Tuesday, Sep. 13, 2011
Magnolia Shorty
At its inception, Cash Money Records was dominated by men, including hitmakers Lil Wayne and Juvenile, who unleashed a unique Southern sound. Seeking to diversify the ranks, founder Bryan "Birdman" Williams sought a female act and signed Renetta Yemika Lowe, whom he nicknamed Magnolia Shorty because she came from New Orleans' Magnolia Projects. Along with singer Trishelle "Miss Tee" Williams, Lowe released a 1997 breakout debut album titled Monkey on tha D$ck, in 1997, which featured the hit "Charlie Whop." But, for reasons that remain unknown, in December 2010, the 28-year-old rapper was shot to death in a car not far from the Magnolia Projects that gave her her name. Another passenger, Jerome Hampton, 25, was also killed.