On May 2, 2025, Lil Wayne took to the airwaves of Apple Music for Season 3, Episode 3 of “Young Money Radio,” hosting a landmark episode that introduced the next generation of Young Money Records artists. This family-style gathering showcased a diverse roster of talent and marked a significant milestone for the iconic hip-hop label, now entirely under Wayne’s independent ownership.
The episode signaled a bold new chapter for Young Money, featuring in-depth discussions about upcoming projects, musical influences, and the label’s future.
The episode brought together an eclectic mix of artists, blending established names with rising stars: Cory Gunz, Lil Twist, Jay Jones, Allan Cubas, Domiio, Euro, Poppy H, and Lucifena. This lineup served as a deliberate showcase of Young Money’s evolving sound and vision, symbolizing a passing of the torch from Wayne to his carefully curated collective.
Wayne engaged each artist in personal conversations, delving into their creative journeys. With Cory Gunz and Lil Twist—the Young Money roster veterans—the focus was on their artistic evolution. Twist, for instance, highlighted his work with his band Klipt Wings and their involvement in Emo Night events, noting how he now infuses greater creativity into his music compared to his early days.
“Young Money is more than just music, more than just a record label. It’s family,”
Twist said, reflecting on his journey since being signed by Wayne at age 13 in Texas.
The broadcast doubled as a launchpad for exciting announcements. Jay Jones unveiled his upcoming mixtape, Almost Forgot Who I Was, promising a dynamic range of styles from “melodic” to “raw.” Alongside Allan Cubas, Jones also teased Flight 504, a collaborative project featuring Lil Wayne himself, hinting at the veteran rapper’s active role in elevating his protégés.
Allan Cubas, introduced as the first Hollygrove native to join Young Money, shared a heartfelt connection to Wayne’s legacy.
“Being signed to Young Money is a dream come true,”
He said, emphasizing Wayne’s influence on their shared hometown. Meanwhile, discussions with Domiio, Euro, Poppy H, and Lucifena revealed a kaleidoscope of influences and forthcoming works, pointing to a multi-faceted evolution for the label’s sound.
“Young Money Radio” has grown alongside the label it promotes. Launched in March 2017 on Dash Radio, the show initially featured project premieres like Hoody Baby’s Kitchen 24: Slangin’ Off Key. By 2022, Wayne transitioned it to Apple Music, expanding its scope beyond music to include cultural conversations with figures like Tony Hawk, Cordae, and Skip Bayless.
Now in its third season, the platform has become a vital tool for Wayne to connect with fans, spotlight his artists, and maintain Young Money’s relevance.
This new era is deeply tied to Young Money’s tumultuous history. In 2018, Wayne emerged victorious from a legal battle with Cash Money Records, gaining sole ownership of the label he founded. Settling for an undisclosed sum and retaining a distribution deal with Republic Records, Wayne broke free from his former mentor, Bryan “Birdman” Williams.
“My relationships with a lot of people have become different, just because of how different I work now,”
Wayne remarked post-dispute, signaling a shift in his leadership approach.
The May 2 episode highlighted a strategic expansion of Young Money’s reach. The diverse roster—spanning styles and backgrounds—positions the label to thrive across hip-hop’s sub-genres and beyond. Artists like Jay Jones and Allan Cubas are already branching into broader media, collaborating with Skip Bayless on Fox Sports’ UNDISPUTED.ower to projects like Flight 504, the label is poised for a wave of releases that will define its evolved identity.
