Birdman And Slim Honored As Leaders And Legends At Star-Studded Gala
A large crowd gathered Thursday night (June 27) in Hollywood, Calif. to celebrate the accomplishments of Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams at the 2024 YouTube Leaders and Legends Gala.
A brass band serenaded the men as they entered the star-studded venue. From sunset well through the night, attendees danced, sang, shared stories, and paid respects to the two New Orleans brothers whose forward-thinking and tenacious spirits resulted in the global success of Cash Money Records.
The night was made whole with video montages featuring throwback footage of Birdman and Slim on the road to the top. Commentary from esteemed journalists, music executives, and New Orleans community leaders also honed in on the efforts made in the founding of Cash Money.
As the red carpet affair continued, DJ Trauma and DJ Drama kept an excited audience entertained with deep cuts, and chart-topping records from Cash Money artists including Lil Wayne and Juvenile — who were both in attendance — B.G., Nicki Minaj, and Drake. Guests alongside the honorees included Mannie Fresh, 2 Chainz, Saweetie, NLE Choppa, Polow Da Don, Queen Naija, Jozzy, LL Cool J, Smino, and more.
The moment of the night came as Birdman and Slim took the stage to deliver remarks on their journey. In unrehearsed, vulnerable, eye-opening speeches, the men explained that their goal with Cash Money Records was to save the lives of artists like Lil Wayne who would have likely fallen victim to New Orleans streets. With the crowd on their feet the entire time, Birdman spoke first thanking his brother for saving his life and passing a metaphorical torch to Quality Control Music’s Pierre “P” Thomas and Top Dawg Entertainment’s Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith.
“I made the studio our streets,” remarked Birdman. “We was southern ni**as. When ni**as was saying Hip-Hop was dead, we felt like it was our time to take over. We were bringing it back to life.”
He continued to detail, “All I thought about was saving four lives, and we ended up saving thousands of motherfu**ing lives. I give my gratitude to my brother. YMCMB [Young Money Cash Money Billionares] forever. Cash Money for life. Rich gang till the death of me.”
Slim closed out the evening, reminding the audience “Y’all know I don’t do all that talking.” Still, he managed to deliver an insightful speech on their humble beginnings and determination to make it to the top.
“My brother, we had to go through a lot of stuff to get to this point,” he explained describing the traumatic moment they witnessed their sister pass away and her body being removed from a bed. “To grow up, me and my brother, someone told us ‘[you] ain’t gon never be sh*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…”
He closed by exclaiming, “Ain’t nobody else alive gon’ do what we done.”
Take a look at the 2024 YouTube Leaders and Legends Gala honoring Birdman and Slim below.
More from VIBE.com
Saweetie Claims Critics Are Creating "Negative Propaganda" Towards Her Following Festival Chaos
Kehlani Reacts To Saweetie Dating Ex-Boyfriend YG: "Why Would I Care?"
Birdman Goes Viral After Questioning Need For Books While Incarcerated
Best of VIBE.com