Limp Bizkit Signs With Cash Money

Cash Money had a stellar 2011 with platinum-plus releases by Nicki Minaj, Drake and Lil Wayne and now the company founded by brothers Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams is spreading the wealth signing major label artists like rap-rock band Limp Bizkit.

Wayne revealed the newest addition to the YMCMB roster during an interview on New York’s 98.7 KissFM. An admitted fan of Lenny Green’s classic soul show “Kissing After Dark,” the superstar rapper called in on Thursday night for a brief chat, telling the host that Cash Money was “signing everybody,” including, possibly, Ashanti, the R&B star formerly signed to Irv Gotti‘s Murder Inc. label. (Listen to the three-minute interview here.)

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Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst later confirmed the news in a series of tweets to his 1.5 million followers, ranging from a simple declaration like “Believe” to  more involved missives (for 140 characters) like, “The game is missing danger, electricity, and rock n roll!!!! Cash Money Limp Bizkit” and “Rock shit doesn’t rock anymore! They say the whole game done went pop so I’m back in this ho!”

Soon after hip-hop blogs picked up the story, Limp Bizkit was trending in the U.S.

An official Cash Money announcement was made on Friday afternoon. In it, Durst writes, “As both an artist and someone who has signed artists, I can say without a doubt that Cash Money is at the top of their game. What attracted me to the label is not only their great taste and hustle, but their belief in their artists and the family atmosphere. Slim and Birdman allow their artists to be themselves and encourage creative output and continued development. I look forward to bringing my vision as a director as well as my voice to the label and to Limp Bizkit putting out some of our best music. …  This is the most at home, comfortable, and confident I have felt in the business to date.”

Added Bryan “Birdman” Williams: “We have always admired how they have been able to blend rock and hip hop and will bring a unique sound to the label.” 

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According to the announcement, new music new music and collaborations from Fred Durst and Limp Bizkit are expected “in the coming months throughout 2012.”

Limp Bizkit reunited with guitarist Wes Borland for its sixth album, 2011’s Gold Cobra, which peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200. The band has sold 33 million album worldwide since forming in 1994.

Twitter: @shirleyhalperin