Birdman and Slim's half-brother Terrance “Gangsta” Williams got life plus 20 years in 1998 after pleading guilty to engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise and solicitation for murder.

He had been caught on a wiretap plotting the death of New York drug dealers who had been headed down to New Orleans

Terrance had helped to bankroll Cash Money in the label's early, Hot Boys, days, and had also been involved in the heroin trade.

Earlier this month, the 47-year-old was released from federal prison and nobody is saying why.

Gangsta's lawyer confirmed his client had been released early, but declined to say the reason.  The Feds are also mum on the early release.

It isn't uncommon for the court to seal the reason for an early release when it stems from an inmate's cooperation.