Lounging in his sprawling 10,000-square-foot Tuscan-style mansion just beyond Malibu’s northern reaches, Yo Gotti, the 42-year-old founder and CEO of Memphis-based Collective Music Group (CMG), seeks solace. “Certain things validate the hard work,” Gotti muses, surveying his infinity pool against the backdrop of L.A. sunsets. “This is one of them.”
Gotti’s journey spans decades, originating from the vibrant Memphis rap scene of the late 1990s. His breakthrough arrived with the 2016 album, “The Art of the Hustle,” soaring to No. 4 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The album boasted the hit single “Down in the DM,” famously featured in advertisements for the sports betting platform FanDuel.
Hustle and Flow: “His business acumen is evident in every move he makes,” Jay-Z says of Yo Gotti, “breaking the mold of the old-guard definition of an executive.”JAMEL TOPPIN FOR FORBES
In 2012, amidst his journey, Gotti established his own music label, Cocaine Muzik Group, spotlighting Tennessee-based hip-hop artists, including Blac Youngsta and Moneybagg Yo. A pivotal encounter with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in later years led to transformative advice: drop “cocaine” from CMG’s name and rebrand with a more corporate identity. “If you know 50,” Gotti remarks, “he’ll volunteer information if he likes you.”
Gotti’s ascent in the music realm has brought forth the markers of success. His impressive $10 million watch collection boasts pieces from Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Vacheron Constantin. Complementing his horological finesse are his luxury vehicles, including an armored Hummer truck, a lime green 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and a Tesla Model S gifted by his girlfriend, Angela Simmons, daughter of rap legend Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons of Run-DMC.
Beyond CMG, Gotti holds a minority stake in D.C. United, a Major League Soccer team, and owns Memphis-based restaurant Prive. With an estimated net worth of $100 million, according to Forbes, Gotti acknowledges his financial stability but maintains his entrepreneurial vigor. “If I never wrote another rap again, I’m financially straight,” he affirms. “My whole career, I was setting up for that.”
However, driven by the ambition for more, Gotti, inspired by mentor Jay-Z, embarked on business classes at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management in December, focusing on corporate valuation. “I may want to buy a company or acquire another company,” Gotti expresses, seeking self-sufficiency in financial matters.
Recognizing Gotti’s strategic prowess, Jay-Z commends his business acumen, transcending conventional executive norms. Amidst a landscape where investor groups shell out exorbitant sums for music catalogs, Gotti weighs the prospect of securing generational wealth rather than engaging in mere transactions. Reflecting on his upbringing in Frayser, Tennessee, amidst a milieu of familial ties and street life allure, Gotti emphasizes the value instilled by his mother and aunts, juxtaposed against the perils of a life beyond the law.
Rake It Up: “I’m beyond transactional thinking," Yo Gotti says, "I’m thinking of real generational wealth."JAMEL TOPPIN FOR FORBES
“I witnessed everything being stripped away—all the wealth,” he reflects.
His mother’s lifestyle transformed from nightly cash rolls and a new Mercedes to earning $5.25 per hour at a grocery store and driving a Chevrolet Cavalier. Despite the drastic shift, Gotti’s resolve to abstain from street life persisted. At present, his mother serves as the chef at Gotti’s restaurant. However, the shadows of street life loomed large over the family; in January, Gotti’s elder brother, Anthony Mims, fell victim to a fatal shooting in Memphis.
Generation Next: “I hope that what I’m doing today is showing them that there’s a better way.”JAMEL TOPPIN FOR FORBES
While Memphis remains a constant presence in his thoughts, Yo Gotti finds himself in a different world at present. Seated in a frequented Malibu restaurant, he sets his phone face-down and puts his social media on pause. Immersed in the mesmerizing vistas and soothing sounds of the Pacific Ocean, he finally unwinds. Reflecting on his journey thus far and contemplating the path ahead, he focuses on how to impart his knowledge to young CMG artists like GloRilla and EST Gee, gleaned from two decades in the music industry. “If you acquire knowledge, you pass it down,” he affirms.
When asked what advice he would offer to the youth in Memphis to steer clear of the pitfalls of drug trade and gun violence, Gotti’s response is unequivocal: “I aspire to demonstrate through my actions today that there’s a better path.”
As for his own aspirations, how does he plan to amass his next $100 million? “It’s all part of the journey,” Gotti muses. “I’m sowing the seeds. Many lack the patience to wait—they desire instant gratification. Consequently, they struggle to execute a concrete plan.” Empowered by education and valuable mentorship, Yo Gotti stands prepared for the future. “One thing I am certain of,” he asserts, “is that we will emerge victorious.”