Yo Gotti’s most prominent brother was Anthony "Big Jook" Mims, an integral figure and executive behind Yo Gotti’s record label, Collective Music Group (CMG). Tragically, on January 13, 2024, Big Jook was fatally shot outside a Memphis restaurant following a funeral repast service. He played a foundational role in managing artists and operations within CMG.
Who Was Anthony "Big Jook" Mims?
Anthony Mims, widely recognized across the hip-hop industry by his street name "Big Jook," was the older brother of platinum-selling Memphis rapper and music executive Yo Gotti (legal name Mario Sentell Jerrell Mims). While Yo Gotti built his reputation as the charismatic, street-level lyricist who transitioned into a formidable record label CEO, Big Jook operated largely behind the camera as a business manager, street liaison, and foundational pillar of the family’s business ventures.
Born and raised in the Ridgecrest Apartments in North Memphis, Tennessee, Anthony and Mario Mims grew up in an environment shaped by economic hardship and the complex realities of the inner city. The Mims family faced significant scrutiny from federal and local authorities throughout the 1990s, when several immediate family members, including their mother and aunts, faced federal narcotics charges. This shared background forged an unbreakable bond between the brothers, shaping their business ethos and fierce commitment to self-reliance.
As Yo Gotti rose to regional and national prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s—first as Lil Yo with the seminal Youngsta's on a Come Up and later through his legendary Cocaine Muzik mixtape series—Big Jook acted as an anchor for his brother's growing operations. He helped establish a local presence that protected the brand and ensured that the family's enterprise retained deep ties to Memphis.
The Role of Big Jook Within Collective Music Group (CMG)
Collective Music Group, originally founded as Cocaine Muzik Group in the late 2000s, evolved into one of the most profitable and dominant independent-to-major label imprints in modern hip-hop. The label has developed prominent rap talents, including Moneybagg Yo, 42 Dugg, EST Gee, GloRilla, Mozzy, and Blac Youngsta.
Big Jook served as an unofficial Chief Operating Officer for the imprint. While Yo Gotti handled corporate negotiations with major distributors like Interscope and Epic Records, Big Jook took on critical frontline responsibilities:
- Talent Logistics and Tour Management: Big Jook managed daily touring logistics, security assessments, and artist movement in high-risk venues and cities.
- A&R Consultation: He evaluated emerging talent, identifying street authenticity and market readiness before artists signed formal multi-million-dollar contracts.
- Community Engagement: Big Jook maintained the label's grassroots philanthropic footprint in Memphis, directing holiday food drives, back-to-school backpack distributions, and local community funding initiatives.
- Brand Strategy and Executive Representation: He regularly appeared alongside CMG artists at major public outings, red carpets, and industry conventions, representing the executive wing of the label.
Big Jook functioned as an operational bridge between corporate boardrooms and street-level operations. He understood the risks inherent to inner-city entertainment ecosystems and focused on safeguarding CMG personnel during cross-country tours and promotional engagements.
Detailed Profile: Anthony "Big Jook" Mims vs. Mario "Yo Gotti" Mims
The table below outlines the biographical, professional, and historical differences between the two Mims brothers:
| Profile Attribute | Anthony "Big Jook" Mims | Mario "Yo Gotti" Mims |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Industry Role | Music Executive, Business Manager, A&R Liaison | Recording Artist, Label Founder, CEO, Music Mogul |
| Birthplace | Memphis, Tennessee | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Organizational Alignment | Collective Music Group (CMG) Operations | Collective Music Group (CMG) / Interscope Partner |
| Public Visibility | Behind-the-scenes executive, social media personality | Global recording artist, mainstream media personality |
| Philanthropic Focus | Local North Memphis outreach, direct community aid | National civic investments, prison reform initiatives |
| Key Milestones | Executive support on CMG compilation albums | Multiple RIAA-certified platinum records, Billboard hits |
| Status | Deceased (January 13, 2024) | Active Label Head, Entrepreneur, Executive |
The Events of January 13, 2024: What Happened in Memphis
The life of Anthony Mims was cut short on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2024, in an incident that sent shockwaves through the national music community and the city of Memphis.
Timeline of the Incident
- The Gathering at Perignons: Earlier in the afternoon, Big Jook attended a repast service to honor a deceased local associate at Perignons Restaurant and Event Center, located on the 6300 block of Winchester Road in the Raleigh neighborhood of Memphis.
- The Ambush: At approximately 4:15 PM Central Time, shortly after stepping outside the venue into the parking lot, gunfire erupted. Multiple rounds were fired by unidentified assailants.
- Emergency Response: Memphis Police Department (MPD) officers responded immediately to calls of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers discovered two adult males with gunshot wounds.
- Casualty Assessment: Big Jook suffered catastrophic injuries and was rushed to Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis, where medical staff pronounced him dead. The second victim, whose identity was protected by authorities, was transported in critical condition to Regional One Health and ultimately survived.
- Initial Law Enforcement Actions: Memphis Police Deputy Chief Anthony Gardner publicly confirmed the victim's identity at the scene, noting that detectives believed the shooting was a targeted attack rather than a random act of violence.
The Investigation and Local Context
Following the shooting, the Memphis Police Department, working alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), launched an intensive investigation. Detectives recovered video footage showing a white Ford Explorer fleeing the scene shortly after the gunfire ceased.
The tragedy occurred amid an era of intense, documented tension across the Memphis hip-hop landscape. The city had already seen significant violence in preceding years, most notably the November 2021 murder of Young Dolph (Adolph Robert Thornton Jr.) at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies. Although law enforcement stressed that no immediate, direct link was confirmed between Big Jook’s homicide and historical label rivalries, the incident underscored the ongoing vulnerability of high-profile figures in urban centers.
The Broader Impact on Collective Music Group and Yo Gotti
The murder of Big Jook carried profound consequences for Yo Gotti, his family, and the business structure of CMG. In the immediate aftermath, security protocols around CMG artists were overhauled.
Strategic Operational Adjustments
In response to the tragedy, the label implemented sweeping changes across its roster:
- Relocation of Label Activities: Routine label events and non-essential gatherings in high-risk zones were restricted or shifted to highly secure, private facilities in Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles.
- Heightened Security Infrastructure: Executive security teams were expanded for artists traveling to their respective hometowns.
- Yo Gotti's Public Response: Yo Gotti, known for keeping his personal life guarded, experienced an outpouring of condolences from across the entertainment world, including tributes from fellow executives, hip-hop pioneers, and civic leaders. He prioritized family privacy while ensuring the continuity of the business empire he and his brother had constructed over two decades.
Addressing Other Family Members: Does Yo Gotti Have Other Siblings?
Public curiosity surrounding Yo Gotti's siblings frequently arises due to his complex family tree and historical references in his music.
While Anthony "Big Jook" Mims was the most recognizable and publicly visible brother, Yo Gotti has frequently referenced his extensive family ties throughout his discography. His mother, Geraldine Mims, played a central role in raising him alongside several aunts and uncles who operated closely together in North Memphis.
Gotti has mentioned having sisters and other extended family members who deliberately avoid the public spotlight, remaining disconnected from the music business to maintain personal security and privacy. Big Jook remained the singular brother deeply embedded in the day-to-day corporate affairs of CMG.
The Cultural Legacy of Big Jook in Southern Hip-Hop
Despite working outside the recording booth, Big Jook left an indelible mark on Southern rap culture. In modern music ecosystems, the line between corporate executives and the cultural fabric of a label's home base is often thin. Big Jook embodied the archetype of the street-smart executive—an individual who never lost touch with his roots while navigating high-stakes business environments.
His tragic death brought renewed national attention to the critical issue of gun violence affecting urban communities and hip-hop culture. Across podcasts, interviews, and community panels, industry observers point to Anthony Mims as an example of a man who worked tirelessly to elevate his family out of systemic poverty, only to fall victim to the very violence he sought to overcome.
His contributions to CMG's dominance—scouting locations, mentoring younger artists on how to navigate label pressure, and maintaining family unity—remain a central chapter in the story of Memphis's rise as a modern hip-hop capital.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yo Gotti's Brother
Who was Yo Gotti's brother?
Yo Gotti's most prominent brother was Anthony "Big Jook" Mims, an executive and business manager within Yo Gotti's record label, Collective Music Group (CMG). He was well known for managing logistical and business matters behind the scenes for CMG artists.
What happened to Yo Gotti's brother, Big Jook?
Anthony "Big Jook" Mims was fatally shot on January 13, 2024, outside Perignons Restaurant and Event Center in Memphis, Tennessee. He had been attending a repast following a funeral service when an armed suspect ambushed him in the parking lot.
Was anyone else injured during the shooting of Big Jook?
Yes, a second unidentified male was wounded during the shooting outside Perignons Restaurant and Event Center. The second individual was transported to Regional One Health in critical condition and survived his injuries.
Did Big Jook rap on any Collective Music Group songs?
No, Big Jook was not an active recording artist or rapper. His contributions to CMG were strictly operational, executive, and managerial, focusing on artist logistics, security coordination, and community relations.
Have any suspects been convicted in the murder of Big Jook?
The Memphis Police Department, in conjunction with federal law enforcement agencies, opened an active homicide investigation immediately following the shooting, distributing images of a suspect vehicle (a white Ford Explorer) to the public to solicit tips. Investigations into the planning and execution of the homicide remain subject to ongoing law enforcement updates.
To stay informed on hip-hop industry developments, executive movements, and updates regarding verified law enforcement reports, ensure you consult official press releases from the Memphis Police Department and verified statements directly from Collective Music Group representatives.
