Net Worth Ranker
What Is Bryan ‘Birdman’ Williams Net Worth’ Net Worth?
Bryan “Birdman,” also known as “Baby,” Williams, is an American rapper, record executive, and entrepreneur with a net worth of $150 million as of 2025. His wealth is primarily derived from his role as the co-founder and CEO of Cash Money Records, a highly successful hip-hop label he established with his brother Ronald “Slim” Williams in 1991. Cash Money Records has represented prominent artists such as Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Blueface, contributing significantly to Birdman’s financial success.
Early Career and the Rise of Cash Money Records
Bryan Christopher Brooks, born on February 15, 1969, in New Orleans, Louisiana, co-founded Cash Money Records with his brother Ronald “Slim” Williams in 1991. The brothers invested approximately $100,000 in startup capital. Their initial venture lacked a recording studio and established artists. The label’s first signed artist was Kilo G, whose 1992 horrorcore album “The Sleepwalker” marked Cash Money’s debut project.
Birdman and Slim’s strategic recruitment of DJ Mannie Fresh as their in-house producer proved pivotal. By the mid-1990s, Cash Money had become a prominent independent record label in the South. In 1995, Birdman signed 12-year-old Dwayne Carter, now known as Lil’ Wayne, to Cash Money, a move that would significantly boost the label’s prominence.
The creation of the group Hot Boys, featuring Turk, Juvenile, Lil Wayne, and B.G., proved to be a turning point. Their debut album sold 300,000 copies in its first two months, highlighting the label’s growing influence. By 1998, Cash Money Records had achieved substantial regional success, selling between 25,000 and 50,000 copies per album without major label distribution.
The Universal Records Deal and Subsequent Success
In 1998, Cash Money Records secured a $30 million deal with Universal Music Group. This agreement included a $3 million upfront payment and a guaranteed $1.5 million per album. Critically, the deal allowed Cash Money to retain ownership of its masters, a rare and highly valuable provision. Universal received a 7% distribution fee without owning the label.
That same year, Birdman formed the group Big Tymers with DJ Mannie Fresh. They released their debut album “How Ya Luv That?” in 1998, followed by “I Got That Work” and “Hood Rich.”
Birdman’s major-label debut album, simply titled “Birdman,” was released in November 2002 and peaked at #24 on the Billboard 200. In 2004, Lil’ Wayne released “Tha Carter,” achieving critical and commercial acclaim.
In 2005, Birdman released his second album, “Fast Money,” which debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200. The collaborative album “Like Father, Like Son” with Lil Wayne was released in 2006 and peaked at number three on the Billboard 200.
Cash Money Records is noted for significant commercial success in hip-hop, having sold 50 million records. At its peak, the label generated $100 million annually. In 2010, Birdman and his brother launched Bronald Oil, aiming to develop oil resources in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Oklahoma Osage County; however, the success of this venture remains unclear.
Legal Issues and Personal Life
In November 2007, Birdman was arrested in Tennessee for possessing nearly a pound of marijuana. In 2009, Birdman, Lil Wayne, and Cash Money Records faced a copyright infringement lawsuit. In January 2015, Lil Wayne filed a $51 million lawsuit against Birdman, alleging mismanagement and unpaid royalties.
Birdman’s personal life includes the loss of his mother in 1975, the unsolved murder of his step-brother Eldrick Wise in 1991, the death of his father in a car accident in 1996, and the death of his sister Tamara in a car accident in 2006. He has ten brothers and twelve sisters. Birdman has two biological children, Bryan Jr. (born 1997) and Bria (born 1998). He was engaged to singer Toni Braxton in 2018 but later called it off, although they confirmed they were still together in April 2019.
Birdman has a penchant for luxury items. He has claimed to buy 100 new cars every six months and is known for wearing several million dollars’ worth of jewelry, including a 15-carat black diamond ring, matching earrings, and a $500,000 grill.
During Hurricane Katrina, Birdman reportedly lost 20 houses and 50 cars, including two Maybachs and four Ferraris.
Earnings and Real Estate
By the age of 22, Birdman had accumulated a net worth of $40 million. His career earnings by year include:
- 2007: $12,000,000
- 2008: $10,000,000
- 2009: $9,000,000
- 2010: $10,000,000
- 2011: $15,000,000
- 2012: $20,000,000
- 2013: $21,000,000
- 2014: $24,000,000
- 2015: $18,000,000
- 2016: $18,000,000
- 2017: $20,000,000
- 2018: $20,000,000
- 2019: $20,000,000
Total career earnings through 2019 are estimated at $217,000,000.
At one point, Birdman owned a $30 million condo in Miami, along with other properties, including a recording studio and a mansion in New Orleans.
His former primary residence was a mansion on Palm Island in Miami, originally purchased by Scott Storch for $10.5 million in 2006. Russell Weiner, founder of Rockstar energy drinks, bought it out of foreclosure in 2010 for $6.7 million. Weiner then sold the house to Birdman in 2012 for $14.5 million. In January 2018, Birdman faced potential eviction from the 20,000-square-foot mansion. He initially listed the house for $20 million but eventually sold it for $10.9 million in November 2019.
In December 2021, a Los Angeles homeowner sued Birdman for $114,000 in unpaid rent related to a Bel-Air mansion, where he had reportedly agreed to pay $33,000 per month.
