Throughout the course of hip hop there have been dozens of records labels that were running the game at one point—and according to the latest cover feature from Billboard, Yo Gotti’s record label has officially earned the new title. The magazine has crowned Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG) as the “hardest working label in hip hop” thanks to its roster of stars, including Moneybagg Yo, Blac Youngsta and 42 Dugg.
“Through his record label, Collective Music Group (CMG), the hip-hop mogul has achieved what most household-name rappers with imprints have not: breaking prominent underground names into a mainstream audience while continually shattering his own personal records. With his 10 signees, Gotti has established CMG as a formidable brand in the streets and on the charts,” Billboard says of Yo Gotti and CMG.
Yo Gotti explains why, despite many artists longing for a spot on his label, he refuses to chase anyone. “As a label, one thing we don’t do and will never do is be in a bidding war. You want to be with us? Then we’ll work out business terms that make sense for both of us.”
He also says that he tries to instill in his artists that chasing money shouldn’t be their sole purpose. “Young artists are blinded by dollar signs. Everybody wants a new car, to move their momma out to a bigger house, jewelry, the nice things in life. I think everybody should have exactly what they want, but there’s methods, strategies and tactics to get everything. Artists turn me off when it’s all about money.”
Interscope Records CEO John Janick speaks highly of Yo Gotti and the label he has built, specifically highlighting his business sense. “It’s rare to find somebody who’s an amazing creative but also a great businessperson. I think he’s a needle in a haystack, [because] he has mastered both of those things.”
There is no end in cite to his die-hard work ethic, as Yo Gotti admits that the believes vacations are pointless because “I enjoy working. I actually feel like, if I weren’t working, I’d be bored as s**t.” It looks like CMG will continue its reign at the top of the charts and beyond.
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