In the early 2000s, Lil Wayne was not only a household name in Music around the globe, he transitioned into a kingmaker. Lil Wayne was the king of rap and unlike most kings of era’s, he focused largely on bedding in the next generation of rapstars and with Young Money Entertainment – his record label.
We revisit the stars of YM from Lil Wayne to Drake to Nicki the Queen of rap and where they are now:
Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne still tours now but largely based on nostalgia although he still releases music having dropped Tha Carter VI on June 12th 2025, you’d have to go back to Carter V in 2018 for a Lil Wayne hit song. That aside Lil Wayne in his prime released hit song after song and despite not being as relevant in this streaming booming era, he has managed multiple One billion streams records.
Drake
The Prince of Young Money now turned king of OVO, when Lil Wayne signed a Canadian actor from ‘DeGrassi’, everyone in Hip-Hop was laughing but by 2012 they weren’t laughing anymore. Drake has been such a success that the records post Young Money against his record during the YME era would be a Top three artists in the world faceoff. That is the level the mega popstar has risen to since he got the cosign from Lil Wayne.
Drake with his dozens of Billboard Number 1’s and record shattering streaming numbers is definitely number one of the Lil Wayne proteges in terms of reaching potential, so who is number two ?
Nicki Minaj
Calling the Queen of the Barbz number two in anything would be outrageous but in the YME universe, it is a pedestal to show how important she was to the building. One of the most influential artists of her generation, despite not having a Billboard number one until 2020 (“Trollz” with 6ix9ine), Nicki Minaj is still the most streamed female rapper in the world and commands a fanbase that is arguably number one in terms of support and loyalty. In terms of influence, very few artists have imprints on a generation like Nicki and although that cannot be quantified, her first solo number one, “Super Freaky Girl” coming in 2022 is somewhat proof of that.
Tyga
Very few artists have had as many successful career revamps as Tyga. Tyga has been around for so long and has constantly rebranded himself as young and fresh with whatever new generation was on the market and the shocking part? It works. In 2019 he had his most successful year streaming wise with songs like “Taste” ft Offset over 10 years after he got signed to Young Money. Tyga’s career is one of inventiveness as he has repeatedly reinvented himself multiple times to be able string out a career of longevity at this level not built on hit songs but relevance.
Cory Gunz
Cory Gunz on “6 foot, 7 foot” came into the game like a name you would remember for a long, long time but Peter Gunz didn’t stay in the limelight for long. Despite having so many connections and a literal father in the game, plus his mentor Nick Cannon to getting Jay Z’s blessings and a record deal from Lil Wayne, Gunz never dropped an album. He did release a few mixtapes, but by the time that gun possession charge hit in 2012, Cory’s career was already fading away. Cory had talent and connections but sometimes even that isn’t enough.
In 2025, Lil Wayne introduced a new version of Young Money with brand new members and some returning faces.
