Cash Money Vs No Limit: I Want A Rematch
Master P came prepared. Birdman didn’t.
I won’t lie to you. I have been so busy with work and everyday life, but this is a monthly newsletter. So like Andre 3000 said on Elevators, “we gon’ continue…”
Art Of Facts
Verzuz: Cash Money and No Limit go head-to-head
On Saturday, October 25, 2025, it finally happened. At ComplexCon in Las Vegas, Cash Money Records took on No Limit Records, and both labels brought their best ten bangers to the battle. I can’t and won’t speak for everyone, but for me, this was a dream matchup. I never thought I would get to see it.
The hype was real. Fans (including me) had been arguing for decades about whether you were a Cash Money Millionaire or a No Limit Soldier. It was time to really find out. I took this thing very seriously. I cleared the calendar and pressed play.
I have to keep it a buck: Cash Money dropped the ball. Big time. The set felt like a rehearsal gone wrong. Some of the Cash Money song choices were a little random; there was minimal crowd interaction, and the spirit of confusion was thick. Why did Cash Money play A Milli when Lil’ Wayne was absent? I am baffled. Juvenile didn’t even perform Ha for the people! It was RIGHT THERE. Actually, I am angry now. To be honest, Wayne being MIA was felt. I’m sure the bouncers would have let him in. Also, say what you want to say, but Turk’s verse on I Need A Hot Girl would have been appreciated by me that night. But like so many artists before and after him, Turk's absence stems from his issues with Cash Money as a staff, record label and a crew. Juvenile, B.G. and Mannie Fresh did their best to keep the situation moisturised, but Cash Money looked like a bunch of solo artists up there. It was as if they thought “Verzuz” meant “turn up and wing it.” It’s not on, to be honest.
Meanwhile, Master P and the No Limit Soldiers came out looking like they’d been preparing for war. Camouflage from head to toe, set list tight, and the energy was like Red Bull mixed with Pro Plus. Master P was jogging on the spot for over an hour. That man earned his sleep that night. He’s probably somewhere still jogging. Respect to Silkk The Shocker, Fiend, Young Bleed and Mac because they were given a job and took care of business. They all get a glowing performance review from me. But if there was a Verzuz MVP title for the showdown, I would give it to Mia X. She’s often left out of the “best female rappers” conversations, but I personally have to revisit my list. She didn’t miss a step, and I peeped how she had pictures of Big Ed, Soulja Slim and Magic (all deceased) on her shirt. I love the little details. No Limit moved like they had something to prove, and they did. I was thoroughly impressed. Their collective performance on the night will be important for their legacy and for introducing their sound to new generations of Hip Hop fans.
Yeah, yeah, I know what people say… “There are no losers… the culture won”. Nah, I’m not doing that. The No Limit tank rolled over a few heads and records, and now I don’t trust anybody.
Here are my five key takeaways:
Preparation is important: No Limit looked like they had a conversation beforehand and rehearsed, while Cash Money relied on vibes.
Nostalgia isn’t enough: Cash Money has a lot of hit records, but the energy didn’t match.
Looks matter: No Limit rocking their army uniform was a statement, and there’s power in looking like a unit.
Wrong location: The crowd was a little flat, and I say this battle should’ve happened in New Orleans for the hometown rambunctiousness.
Birdman is the problem: I blame him.
Watch Cash Money Vs. No Limit below.
Random Fact
When the remix isn’t really the remix
Did you know that the ‘original’ Buckwild-produced version of Born 2 Live by O.C. was actually the remix, and the Organized Konfusion-produced ‘remix’ was the original? Don’t believe me? The man confirmed it himself to Sumit and I back in 2020.
Listen to an exclusive interview with O.C. (Part 1 and Part 2) on The Breaking Atoms Podcast
By the way, I prefer Buckwild's version of Born 2 Live. You didn’t ask, but I’m telling you anyway.
Forgotten Fact
DJ Premier’s version of the Detox album
Remember the NYGz? Seriously, where are they? What happened to the official NYGz album? The album, titled Hustlaz Union, is produced by DJ Premier and was supposed to drop on Year Round Records in 2010 or 2011. Apart from a couple of loosies, the album still hasn't dropped. Panchi and Shabeeno have a dope chemistry on the mic. Don’t believe me? Check out this joint called Ready that was supposed to be on the album. Maybe, it still is. I don’t know.
I found this Reddit thread that fills in some of the gaps in the NYGz history. All I’m saying is if this album dropped today, I’d buy three copies.
New Old Fact
An unreleased album that was kept secret for three decades
Artist: Illjam
Release Title: The Demo
Label: 90s Tapes
Format: 2LP, CD, MC and Digital
Old music is always new when you hear it for the first time. Illjam was a group consisting of Shamartistic Shamarraw, P.S. Da Ville, On Point and Boo Luv. Side note: 90s rapper names are amazing. Anyway, if you’re serious about your liner notes, then you’ll remember the name Boo Luv from producing Echo Leader by The Last Emperor.
Long story short, the group recorded a handful of tracks between 1993-1996 at Funky Slice Studios in Brooklyn, with the hopes of landing a deal. No deal materialised, so they said “aight, cool” and called it a day. The album was submerged in dust, unheard and unreleased, for over 30 years until it was released by the good folks at 90s Tapes in September 2025. Before last month, I had never heard of these folks, and I am still baffled as to how music this good can just sit on a shelf for so long. The album slaps from top to bottom, but the remix of Good Morning Drop made me put the rewind button under pressure.
Buy / Stream / Download
Final Fact
Talking about remixes, this past Monday, I pulled up to Soho Radio to see my guy, Rob Pursey, on The Regulator Show. Of course, the world’s greatest seated DJ, Superix, was in the building along with Brighton’s very own Big Daps!
The show’s theme was deep cut remixes and we moved very mad. We pulled out some of our favourite remixes from Jemini The Gifted One, Yall So Stupid, Jigmastas, Rasco and Mike Zoot. I’m talking about the kind of tunes that aren’t even on streaming services and make you say, “I forgot about that one” or “what on Earth is this?”
We are them and them is we.
Click here to listen to The Regulator Show
By the way, I have to shout out Superix on his remix of All Good by De La Soul. Like Rob said on air, “it’s got a lot of shuffle in it”. I don’t know what he means but I respect it. You can check it out below.
That’s enough from me. I’m going to pour me some dark rum, go for a late night walk and listen to some Ka albums.