Yo Gotti Bio
Mario Mims (born May 19, 1981), known professionally as Yo Gotti, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record executive, and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee. Also known by the stage names Lil Yo and Big Gotti, he is a defining figure of Southern hip-hop and one of the most enduring voices to emerge from the Memphis rap scene.
Rooted in the traditions of Memphis rap, Yo Gotti began releasing independent material in the mid-1990s before transitioning to major-label success in the 2010s. In addition to his own music, he is the founder of the influential record label Collective Music Group (CMG), which has helped launch the careers of several prominent artists.
Early Life and Background
Mario Mims was born on May 19, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. He grew up in the Ridgecrest Apartments in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis, an area that would later become a frequent reference point in his music. The culture of Memphis, with its deep musical heritage, played a major role in shaping his early interest in hip-hop and performance.
As a teenager, Yo Gotti became involved in the local music scene, eventually teaming with DJ Sound and his crew as a young artist. He began rapping under the name Lil Yo when he was about 14 years old, developing his delivery and stage presence in the underground circuit. The Frayser neighborhood and its surroundings offered him both a community audience and the gritty realism that would become central to his lyrical identity.
Path to Music
Yo Gotti released his first project, Youngsta’s on a Come Up, in 1996 while still a teenager, marking the beginning of a prolific independent run. He followed that debut with a string of independent releases through the early 2000s, including From da Dope Game 2 da Rap Game (2000), Self-Explanatory (2001), Life (2003), and Back 2 da Basics (2006). These projects helped him build a loyal regional following and established his reputation as a hard-working figure in the Memphis rap underground.
His persistence paid off in 2009, when he signed with J Records and released the singles “5 Star” and “Women Lie, Men Lie” (featuring Lil Wayne). Both tracks received gold certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and charted on the Billboard Hot 100, signaling a shift from independent artist to nationally recognized recording star.
Yo Gotti Career
Early Career (1996–2006)
Yo Gotti’s earliest years as a recording artist were defined by independent output. Between 1996 and 2006, he built a catalog of self-released albums that cemented his standing on the Southern hip-hop circuit. Projects such as From da Dope Game 2 da Rap Game, Self-Explanatory, Life, and Back 2 da Basics gave him a steady stream of material to share with his Memphis fan base and beyond.
During this period, he refined his gritty, street-influenced style and developed a reputation as a relentless performer. This era laid the foundation for the wider recognition that would come once major labels took notice of his consistency and regional impact.
Breakthrough (2009–2012)
Yo Gotti’s major-label debut album, Live from the Kitchen, arrived in January 2012 after a series of delays, but his mainstream breakthrough was already underway by 2009. The singles “5 Star” and “Women Lie, Men Lie” (featuring Lil Wayne) earned gold certifications and charted on the Billboard Hot 100, marking his first significant national presence.
Live from the Kitchen debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200, and although the album received mixed reviews, it confirmed Yo Gotti’s arrival as a major-label artist. That same year, he founded the Collective Music Group (CMG) imprint, which would become a defining element of his career in the years to come.
2013–Present: I Am, The Art of Hustle, Untrapped and CM10: Free Game
In early 2013, Yo Gotti and his CMG label signed a distribution deal with Epic Records, led by longtime business partner L.A. Reid. Later that year, he released I Am (2013), which featured the platinum-certified single “Act Right” (with Jeezy and YG) and debuted within the top ten of the Billboard 200. The album’s success solidified his position as a top-tier Southern rap artist.
His 2016 project, The Art of Hustle, peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and produced the hit “Down in the DM,” whose remix featuring Nicki Minaj reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The following year, “Rake It Up” (with Mike Will Made-It and Nicki Minaj) climbed to number 8 on the Hot 100, becoming his highest-charting single to date and appearing on his 2017 album I Still Am.
Yo Gotti’s tenth album, Untrapped (2020), marked his fourth consecutive top-ten debut on the Billboard 200 and his final release under his initial Epic contract. He later released CM10: Free Game in February 2022, a double-disc project that peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. Throughout this period, he also expanded his reach into business and ownership, becoming a co-owner of the Major League Soccer franchise D.C. United in 2021.
Notable Works and Milestones
Yo Gotti’s signature works include the albums I Am (2013), The Art of Hustle (2016), I Still Am (2017), Untrapped (2020), and CM10: Free Game (2022), along with the singles “5 Star,” “Women Lie, Men Lie,” “Down in the DM,” and “Rake It Up.” His founding of Collective Music Group in 2012 and the subsequent rise of artists like Moneybagg Yo, 42 Dugg, Blac Youngsta, GloRilla, EST Gee, and Mozzy stand among his most lasting contributions to hip-hop.
Yo Gotti Award Nominations
Verified award nominations for Yo Gotti were not available in the provided source materials. As a result, no specific nominations are listed on this page.
Yo Gotti Awards Won
Verified award wins for Yo Gotti were not available in the provided source materials. While he has earned RIAA certifications for songs such as “5 Star,” “Women Lie, Men Lie,” “Act Right,” and “Down in the DM,” certified recordings are not summarized in a wins table on this page.
Yo Gotti Family
Yo Gotti’s brother, Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, was a close associate involved in his music and business operations. Detailed information about his parents, partners, or children was not available in the verified source materials provided.
Personal Life
Yo Gotti has largely kept his personal life out of the public spotlight, and verified details about his residence, education, partners, and children were not available in the provided source materials. His public identity remains centered on his music, his CMG label, and his role as a Memphis rap pioneer.