welcoming appearance. I knew he was something bigger than [what] I had envisioned for my company when I ran into this kid. I was thinking I’m going to put my people on and we’re going to be all right, but then when I ran into this kid, I was like, this a superstar, he’s got a chance to make my company something for real, something to be thought of, to be remembered.” (MTV)
Wayne also discussed how Minaj’s show-and-prove mentality made her into a star.
“I can’t front, I just thought she was going to be the new female MC that none of these other female MCs can touch,” Wayne said about Nicki. “But now, she’s blossomed into a megastar with this new attitude and this style. Now when I talk to her, I just tell her, ‘Do what you do, baby.’ I used to be able to go into the studio and say, ‘Nah, don’t say that, don’t say that.’ You know, ‘That was better.’ Now, do what you do, baby. I don’t have a clue about what you’re doing right now, but it’s working, do it.” (MTV)
In late June 2009, Drake officially inked a deal with Young Money.
The long-anticipated wait is over as Drake has signed a record deal which places him under the wings of Young Money, Cash Money, Universal and Republic. While an official statement has yet to emerge, the rapper’s long trek of signing speculation has come to an end. (SOHH)
Two months later, Minaj also joined forces with Wayne’s label.
The battle among labels to sign Minaj heightened this summer and finalized with Minaj signing an exceptional and very unique deal with Young Money/Universal, where she retains and owns all of her 360 rights, including merchandising, sponsorships, endorsements, touring and publishing. Lil Wayne asserts, ‘I am honored to have Nicki Minaj as Young Money’s First Lady. She is a star.’ Minaj’s debut album is anticipated to be released in early 2010 and will be distributed through Universal Motown. (Press Release)
Check out a recent Drake interview below:
