March 8th, 2010 by MiSS Ls

These days, rappers seem to come and go incessantly, but Memphis native Yo Gotti has made it his prerogative to break that cycle and stay relevant.  After setting things off with his smash hit, “5 Star Chick” he came back at it again with none other than Cash Money mogul, Lil’ Wayne on “Women Lie, Men Lie.” There’s no doubt Yo Gotti is making a name for himself with his southern sound, and with his upcoming album Live From The Kitchen, the recognition can only flourish from here.

In his exclusive interview with MissLs.net, he explains “live from the kitchen,” what it means to be real, and address the rumored beef between himself and Three 6 Mafia.

Full interview after the jump

So, what’s going on in Yo Gotti’s life at this moment?
I’m great, just working…blessed, keep grinding.

What’s your main priority right now?
Winning, making sure that Yo-Gotti businesss successful, making sure that my new record label is successful with the new artists I got, making sure my album build to be a classic.

You have been in the game for over a decade what would you say contributes to that success?
Good music, hard work, determination, and most definitely good music that people want to hear.

A lot of artist from Tennessee are heavy in the mixtape game but have also had moments in the spotlight. You got Yourself, the legends 8Ball and MJG, Young Buck, Three 6 Mafia,  All-Star and so on. Do you think that mixtapes are a major part of your career and who Yo Gotti is an artist?
I think mixtapes is a major part of what created me because I’ve done a lot of mixtapes, and despite label situations it’s got me up.

We know your next album,, Live From The Kitchen comes out March 23rd…just in time for spring. Can you talk more about that?
I’m trying to make it a classic, I’ve worked with a whole bunch of producers from Drumma Boy, Jim Jones, Cool & Dre, and Justice League to name a few; I just a whole bunch of producers, my goal is to make sure it’s a classic album.

Can you explain the expression “live from the kitchen” and why you named the album that?
The kitchen is where you prepare your plan at, no matter what, everybody needs a plan something you got to have a recipe for…that’s what “live from the kitchen” means to me.

“Women lie, Men Lie” is real hot right now… it’s a great record, what’s the significance of that record to you?
I like the sound of the record, the beat real good, ya know? The fact that a lot of rappers are different on there that what you heard on the mixtapes, and it’s just a hot song overall. “Women lie, men lie, numbers don‘t” is a phrase I heard Jay-Z say maybe about four years ago; when I actually got the track, that part of the hook was already in the beat. I thought it was a great idea so I fuck with it.

You’ve been pretty good about sticking to your style of hip-hop music… do you think we’ll ever see a transformation? Not say you’re gonna go and put out a rock album or anything  (laughs) but …
I like to work with a lot of different producers, I think it’s all up to the producer what your music sound like. As far subject matter, I’ve only lived this one life, it’s all I know, so I’m pretty sure  that’s going to stay the same.

What elements do you feel you bring to your label and the rap game as a whole?
I think I bring that real music that people can relate to, that real music because at the end of the day everybody is real people. I make realistic music.

Alot rappers claim to be real, what is the definition of real to you?
Real to me is when you stand for something; money, fame, other people’s opinions, none of that determines what moves or decisions you make. You do everything of what’s real to you.

A lot of people think you’re signed with Cash Money, can you explain you affiliation?
Nah, I ain’t signed to cash money. One of my artists, All Star, is signed to me through Cash Money, and everybody always seeing me over there so they thinking that I was signed to them.

How do you feel about the record label’s role in the career of a music artist now? Some people I’ve spoken to say that it’s not even necessary.
I think it’s what you trying to do; if you’re trying to be an independent artist, or you’re trying to be with a major company, but with changes and the internet being so strong in the music game it makes it easier to do a lot of things these days verses four or five years ago.

A lot of people never understood the whole beef with you and Three 6 Mafia, can you clarify?
There wasn’t beef, we never had beef; I never got guns and went looking for them, and they never came looking for me. It was something I expressed in a song, the way I felt about a situation between me and them and it was just that.

What’s the status with you and Three 6 Mafia now?
The same as it’s always been. We never really worked with each other, they just do their thing and I do mine.

With so many rappers are getting rob/shot/incarcerated, does you feel the need to watch you back more?
I’m from the hood, so I watch my back anyway. You know, if I wasn’t doing music I’d be watching my back. When you got money and you come from where I’m from, certain people don’t care if you’re a rapper or a drug dealer; as long as you’re getting money you’re a target.

Now that Wayne is going to jail and Gucci Mane is currently serving time, two artist who you are closely linked to will be incarcerated, do you feel the need to do more as an artist or feel any pressure?
Nah, no pressure!

You’ve created a lot of hype with your hit “5 star chick”, I’m not sure if you’re aware but A few weeks ago there was a picture on twitter of a girl who had tattooed that phrase across her chest…which completely blew me away! How do you feel about that?
Music is supposed to be felt in a way, I think music do that…different songs do different things to different people. I just look at things like that, go in the studio and try to make another song.

Alright before we close up…I’m going to do a little segment called “women lie, men lie;” I’m going to name a situation and you tell me who is more likely to lie about it.

-money | men
-cheating | women
-relationship or marital status | men
-sex partners | women
-age | both (laughs)
-career | women
-how many kids they have | men

Any last comments you’d like to add?
Get the album, Live From The Kitchen, when it drops. Follow me on twitter, @yogottikom, and when you see me holla at me.