B.G. — whose given name is Christopher Noel Dorsey — is a New Orleans native who started his career in rap music when he signed to Ronald “Slim” Williams and Birdman’s Cash Money Records in 1994 at the age of 13 years old. He would quickly rise to fame, working alongside his label mates Lil Wayne, Turk, and Juvenile, with music production by Mannie Fresh.

In November 2009, B.G., which stands for Baby Gangsta, had a run in with the law that created a domino effect that would soon change the trajectory of his life and career. During a routine traffic stop, the New Orleans Police Department discovered three guns — two of which had been previously reported as stolen — in the rapper’s car. He was taken in and booked on an illegal carrying of weapons charge. In 2012, B.G. was sentenced to fourteen years in federal prison for gun possession and witness tampering.

Under ordinary circumstances, B.G. would be released from prison in April 2024. However, Cash Money Records boss, Birdman, has revealed the possibility of an early release. On November 30, a video circulated on social media claiming that the Hot Boys rapper had been released from prison, however it was quickly debunked as a fake by those who have been following B.G. and his career since the late 1990s.

Disappointing, to be sure. Still, whether BG is released from prison early or not, these five classic tracks are immediate must-adds to the playlist of any person, young or old, who is not familiar with the New Orleans hip hop star and his contributions to pop culture.

"Bling Bling" (feat. Hot Boys & Big Tymers)

The phrase bling bling has been a part of pop culture vernacular for as long as anyone can remember — even Gilt, of all places, uses the phrase (and in a hilariously out-of-place way) — but, as with all things in America today, the phrase’s origins are in Black culture…and, specifically, this 1999 song of the same name from BG featuring the Hot Boys (Juvenile, Turk, and some guy named Lil Wayne) and the Big Tymers.

“Bling Bling” was BG’s highest-charting song to date, peaking at No. 36 on the Billboard charts.

But even though it wasn’t a No. 1 hit, “Bling Bling” had a lasting impact on both hip-hop as a genre and pop culture as a whole.

"Don't Talk to Me"

“Don’t Talk to Me” was a single released in 2004 on BG’s seventh studio album, Life After Cash Money. Unlike his previous releases, “Don’t Talk to Me” showcased a much harder side of the New Orleans native, and featured an as-yet-unmatched lyrical flow over a KLC beat.

"I Need a Hot Girl"

Though “I Need a Hot Girl” was a Hot Boys song, it was BG’s verse that stood out from the rest. “I Need a Hot Girl” was the only Hot Boys single to hit the Billboard Hot 100 charts, where it peaked at No. 65 back in 1999. “I Need a Hot Girl” hearkens back to a time that’s long since gone, and proves Juvenile’s later claim that Cash Money Records was taking over for the 99 and the 2000s.

Incidentally, though Juvenile was featured in the official video for the song, he’s the only member of the Hot Boys who doesn’t contribute a verse on the track.

(See if you can count how many slang phrases are still used today in this song!)

"Cash Money is an Army"

While not one of the better-known songs by BG, “Cash Money is an Army” has earned its place in the hip-hop pantheon because it was interpolated by Jay-Z (via his then-producer, Kanye West) for his infamous “Takeover” track. (Both songs’ origins can be traced back to 1982, and the song “It’s in the Mix” by Slim.)

"Real N***a"

Another independent release (via Koch Records) from BG, “Real N***a” takes direct shots at Cash Money Records, extolling how his money got “real” once he departed from the legendary (but problematic) label. “Real N***a” is the song that demonstrates that while Juvenile had the pop hits and Lil Wayne had the longevity, BG had the nicest lyrical flow of all the Hot Boys.