“Coming from the streets, I was taught that good dope sells itself,” says the I Am rapper, who has supplied the streets with gold and platinum hits such as “5 Star,” “Act Right” with YG and Jeezy and the Nicki Minaj-assisted tracks “ Down in the DM” and “ Rake It Up,” which peaked at No. Guided by his hustler’s spirit, he managed to navigate the independent route on his own terms, eventually locking in deals with major labels like RCA Records and Epic Records. Introduced as Lil Yo in the mid-1990s, the Memphis legend dropped off his debut album, Youngsta’s on a Come Up, independently in 1996, and has been on his grind ever since. And the massive, radio-ready “Real Ones” is an important step towards becoming one of the biggest names in rap.Starting from the bottom, Yo Gotti rose from underground kingpin to one of hip-hop’s reigning kings in the South. With Yo Gotti’s CMG (Moneybagg Yo, 42 Dugg, EST Gee) by his side, Mozzy has the support needed to take his brilliant street tales and witty flexes to a much wider audience. In the process, he’s built up a tremendous street buzz.” Since then, Mozzy has dropped a number of groundbreaking releases, including 2015 mixtape Bladadah, his 2017 studio debut, 1 Up Top Ahk, and 2021’s Untreated Trauma, which landed at No.19 on the Billboard 200. As Complex wrote back then, “This year alone the acclaimed artist released four solo full-lengths, several collaborative albums, and a flurry of flawless guest spots.

In 2015, he began a mixtape run that many hip-hop fans point to as an all-time effort. “Real Ones” underlines why Mozzy has been one of the most celebrated figures in rap for more than half a decade. Roddy Ricch then steps up for a poignant chorus.

“I know when the love is hella fake and when it’s pure.” A blend of catharsis and anger at the rap game, he celebrates his hard-fought victories, calls out his enemies, and thanks his team.

The 34-year-old, who previously hustled as an independent artist on his own Mozzy Records, shares his journey on “Real Ones.” “ Forced to blow them hammers, ain’t no human that I fear,” he spits in his signature fast flow.

New yo gotti interview