Joe Gifted

Joseph McLester III of Atlanta first envisioned sports as his route out of struggle, yet the loss of his father prompted him to abandon high school football and instead funnel his grief into rhymes. He launched his recording efforts in 2009 under the name Joe Gutta, a handle that alluded to his emergence from hardship. An unplanned introduction to Gary Smith, founder of Moodswing Productions, led to a contract with the label. Blending traits associated with both T-Pain and Young Thug, he issued the mixtapes Who Hotter and Puttin on Shit, each hosted by DJ Scream. McLester introduced a revised persona in 2015 by retiring the “Gutta” suffix and unveiling the more affirmative Joe Gifted mixtape. That project was followed by Diamond in the Ruff and its sequel Diamond in the Ruff 2.0, both overseen by DJ Swamp Izzo. In 2016 he delivered the Finally Free mixtape, which included guest spots from Big Ben, Yung Ralph, Skooly, and Strap Da Fool. The subsequent year he offered the single “Water,” crafted in the vein of Migos, and finalized an agreement with Warner Bros. Records.