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Memphis-based rapper Big Boogie is carving out a career for himself with his own tough but anthemic Southern rap. Signed to Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group, Big Boogie issued several singles for the label, followed by a run of projects including 2020's Final Nightmare and 2021's Underrated. Definition of Big Dude appeared in 2023, with a multitude of singles arriving since, including "Wop Wop" and "Pool Party," the latter from his next solo release, 2024's Ether.

Born in Louisiana but raised in Memphis, Big Boogie found solace in music as a youngster and used it to escape from the poverty that he'd grown up in. Using his personal experiences of street life, he started to release his own tracks, and he issued his debut mixtape, Definition of Pain, in 2017. The follow-up trilogy of Pain on Paper appeared that same year, with Boogie making a name for himself with his tough and edgy Southern rap. By 2018, he'd been invited to perform at Yo Gotti's annual birthday bash in Memphis and would eventually be taken under the rapper's wing, with Gotti signing Big Boogie to his Collective Music Group. Boogie released his label debut, Final Nightmare, in 2020, with the full-length Underrated arriving a year later. Collaborations with Moneybagg Yo and Gotti saw his profile explode, earning him massive streaming figures across platforms and social media. A deluxe edition of Underrated appeared in 2022, and Definition of Big Dude landed in 2023. Numerous singles and guest appearances followed including 2024's "Left Right" and "Wop Wop." Boogie release two full-length projects that year. The first, February's REDRUM Wizard, was a joint effort with DJ Drama, followed in October by the solo album Ether. The latter yielded a popular standout in "Pool Party" with 42 Dugg and YTB Fatt. ~ Rich Wilson

Detroit rapper 42 Dugg found his calling during an especially dark time in jail. While in solitary confinement, he began writing rhymes to keep his grip on sanity, and once free, was inspired to pursue music full-time. Within a few years, he signed with Yo Gotti's CMG label and brought his ruthless street style to a series of mixtapes including 2019's Young and Turnt and 2021's Free Dem Boyz. In 2022 he teamed up with Yo Gotti roster-mate EST Gee on the album Last Ones Left. He also appeared on the high-profile CMG compilation Gangsta Art and landed a one-off hit, "U-Digg," with Lil Baby and Veeze. In 2024, he released his first official full-length album, 4eva Us Neva Them.

A native of Detroit's often-dangerous East Side, 42 Dugg found himself in trouble with the law early on in life. By age 15 he was serving a six-year jail sentence. He began rapping while incarcerated and took it more seriously when he was let out, releasing his first song, "Mama I'm Sorry," in January 2018. From there, the rapper quickly ascended, self-releasing several projects like the 11241 Wayburn mixtape. He collaborated with other Detroit rappers like Babyface Ray and the 42 Twinz on his early material, and soon caught the attention of national stars.

Strong early singles like "The Streets" led to Yo Gotti signing 42 Dugg to his Collective Music Group label. A joint agreement allowed him to sign on with Lil Baby's label 4PF as well. Several singles surfaced before the release of 2019's Young and Turnt. The mixtape featured guest verses from fellow Detroit artist Tee Grizzley as well as known names like Blac Youngsta and Peewee Longway. Young & Turnt 2, an entirely freestyled mixtape, appeared in 2020 and debuted at number 70 on the Billboard 200.

Collaborations with Marshmello ("Baggin'") and LBS Kee'vin ("Shining") followed, and in 2021 42 Dugg returned with his fourth mixtape, Free Dem Boyz, which featured Roddy Ricch on the hit "4 Da Gang." In April 2022, he collaborated with Kentucky rapper EST Gee on the Last Ones Left mixtape, which yielded a hit in "Thump Shit." Two months later, he teamed up with Lil Baby and Veeze on "U-Digg," which appeared on multiple charts and reached number 52 on the Billboard 100. He was also featured heavily on the CMG label compilation Gangsta Art, which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200 and included the hit "Steppers."

A collaboration with Babyface Ray, "Ron Artest," arrived in February 2023. Several months later, the rapper was sentenced to a year in prison for failure to report for a previous 2022 sentence. Released in October 2023, 42 Dugg returned to the studio and in July 2024 delivered his full-length debut album, 4eva Us Neva Them, which showcased guest spots by Sexyy Red, Blac Youngsta, Lil Baby, Young Geezy, and EST Gee, the latter of whom was featured on the single "Since When." ~ Fred Thomas

YTB Fatt is a West Memphis rapper with a raspy drawl and a combative freestyle flow rooted in classic Dirty South rap. Emerging in 2019, he inked a deal with Moneybagg Yo's Bread Gang label ahead of the release of his debut mixtape, 2023's Who Is Fatt. Foxes Only and several singles followed, including 2024's "In the Air" (with Rylo Rodriguez). On Zai became the rapper's first effort to chart in the Billboard 200.

Born and raised in West Memphis, Arkansas, YTB Fatt spent his formative years in survival mode, doing anything and everything to elude poverty. His 2019 singles "Come & Get Me," "In My City," and "At the Store" caught the attention of Moneybagg Yo, who took the rising star under his wing. Fatt signed with Bread Gang shortly thereafter and headed to Miami to put together his debut. The resulting Who Is Fatt, which included features from Big Homiie G, Sett, and Rob49, appeared in 2023. Another mixtape, Foxes Only, featured GloRilla, Lil Yachty, and BabyDrill. He continued issuing singles in 2024, collaborating with Rylo Rodriguez on the song "In the Air." His full-length mixtape On Zai featured appearances by Lil Baby, NoCap, and Blac Youngsta. The release charted at number 133 on the Billboard 200. ~ James Christopher Monger