The Memphis rap game has always been brutal. However, nothing compares to the blood-soaked rivalry between Yo Gotti (Mario Mims) and the late Young Dolph (Adolph Thornton Jr.).
On November 17, 2021, the world stopped when Dolph walked into Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies and never walked out. Two masked gunmen ambushed him in broad daylight, firing over 100 shots. While the city mourned, the streets immediately suspected one thing: payback.
The $100,000 Hit: Prosecutors Name Big Jook
As the murder trials progressed, prosecutors dropped bombshells that pointed directly at Yo Gotti’s label, Collective Music Group (CMG). Specifically, they focused on Gotti’s right-hand man and older brother, Anthony “Big Jook” Mims.
According to court testimony, the hit on Young Dolph was a coordinated professional operation:
- The Bounty: Admitted shooter Cornelius Smith testified that Big Jook put out a $100,000 hit on Dolph.
- The Incentive: Justin Johnson, convicted in 2024, was allegedly lured by the promise of a CMG record deal.
- The Code: Witnesses claim Big Jook used turkey emojis in texts as a signal to execute the hit.
The motive was clear. Dolph had famously refused to sign with CMG years prior, choosing instead to build his own Paper Route Empire. His constant diss tracks aimed at Gotti and Jook turned a business rivalry into a mortal feud.
Retaliation in Memphis: The Death of Big Jook
The violence did not end with Young Dolph. On January 13, 2024, the cycle of “street justice” appeared to come full circle. Just months after his name surfaced in open court, Big Jook was gunned down outside a Memphis restaurant.
He was hit by over 20 shots after attending a funeral repass. To this day, no arrests have been made. This timing has led to intense speculation. Many wonder if Jook was murdered in retaliation for Dolph or if he was silenced to protect higher-ups within the label.
Is the CMG Label Cursed?
Despite the legal shadows, the CMG machine continues to spin. The label remains stacked with talent, including:
- GloRilla
- Moneybagg Yo
- EST Gee
- 42 Dugg
Yo Gotti himself has transitioned into a “corporate” role, even studying business at UCLA. However, insiders suggest a growing paranoia within the camp. One Memphis rapper recently claimed, “CMG has the curse now. Every time they win, somebody dies.”
The Feds are Watching
While Yo Gotti continues to perform and drop projects, industry vets like Wack 100 have issued public warnings. Rumors of federal wiretaps and iPhone records linking the entire CMG crew to the violence persist.
In Memphis, they say dead men tell no tales, but the digital trail might be what eventually brings the empire down.
Join the Conversation
Was Big Jook the fall guy for a larger conspiracy? Is the Yo Gotti Young Dolph beef truly over, or is the worst yet to come? Drop your theories in the comments below.
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