Young Money: Rise of an Empire (2014)

Young Money: Rise of an Empire is the second studio album by American supergroup Young Money Entertainment. The album was released on March 11, 2014, by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records. Rise of an Empire's recording process took place from 2013 to 2014. It contains contributions from several Young Money recording artists including, Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Christina Milian, Shanell, Mack Maine, Jae Millz, Cory Gunz, Gudda Gudda, Lil Twist, Chanel West Coast and PJ Morton, among others.

The album was produced by 40, The Runners, Hit-Boy, Detail, Lee on the Beats, Lex Luger, Aaron O'Brien, and Sonny Digital, among others. It also features additional guest appearances from YG, Meek Mill, Yo Gotti and Birdman. The album was supported by the singles; "We Alright" featuring Lil Wayne, Birdman and Euro, "Senile" featuring Tyga, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne, "Trophies" featuring Drake and "Lookin Ass" featuring Nicki Minaj.

The album was met with generally mixed reviews from music critics. It debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 32,000 copies in the United States.

Background

On January 22, 2014, Young Money Entertainment's COO Cortez Bryant sent out a press release announcing the second Young Money studio album titled Young Money: Rise of an Empire, and revealing that it would be released on March 11, 2014. It was also reported that Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Shanell, Drake, Tyga, Christina Milian, Gudda Gudda, Lil Twist, and Euro would be featured on the album. In the release it stated, "We Are Young Money helped launch the careers of our first generation of acts with Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Tyga. Even though we've been honored with accolades as a company, our hunger hasn't diminished or dwindled. We're hungrier than ever, and we're still building. That goes hand-in-hand with the title Young Money: Rise Of An Empire. We're not going anywhere. We don't plan on stopping— ever. Our goal is the expansion of this empire with the next generation of kings and queens ruling."

On January 26, 2014, Birdman told Sway Calloway of MTV News that every artist signed to Young Money would be featured on the album including Lil Chuckee, Austin Mahone and Paris Hilton among others already revealed. The album's cover artwork was revealed on February 15, 2014. The ominous red image displays a moon and clouds with a castle in the distance. On February 22, 2014, the album's track listing was announced, revealing appearances on the final version of the album from Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Mack Maine, Tyga, Jae Millz, Cory Gunz, Christina Milan, Gudda Gudda, Lil Twist, Shanell, Chanel West Coast, PJ Morton, Euro and Flow. It revealed additional guest appearances outside of Young Money from YG, Meek Mill, Yo Gotti and Birdman.

Singles

On January 22, 2014, Young Money released the album's first single "We Alright", featuring Lil Wayne, Birdman and the label's newest signee Euro. The Colin Tilley-directed music video was released on February 15, 2014. The video features cameo appearances from multiple members of Young Money.

"Senile" originally started as a single for Tyga, who then got Nicki Minaj featured on it, then Lil Wayne. Due to Tyga's fourth studio album not coming out till later in the year, they just decided to release it as a single for the compilation album. On February 10, 2014, Tyga revealed the cover artwork for the D.A. Doman-produced "Senile". He also said that the single would be released on February 17, 2014, however it would be pushed back slightly. Then on February 24, 2014, the song was premiered online as a promotional single. On April 13, 2014, the music video was released for "Senile".

On February 27, 2014, "Trophies" featuring Drake and "Lookin Ass" featuring Nicki Minaj were released as the second and third official singles. Then on March 4, 2014, "Trophies" was serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States. "Lookin Ass" was then serviced to urban contemporary radio in the United States on March 11, 2014.