After last week's episode with Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley, On The Come Up's latest season continues with a new installment featuring MoneyBagg Yo. The Memphis rapper, who is currently signed to Yo Gotti's CMG imprint, is coming off the release of his recent Federal 3X mixtape. If you haven't yet heard MoneyBagg, Federal 3X is full of trap bangers and hilarious wit, including the brilliant line "I'm fuckin' your bitch and she grabbin' and clutchin' on me like she a crawfish." And while the tape has already earned Moneybagg a solid following, it would appear that the future has much in store for the young rapper.
We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with MoneyBagg Yo, who went in-depth on a variety of topics, including his origin story. "The neighbourhood I grew up in, it was rough, it was hard," reflects MoneyBagg. "I'm most definitely familiar with the struggle...I managed to escape through all the hate...I just managed to escape it bro, I'm blessed." As a youngster, MoneyBagg's academic path was relatively short-lived. He dabbled in sports like basketball and football, but ultimately, his heart was in running the streets. Eventually, he became so fixed on getting the money that his childhood friend gave him the name MoneyBagg. "My real name Mario so they just abbreviated that for the "Yo," then the Moneybagg, you know what I"m sayin'? Put some sauce on it!"
The rapper also talks about his friendship with Yo Gotti, referring to Gotti as a mentor. "I ain't gon' say 'he signed me,'" says MoneyBagg. "He took me under his wing and let me rep the brand, and let me get where I was trying to go. He labeled himself the king of Memphis, I came through that new wave, that new sauce. I took over the city, and he reached out."
Check out the full interview for more from MoneyBagg Yo, and stay tuned for more On The Come Up.