Mario Sentell Giden Mims (born May 19, 1981), known professionally as Yo Gotti, is an American rapper and music executive.[5] In 1996, he released his debut album Youngsta's On a Come Up under the alias Lil Yo. He went on to release From Da Dope Game 2 Da Rap Game (2000), Self-Explanatory (2001), Life (2003), Back 2 da Basics (2006), Live from the Kitchen (2012), I Am (2013), The Art of Hustle (2016), I Still Am (2017), Untrapped (2020), and CM10: Free Game (2022).
Mario grew up in Ridgecrest Apartments in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee.[6] He began his music career around the age of 14, rapping as Lil Yo, affiliated with DJ Sound and his crew.[2] Between 2000 and 2006, Yo Gotti released a string of independent albums: From Da Dope Game 2 Da Rap Game (2000), Self-Explanatory (2001), Life (2003), and Back 2 da Basics (2006).[7][8]
Yo Gotti released his major label debut studio album Live From The Kitchen in January 2012, after several delays.[9][10] "5 Star", the album's original first single, was released in May 2009.[11] The single peaked at 79 on the Hot 100, 19 on U.S R&B and 11 on U.S Rap.[12][13] "Women Lie, Men Lie" featuring Lil Wayne, the album's second single, was released in December 2009.[14] The song peaked at 81 on 100, 22 on the U.S R&B and 12 on the U.S Rap.[12][13]
"Look In the Mirror" was the third single released seven months after the second single in July 2010.[15] The song peaked at 97 on the U.S R&B chart.[12]Live From The Kitchen debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200, with 16,000 copies sold in its first week of sales in the United States.[16] After three weeks on the chart, the album had sold 36,000 copies in the United States.[17] In 2012, due to Gotti's views following the low sales of his debut album, he left RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music.[18] He released the 7th version of his well-known mixtape series Cocaine Muzik, titled Cocaine Muzik 7: The World Is Yours, in October 2012.[19]
2013–present: I Am, The Art of Hustle, Untrapped and CM10: Free Game[edit]
In early 2013, Gotti announced that he and his label CMG had been signed to a distribution deal with Epic Records from longtime business partner L.A. Reid.[20] In May 2013, Yo Gotti announced that his sixth studio album would be titled I Am.[21] The first single from his sixth studio album I Am is titled "Act Right" and features Young Jeezy and YG.[22] The song debuted at #5 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and at #39 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[23] As of September 21, it has peaked at #100 on the Hot 100, making it Gotti and YG's third Hot 100 entry, #33 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at #24 on the Rap Songs chart.[13][23][24]
In July 2013, it was announced that the album would be released on November 19, 2013.[25] In August 2013, he announced the I Am Tour Dates, a tour in promotion of I Am which ran from September 14 until November 19, 2013, with supporting acts including YG, Zed Zilla, Shy Glizzy and Cash Out.[26] In September 2013, Yo Gotti released the mixtape Nov 19: The Mixtape in promotion for the album.[27]
On October 7, 2013, the album's second official single "King Shit" featuring T.I. was sent to mainstream urban radio in the United States.[28] On October 15, the music video for "King Shit" featuring T.I. was released.[29] "King Shit" peaked at five on the US BillboardBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[30] On October 27, 2013, Yo Gotti premiered the album's third single, "Cold Blood" featuring rapper J. Cole and Canei Finch.[31]
In February 2016, Yo Gotti released the official cover art for both the standard and deluxe versions of The Art of Hustle, and the release date of the album.[32] Released on February 19, 2016, the album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200.[33] The album's lead single "Down in the DM", featuring Nicki Minaj on the remix, peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.[24] In August 2016, singer Meghan Trainor released "Better" featuring Gotti, as the third single from her second major-label album, Thank You.[34] Gotti closed out 2016 with the announcement of a deal with Jay Z and his Roc Nation label, in partnership with his own CMG (Collective Music Group) imprint.
[35]
In June 2017, Gotti released a collaborative mixtape with record producer Mike Will Made It, titled Gotti Made-It.[36] The mixtape's lead single, "Rake It Up" featuring Nicki Minaj, peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became his highest charting single in the country.[24] "Rake It Up" was later included on his ninth album I Still Am (2017). Gotti's tenth album, Untrapped, was released in January 2020 and became his fourth consecutive top-ten debut on the Billboard 200.[37] The album features Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Uzi Vert, Rick Ross, Ty Dolla $ign, and Moneybagg Yo, among others.[38] It was Gotti's fourth and final album under the initial Epic Records contract.[39]
In July 2020, he released the single, "Recession Proof", on his label CMG, with Epic, under a new contract. Sophie Caraan of Hypebeast said on the song, "He celebrates his longevity in the music industry, his growth as a businessman and rise as a music exec, boasting his label's lineup that includes the likes of 42 Dugg, Blac Youngsta and Lil Migo, and his management work with Moneybagg Yo and Blocboy JB".[39] In September 2021, Yo Gotti announced that he had become co-owner of the Major League Soccer franchise D.C. United. He explained that he saw its growth over the years after being introduced to the game by his son.[38]
Gotti's eleventh studio album, CM10: Free Game, was set for release in November 2021, until the album was delayed for unknown reasons.[40] It was eventually released in February 2022.[41] It is a double-disc album, consisting of the discs: "Free" and "Game".[38]
