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Who was Big Jook? More about the man prosecutors said put out a hit on Memphis rapper Young Dolph

During day 1 of the trial for Justin Johnson, the prosecution, defense, and Cornelius Smith – who is also charged in Dolph’s murder, spoke about a rap feud.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — During the first day of the trial of Justin Johnson, charged in the murder of Young Dolph, portions of the opening statements and testimony focused on a rap feud that prosecutors claim led to the Memphis rapper’s murder. And prosecutors claimed ‘Big Jook’ was behind the hit.

Big Jook, whose real name was Anthony Mims, was the brother of Memphis music mogul Yo Gotti, who founded the label Collective Music Group (CMG), also known as ‘Cocaine Muzik Group’ according to Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman’s statements.

Big Jook's murder

Memphis Police said 47-year-old Mims was killed about 4:15 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2024, after a shooting near the Perignons Restaurant and Event Center on Winchester Rd. A second person was also injured in the shooting.

Police said Mims and the other victim were attending a "repass," or meal shared by the family and friends of a deceased person typically held after a funeral service.

Investigators said video of the shooting showed the suspects driving a white Ford Explorer with black wheels and dark tinted windows. As of Sept. 24, 2024, MPD investigators said no arrests had been made and they were still searching for answers. 

Claims at Johnson's trial

During opening statements in Johnson’s trial for Dolph’s murder, Deputy D.A. Hagerman said Dolph had been trying to make it on his own and help other artists under the label Paper Route Empire (PRE). Hagerman said Dolph had rejected those at CMG, who had wanted him on their label.

Hagerman said Dolph had ‘diss tracks’ against CMG, and claimed CMG made threats against Dolph. After those tracks, the Deputy DA claimed Big Jook placed a $100,000 reward for Dolph’s murder, and that Johnson, who goes by the rap name ‘Straight Drop,’ hoped for ‘rap fame’ for carrying out the job.

Another man, Hernandez Govan, is also accused of ordering the hit on Dolph. Hagerman said Govan would try to identify young rappers to ‘shop’ to CMG. The Deputy DA claimed Johnson and another man charged in the murder, Cornelius Smith, were not well acquainted, knowing each other only through the rap scene.

Smith testified against Johnson, saying the two of them shot Dolph at Makeda’s Cookies on Airways Blvd. on Nov. 17, 2021. Smith claimed he met with Big Jook and ‘Quett’ (Govan) about the shooting and that Govan paired him and Johnson together for the hit.

Smith testified that after the shooting, he talked with Govan about $10,000 each for he and Johnson for the hit. In the end, Smith said he got only $800 before his arrest in January 2022.

Johnson’s attorney Luke Evans claimed Govan exploited Johnson, taking him to Atlanta to meet a CMG rep, then leaving Johnson there when Johnson said he wouldn’t “go your way.” Evans claimed Govan threatened to ‘tank’ Johnson and that if “he can’t get a piece, no one can.”

Under Tennessee law, Johnson faces the possibility of life in prison without the possibility of parole if found guilty of Dolph's murder.

Police are still searching for answers in Mim’s murder. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-2274 (CASH). 

Homicide 6385 Winchester Road Report #2401024895ME MEMPHIS, TN - On Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 4:15 pm, a Memphis...

Posted by Memphis Police Department est.1827 on Sunday, January 14, 2024

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