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Day One: Listening
Session at The East
I’m
sure you all have seen the Cash Money mansion a time or
two in various Cash Money Records artists’ videos. You
will now have a chance to see exclusive photos and get the
exclusive info on the Cash Money house and crew.
Coaches, limousines, exotic cars, Excursions and Four
Wheelers lined the streets surrounding the Cash Money
mansion, located in ‘The East’ section of New Orleans,
Louisiana. All were in awe, when we pulled up to the
house.
Inside the white, stucco, 5 bedroom, 2story house, was a
lot of something that every guest cherishes, great
hospitality and love. We were greeted by not only Baby
and Slim, but all of the Cash Money artists and crew. We
were treated to a succulent and “down home”
Louisiana-style dinner, prepared by the Cash Money chef Kenneth Washington. He along with his assistant, prepared
rotisserie chicken, pasta with shrimp and crawfish, gumbo
and refried beans. The food was mouthwatering and
mind-boggling.
After
eating, some of the guests who we arrived with ventured
off into different parts of the house, making themselves
familiar with their surroundings. Inside the house, you
could find an array of platinum plaques commemorating the
sales of albums and videos, colorful artwork and
photographs documenting the love between Baby and Slim and
Baby and Mannie Fresh. This was an experience one only
could dream of. An in house studio, filled with
keyboards, drum machines, computers and more platinum
plaques, complimented the house and added to the décor.
Hidden speakers were placed meticulously around the house,
so when you moved from room to room, you could still hear
the music being played. It was as if we were being
followed. Many framed pictures from the movie “Scarface”
flourished the house, adding mystery to the Cash Money
Mansion. For fun, there was a purple and white game room,
complete with a pool table, arcade games and laminated
jerseys on the wall from New Orleans hometown hero’s,
Daunte Culpepper and Price.
In
the main living room, many Cash Money artists and guests
were sitting atop the Jacuzzi in the middle of the room,
playing Playstation Two on the big screen TV. Surrounding
the Jacuzzi, were purple, mini leather couches with
studded Cash Money symbols across the front of them.
These added comfort to visitors and let people know
exactly whose house it was. To the rear of the living
room was an indoor swimming pool. The indoor pool was
very spacious with a floating glass Cash Money statue in
the middle of the pool and four flat screen TV’s lining
the walls.
Outside
in the garage and behind the house, were the CARS, not
just any cars but a minute
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"Drive a Red Range"....
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collection
of the flyest cars that Cash Money owns. Available for
show were a death red Hummer, a burgundy PT Cruiser
stretch limo, a Shelby Mustang, a Cadillac, a cherry red
Range Rover, four wheelers on dubs, and a Gucci fitted
Cash Money customized golf cart. Also in the backyard
were high sailing palm trees, a basketball court, a lake
with a fountain, a golf course and an amusement
park.
The
listening session for The Birdman went really
well. Everyone seemed to enjoy certain tracks from Baby’s
album and showed it by dancing and bouncing from room to
room in the house.
*My
favorites include, “Do That” feat. P. Diddy, “What
happened to That Boy” feat. The Clipse, and “How it Be”
feat. Jermaine Dupri.
Once again, throughout our entire visit to the Cash Money
mansion, we received nothing but love and great
hospitality from the Cash Money family. They were awesome
hosts and very nice people.
Day
2: Interviews at The East & Cash
Money Showcase
*During interviews, I was treated to a second special
Birdman album listening session with Baby and another
writer, in the in-house studio. Once again, I was feeling
the tracks.
The
Cash Money showcase began around 3:00am at the House of
Blues venue located in the heart of downtown New Orleans,
Louisiana. The ‘House’ was colorfully and creatively
decorated with a hint of New Orleans flavor. Somewhere
around 100 to 200 people were in attendance at the “invite
only” showcase. The mood of the party was “dirty south”.
The DJ played all of the cuts from the East Coast to the
West Coast and definitely the Dirty South, he made sure
that we were bouncing all night long. All of the Cash
Money Records artists were definitely representing on and
off stage at the House of Blues: Baby, Lil’ Wayne, Squad
Up, Fats, Boo&Gotti, TQ and Slim were all in attendance.
First up to perform was Lil’ Wayne and his crew, The
Squad, off his new label,
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Birdman on Stage at the
House of Blues, New Orleans |
Squad
Up Records, to perform “504”. This performance was filled
with nothing but pure energy, Lil’ Wayne was in his own
zone as he effortlessly and flawlessly spit crazy rap
verses for us to wild out to. The Squad proved worthy of
a group to definitely look out for, in the coming year.
Wayne and The Squad performed two songs, one solo, with
Squad member, “Gutter Gutter”, before passing the mic to
the “Birdman”. Baby a.k.a. Da #1 Stunna, stunned the
crowd with his unrealistic sized diamonds and hot songs.
Baby previewed a few joints from his forthcoming album,
“The Birdman”. His latest single, “Do That” featuring P.
Diddy was a real heater. The show closed out with
newcomers, hailing from Chi-Town, R. Kelly protégé’s, Boo&Gotti.
Together, they rocked the mic with, “Fiesta (Remix)” and
“Feelin’ on ur Booty (Remix)”. The crowd seemed more than
impressed with the talent displayed that night at the Cash
Money Showcase. This was an unforgettable night. Check
out the pictures and video and you’ll see what I mean.
Words by Sirion “The Industry Insider” Sewell
Flix
by Chukundi "Kun Luv" Salisbury
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