Cleveland rapper 12k Gotti has announced his upcoming mixtape, MADLIFE, arriving July 23 via 10k Global. Alongside the announcement, the rising lyricist has released the project’s lead single, “CLIMAX,” accompanied by a gripping one-take music video directed by 12k Gotti himself and filmed by Kenny Smith.
“CLIMAX” serves as a powerful introduction to MADLIFE, pairing Gotti’s commanding lyrical delivery with thunderous trap production. The single showcases the intensity and confidence that have become hallmarks of his sound while offering an early glimpse into a project that promises to further expand his artistic range.
Over the past several years, 12k Gotti has steadily built a reputation for vivid storytelling and uncompromising lyricism. Early releases such as Sincerely, Your Loss (2019) and Gotti World, Vol. 1 (2020), along with standout tracks like the 9th Wonder-produced “Ashanti Flow,” established him as one of the most compelling emerging voices in underground hip-hop.
Those releases eventually led to a pivotal meeting with fellow rapper MIKE while touring several years ago. Impressed by Gotti’s talent, MIKE later signed him to 10k Global, bringing one of rap’s most distinctive new voices to the label’s growing roster.
In 2025, 12k Gotti released 800˚, his debut full-length project for 10k Global, featuring appearances from labelmates MIKE, Niontay, and Sideshow, alongside production from Foisey, Ovrkast, Elijah Fox, and others. The album highlighted his ability to balance introspective storytelling with hard-hitting production while introducing him to an even broader audience.
With MADLIFE, Gotti pushes that creative evolution even further. The mixtape moves seamlessly between explosive trap records like “CLIMAX” and more restrained, introspective moments, highlighting his versatility as both a lyricist and performer. Throughout the project, he effortlessly adapts to a diverse range of production styles, demonstrating a growing confidence across multiple sonic landscapes.
The mixtape also features an impressive lineup of producers, including Tony Seltzer, Vinny Fanta, wtfbennie, Angel Season, and several additional collaborators, providing a varied backdrop that allows Gotti’s dynamic flow and storytelling to take center stage.
With “CLIMAX” setting the tone, 12k Gotti appears poised to deliver his most ambitious project yet. Blending razor-sharp lyricism, hard-edged production, and a broader stylistic range than ever before, MADLIFE marks another significant step forward for one of Cleveland’s most exciting emerging rap talents.