Itβs said that art mirrors life. In hip-hopβs case, thereβs always been a deliberate entanglement of perception and reality. Fans demand their MCs be realβ¦but never too real. Successful hip-hop is about the hint of the danger, the tease of it, the mystique. Hip-hop is about balance.
Gucci Mane is an artist striving for that balance, volatility versus musicality. Controversy, including a feud with former collaborator Young Jeezy, has grabbed the headlines, with insufficient regard paid to his considerable mic skills, raw talent, and business acumen. Gucci is looking to wrest his name from public speculation and let his own words do the talking.
βI wish everybody well whoβs making money in this rap game,β the Atlanta-raised rapper says, dismissing the controversy that followed him in the past. βMy own rap game is going so good, Iβve got so many things on my plate at my label, that I donβt got time for other peopleβs business.β With a deal with Asylum Records as the boss of his own label, So Icey Entertainment, Gucci does indeed have a full schedule with no time to dwell on the past.
βI live my life with no regrets. I just wish that a lot of things never happened, but anybody can wish,β says Gucci. Sounds like a man with his eyes on the prize. And youβd expect nothing less from an artist who ground his way to the top via the hustle of independent records. Signing to Big Cat Records in the wake of his local single βBlack Tee,β he dropped his debut record, Trap House, in May 2005. The independent album moved an impressive 140,000 units, largely on the strength of the βIcyβ single, featuring Jeezy. Clamor over song rights sparked dispute, and the resulting rift grew.
Controversy notwithstanding, Maneβs independence was cemented: βI was on the independent scene for about two years,β he recalls. βItβs crazy! You gotta go into your own pocket to support your craft. You need other avenues to have money coming in, to support your stuff. You might win, you might lose, and itβs a gamble out there with the independent circuit. One thing youβd better have is good music because without that, you go downhill fast in the independent game.β
Good music firmly in hand, Gucci was fast approaching stardom when more tragedy befell him. But letβs backtrack; how did the man born Radric Davis in Bessemer, Alabama, become Gucci Mane, mouthpiece for Atlanta stuntinβ? Mane remembers little from his time in Alabama, just that it was rural, and that itβs changed dramatically since he left at the age of nine. βI gotta shout out Alabama though, because they holdinβ it down,β he affirms. βEvery time I go there to do a show, Iβm impressed with how hip-hop culture has taken root.β
Maneβs identity coalesced when he moved with his mother to Atlanta. βI lived all of my adolescent and adult life in Atlanta,β he explains. βIβm from East Atlanta Zone Six; it was hard, man, it was real rough. I grew up in the Starter jacket era: theyβd take your Starter jacket, your 8Ball jacket, theyβd take your hat, your shoes. It was just no holds barred on the streets, dog eat dog. If you missed the bus, you had to be crewed up or youβd get jumped. It was wild when I came up.β
Itβs a bleak portrait. When asked to describe his home life more vividly, Mane offers a look into his contemplative side, a side honed as a schoolyard poet. βI was just a young dude in a single parent house most of my life. I canβt complain that much. I would guess itβs like any black child growing up in a single parent household. There are a lot of people who know how that is. I didnβt have a lot coming up; but what I did have, I appreciated. I was blessed to have a caring mother to raise me right and to help me with my business ventures; sheβs been there through the whole struggle. Thereβs a lot that goes along with that; it made me who I am today.β
A stepfather would enter the picture during Maneβs adolescence, introducing not only a male figure, but also inspiration for Maneβs unusual moniker. βMy father came in, the original Gucci Mane; thatβs what people in the neighborhood called him, and thatβs where I get my name from. From then on, I grew up the son of a hustler and a schoolteacher; it was the best of both worlds because I was educated twice.β Drawing inspiration from a pantheon of rappers before him βBig Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Ice Cube, the Beastie Boys, N.W.AβMane went on to release Trap House, a lethal brew of his signature sound: βI call my music straight Gucci: going hard and whatever beats you make you for me, if Iβm feeling it, if Iβm rocking with it, Iβm gonna crush it. When you hear me, you hear a lot of pain, a lot of hood; you hear whatβs going on in the inner city in Atlanta.β
Unfortunately, Trap House was ill timed; the month of its release, Gucci was accused of murder and jailed for two days. Eventually deemed to be acting in self-defense, and without sufficient evidence to hold him, Mane was exonerated. But the ordeal left an indelible imprint on the man. βI learned to keep better company, watch where I go, and be mindful of my surroundings at all times,β he reveals. βWatch what I say, watch what I do and how I do it, just keep myself out of the wrong crowd.β
βI always stand up man,β he continues. βIβm one of the toughest guys I know. Itβll take a lot more than that to break me down.β Undeterred, Mane was back in the studio, preparing 2006βs eerily apropos Hard To Kill. The buzz from Hard To Kill vaulted Gucci Mane from regional commodity to national treasure, and major labels responded accordingly: βThere was a bidding war going on, and I liked Atlanticβs approach. They made it known that they wanted me, they felt where I was going and that I could grow with them.β
Asylum/Atlantic Records welcomed Gucci Mane in early β07, granting him his own imprint, So Icey Entertainment. With it comes an entire stable of artists, the So Icey Boyz. As the Boyz ready for their own exposure ββI got them in training; they be in the weight room, pumping iron, doing pushups, shopping at the mall, buying iceββGucci is focused on his magnum opus, Back to the Trap House. βI started working on the album, and by the third song, I was like βThis is going back to the Trap House.β I started feeling the same way I did when I made my first album. It had the same feel to it, the same freshness. And I had the same hunger and desire I had when I first started rapping.β
βSince I went major, I want everybody to know Iβm still keeping it street, keeping it hood,β Gucci maintains. βIβm trying to take it back to all my fans that I had when I first started my career. And at the same time, Iβm trying to open up my new album to a new fan base. So itβs a mix for everybody coming together, like my first album was.β Gucci has always prided himself on his innate ability, and his refusal to let guest appearances dictate the tone of his records. βI just want people to know Iβm a great songwriter, man,β he asserts. βIβm passionate about what I do, and itβs choreographed strategically when I do it. I bring a lot of experience, creative wordplay, and a crazy style. And my albums, I record most of the songs without writing them down; itβs a God-given gift and I just get paid for it. It come from God, itβs like wondering what makes a bird fly. He made me a poet like the great poets of the past.β
But donβt mistake Gucciβs confidence for self-absorption. The vicissitudes of his career have dictated a longer view. Lyrics aside, heβs less preoccupied with visible means and more so with acting as an emissary from his under-repped block. βIβm not the one to glorify what goes on in the hood,β he insists. βWe have everything there, the whole range from violence to people getting on the bus and going to work. Thereβs a lot more to the hood than just drugs. Itβs a bigger story, thereβs a big picture. I went to school in that neighborhood, I worked there, I trapped there, I hustled there, and I got my name there. Iβm proud to be from East Atlanta Zone Six, and I claim there. I hold that on my back and carry that, to be the first one from there to really rock.β
And Gucciβs professional aims have matured as well. While other rappers stress platinum plaques, Gucci hasnβt forgotten the route he took to stardom. βI made a lot of CDs on my own. People fucked with me and supported me, and just made me the man I am today. Thatβs my blueprint right there, and I stay mindful of it. So now, my only concern is that people feel my music; at the end of the day, I do it for people to feel it. If one person feel it, two people feel it, I feel like my jobβs been done.β
Fortunately for Gucci, he should be prepared to welcome an army of new fans with Back to the Trap House. But longstanding fans shouldnβt fear; theyβll recognize βFreaky Gurl,β reprised from its previous appearance from Hard To Kill. Luda, upon hearing the joint, asked for a guest spot on the remix. Said remix now appears as the lead single on Back to the Trap House, following in Gucciβs theme of mating old and new. Over a bouncing, meandering beat from Cyber Sapp, the two cook up the requisite concoction of whips, chips, and chicks. Also look out for βBird Flu,β the albumβs number two single, laced by New-York based Supa Sonics. Elsewhere, firm guest verses from Rich Boy and Pimp C of UGK round out Gucciβs regional flavor, while Bay-area producer Zaytoven (of βIcyβ renown) locks down Gucciβs West Coast appeal.
Gucci Mane has something for everyone, and with the struggles of the past in his rearview, Gucci is settled in for his ride to the top. βIβm best known for controversy but Iβm trying to gain respect as a songwriter and entertainer. I plan to hit them so hard with this album; who knows what the future will bring. Iβll be banging them out till I canβt bang no more.β
Better Baby
Gucci Mane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know that I need her
But don't know how to treat her
But you deserve better baby, better baby, better baby
You deserve better baby, better baby, better baby
Though I wanna keep her
Be jealous if she leave uh
But you deserve better baby, better baby, better baby
And I cant hold you back baby
I really think I love her but
I don't really know her good
Know I wanna fuck her but
Really thinking if I should
How can I believe her
I don't even believe myself
Tell me how to trust her
I cant even trust myself
But I cant live alone
At the end of the day cant fuck myself
I told her I'm confused
And she told me to go fuck myself
Now I'm alone in this world
Nothing left but me
But I was born all alone
So I guess that's how its meant to be
But she was sent to me
And I didn't recognize
And I blame it on ma pride
On a face I'm sittin' in silence
Eyes redder than a rose
Heart bluer than a violet
My heart broke and I'm heartless
And ain't no need to hide it (Gucci)
[Chorus]
A heart breaking is heart broke
Imma tell the truth cause we grown folks
Why you lookin' through ma phone fo'
That's why we ended up none more
You done know me like John Doe
Done left me up in my condo
Looking for you like Waldo
My nose open like Gunzo
I think I love her I don't know
I like her a lot but she loco
She crazy, swagged up,
I try to hug her she want more
In and out ah town all the time
She in and out ma mind all the time
I cant lie baby girl stupid fine
But I'm out the tush got that stupid grind
She loves me now or she loves me not
Treat me cold no she treat me hot
Caramel but not apricot
Got one chance wont miss the shot
I know she special yeah a lot
I know someone might take ma spot
Cant lie it may hurt a lot
But uh she need a man or not (It's Gucci)
[Chorus]
In Gucci Mane's song "Better Baby," the chorus is a repetition of the phrase "you deserve better baby" which relates to the song's main theme β the artist's dilemma of trying to hold onto a woman who he feels he doesn't deserve or know how to treat. He acknowledges that he loves her, but he is confused and unsure about how to trust himself, let alone trust her, which makes it hard to keep the relationship. The artist sings about the heartbreak he feels and the challenges he faces in a relationship.
The lyrics indicate that the artist is aware of his flaws, such as his pride and insecurities that prevent him from properly trusting and loving his partner. He admits that he may have treated her badly, and she has every right to leave him. He then reveals that he regrets not recognizing her importance when she first came into his life, and his heart is now broken.
Overall, "Better Baby" is a song about lamenting lost love, realizing one's mistakes, and trying to improve as a person. It serves as a reminder that relationships require work, trust, and communication to be successful.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that I need her
I have a feeling that I can't do without her
But don't know how to treat her
But I am not sure how to treat her well enough
But you deserve better baby, better baby, better baby
You deserve someone better than me, better than me, better than me
Though I wanna keep her
Although I want to keep her for myself
Be jealous if she leave uh
I would be jealous if she left
But you deserve better baby, better baby, better baby
You deserve someone better than me, better than me, better than me
And I cant hold you back baby
And I can't prevent you from leaving me
I really think I love her but
I am not sure if I really love her, but
I don't really know her good
I do not know her well
Know I wanna fuck her but
I know I want to have sex with her, but
Really thinking if I should
I am really contemplating if I should or not
How can I believe her
How can I trust what she says
I don't even believe myself
I don't even trust myself
Tell me how to trust her
Can someone tell me how to trust her
I cant even trust myself
I can't even trust myself
But I cant live alone
But I cannot live alone
At the end of the day cant fuck myself
At the end of the day, I can't rely on myself only for intimacy
I told her I'm confused
I told her I am confused about our relationship
And she told me to go fuck myself
And she told me to leave her alone
Now I'm alone in this world
Now I feel alone in this world
Nothing left but me
Nothing is left for me
But I was born all alone
I have always been alone
So I guess that's how its meant to be
So maybe that is how it is supposed to be
But she was sent to me
But she was a gift to me
And I didn't recognize
But I didn't realize it at first
And I blame it on ma pride
And I blame it on my pride
On a face I'm sittin' in silence
I am sitting in silence, looking at her face
Eyes redder than a rose
My eyes are as red as a rose
Heart bluer than a violet
My heart is as blue as a violet
My heart broke and I'm heartless
My heart is broken and I feel heartless
And ain't no need to hide it (Gucci)
And there is no need to hide it
A heart breaking is heart broke
It hurts so much when your heart breaks
Imma tell the truth cause we grown folks
I will be honest because we are both adults
Why you lookin' through ma phone fo'
Why are you checking my phone
That's why we ended up none more
That's the reason why we are no longer together
You done know me like John Doe
You don't really know me at all
Done left me up in my condo
You left me all alone in my apartment
Looking for you like Waldo
I am desperately searching for you
My nose open like Gunzo
I am blinded by my infatuation for you
I think I love her I don't know
I am not sure if I am in love with her
I like her a lot but she loco
I really like her, but she is crazy
She crazy, swagged up,
She is a bit crazy and really stylish
I try to hug her she want more
I try to hug her and she always wants more
In and out ah town all the time
She is always traveling in and out of town
She in and out ma mind all the time
I am always thinking about her
I cant lie baby girl stupid fine
I can't deny that she is extremely attractive
But I'm out the tush got that stupid grind
But I am done chasing after her because I have too much going on in my life
She loves me now or she loves me not
I am unsure if she really loves me or not
Treat me cold no she treat me hot
She treats me coldly and then warmly
Caramel but not apricot
She is mixed race, but not the same as me
Got one chance wont miss the shot
I have only one chance to make things right
I know she special yeah a lot
I know she is special to me
I know someone might take ma spot
I am aware that someone else might take my place in her heart
Cant lie it may hurt a lot
I can't deny that it will hurt a lot
But uh she need a man or not (It's Gucci)
But she needs someone in her life, whether it's me or someone else
Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER GHOLSON, CHRISTOPHER JAMES GHOLSON, RADRIC DAVIS, RADRIC DELANTIC DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jay Cee
The most realistic Gucci is shown through this banger. Still bumping in 2022. I love the old hits. 90's baby πΆπΎ
Earlmoe Jr.
This one of my favorite Gucci songs i know its old as shit but I feel itπ―π―π―π₯π₯
tom kelly
+Earlmoe Jr. i feel it so hard too bro
IsraelTV
I miss these type of songs, the old ones always hit the spot πππβ€οΈ
Almighty
frrr
marleroses
2020 still my jam π₯°
d w . Baltimore
π€
CARLESHIA Washington
STILL A HIT
JuzaPIMPnMOB
Best quality on here!! Love this song.. the beat is crazy. Wow Gucci Mane has feelings? lol
Alchemist Two.0
2016 still slappin... gotta feel this.