Young Jeezy has bolstered his personal team of artists by adding gangsta rapper-on-the-rise Freddie Gibbs to his CTE (Corporate Thugz Entertainment) roster.

On Saturday night during a performance at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago, Gibbs brought Jeezy onstage to raucous applause as the latter's "Lose My Mind" began playing. A CTE chain was placed around Jeezy's new protégé's neck, making his addition to the Atlanta rapper's CTE World label official.

While the Snowman made his reputation with drug-infused, street-savvy raps, Gibbs hopes to further rejuvenate the gangsta-rap genre. "I just partnered up with a guy I think can take me to the next level," Gibbs -- who credits CTE's Slick Pulla with getting his music to Jeezy's attention -- told the Smoking Section. "I got a great respect for him and what he do, and the respect is mutual. Musically, I think we can bring this gangsta rap sh-- back, 'cause it's lacking."

Although Def Jam has distributed CTE projects in the past, including Young Jeezy Presents USDA: Cold Summer in 2007, a Gibbs representative clarified that he is not signed to the label. Born Fredrick Tipton, the Gary, Indiana, native made a name for himself on the mixtape circuit, releasing critically lauded compilations including The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs, Midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik and last year's Str8 Killa No Filla. The 29-year-old rapper started pushing mixtapes after a record deal he landed with Interscope Records in 2006 soured and ended with his release from the label just a year later. Last year, Gibbs released an EP called Str8 Killa via Decon Records.

[article id="1645853"]Jeezy has never shied away[/article] from collaborating with hot new talent. The Atlanta rapper's fourth album, Thug Motivation 103, has been pushed back several times and does not yet have a confirmed release date.

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