Stunt Culture: Cash Money Records and its Negative Effects on New Orleans' Collaborative Spirit

Hip hop, a genre born out of creative expression and cultural influence, has seen various subcultures emerge throughout its history. One such phenomenon is the "stunt culture," characterized by excessive displays of wealth and a competitive mindset. I wanted to share with you my thoughts on the rise of Cash Money Records and its role in promoting this culture within our communities. Moreover, we will delve into a few of the negative consequences this culture has had on New Orleans, particularly the eroding sense of collaboration among its artists.

Cash Money Records: An Emblem of Stunt Culture

“it's a mindset that promotes competition over collaboration”

Founded by brothers Bryan “BABY-BRIAN-B-BUBBA" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams, Cash Money Records' rise coincided with the popularization of the stunt culture. Stuntin'—exhibiting one's wealth through flashy cars, jewelry, and opulent lifestyles—became a prominent element of Cash Money's brand. Music videos featuring luxurious mansions, exotic cars, and excessive displays of wealth became the norm, influencing not only the label's artists but also the wider creative community. While the success of CMR brought attention to the city of New Orleans, it also had some unintended negative consequences. The culture of stuntin’ promoted by the label perpetuated an unrealistic standard of success, reinforcing materialism and individualism within the local hip hop/creative scene and neighborhoods across town. The competitive nature of stunt culture fostered an environment where artists focused more on outshining one another instead of collaborating. Though the flex was material possessions, it was more than just cars and jewelry; it's a mindset that promotes competition over collaboration. Instead of supporting each other's growth, artists began to view their peers as rivals, hindering the formation of cohesive movements and joint endeavors. Recognizing the negative effects of the stunt culture is crucial for the revitalization of New Orleans' collaborative spirit within the creative communities. To overcome the divisions and foster a more unified and vibrant scene, several steps can be taken. While I do indeed possess those steps, why would I share that kind of valuable information here? After all, it is a competition right? (J/K) I HAVE NO IDEA ;-)

Yes, Cash Money played a significant role in popularizing the “stunt culture” that we have today but it would be an oversimplification to attribute all the divisiveness among New Orleans' artists solely to the label. Whether it’s keeping up with the Joneses or Kardashians, the stories are pretty similar today in any other community. Therefore, it would be more accurate to consider the stunt culture as a contributing factor to the divisiveness among artists in New Orleans, rather than placing the blame solely on Cash Money but this side of the story was a hell of a lot more fun to explore.