Birdman Net Worth

What is Birdman's net worth?

Birdman is an American rapper, record executive, CEO, and entrepreneur who has a net worth of $150 million. Not to be confused with the NBA player Christopher "Birdman" Anderson, this Birdman earned fortune and fame as the CEO and founder of Cash Money Records. He co-founded the label with his brother Ronald "Slim" Williams in 1991.

Bryan "Birdman" Williams rose to prominence in the late 1990s as co-founder of Cash Money Records alongside his brother Ronald "Slim" Williams. The New Orleans-based label became a powerhouse in hip-hop after signing a $30 million distribution deal with Universal in 1998.

As a rapper, Birdman first gained attention in the duo Big Tymers with producer Mannie Fresh, releasing albums like "How Ya Luv That" (1998) and "Hood Rich" (2002), which included hits such as "Still Fly."

Birdman's solo career included albums like "Birdman" (2002) and "Fast Money" (2005). His biggest commercial success came through his 2006 collaboration with Lil Wayne, "Like Father, Like Son," featuring the hit "Stuntin' Like My Daddy."

As a music executive, Birdman's most significant achievement was discovering and developing Lil Wayne, who became one of hip-hop's biggest stars. Through Cash Money, he also helped launch the careers of artists like Juvenile, Drake, and Nicki Minaj.

Early Life

Bryan Christopher Brooks was born on February 15, 1969, in New Orleans. His parents, Johnnie Williams and Gladys Brooks, took nearly a month to name him, and because Johnnie did not sign the birth certificate, Bryan initially used his mother's last name. He grew up with siblings Kim, Ronald, and Ray in an apartment above his father's bar.

In 1975, when Bryan was five, his mother died after an illness. He and his siblings spent several years living with an uncle in British Columbia before returning to New Orleans, where they spent two years in foster care. Their father eventually regained custody after a prolonged legal battle, and Bryan took the Williams surname.

Birdman's teenage years were turbulent. Living in the Magnolia Projects, he and his stepbrother Eldrick Wise began committing robberies and selling heroin. Both were arrested at 16. At 18, they were arrested again and sentenced to three years in a correctional facility. Birdman ultimately served 18 months and was later acquitted of all charges.

Birdman and Lil Wayne in 2000 (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Cash Money Records

After his release, Birdman and Slim began paying attention to New Orleans' growing "bounce" music scene. With no industry experience, no studio, and no artists, they launched Cash Money Records in 1991. What they did have was about $100,000 in startup capital, allegedly provided by their half-brother Terrence Williams, founder of a notorious drug crew known as the Hot Boys.

They chose the name "Cash Money Records" as a nod to the film "New Jack City," where Wesley Snipes' character leads a crew called the Cash Money Brothers.

The Williams brothers quickly began scouting talent across Louisiana. Their first signed artist was Kilo G, whose 1992 album "The Sleepwalker" became the label's debut release. Birdman soon convinced his friend Mannie Fresh to join as Cash Money's in-house producer. The roster expanded rapidly, and by the mid-1990s Cash Money had become one of the most popular independent Southern labels.

In 1995, Birdman met a gifted 12-year-old rapper named Dwayne Carter. He signed him immediately. The world would come to know him as Lil Wayne.

Cash Money suffered significant tragedies during this period, including the deaths of Kilo G, Pimp Daddy, and Yella. Still, Birdman and Slim pressed on, assembling Juvenile, Turk, B.G., and Lil Wayne into the group Hot Boys. Their debut album sold 300,000 copies regionally, an astonishing feat for an independent label without major distribution.

Between 1994 and 1997, Cash Money artists were selling 25,000 to 50,000 units per release purely through grassroots hustle.

Universal Records Deal

By 1998, Cash Money had become a coveted acquisition target. Sony and Universal were competing aggressively for market share, and Cash Money's growing Southern footprint made it extremely valuable. In a move almost unheard of for an indie label, Birdman and Slim demanded an 80/20 profit split, ownership of their masters, and multi-million-dollar advances.

Universal accepted.

The resulting contract included $3 million upfront, $1.5 million guaranteed per album, total deal value of $30 million, and an unprecedented provision allowing Cash Money to retain ownership of all masters. Universal received only a small distribution fee. The deal set a new industry benchmark and laid the groundwork for Cash Money's dominance in the 2000s.

More Success

Birdman launched his rap career around the same time, forming Big Tymers with Mannie Fresh. They released several successful albums, including "How Ya Luv That?" (1998), "I Got That Work" (2000), and "Hood Rich" (2002). As Juvenile, B.G., and others left the label, Birdman shifted toward solo work. His 2002 album "Birdman" peaked at #24 on the Billboard 200.

Cash Money's biggest breakthrough came through Lil Wayne. The 2004 release of "Tha Carter" marked the beginning of Wayne's ascent to global stardom. Birdman's own albums "Fast Money" (2005), "5 Star Stunna" (2007), and "Priceless" (2009) found commercial success, though his executive role remained his most impactful.

By the late 2000s, Cash Money and its sister imprint Young Money had become the most commercially successful hip-hop label of all time, with roughly 50 million albums sold and peak annual revenue of $100 million. The signing of Drake and Nicki Minaj further cemented the label's dominance.

In 2010, Birdman and Slim announced an oil venture called "Bronald Oil," though the project's legitimacy and outcomes remain unclear.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Legal Issues

In 2007, Birdman was arrested in Tennessee and found with nearly a pound of marijuana.

In 2009, he, Lil Wayne, and Cash Money were sued for allegedly using Thomas Marasciullo's recorded vocals without permission.

In 2015, Lil Wayne filed a $51 million lawsuit against Birdman and Cash Money, accusing them of withholding payment and refusing to release "Tha Carter V." That same year, prosecutors alleged Birdman and Young Thug were linked to an attempted shooting involving Lil Wayne, though no charges were filed against Birdman. Birdman later sued Jay Z's Tidal for $50 million, claiming unauthorized use of Wayne's music.

Personal Life

Birdman has two biological children, Bryan Jr. (born 1997) and Bria (born 1998).

In May 2016, he started dating singer Toni Braxton. They announced their engagement in 2018 but called it off in January 2019. But in April 2019, the couple confirmed they were still together. Interestingly, in April 2025, it was revealed that Toni and Birdman were actually legally married in August 2024. And then, in a strange twist, she apparently filed for separation just two days later. And then, in January 2025, she apparently pulled the divorce petition.

Car Collection

At his peak, Birdman claimed that he bought 100 new cars every six months, giving the "old" ones away to friends and family. He is typically seen wearing several million dollars' worth of jewelry, including a 15-carat black diamond ring and matching earrings, and a $500,000 grill on his teeth.

During Hurricane Katrina, Birdman lost 20 houses and 50 cars, including two Maybachs and four Ferraris.

Earnings Highlights

By the time Birdman was 22, he had already amassed a net worth of $40 million.

Real Estate

At his peak, Birdman owned a $30 million condo in Miami in addition to at least two other properties in Miami (one of which is a recording studio) and a large mansion in New Orleans. His property portfolio is significantly smaller today.

For many years, Birdman's primary house was a large mansion on Palm Island in Miami. The mansion has an interesting history. Hip hop producer Scott Storch paid $10.5 million in 2006, only to lose it to foreclosure a few years later after blowing through what was a peak $70 million fortune. Entrepreneur Russell Weiner, who earned his multi-billion dollar fortune as the founder of Rockstar energy drinks, bought the house out of foreclosure from a bank in 2010 for $6.7 million. Just two years later, Russ flipped the house to Birdman for $14.5 million.

In January 2018, a bank threatened to evict Birdman from the 20,000-square-foot waterfront mansion. Birdman immediately tried to sell the house for a sky-high $20 million but had no takers. He dropped the price to $16.9 million, then $15 million, ultimately accepting $10.9 million in November 2019.

In December 2021, a homeowner in Los Angeles sued Birdman, seeking $114,000 in back rent related to a mansion in Bel-Air. According to the legal filings, Birdman had reportedly agreed to pay $33,000 per month in rent for the mansion, but at some point stopped paying.

Birdman Quotes on Money

"The only time I've ever been broke in my life is when I was born." – Birdman.

"I was born broke, but after that, we woke up and realized we could get some money." – Birdman.

"I lost 20 houses, 50 cars, and memories." – Birdman, on the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

"Put some respek on my name!" – Birdman.

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