Mario Mims (born May 19, 1981), better known by his stage name Yo Gotti, is an American rapper. In 1996, Gotti released his debut album Youngsta's On a Come Up under the alias Lil Yo. He went to release From Da Dope Game 2 Da Rap Game (2000), Self-Explanatory (2001), Life (2003), Back 2 da Basics (2006), Live from the Kitchen (2012), I Am (2013) and The Art of Hustle (2016). Musical career[edit] 2000–06: Career beginnings[edit] Mims grew up in Ridgecrest Apartments of Frayser, Memphis.[2] He began his music career around the age of 14, rapping as Lil Yo, affiliated with DJ Sound and his crew.[1] Between 2000 and 2006, Yo Gotti released a string of independent albums. From Da Dope Game 2 Da Rap Game (2000), Self-Explanatory (2001), Life (2003) and Back 2 da Basics (2006).[3][4] 2009–12: Live from the Kitchen[edit] After several delays Yo Gotti released his major label debut studio album Live From The Kitchen on January 10, 2012.[5][6] The album's original first single was titled "5 Star" and it was released on May 20, 2009.[7] The single peaked at 79 on the Hot 100, 19 on U.S R&B and 11 on U.S Rap.[8][8][9] "Women Lie, Men Lie" featuring Lil Wayne the album's second single was released on December 11, 2009.[10] The song peaked at 81 on 100, 22 on the U.S R&B and 12 on the U.S Rap.[8][9] "Look In the Mirror" was the third single released 7 months after the second single on July 27, 2010.[11] The song peaked at 97 on the U.S R&B chart.[8] Live From The Kitchen debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200, with 16,000 copies sold in its first week of sales in the United States.[12] After three weeks on the chart the album has sold 36,000 copies in the United States.[13] In 2012 due to Gotti's views of the low sales of his debut album he took his departure from RCA Records & Polo Grounds Music.[14] On October 17, 2012, he released the 7th version of his well known mixtape series Cocaine Muzik entitled Cocaine Muzik 7: The World Is Yours.[15] 2013–present: I Am and The Art of Hustle[edit] In early 2013, Gotti announced that he and his label CMG had been signed to a distribution deal with Epic Records from longtime business partner L.A. Reid.[16] On May 28, 2013, Yo Gotti announced that his sixth studio album would be titled I Am.[17] The first single from his sixth studio album I Am is titled "Act Right" and features Young Jeezy and YG.[18] The song debuted at #5 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and at #39 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[19] As of September 21, it has peaked at #100 on the Hot 100, making it Gotti and YG's third Hot 100 entry, #33 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at #24 on the Rap Songs chart.[9][19][20] In July 2013, it was announced that the album would be released on November 19, 2013.[21] On August 22, 2013, he announced the I Am Tour Dates, a tour in promotion of I Am which ran from September 14, 2013, until November 19, 2013, with supporting acts including YG, Zed Zilla, Shy Glizzy and Cash Out.[22] On September 2, 2013, Yo Gotti released the mixtape Nov 19th: The Mixtape in promotion for the album.[23] On October 7, 2013, the album's second official single "King sh**" featuring T.I. was released to mainstream urban radio in the United States.[24] On October 15, 2013, the music video for "King sh**" featuring T.I. was released.[25] "King sh**" has since peaked at five on the US Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[26] On October 27, 2013, Yo Gotti premiered the album's third single, "Cold Blood" featuring rapper J. Cole and Canei Finch.[27] On February 1, 2016, Yo Gotti released the official cover art for both the standard and deluxe versions of The Art of Hustle, and the release date of February 19, 2016.[28] The album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200