New York, NY - (December 15, 2005) - Cash Money Records hottest rising superstar, Lil Wayne, scores a breakthrough debut this week on Billboards Top 100 Albums chart, coming in at #2 with his new album, Tha Carter II. The New Orleans natives critically-acclaimed CD comes right behind Eminem, and ahead of several other top tier album releases such as Korn, Ja Rule, Tori Amos and others. Lil Waynes astonishing debut is Cash Money Records biggest-selling debut in the hip-hop dynastys history. Although the label boasts many top-selling artists and achieved many multi-platinum successes, this current accomplishment re-affirms Cash Moneys continued prominence within the music world.

This truly is an historic moment for Lil Wayne and the entire Cash Money family, stated Cash Money co-founder Ronald Slim Williams. This album shows his growth as a young man and artist. Hes changing the game from top to bottom and this is just the beginning for him. Ronalds brother, and Cash Money co-CEO, Bryan Birdman Williams, added. Hes like a son to me, so Im proud of him. This isnt just a big win for him and the label, he delivered big time for New Orleans as well, says Bryan Williams.

The stunning debut of Tha Carter II comes on the heels of Lil Waynes first ever Grammy nomination in the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category for his work with Destiny's Child and T.I. The album continues to garner outstanding reviews: The LA Times describing the album as explosive and poetic; The New York Times raves Lil Waynes voice, like his flow keeps getting better; and USA Today praises Waynes sharper-than-usual production and more diverse than ever lyricism.

The lead single, Fireman, from Tha Carter II has been burning up the radio charts, and the video remains a Top 10 staple on MTV2 and BET. Along with Tha Carter II, Cash Money/Universal Records has also simultaneously released a deluxe package of Tha Carter II which contains the new CD and a chopped and screwed versions of some of Lil Wayne's biggest songs including: Go DJ, Tha Block is Hot, Get Off The Corner as well as the new single, Fireman.

Lil Wayne, who was born and raised in the infamous poverty-stricken section of New Orleans 17th Ward, has become an inspiring symbol of the crescent citys tenacity, beginning with his rise to stardom in 1995. Lil Wayne was only 12 when he made his debut on his former label mates' B.G's True Story CD. Success with the group Hot Boys followed, featuring rappers Juvenile, Turk and B.G., with their 1997 debut album, Get It How You Live, followed by 1998's platinum certified Guerilla Warfare and 2003's Let Em Burn. His first solo album, 1999's Tha Block Is Hot achieved platinum status. He released Lights Out in 2000, 500 Degreez in 2002 and his touchstone album, 2004's gold certified, Tha Carter, which featured the hit single Go DJ.

Cash Money was launched in 1991, with the Williams Brothers creating the New Orleans based company that would eventually become a national phenomenon. In 1997 the label inked a breakthrough deal with Universal Records, making the Cash Money moniker synonymous with platinum selling artists and ground breaking entrepreneurship. The hip hop empire has sold more than 25 million records since their inception, claiming an explosive array of artists from Juvenile, to Lil Wayne, to Big Tymers, Hot Boys and Teena Marie, whose new album Sapphire is due out in the spring of 2006.