Collective Music Group rapper 42 Dugg was sentenced to a year in prison for failing to report for a previous sentence for carjacking and firearms possession. This situation isn’t working for CMG founder Yo Gotti. The Memphis rap mainstay was willing to pay big money to secure his artist’s release, posting a call to action on his Instagram Story. According to XXL, he wrote, “I got $2 million for any lawyer that can get Dugg out early.[That’s] what I want for my birthday #FreeDoggy”
Dugg appeared to be having a miserable time in prison as well, sharing an Instagram post of his own (perhaps through an intermediary) in which he claimed that he wasn’t being given hot water in the commissary to heat up food. “Man, I’m in this b*tch heating my food up with water from the nasty ass shower — they don’t even give us hot water to heat food up,” he asserted. “Ain’t no microwave, I can’t get no visits from my family, nothing. I’m sure they gone do some more illegal sh*t but what I ’pose to die in this b*tch for probation violation?”
Even before Dugg’s troubles, though, Gotti was working hard on prison reform. Last year, he allied with Jay-Z and Meek Mill to throw support behind a bill to prohibit the use of rap lyrics in criminal trials, and before that, he and Jay sued the Mississippi Department of Corrections over inmate rights violations, prompting the prisons’ healthcare provider to end its contract. Hopefully, their efforts will yield greater results in the future, because the prison system as it stands is pretty awful.
Memphis has long been underrated as one of the epicenters of hip-hop. While most regard areas such as Atlanta as the defining scope for rap in the Southeast corner of the United States, Memphis has been making plenty of noise. Furthermore, the city is known for pioneering a subgenre of hip-hop known as “crunk.” Rising from the gutter of Memphis, Moneybagg Yo went from frequently not affording electricity to one of the city’s leading spokespersons. Recently announced a new album, Hard to Love, 2023 is a big year for Moneybagg Yo.
Moneybagg Yo started in 2012, releasing a slew of mixtapes. Like many upcoming rappers, he stayed consistent with the hopes that he’d be noticed by a bigger name. That big break would come when he signed to Yo Gotti’s record label, Collective Music Group, in 2017. However, Moneybagg Yo saw moderate success before the deal with Federal Reloaded and ELO: Everybody Lives On. Artists such as Future later revealed that they had been long-time fans of his sound.
Yo Gotti Took Moneybagg Yo Under His Wing
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 05: (L-R) Moneybagg Yo and Yo Gotti attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
After a decade of patient dedication, he’s propelled himself from a 20-year-old scraping together mixtapes to a Billboard chart-topping rapper. Regarding signing the artist, Yo Gotti stated, “From one artist to another, I just think he’s someone who’s created a real buzz and a real demand for his music. With me being an artist myself, I know how hard it is. Any artist who starts from their own from the ground up, I respect it.” With Yo Gotti being a multi-decade-long veteran of the game, he’s been able to shortcut Moneybagg Yo to stardom since signing him.
It all started with 2 Federal, a collaborative mixtape between Moneybagg Yo and Yo Gotti. Featuring a signature Memphis sound, the project’s booming 808s and street cred bars gave Moneybagg Yo industry-wide notoriety. The mixtape’s success further enabled him to work with many A-listers in the hip-hop industry over the coming years. His delayed gratification in the industry adds to his comprehensive lyricism in many ways. From his best friend Elo being fatally shot to sacrificing time with his kids to focus on his music, he’s also proven in a short time that he has an endless array of engaging stories to tell.
After the release of 2 Federal, Moneybagg Yo would continue to grow as a solo artist. Projects such as Gangsta’s Pain and A Gangsta’s Pain: Reloaded featured the likes of Lil Durk and Lil Wayne, reaching the No. 1 spot on the Billboard charts in 2021. “Wokesha” and “Time Today” quickly morphed into moshpit anthems throughout the trap scene. Even going as far as collaborating with Pharrell Williams in the studio, he’s become one of hip-hop’s loudest voices out of the South.
That voice is set to return in 2023. Moneybagg Yo also recently announced his new album, Hard to Love: Heartless Edition. The project is slated to release on May 26th. He’s already released the lead single, “Motion God,” which has surpassed 5 million streams on Spotify in weeks. In addition, Moneybagg Yo has already confirmed that he’ll be releasing multiple new albums this calendar year. Well-known for his clockwork output of music, his associates describe him as an obsessive hard worker.
He Plans To Grow Beyond Music
However, his plans go far beyond the confines of music. When asked about his next move, he stated, “But when I say [on top of the game], I’m saying for everything, you’re speaking on music. I’m saying clothes, movies, all-around brands, different stuff. This is the space I’m in. Building the celebrity up.” It’s clear that the likes of Diddy and Jay-Z have influenced the hip-hop space for good, with successful artists now consistently looking to dive into various ventures beyond music. In fact, Moneybagg Yo recently opened his own restaurant in Memphis. Reportedly featuring a $135 steak, he certainly knows how to generate headlines and bring attention to his business.
The 31-year-old’s career is just getting off the ground. Sporting a Spotify monthly listener mark of over 10 million, he’s also one of the biggest names in the trap game. Now looking to dive into the world of television, it’s hard to doubt his initiative and tunnel vision mindset. Slated to release the new album Hard to Love: Heartless Edition and an additional project, 2023 could be Moneybagg Yo’s biggest year.
Jay-Z and Yo Gotti, renowned figures in the music industry, are joining forces to shed light on the appalling conditions inmates face at the Parchman Correctional Facility in Mississippi. In the upcoming documentary, Exposing Parchman, set to premiere on June 17 at 8 p.m. EST on the A&E network, the influential duo aims to reveal […]
Mississippi’s corrupt Parchman Penitentiary will be under the microscope in Jay-Z and Yo Gotti’s upcoming documentary. A&E’s Exposing Parchman debuts on Saturday, June 17th at 8 p.m. The doc takes a closer look at the reform work Hov and Gotti have done. Over the years, the two rappers worked with local attorneys and activists to highlight the injustices at the facility. The poor living conditions at Parchman Penitentiary have been a point of contention in recent years. Videos and reports emerged in recent years of death by suicide, homicide, and illness have emerged.
Roc Nation’s social justice branch, Team Roc, will produce the documentary with Good Caper Content and Summer TV. The trailer for Exposing Parchman includes appearances from both Yo Gotti and Jay-Z. Additionally, the doc will share heartbreaking stories from the families impacted by the living standards of the correctional facility. “Our hope is that this documentary will educate the public about these torturous injustices, hold the leaders in Mississippi accountable for fostering unconstitutional and inhumane conditions in Parchman,” Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez said.
Exposing Parchman Trailer Debut
The trailer for Exposing Parchman comes roughly two years after Jay-Z and Team ROC filed several lawsuits. The Roc Nation branch began to take action against Parchman Penitentiary and healthcare provider Certene. At the same time, they also helped provide legal aid for 200 inmates at the prison. The pressure from Team ROC led to an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department. Following their discoveries, they concluded that “Mississippi routinely violates the constitutional rights of people incarcerated at Parchman.” The DOJ then began to inform the state of the evidence and proof behind their findings.
“My heart goes out to the incarcerated men who have suffered without access to clean water, food and healthcare and the families that tragically lost loved ones in the process,” Yo Gotti said in a statement. “I will continue to stand up for the voiceless until they receive the justice they deserve. I’m grateful for the U.S. Department of Justice’s thorough report to hold the Mississippi Department of Corrections accountable for the cruel and inhumane treatment of the incarcerated population.” Check out the official trailer for A&E’s Exposing Parchman above.
Both rappers Drake and GloRilla are facing lawsuits for using samples from other artists without permission. This is a common issue for many rappers who have been sued for the same reason. Two of the biggest names in hip-hop, Drake and GloRilla, have both recently been sued for using samples of another artist without their […]
The Family of Tyre Nichols has filed a lawsuit for $550 million against the City of Memphis and its police department for the death of Nichols. The lawsuit claims the indicted officers were undertrained. Updated By: Chris Samuel (4/20/23 at 1:50 pm) The family of Tyre Nichols has filed a lawsuit. The family is suing […]
More insight is being shared about a tragedy that occurred outside of Yo Gotti’s restaurant Prive. The Memphis eatery is a staple in the city, mainly because of Gotti’s reach over his hometown. The Rap mogul does his best to stay out of trouble, and he’s been enjoying his time with his girlfriend, Angela Simmons. However, news of a shooting threw a wrench in his plans, and now, TMZ Hip Hop returns with an update.
According to reports, the shooting turned deadly, and two victims lost their lives. Five others were also reportedly injured during the incident. Prior to gunfire ringing out, a wild brawl reportedly ensued, and it was captured by surveillance footage. TMZ reported that the corridor inside Prive was crowded, and the fray had to do with two men: one in a red jacket and the other in blue. A group of people looked to have an intense back-and-forth before the man in red turned physical. A drink was then thrown before a fight erupted.
He may not have been at the scene, but Yo Gotti has found his name attached to the incident. The surfacing of the video has only made things worse, as the extent of the altercation is seen in great detail. Victims were being punched even after being knocked to the floor. The man in blue was even on crutches but tossed them to join in on the chaos. Security did their best to calm everyone involved, but it only caused the group to move from inside the restaurant to the parking lot.
Once outside, things turned deadly. When the surveillance video cuts to the parking lot, one person has already been shot. The man in blue remains without his crutches and hopping around. Then, he’s seen pointing a gun at a man in black before opening fire. Despite the detailed footage, authorities are reportedly still searching for suspects. The status of the investigation is unclear, but it was noted that Yo Gotti wasn’t in Memphis at the time of the tragedy. Further, what launched the fight in the first place also hasn’t been shared. Watch the footage above.
A deadly shooting outside Yo Gotti’s mother’s Prive restaurant in Memphis left two dead and five other victims hospitalized. Gotti has not yet spoken about the incident. Shooting Outside Of Yo Gott’s Mother’s Prive Restaurant A shooting occurred outside a restaurant with ties to rapper Yo Gotti’s mother in Memphis. The incident resulted in seven people […]
A shooting at Yo Gotti‘s Memphis restaurant, Prive, left two people dead and five injured, according to TMZ. Memphis police told TMZ that around 11:30 pm Wednesday night (March 29), a confrontation at the restaurant escalated into gunfire in the parking lot.
When police arrived, one man was found dead in the parking lot, while another died at a local hospital. Four other men and one woman suffered injuries but were driven to hospitals for treatment. Police did not give any updates on their conditions.
Memphis police confirm a shooting tonight @YoGotti ‘s restaurant Prive in Hickory Hill. It appears at least one person is dead. Stay with #wreg for the latest #privepic.twitter.com/NRrZ5TD6Pf
Yo Gotti, who owns the restaurant, was not in Memphis at the time of the shooting. TMZ noted that the restaurant was temporarily closed in 2021 after the death of rival Memphis rapper Young Dolph over concerns that someone assuming Gotti’s involvement in Dolph’s death might retaliate. Fortunately, nothing came of those concerns.
The assailants fled the scene of the shooting and are still at large. Police have not shared any theories about the cause of the shooting.
Last year, a Yo Gotti show was targeted for a mass shooting, but police were alerted to the plan and took the suspect into custody for medical evaluation. Gotti thanked the Memphis Police Department for apprehending the would-be shooter on Twitter, writing, “I would also like to thank the Memphis Police Department for their swift and proactive action in ensuring that all attendees returned home safely.”
