The past year was a banner one for Cash Money, and 2011 is poised to be another. With the recent release of Young Money general Lil Wayne from prison and the much talked about November debut of Nicki Minaj (Pink Friday), as well as a forthcoming sophomore album from platinum boy wonder Drake, the powerful clique is set to once again rule the hip-hop landscape. Leading the charge is Cash Money CEO Brian “Baby” Williams. As usual, the outspoken Birdman has plenty to say about his crew’s current state of affairs and future from Weezy’s upcoming Carter IV album to Nicki’s beef with Lil’ Kim. —Keith Murphy

Birdman: It feels good for my son to be back home. Shit, we’re all happy.

What was the first thing Wayne did after being released from Rikers?

He spent time with his family. It was important for Wayne to see his children because they didn’t get to visit him while he was away. So his first priority was to see his kids. I would go see him every two weeks, but being out that cage is different. When he finally met with the team he told us, “I love you.” That’s my son. I’ll give my life for my family.

Will we see The Carter IV in February as some of the news reports have suggested?

Well, we have the Young Money/Cash Money tour starting in February so we have a lot of new music coming out. Carter IV is coming out at the top of next year.

There’s been some talk of a Drake/Lil Wayne collaboration album. Will that project ever see the light of day?

That’s very possible. Because Wayne works a lot and Drake is out there with us too. They’re gonna do a lot of recording together so I don’t see why not. And I have a solo album coming out at the top of the year called Bigger Than Life. Then we have a Father Like Son album that we’ll drop around Father’s Day. But I’m more into them. I want to see our artists be as successful as possible. They’re young. The bigger they are, the bigger we are. That’s my whole motivation now.

We hear Drake is already working on a follow-up.

Drake will probably come out March or April. Then we have DJ Khaled’s album, Bow Wow’s album and then my own album. So we’re looking to start at the top of the year with a lot of releases. Cash Money never got a chance to do that throughout our whole career. So we’re looking forward to starting at the top of the year. In 2011 we’re set to put out 15 to 20 releases.

The buzz surrounding Nicki Minaj seems to be at its highest point . But the song that everyone’s talking about is “Roman’s Revenge,” with Eminem. Were you shocked to hear Nicki go toe-to-toe with Em?

Well, Nicki doesn’t surprise me anymore. I be around her a lot and I think she’s very talented. I think she has surprised other people, but not me. Going back to when we first signed her I felt that she had this special talent. Nicki can rap…she has style; she is classy with it. She has all the elements. And she is around the best that’s doing it today. She has a team, but Nicki is handling her own.

Given Cash Money’s past policy of staying out of beefs, did you know Nicki was going to go at Lil’ Kim?

Real talk, but maybe Kim asked for it. Usually we don’t try to make money like that…that’s not our theory. We make great music. We have never been the type to make songs about motherfuckas. I think Nicki is speaking in general, not just Kim personally. A lot of motherfuckers have been hating on her success. To me, they are all asking for it. I don’t think any of them has as a talented clique as Nicki. We a movement.

What comes to mind when you hear Eminem call your girl Nicki Smalls?

That means a lot. It’s great that Nicki is being recognized. Everybody is paying attention. For her to be working with Em and these different acts outside of Cash Money shows that she’s handling her own business. Nicki sings, she raps…we try to have well-rounded artists. Wayne is the same way. He raps, sings and plays guitar.
(You really think Wayne can Sing?… C’mon son, you for real Baby? #fohwtbs)

Same with Drake with his singing, acting and rapping. We are molding them to not just be rappers. Just don’t limit yourself.

Another Cash Money/Young Money artist that’s been making noise recently is Tyga. Why do you think fans are finally embracing him?

I think it’s all his hard work. Tyga is driven. It was great for him to be on tour with Drake. That was a good move. And really Tyga can go…he can rap. That young boy can do it. I think he’s the next big star from the clique. And I think Bow Wow is next.

You mentioned Bow Wow. A lot of music sites and blogs rolled their eyes when the news that he was signing to Cash Money came out. What was it about Bow Wow that helped you see him as a viable artist beyond his heartthrob success?

I think Bow Wow is great. He has a great record out right now with him and Chris Brown (“Aint Thinkin’ About You”). I think Bow Wow is going to surprise a lot of people with his album. I see greatness in the young boy. Remember, Bow Wow is already a star. He has platinum albums and [movies]. But now he’s in a different atmosphere; with a different crew. All I’m doing is bringing that great music to him; I’m putting him with the Waynes and the Drakes and letting him do his thing. But at the end of the day, Bow Wow has to do him. And he’s adjusting great.

Chris Paul’s New Orleans Hornets have been one of the surprise teams in the NBA so far. Care to make a bet on their chances of winning the NBA Finals trophy?

[Laughs] It’s funny you asked that. We’re on our way to the Hornets game where they will be [playing] the Miami Heat. The Big Three are not to be played with, them boys are strong. But I think we have a good team. We’ll see.