Yo Gotti

Yo Gotti Details Deep-Rooted Ties To Rick Ross, Drake

12 Jan 2012 13:37:45 EST

'It's always been the same, still till this day,' MC tells 'RapFix Live' of friendship with Ross.
By Rob Markman

Yo Gotti may have just released his major-label debut, but the Memphis, Tennessee, MC has always gotten major-level respect. With an independent grind that dates back to his 2000 album From da Dope Game 2 da Rap Game, Gotti has remained one of hip-hop's most beloved underground artists. Needless to say, he's built some key relationships along the way — one of them being with the biggest boss, Rick Ross.

"Ross is like a big brother," Gotti said on Wednesday's "RapFix Live." "I met Ross when ["Hustlin' " came out], before he was Rick Ross now as far as his accomplishments. It's always been the same, still 'til this day. If I hit him or he hits me on any given day, it's the same love."

Rozay rides shotgun on "Harder," a track from Gotti's Live From the Kitchen, which was released on Tuesday. Gotti just dropped the "Harder" video with Ross too. The Bawse isn't the only high-profile rap guest, however. Jadakiss, 2 Chainz, Big K.R.I.T., Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, Gucci Mane and Nicki Minaj all appear on the LP.

Another MC connected to Gotti is Drake, though the Young Money standout isn't featured on the album. Drizzy, who would spend summers in Gotti's native Memphis, name drops the rapper on "Underground Kings," a track from his most recent release Take Care. "Memphis, Tennessee, no, see I start to go deep back/ In Ridge Crest with my seat back, with Yo Gotti and E-Mack," Drake spits about his connection to the southern city and its beloved rap scene.

"I got a lot of respect for Drake, most definitely; he's killin' it," Gotti said of the Toronto standout whom he met years before Drizzy signed to Lil Wayne and became a star. "Back then it wasn't really much talkin', you know, 'cause he was just kinda quiet. He was on his mission, though; you see he went on it."

What do you think of Yo Gotti's Live From the Kitchen? Tell us in the comments!

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Yo Gotti

Yo Gotti And Saigon To Thug It Out On 'RapFix Live'

09 Jan 2012 17:30:45 EST

Watch the MCs chop it up with Sway on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com.
By Rob Markman

Last week, "RapFix Live" kicked off 2012 in grand fashion. Not only did Maino take over the red couch to give us his predictions for the next month (hint: he, Katy Perry and Rihanna fall into a love triangle), but Virginia rapper Skillz also came through to perform his "2011 Rap Up." This week, Yo Gotti will swing through and fill Sway in on his long-awaited major-label debut, Live From the Kitchen

The Memphis spitter has reigned as one of rap's most exciting underground artists thanks to his Cocaine Muzik mixtape series. And he's also notched a few hits on his belt, including the 2009 club banger "5 Star" featuring Gucci Mane, Trina and an up-and-coming Nicki Minaj. The song would go on to peak at #11 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart. Even though label drama led to album delay, Gotti continued to make hits. Next up was "Woman Lie, Men Lie" with Lil Wayne, then "For the Hood" with Gucci Mane and 2011's sing-songy "We Can Get it On."

If Yo Gotti weren't enough, Brooklyn MC Saigon will also stop by "RapFix Live" on Wednesday. Giddy made a serious impact in 2011 when he finally dropped his critically acclaimed debut album, The Greatest Story Never Told. On Monday (January 9), Sai premiered his OutKast-sampling track, "I Am 4 Real," on MTV's RapFix blog. "I Am 4 Real" is the first track off of Sai's upcoming Warning Shots 3: One Foot in the Grave mixtape.

Catch Yo Gotti and Saigon on "RapFix Live" Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com, and be sure to join the Twitter conversation using the hashtag #RapFixLive. And send your questions to @MTVRapFiX!

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Yo Gotti Says Zed Zilla 'Could Be The Next One'

13 Oct 2011 06:53:15 EDT

With Rent's Due, 'It's time for me to show 'em what south Memphis about,' Zed Zilla tells Mixtape Daily.
By Rob Markman

Granted, Yo Gotti has yet to release his first major-label album, but the Memphis, Tennessee, spitter is thinking big. While fans await Gotti's Live From the Kitchen (which he hopes will drop before the year ends), the "5 Star Chick" rapper is ready to further the career of his artist Zed Zilla, who will drop his Rent's Due mixtape later this month.

"We from two different sides: north Memphis, south Memphis," Zed told Mixtape Daily before explaining how he and Gotti met. "I had a show one day, he had his ear to the streets, came to my show. I rocked it, he liked what he saw ... we been click-clackin' ever since."

Zed has actually been riding alongside Gotti since his 2008 mixtape, Cocaine Muzik. More recently, the pair collaborated on Gotti's "Fire That Bitch," a humorous break-up song from Cocaine Muzik 6.

Next up is Zilla's Rent's Due with DJ Bigga Rankin. The tape features appearances from Waka Flocka Flame, 2 Chainz and, of course, Gotti. The title is particularly fitting considering one of Zed's rap aliases is "the Landlord."

"For me, with Rent's Due, ain't no way around rent; you gotta pay rent," he said. "I'm here to collect rent. I been with [Gotti] for a minute, been around the world, did a lot of shows, now it's time for me to show 'em what south Memphis about."

More than just his skills on the mic, Gotti made sure Zed Zilla was everything he claimed to be before signing him to his Cocaine Muzik Group record label. "First and foremost, you have to do your research and find out how close you is to that actual life you're talkin' about," Gotti explained. "You could be the best lyricist or rapper or songwriter, if you ain't mentally prepared to put in the work, it's a waste of time.

"When we done the research, [Zed] had all the ingredients that we were looking for," he continued. "I think he could be the next one."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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Young Jeezy Explains Why He Picked Plies And Yo Gotti For New LP

16 Aug 2010 19:53:08 EDT

'You heard of them, but you don't know them,' he tells MTV News of working with the lesser-known MCs.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Young Jeezy might rock microphones alongside Jay-Z, but the Georgia rapper isn't ready to be exactly like the Brooklyn icon just yet.

The Def Jam star featured a pair of less-heralded acts in Plies ("Lose My Mind") and Yo Gotti ("All White Everything") for two of the first three singles from his forthcoming Thug Motivation 103. The Snowman said he tapped the Southern artists not only to put the spotlight on both of them, but also to show his new fans — who might not be familiar with his mixtape work — where he comes from.

"Me and Gotti kind of came up at the same time," Jeezy told MTV News. "But I respected his grind just as well as he respected mine. Same thing with Plies. We kind of cover the same routes with what we do. Of course I've sold records in other places, but I don't ever want to forget. 'Cause I was always that cat trying to get to the next level, and no one lent their hand out. I had to grind my way up. So I feel like the big homie, like, 'Come on, y'all, let me show you over here.' Just as well as showing the people over here who don't understand why I act the way I act, this is what I come from. And look who I'm bringing with me? You heard of them, but you don't know them. But now you know them."

Young Jeezy's Thug Motivation 103 is set for a September 28 release. In addition to the two aforementioned singles, Jeezy has also released the Lil Jon collaboration "Jizzle."

He also recently put out a mixtape, 1,000 Grams, Vol. 1, which featured the track "Death B4 Dishonor," a song seemingly directed at Rick Ross. Jeezy, however, denied the charge, saying the record is "not a dis."

What do you think of Jeezy's latest collaborators? Let us know in the comments!

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Yo Gotti, Young Jeezy And Gucci Mane Here To 'Save' Street Music

10 Feb 2010 06:50:00 EST

'I feel that's who the streets look at as far as trap music,' Gotti tells Mixtape Daily.
By Shaheem Reid

Celebrity Favorites

Yo Gotti just wants to preserve the environment. The Memphis, Tennessee, MC wants to uphold the integrity of the streets in hip-hop. He has talked about the responsibility on the shoulders of himself, Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane as three of the 'hood's ambassadors.

"Keep getting it, I respect you and salute you, my n---a," Gotti says on the record "Save Da Trap," talking directly to Jeezy. "I knew you for this rap sh--/ We used to speak on trap sh--/ You represent the streets and you know I do the same/ From one gangsta to another, dawg, I hope you never change."

The last verse of the song addresses Gucci Mane.

"I don't really f--- with rappers but you/ You like my brother," Gotti says to Gucci. "We was in the spot/ We looked out for one another/ The first time I met, three songs in one night."

Gotti explained his musical letters to us.

"I feel like it's our job, between me and Jeezy and Gucci — I feel that's who the streets look at as far as trap music," Gotti explained. "So if it's gonna be saved, we have to save it. That [song is] me telling myself and them, 'Don't do it.' We gotta save the trap — the streets want us here. We still can do what we wanna do, make any kinda music we want to do — but we gotta keep representing the trap for the trap, 'cause that's what's made us."

Yo Gotti's next album, Live From the Kitchen, comes out later this year. He recently filmed a video for "Women Lie, Men Lie" in Los Angeles.

"It's a mystery video," Gotti said. "Women lie, men lie — it's kind of a mystery video. You'll see what's going on and what's not going on. I'm rapping about numbers. It's self-explanatory, a lot of things I'm talking about — figures ... what jewelry cost, what my deal is worth. It's just different things where I come from in the streets — a lot of numbers."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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05 Feb 2010 09:01:00 EST

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New Releases: 'Idol Encores,' Angels & Airwaves, Don Omar, Pink, Walkmen, Dixie Chicks & More

23 May 2006 06:00:00 EDT

Also due Tuesday: Damone, Susan Cagle, Yo Gotti, Mission of Burma, PJ Harvey.
By Kurt Orzeck

Idolatry: Everyone knows Katharine and Taylor are battling it out Tuesday night (May 23), but if you were rooting for Elliott, Paris, Kellie or another "Idol" contender, the compilation "American Idol Season 5 Encores" will give you a chance to hear the finalists once again. Covers of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight & the Pips give the collection plenty of soul, although Chris Daughtry adds some rock edge with his take on Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive."

While the "Idol" contenders' best-known tunes belong to other people, so do the theme songs to entertainers on the other end of the spectrum: WWE wrestlers. This week's other big compilation, WWE: Reckless Intent, isn't as heavy on the metal as you might think: Alongside tracks by Killswitch Engage, Brand New Sin and P.O.D. are Three 6 Mafia, who add some hop with "Some Bodies Gonna Get It," and Silkk the Shocker, who chips in "Never Gonna Change."

Touched by Angels: Call them a "rebirth," a "supergroup" or "the greatest rock and roll revolution for this generation," as singer Tom DeLonge himself did, but whatever the case, Angels & Airwaves finally descend with We Don't Need to Whisper this week. If you pre-ordered through the A&A site, you might have received a copy signed by the band, but if you're still looking for something extra, pick up the U.K. edition, which has bonus live versions of "Start the Machine" and "Do It for Me Now."

Don We Now: After teaming up with Jennifer Lopez and Fabolous the last time around, Don Omar is back with King of Kings, which probably gives you an idea of how important the rapper considers himself to the reggaetón movement. This time around he's roped in Juelz Santana ("Conteo"), Beenie Man ("Belly Danza") and Mackie Ranks ("En Su Nota") for his 18-track affair, which is mostly sung in Spanish.

Tickle Her Pink: Liking Pink's I'm Not Dead but still dying to "Get the Party Started"? Look no further than the singer's "Live in Europe," a DVD that packs in all her pre-"Stupid Girl" singles, plus a heap of additional performances. Furthered by an on-the-road doc, the video has more than 25 live songs plus spots by Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Peaches.

Dixie Cats: The Dixie Chicks know better than anyone what it's like to carry a heavy burden, but they share the load a little on their politically charged Taking the Long Way. Famed rock producer Rick Rubin sat behind the decks, while John Mayer adds a searing lick to "I Hope," co-written by blues legend Keb' Mo'. Sheryl Crow also lent her songwriting skills, though the Chicks get deeply personal by touching on everything from infertility to Alzheimer's, from which singer Natalie Maines' grandmother suffers.

Getting a Boost: Harlem, New York's Purple City tapped Jim Jones to executive produce and appear on their latest LP, The Purple Album, which also features B.G., Max B. and Boot Camp Click. Mr. Collipark is all over Da Muzicianz's record of the same name, producing a smattering of songs and appearing on the last two, "Mr. Collipark Speaks" and "Gyrate." And Lil Wayne, Jazze Pha, Bun B, Baby and 8Ball beef up the second record by Memphis underground fave Yo Gotti, whose Back 2 Da Basics also features "Full Time" from "Hustle & Flow."

On the rock side, Sufjan Stevens embellishes his pals Serena-Maneesh's self-titled debut, playing flute and marimba while his sisters Elvira and Hilma contribute vocals and bass, respectively. Another breakout indie troubadour, Devendra Banhart, furthers the second record by Vetiver — a.k.a. Andy Cabic, who is also a member of Banhart's live band. And two more solo stars are bumping up rookie Sierra Swan: James Blunt, who took her on tour recently, and Aimee Mann, who chimes in on "Get Down to It" on Swan's Ladyland. And one of the most iconic singer/songwriters of all, Leonard Cohen, mentored Hawaiian artist and Berklee College of Music grad Anjani Thomas for her major-label debut, Blue Alert, which was co-written and produced by Cohen.

As far as indie stuff goes, Mike Patton proves that Dub Trio really are "Not Alone" by appearing on that song on the noise act's enhanced New Heavy. Liars' Julian Gross directs one of the six videos that appears on the DVD accompanying Bedroom Walls' All Good Dreamers Pass This Way. And Antony and Bonnie "Prince" Billy surface on Black Ships Ate the Sky, the new album from Current 93, a collective headed up by David Tibet and also featuring Ben Chasny of Bonnie "Prince" Billy labelmates Six Organs of Admittance.

Branching Out: How apropos for Michelle Branch to debut her new project, the Wreckers, on "One Tree Hill." Now that she has, it's time for her and Nashville singer/songwriter Jessica Harp to trot out Stand Still, Look Pretty, the limited edition of which comes with a bonus DVD.

Also finding a new mouthpiece — actually, let's make that a bullhorn — are punk heroes Marky Ramone, Jerry Only (Misfits), Dez Cadena (Black Flag), Ivan Julian (Richard Hell & the Voidoids) and Misfits collaborator John Cafiero. Their new team, Osaka Popstar, roll out their eponymous debut this week, which — like the Wreckers' LP — comes with a bonus DVD loaded with videos, animation and more.

Two members of the Mother Hips and Cake drummer Todd Roper have gone on to form Sensations, whose Listen to My Shapes debut drops this week. And Dave Shettler of the Sights has joined forces with members of the Paybacks and Cyril Lords to form SSM, a raggedy Detroit band that's also chalking up a self-titled debut.

We Salute You: Everyone knows how much Def Leppard love their sugar, but David Bowie and the Kinks too? 'Pears so, as the U.K. arena-rockers hail those artists — plus Thin Lizzy, T. Rex and Roxy Music — on Yeah! Still, that's not as unusual as Urge Overkill, the Four Tops, the Monkees and Crooked Fingers covering Neil Diamond; all the recordings have been out before, but now they've been compiled as Forever Neil Diamond. Less surprising is another torch singer, Michael Bolton, who brings us his self-explanatory Bolton Swings Sinatra this week.

Song Title of the Week:

"Sometimes the Line Walks You" from Murder by Death's In Bocca Al Lupo

Other Notables:

PJ Harvey's "PJ Harvey on Tour - Please Leave Quietly" DVD: She's been around for seven album cycles, but the celebrated chanteuse finally has a concert video to call her own. Consisting mostly of performances from 2004 — including the rare tracks "Uh Huh Her" and "E♥ol" — the DVD also has a revealing, 28-minute interview and diary footage from the usually reserved Harvey.

Art Brut's Bang Bang Rock and Roll: If you didn't see last year's critics polls, you probably don't know about U.K. sensations Art Brut, whose debut LP finally arrives in the States this week. The chic artistes have added three exclusive cuts to the U.S. version: "These Animal Menswear," "Really Bad Weekend" and "Maternity Ward."

Mission of Burma's The Obliterati: They've been around for 26 years — well, just six, if you subtract the slightly lengthy hiatus — but Boston's MOB finally have a third studio LP to their name. Initial pressings have a bonus DVD featuring high-def, multi-angle footage from the band's November 2004 gig at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts. Prepare to be obliterated.

New Releases:

Jackie Allen - Tangled (Blue Note)
Angels & Airwaves - We Don't Need to Whisper (Geffen)
Read: "Tom DeLonge Spills More About Angels & Airwaves' Plans For World Domination"
Buy Now: We Don't Need to Whisper (Geffen)
Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock and Roll (Downtown)
Buy Now: Bang Bang Rock and Roll (Downtown)
As Far As - Open Letter to the Damned (Octone)
Bedroom Walls - All Good Dreamers Pass This Way (Baria)
Blöödhag - Hell Bent for Letters (Alternative Tentacles)
The Blood Brothers - Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck (enhanced EP; V2)
Buy Now: Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck (V2)
Michael Bolton - Bolton Swings Sinatra: The Second Time Around (Concord)
Bronze Nazareth - The Great Migration (Babygrande)
Susan Cagle - The Subway Recordings (Columbia)
Read: "Susan Cagle Has A Major-Label Deal But Still Sings In NYC Subway"
The Cairo Gang - The Cairo Gang (Narnack)
The Classic

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