Is Drake Still with Cash Money Records? No – Their Partnership Dissolved Years Ago After a Bitter Dispute

In short – no, Drake is not currently signed to Cash Money Records, nor affiliated with the label in any way as of 2022. However, their separation was never formalized publicly. Let‘s discuss Drake‘s origins with the company, how tensions boiled over after a royalties dispute, his lawsuit, launching OVO Sound, and why splitting from Cash Money empowered Drake to take control of his career and become music‘s biggest star.

Brief History of Cash Money Records

Cash Money Records was founded in 1991 in New Orleans by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. The label helped pioneer "bling rap" in the late 90s and launched the careers of Lil Wayne, Juvenile, and Hot Boys.

In 1998, Cash Money signed a landmark $30 million distribution deal with Universal Records. This deal gave their indie label major resources while retaining ownership.

The imprint Young Money Entertainment was founded as a Cash Money subsidiary in 2005 with Lil Wayne as president. This later enabled Drake‘s arrival.

Drake‘s Origins with Cash Money

Aubrey Drake Graham first connected with Cash Money co-founder Lil Wayne in 2009. At the time, Drake starred on the teen drama Degrassi but his passion was rapping.

Drake officially signed with Young Money Entertainment in June 2009 after releasing his breakout mixtape So Far Gone. The single "Best I Ever Had" garnered major radio play.

Cash Money and Universal jointly released Drake‘s debut LP Thank Me Later in 2010, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and eventually went platinum. His follow-up album Take Care sold over 5 million copies, cementing Drake as hip hop‘s most promising young talent.

When Tensions Began

In 2014, tensions emerged between Drake and the Cash Money founders. According to reports, a royalties dispute arose with Drake feeling he was owed money for his work.

Birdman and Slim have been frequently accused of withholding royalty payments from their artists over the decades. While past artists had sued, Drake was the label‘s first truly global superstar to take issue publicly.

Lawsuit Drama & Leaving Cash Money

By 2015, the relationship reached a boiling point. Drake threatened to leak his album Views if Cash Money refused to release it. In response, Birdman and Cash Money sued Drake for $50 million.

But Drake stuck to his principles. In August 2016, he sued Cash Money for $19 million in unpaid royalties. Per the lawsuit, Cash Money had only paid Drake $2 million total over 7 years and owed him over $19 million more.

In October 2016, Drake released a joint album with Future called What a Time to Be Alive through Epic Records – his first project distributed without Cash Money. By 2017 he launched his label OVO Sound via Warner Bros. His albums were now fully independent of Cash Money.

Though their legal battle continued, Drake had essentially severed ties by 2017. In 2021, it was reported he and Cash Money tentatively settled out of court. While monetary terms weren‘t disclosed, Drake clearly "settled" by moving on.

Financial Context of Their Dispute

Drake‘s albums have sold over 170 million units worldwide and grossed hundreds of millions in touring. Yet according to his lawsuit, Cash Money only paid him $2 million in royalties over 7 years.

Let‘s crunch numbers:

• Drake‘s first 3 major label albums sold over 15 million copies combined in the US.

• At a 15-20% royalty rate, that‘s over $30 million earned by Cash Money from those records.

• From 2013-2015, Drake grossed over $100 million touring behind those hit albums.

• If Cash Money took a 10-15% commission, they likely earned $10-15 million more from Drake‘s live shows.

Thus, Cash Money probably earned around $40-45 million from Drake‘s music sales and touring during their partnership.

Given Drake‘s superstardom, this was decent return on their investment. However, it paled in comparison to the hundreds of millions Drake himself generated.

No wonder Drake took issue. He likely felt Cash Money maximized their short term profits while underpaying him as the artist. Both sides had financial frustrations which proved irreconcilable.

Cash Money‘s Decline After Losing Drake

The ugly Drake split signaled Cash Money‘s fall from dominance. They lost their most valuable asset.

• Cash Money‘s cultural cachet has faded since the early 2010s when Drake and Nicki Minaj rose to fame.

• The label has failed to develop any new stars anywhere close to Drake‘s level in recent years.

• Lil Wayne‘s output and visibility have decreased drastically since his own lawsuit against Birdman.

• Nicki Minaj cited Cash Money mismanagement as a reason for leaving in 2017.

• Today, the label seems directionless and coasting on history.

Meanwhile, Drake is thriving like never before. Losing their flagship artist clearly took a toll on Cash Money‘s reputation and success.

Drake‘s $250 Million Net Worth and Label Ownership

According to reports, Drake‘s current estimated net worth is around $250 million. Here are the key factors:

• His recordings have over 50 billion streams on Spotify alone.

• Six consecutive multi-platinum albums.

• Tours grossing over $350 million to date.

• Owning masters to his latest music.

• His label OVO Sound earns 20% commission from his artists.

• Lucrative endorsements and business ventures.

Free from limits, Drake can now release music how he chooses and retain the lion‘s share of royalties.

Though Cash Money will always be part of Drake‘s origin story, the split clearly provided him more financial upside. While Birdman‘s estimated net worth still exceeds $100 million, Drake has far surpassed everyone‘s expectations.

Drake‘s Label: OVO Sound

Drake co-founded OVO Sound in 2012 with producer 40 and manager Oliver El-Khatib. Here are some key details:

• Their talent roster includes Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Majid Jordan and others.

• OVO has a partnership with Warner Music Group for music distribution.

• OVO profits from Drake‘s recordings, touring, merch, and endorsements. They also earn from their other artists.

• Recent successes include Drake‘s last three albums hitting #1 on the Billboard 200.

• Drake reportedly signed a $400 million deal with Universal Music in 2020 that entitles him to an unmatched share of his masters and royalties.

• Per MTV, the deal "establishes Drake among the highest-paid recording artists of all time."

With Drake locked into a long-term deal, OVO is set up for sustainability. Growth will depend on developing more star artists and producers to diversify beyond their #1 asset Drake.

Conclusion

Drake splitting from Cash Money represented him taking control of his career to become music‘s biggest star and highest earner. What Cash Money seemingly failed to provide in fair pay and creative freedom, Drake now has ownership over entirely through OVO Sound. He sets his conditions.

Though details were undisclosed, Drake clearly settled matters in his own favor based on his subsequent independence. Ronald Slim Williams‘ net worth may still exceed Drake‘s. But Drake is clearly no longer "Just A Friend" to Cash Money Records. He has moved on to much bigger things.