DG Yola

At the seafood restaurant where he worked, Atlanta-based rapper Mario Talley, better known as DG Yola (or Yola da Great), was discovered by the owner, Bureasa "Lady B" Rahim, who saw him as potentially being the ATL's next big artist. Thus Yola joined Rahim in founding Power Hittas Records in 2003. After the senior vice president of A&R at Atlantic Records, Mike Caren, heard about the noise the youngster was stirring up in Atlanta, he signed the artist to the label in February 2006 and teamed up promotional duties with Atlanta star rapper T.I.'s Grand Hustle Entertainment. Later that year, his hardcore club banger, "Ain't Gon Let Up," became a local smash hit. The single enjoyed heavy rotation on Atlanta radio as well as neighboring regions, securing the budding rapper's major-record deal, and yet, he had not even reached the age of 20. ~ Cyril Cordor