Drake Signs With Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown Records

Breakout hip-hop/R&B sensation Drake has officially signed with Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown Records. On September 15, 2009, Drake will drop So Far Gone, his first mini-album with the imprint while continuing to ready his forthcoming full-length debut album, due out in early 2010.

So Far Gone contains seven songs, including the definitive summer jam of 2009, “Best I Ever Had,” which claimed the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s R&B and Hip-Hop Songs chart, as well as the Ringtones chart, plus ranked No. 2 on the all-important Hot 100 chart. So Far Gone also boasts “Successful,” Drake’s sizzling new single featuring Lil Wayne and Trey Songz, which is swiftly edging its way to Top 10 positioning on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Rap Songs charts, among others. Hip-hop superstar Lil Wayne makes multiple appearances on So Far Gone, turning up alongside Young Jeezy on “I’m Goin In” and again on “Uptown,” which also features an assist from Bun B. Other highlights on So Far Gone include the tracks “The Calm,” “Fear” and “Houstatlantavegas.”

“Drake has what it takes to represent Young Money to the fullest,” said Young Money Records CEO Lil Wayne, who has helped Drake cultivate his unique and infectious sound. “When I first heard him, I saw that he had the motivation, the drive, and the raw skills. Young Money is the place for Drake to take his sound to the next level.”

“We are extremely proud of Lil Wayne, the launch of Young Money Records, and the roster of hot new talent that Wayne is getting ready to introduce to the world,” added Ronald “Slim” Williams, Co-CEO of Cash Money Records Group. “Drake is a talented individual and a humble person with a tireless work ethic. We’re happy to have him as part of the Young Money/Cash Money family.”

Drake is a Canadian-born artist who grew up in Toronto and Memphis. He first appeared with Lil Wayne on 2007’s “Man of the Year” after making a buzz worthy impact on the mixtape scene. His collaborations with Eminem, Kanye West and Jay-Z are among the most exciting releases of 2009. A former cast member of the N’s Degrassi: The Next Generation, Drake is hardly a stranger to the spotlight—but his best is certainly yet to come.

Bow Wow Signs With Cash Money Millionaires

Written By: Victoria H. (Urban Editor)

“It’s official, I’m a Cash Money Millionaire” Bow Wow told his fans via Twitter.

The rapper had parted with Columbia Records earlier this year and had said that he was deciding between signing with T.I.’s Grand Hustle (through Atlantic Records) or So So Def when Jermaine Dupri signed a new deal.

Cash Money Millionaire co-CEO Birdman gave Bow Wow a third option. Bow said that “we had two sit-downs, upon the first sit-down, I called Birdman and told him what I wanted to do. So it was a no-brainer. He was like, ‘Bow, you always been family. Next to Wayne, I look at you like my son. If you not with JD, you with us.’ From there, it was a done deal. So I wanna thank [him], Slim and Wayne.” Bow Wow also added that, “with me coming to Cash Money, I bring something to the table that hasn’t been there in their history. I bring the whole Hollywood side, from that perspective.”

Bow Wow will release the Greenlight mixtape, a single in November and a new album probably by the end of the year.