Russell say he hold Cash Money Records in high regards. He think the company which was launch in the mid 1990s with artist B.G., Juvenile, and Lil Wayne is the best Hip Hop company in history. Russell said "When I was watching Nicki Minaj receive her fifth consecutive rap award on the BET awards, I was almost brought to tears when she spoke about her Cash Money family. It reminded me of the very best corporate culture we built at Def Jam that we were fortunate enough to hold onto for a number of years (though not nearly as long as Cash Money has enjoyed).” Russell said Cash Money Recording decline the offer to partnership with Def Jam Recording at the time Russell thought they were making a big mistake. Russell now said " I guess they fooled me. Turns out, all these years later, they are the only owners and the only real triumphant [Hip Hop] company fully owned and operated by the true pioneers that started it.”