Yo Gotti on how Memphis’ Stax records influences his music

theGRIO VIDEO - He’s been rapping since the early 2000s and while the mixtape scene has always respected Gotti and his craft, the major labels are finally catching up...

Kyle Harvey

Oct 23, 2013

Memphis rapper Yo Gotti is no stranger to setbacks.

He’s been rapping since the early 2000s and while the mixtape scene has always respected Gotti and his craft, the major labels are finally catching up.

With his upcoming I AM album set to be released November 19th, Yo Gotti is more than ready to share his message.

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Yo Gotti is a trap rapper with a distinct voice and honest story who’s worked with everyone from the South, including, J.Cole., Young Jeezy and T.I.

I AM will just be an extension of his life and the pain he’s seen growing up in Memphis, Tennessee.

The pioneering Stax records, the home to legends like Isaac Hayes, The Dramatics and Otis Redding, found its roots in Tennessee. Though he grew up close to Elvis Presley’s Graceland, Gotti relates to the soul sound from that era and looks to continue to capture that feeling with his brand of trap music.

“It’s the pain. That’s when you hear from those songs,” Yo Gotti said about Stax’s impact on his music. “Even before you sample it, you already hear the soul in the record. I look to keep that going.”

Check out what else Yo Gotti had to say about Memphis, his “big brother” T.I. and more in our Grio sitdown.

You can check out Kyle’s musical coverage on theGrio music page, and follow Kyle on Twitter at @HarveyWins.