What do you call a night filled with top charting artists, who are all headliners in their own right?
You call it something that needs no explanation: The Yo Gotti and Friends Birthday bash.
The energetic super-concert Friday (June 15) featured Yo Gotti and his entire CMG group: Moneybagg Yo, Blocboy JB, Big Boogie, Mozzy, Blac Yungsta, and others.
Lil Boosie kicked off the event shortly after 8 p.m. at the FedExForum, getting concertgoers excited about what would show up next.
This is the eighth installment of the bash, which was canceled for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The energy was electric when Lil Boosie entered the stage. “I love my city!” the rapper exclaimed as the crowd stood on and yelled in excitement.
The show rolled on as surprise guest Chicago rapper and OTR member Lil Durk came out with his chart-topping hit “Back in Blood,” a collaboration with Memphis artist Pooh Shiesty.
Shiesty has been incarcerated since 2021 and recently was sentenced to five years in prison on a firearms-related charge.
The crowd showed their support with the “Free Shiesty” chant and cheers.
In between performing his most popular hits, Yo Gotti took the time to pay respect to former CMG Member Snootie Wild.
The two collaborated on projects earlier in Snootie’s career and assisted with hits “No Kissing” and “Yayo” back in 2014. Snootie Wild was fatally shot in February in Houston, Texas.
The rapper also presented the family of his longtime engineer Leo Goff, who died June 1, with a plaque dedicated to their time together in the music industry.
While the show was amazing, it was clear that the logistics of such a monster production gave fans a hint of what it all meant.
It was Yo Gotti’s “Finale.”
The rapper-turned-self-made business owner is hanging up the microphone to focus on the recruitment of artists for his now popular CMG (Collective Music Group) label and mentorship efforts.
In recent weeks, Yo Gotti has made big moves on his roster, adding his first female R&B singer, Lehla Samia, and female Memphis rap artist Glorilla, who currently is sweeping the nation with her chart-topping summer anthem “FNF.”
The mogul recently released his 10th studio album “Free Game,” which peaked at number three on the Billboard Top 200.
The show concluded with CMG artist Moneybagg Yo. The Memphian recently earned his first studio album with “Gangsta’s Pain.” The crowd recited the lyrics word for word to his popular hits “Time Today” and “Doing too much.”
He then took time to praise Yo Gotti for investing in him and his career.
What’s next for Yo Gotti beyond his CMG record label?
Yo Gotti recently became co-owner of D.C. United soccer club and he also has secured other partnerships that will surely keep his art of hustle alive.
“I came from a place where I had to hustle,” said Yo Gotti. “Now it’s time to change the narrative.”
