Moneybagg Yo is a musician and rapper from the United States who is recognized for his melodic fusion of drill, trap, and Southern hip hop styles. He has released a variety of mixed tapes and albums since he began, including “Federal 3X,” “2 Heartless,” “Time Served,” and “A Gangsta’s Pain.”
Moneybagg Yo, born DeMario DeWayne White Jr., debuted as a musician in 2011 with the release of his first official track, “F U Pay Me.” He hasn’t looked back since, recording back-to-back hit songs and working with musicians like Yo Gotti, Quavo, Young Dolph, and Lil Durk.
Recalling his journey on the show “360 With Speedy Morman”, the rapper said he went to the extreme to reach his goals, adding that he even slept on a floor mattress for six months.
“We were sleeping on the floor in the Mill Creek apartments,” Moneybagg Yo said. “We were doing what we had to do to get $40, $100 here and there. It was like in the streets. It was up and down, and we was just taking the money and going to One Sound Studios and recording with the engineer Sky. He’s the same engineer that’s with me today. I just took everything I had and made that happen and got us off the floor.”
His sacrifices were rewarded. He is now regarded as one of hip-hop’s top rappers. Moneybagg Yo’s value has also increased in terms of how much he charges to perform at a concert. According to him, he began with $500, progressed to $2,500, and then to $25,000.
“It started with $500 first, probably like one or two shows and then immediately after the $500, it went to $2,500 and that’s how my stuff was jumping,” Moneybagg Yo explained. “It was going from $2,500 to $10,000 to $25,000. It was doing real big jumps. So, I knew we was on to something.”
Today, he charges between $150,000 to $200,000 per show. According to him, his value keeps going up because he has set a standard.
“I’m still a hustler. I’m a street n–ga at the end of the day, so I understand business too. So it’s like everybody ain’t got the $200,000,” he said, adding that, “I ain’t going no less than $150,000 though. We gon’ make it happen with $175,000, $150,000. ‘What you got?’ I’m gonna work with you.”
He continued, “I’m gonna see what you got. ‘How long you need me on the stage?,’ but I’mma have to water you down from the $200,000. At the $200,000 you gonna get all this, you gon’ get your money’s worth… but the $150,000 you might water it down a little bit, but I’m still give you me. I’mma give fans the best show of their life.”
Moneybagg Yo was born in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. His two younger siblings were reared by a single mother. Due to his mother’s financial difficulties, he was frequently absent from home and was always discovered among street gangs.
He went to Mitchell High School but dropped out in 12th year to pursue a career that would support his family. When his career plans fell through, he turned to drug peddling to make ends meet. He eventually found his way out and began honing his rap abilities.