Birdman, the influential figure behind Cash Money Records, recently weighed in on the regional dominance in the rap industry, offering his perspective on the South’s ascendancy.
While debates surrounding rap dominance usually revolve around the East Coast versus the West Coast, Birdman contends that the South now holds the upper hand.
Speaking on The 85 South Show podcast, Birdman expressed his belief that the South has overtaken both the East and the West in the hip-hop landscape.
He emphasized that once people embraced the Southern sound, they became captivated and predicted that this dominance would endure. “But once they caught on to us, like it is now, I don’t think they’ll ever get it back,” Birdman asserted. “We here forever.”
However, Birdman credited Jermaine Dupri with playing a crucial role in elevating the South’s visibility in the rap industry.
He commended Dupri for breaking down barriers and advocating for Southern rappers. Birdman acknowledged Dupri’s relentless efforts to ensure Southern music received recognition, even when it faced resistance.
“He went up there and really made them play our music. They wouldn’t play our music at all. I got a lot of respect for Jermaine Dupri,” Birdman stated.
Reiterating his perspective, Birdman emphasized that the South’s dominance in the music industry was here to stay.
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He maintained that the East Coast and West Coast would never regain the prominence they once enjoyed, firmly asserting, “We [the South] ain’t never letting this s**t go… I just don’t think we’ll ever let the vibe and the motion go.”
While Birdman championed the South’s position in the rap world, Jermaine Dupri continues to advocate for greater recognition of the region’s contributions to hip-hop.
Dupri has consistently emphasized Atlanta’s role in shaping the genre and has called for the South to receive its due recognition, particularly during hip-hop anniversary celebrations.
