Bryan Christopher Williams (born Bryan Christopher Brooks; February 15, 1969), known by his stage name Birdman (also known as Baby), is an American rapper, record executive and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and public face of Cash Money Records which he founded with his older brother Ronald "Slim" Williams in 1991. Birdman released his eponymous debut album in 2002, and has gone on to release four solo studio albums in total. Aside from his solo career, he is also a member of the hip-hop duo Big Tymers, along with producer Mannie Fresh. 　　long with his solo work and numerous releases with the Big Tymers, Birdman has released a collaboration album and numerous tracks with fellow rapper and protégé Lil Wayne, whom he discovered and took under his wing at an early age. Birdman has also made his name by contributing to the making of YMCMB (Young Money Cash Money Billionaires), a combination of the former's "Cash Money" and Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment imprint under the label. Birdman has also founded the project and hip hop supergroup Rich Gang, bringing attention to artists such as Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan. 　　Early life 　　Birdman was born Bryan Christopher Brooks on February 15, 1969 at Charity Hospital in New Orleans to Johnnie Williams and Gladys Brooks. For almost a month after his birth, he did not have a given name, which led to people simply calling him "Baby", a nickname he retains to this day. Williams did not sign the birth certificate, which led to Bryan taking his mother's surname at birth. As a child, Brooks and his family lived on top of a bar, which was owned by their father. His mother, Gladys, became ill and died in 1975 when Bryan was five years old.After their mother's death, Birdman and his siblings Kim, Ronald and Ray were taken in by their uncle and spent two or three years in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, followed by two years in foster care upon their return to New Orleans. After their father Johnnie learned that they were in the foster home, a long legal battle took place in the mid-'70s which eventually ended with Johnnie and his wife Patricia gaining full custody and Bryan's name changing to Bryan Williams.He then lived in the Magnolia Projects in Central City, New Orleans, where he developed a strong friendship with his step-brother Eldrick Wise.