For the past four years, Yo Gotti has done everything possible to make his hometown of Memphis a better place for his people. Besides philanthropic and community efforts including restaurants and various drives, his Yo Gotti & Friends Birthday Bash concerts have cemented as one pivotal figure in the city. For residents of Memphis, this is their OVO or Louisianimal Festival where everyone from Nicki Minaj, Dej Loaf and Rich Homie Quan to Nelly will come out to perform. This year, the collaboration between Gotti’s CMG Records and local radio station WHRK 97.1 should be better than ever. Today, the architect for The Art of Hustle announces the brothers Rae Sremmurd as the first artist set to perform at Mud Island Amphitheater June 19th. Taking time out to talk exclusively to HipHopDX, Gotti explains the original reason for creating the yearly event in Memphis, his way of giving back and why he’s putting Rae Sremmurd on the line-up.
Yo Gotti Stepped Up Because Of Lack Of Memphis Radio Station Concerts
“Back when I was coming up as an artist, we use to have a summer jam from one radio station and one from another. So, each radio station would do one a year. It was a big thing for me on the come-up to make it to that show. It went from that to being a headliner for the show and being from the city was big. Then, they stopped doing it. We don’t have summer jams in our city anymore. It’s me bringing that summer jam feeling back to the city.”
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Why He Goes Hard For The 901
“I just feel out this is where my career started. They were the first people to hear my music and support it. They kept me hot enough in the city. When I come home for a show or headline for them, I want to be the biggest show they see all year. I travel a lot and I get to see more things than what I a lot of people get to see. I just try to bring some activity back to the city. I just try to do things in my city to create jobs with the real estate company that I have and restaurant as well. I just do what I can to have the city come up. Outside of the things I do for Christmas like the event me and Penny Hardaway do every year. Anything we can do to help.’
Raising The Standard Every Year
“Man it ain’t even just the lineup. Of course, I’m going to reach out to the biggest artist we can get. It’s also the production and how the stage looks or how the lights are set up. I use to have it at a different place, but, it’ll be at the Mud Island Amphitheater this year for the second time. It’s one of the most unique venues in Memphis because it’s outside overlooking the river in Downtown. It’s a good location. I always like a big theater. Doing it there last year, it sold out and doing it again this year is going to be even crazier. This is from year-to-year, we don’t take off. When we finish one, we’re already working on the next one and coming up with new ideas for the next year.”
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The Reason For Adding Rae Sremmurd To The Lineup
I try to get artists that I feel my city wants to see and who are hot in the marketplace. I just think those dudes have the right energy and have been putting out music consistently for the past couple of years now. I know the city is going to enjoy the energy they bring to the concert.
Continuing Momentum From “Down In The DM”
“I’m working on a new album right now. I don’t have a title yet, but we’re still enjoying The Art of the Hustle. We’re still pushing that. I have my first platinum single with “DM.” I’m in LA celebrating that. I came out at the Young Thug show this week. I’ve been popping up at a few shows like at Beyonce’s Formation Tour with DJ Khaled. I’ve been playing in front of like 70,000 people or something they say. It’s been crazy. I just have to keep making good music. Just stay in the studio and stay focused. I’ve gotten a few phone calls after “DM” blew, but that comes with the game. I will say I have something really big coming up soon. ‘
