It’s said that art mirrors life. In hip-hop’s case, there’s always been a deliberate entanglement of perception and reality. Fans demand their MCs be real…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.
“I wish everybody well who’s making money in this rap game,” the Atlanta-raised rapper says, dismissing the controversy that followed him in the past. “My own rap game is going so good, I’ve got so many things on my plate at my label, that I don’t got time for other people’s business.” 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.
“I live my life with no regrets. I just wish that a lot of things never happened, but anybody can wish,” says Gucci. Sounds like a man with his eyes on the prize. And you’d 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 “Black Tee,” 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 “Icy” single, featuring Jeezy. Clamor over song rights sparked dispute, and the resulting rift grew.
Controversy notwithstanding, Mane’s independence was cemented: “I was on the independent scene for about two years,” he recalls. “It’s 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 it’s a gamble out there with the independent circuit. One thing you’d better have is good music because without that, you go downhill fast in the independent game.”
Good music firmly in hand, Gucci was fast approaching stardom when more tragedy befell him. But let’s backtrack; how did the man born Radric Davis in Bessemer, Alabama, become Gucci Mane, mouthpiece for Atlanta stuntin’? Mane remembers little from his time in Alabama, just that it was rural, and that it’s changed dramatically since he left at the age of nine. “I gotta shout out Alabama though, because they holdin’ it down,” he affirms. “Every time I go there to do a show, I’m impressed with how hip-hop culture has taken root.”
Mane’s identity coalesced when he moved with his mother to Atlanta. “I lived all of my adolescent and adult life in Atlanta,” he explains. “I’m from East Atlanta Zone Six; it was hard, man, it was real rough. I grew up in the Starter jacket era: they’d take your Starter jacket, your 8Ball jacket, they’d 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 you’d get jumped. It was wild when I came up.”
It’s 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. “I was just a young dude in a single parent house most of my life. I can’t complain that much. I would guess it’s like any black child growing up in a single parent household. There are a lot of people who know how that is. I didn’t 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; she’s been there through the whole struggle. There’s a lot that goes along with that; it made me who I am today.”
A stepfather would enter the picture during Mane’s adolescence, introducing not only a male figure, but also inspiration for Mane’s unusual moniker. “My father came in, the original Gucci Mane; that’s what people in the neighborhood called him, and that’s 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.” Drawing inspiration from a pantheon of rappers before him –Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Ice Cube, the Beastie Boys, N.W.A—Mane went on to release Trap House, a lethal brew of his signature sound: “I call my music straight Gucci: going hard and whatever beats you make you for me, if I’m feeling it, if I’m rocking with it, I’m gonna crush it. When you hear me, you hear a lot of pain, a lot of hood; you hear what’s going on in the inner city in Atlanta.”
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. “I learned to keep better company, watch where I go, and be mindful of my surroundings at all times,” he reveals. “Watch what I say, watch what I do and how I do it, just keep myself out of the wrong crowd.”
“I always stand up man,” he continues. “I’m one of the toughest guys I know. It’ll take a lot more than that to break me down.” Undeterred, Mane was back in the studio, preparing 2006’s 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: “There was a bidding war going on, and I liked Atlantic’s approach. They made it known that they wanted me, they felt where I was going and that I could grow with them.”
Asylum/Atlantic Records welcomed Gucci Mane in early ’07, 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 –“I got them in training; they be in the weight room, pumping iron, doing pushups, shopping at the mall, buying ice”—Gucci is focused on his magnum opus, Back to the Trap House. “I started working on the album, and by the third song, I was like ‘This is going back to the Trap House.’ 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.”
“Since I went major, I want everybody to know I’m still keeping it street, keeping it hood,” Gucci maintains. “I’m trying to take it back to all my fans that I had when I first started my career. And at the same time, I’m trying to open up my new album to a new fan base. So it’s a mix for everybody coming together, like my first album was.” Gucci has always prided himself on his innate ability, and his refusal to let guest appearances dictate the tone of his records. “I just want people to know I’m a great songwriter, man,” he asserts. “I’m passionate about what I do, and it’s 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; it’s a God-given gift and I just get paid for it. It come from God, it’s like wondering what makes a bird fly. He made me a poet like the great poets of the past.”
But don’t mistake Gucci’s confidence for self-absorption. The vicissitudes of his career have dictated a longer view. Lyrics aside, he’s less preoccupied with visible means and more so with acting as an emissary from his under-repped block. “I’m not the one to glorify what goes on in the hood,” he insists. “We have everything there, the whole range from violence to people getting on the bus and going to work. There’s a lot more to the hood than just drugs. It’s a bigger story, there’s 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. I’m 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.”
And Gucci’s professional aims have matured as well. While other rappers stress platinum plaques, Gucci hasn’t forgotten the route he took to stardom. “I made a lot of CDs on my own. People fucked with me and supported me, and just made me the man I am today. That’s 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 job’s been done.”
Fortunately for Gucci, he should be prepared to welcome an army of new fans with Back to the Trap House. But longstanding fans shouldn’t fear; they’ll recognize “Freaky Gurl,” 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 Gucci’s 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 “Bird Flu,” the album’s number two single, laced by New-York based Supa Sonics. Elsewhere, firm guest verses from Rich Boy and Pimp C of UGK round out Gucci’s regional flavor, while Bay-area producer Zaytoven (of “Icy” renown) locks down Gucci’s 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. “I’m best known for controversy but I’m 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. I’ll be banging them out till I can’t bang no more.”
Chicken Room
Gucci Mane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Butt-naked, snortin’ lines in the dope house
I’m too far, smoking cigars in the dining room
Got birds everywhere, that’s why it’s called the dining room
300 pounds wrapped tight, I need every room
And move the clothes, I put the money in the closet, fool
I'm not a handyman, but Gucci keeps a lot of tools
I teach niggas how to cut it, like it’s barber's school
I’m in a dark and tinted Mercedes, it cost a pretty penny
I’m in the kitchen and I’m water-whippin
I hit it for the freak, ‘cause homey bought a half a chicken
[Chorus]
Got six goons countin’ money in the living room
Got birds everywhere, I call it the chicken room
And I'm about to move my bed into my kitchen soon
Got birds everywhere, I call it the chicken room
Got 6 goons countin’ money in the living room
Got birds everywhere, I call it the chicken room
And I'm about to move my bed into my kitchen soon
Got birds everywhere, I call it the chicken room
I'm in my Phantom with my madam and a fat blunt
I dump the ashes in an empty cup of grape fruit punch
I'm having fun, prima donna
Sellin’ pills and chron’
I need it by the ton
I want it wit a grape one
Me and Rock from the block, that’s a great bond
I'm in the Zone 6, I'm coolin' with my black gun
True religion, .50 is my true religion
And there ain’t no robbin’ me
.50 in my robbin’ jeans
Ain't no "I" in team
You want 1017
You know my regime
Got money, all means
I bring it to you clean, I bring it to you raw
I got a 100 things, I'm tryin’ to numb your jaw
[Chorus]
Hey, R-O-C the Don, I'm flyer than an owl
Who that say they got new falcons? I’m passing out right now
I quote my mouth when I talk. These niggas scary
Repeat whatever they hear, these niggas parrots
Eyes of despair, I can’t spare it
Has to get my coach
That’s why I ?rode the vultures
D.E.E
I’m a pescetarian, I don’t eat beef
Go google that word
My favorite food is birds
They tryin’ to get the formula
But I’m on to them
They know I got them 5 birds, and they wantin’ them
The Pontiacs, where the fuck I'mma put this money at?
Look, now I got 30 from ?sealings this year, 100 mill
[Chorus]
In the song Chicken Room by Gucci Mane, the rapper talks about his life and the illegal activities that he is engaged in. He talks about how his wife is addicted to cocaine, a drug that has been in short supply. He also references the "dope house," where his wife and other individuals are engaging in rampant drug use. Gucci Mane talks about his lavish lifestyle, smoking cigars in the dining room with birds everywhere, calling it the "dining room." He boasts about his weight and how he has to use every room because of how much he has, including the closet. He further mentions how he is teaching others how to cut in barber school.
Gucci Mane also talks about the different people he interacts with; he mentions his "madam" and how he sells pills and chron in large quantities. He is also spending time with his friend Rock, who he has a great bond with. The rapper talks about his love for True Religion clothing and being prepared with his 50-caliber gun. He wants to make sure that people know that he is not someone to be messed with. Finally, he states how he is a pescetarian, who loves eating birds, and makes his money through selling them.
Line by Line Meaning
Go! If it’s a coke drought, then why's your wifey coked out?
If cocaine is scarce, then why is your girlfriend high on it?
Butt-naked, snortin’ lines in the dope house
She's naked and snorting cocaine in the drug house.
I’m too far, smoking cigars in the dining room
I'm far away, smoking cigars in the dining room.
Got birds everywhere, that’s why it’s called the dining room
I have a lot of drugs in the dining room, hence why I call it the 'dining room.'
300 pounds wrapped tight, I need every room
I have 300 pounds of drugs wrapped tight, I need every available space to store it.
And move the clothes, I put the money in the closet, fool
Move the clothes around, I hide the money in the closet.
I'm not a handyman, but Gucci keeps a lot of tools
I may not be a handyman, but I have a lot of tools in the sense of weapons.
I teach niggas how to cut it, like it’s barber's school
I teach people how to cut drugs, similar to a barber school.
Wait a minute, just be patient, I may take a minute
Wait a minute, be patient. It may take a while.
I’m in a dark and tinted Mercedes, it cost a pretty penny
I'm in a dark and tinted Mercedes, it cost me a lot of money.
I’m in the kitchen and I’m water-whippin
I'm in the kitchen and I'm cooking up drugs.
I hit it for the freak, ‘cause homey bought a half a chicken
I have sex with the girl, since my friend bought her some drugs.
[Chorus]
Got six goons countin’ money in the living room
I have six people counting money in my living room.
Got birds everywhere, I call it the chicken room
I have drugs everywhere, hence why I call it the 'chicken room.'
And I'm about to move my bed into my kitchen soon
I plan to move my bed into the kitchen very soon.
I'm in my Phantom with my madam and a fat blunt
I'm in my Phantom car with my lady and a large weed blunt.
I dump the ashes in an empty cup of grape fruit punch
I dump the ashes in an empty cup of grapefruit punch.
I'm having fun, prima donna
I'm having fun being the center of attention.
Sellin’ pills and chron’
I sell pills and marijuana.
I need it by the ton
I need drugs by the ton.
I want it wit a grape one
I want it with grape flavor.
Me and Rock from the block, that’s a great bond
My friend Rock and I have a great bond.
I'm in the Zone 6, I'm coolin' with my black gun
I'm in the Zone 6 area, carrying my black gun.
True religion, .50 is my true religion
My true religion is carrying a .50 gun.
And there ain’t no robbin’ me
You can't rob me.
.50 in my robbin’ jeans
I carry my .50 gun in my jeans.
Ain't no "I" in team
A team doesn't consist of just one person.
You want 1017
You want to be a part of my group, 1017.
You know my regime
You know how I operate.
Got money, all means
I have a lot of money and resources.
I bring it to you clean, I bring it to you raw
I bring you drugs either uncut or processed.
I got a 100 things, I'm tryin’ to numb your jaw
I have a lot of drugs that I'm trying to sell you.
[Chorus]
Hey, R-O-C the Don, I'm flyer than an owl
Hey, R-O-C the Don, I'm more stylish than an owl.
Who that say they got new falcons? I’m passing out right now
Whoever says they own new cars, I'm not impressed at the moment.
I quote my mouth when I talk. These niggas scary
I speak assertively. These guys are afraid.
Repeat whatever they hear, these niggas parrots
These guys repeat whatever they hear, like parrots.
Eyes of despair, I can’t spare it
I can't afford to look desperate.
Has to get my coach
I need to get my coach to help me.
That’s why I ?rode the vultures
That's why I have to rely on these vultures.
D.E.E
I’m a pescetarian, I don’t eat beef
I'm a pescetarian, I don't eat beef.
Go google that word
You can search what it means.
My favorite food is birds
My favorite food is a slang word for drugs.
They tryin’ to get the formula
They're trying to steal my recipe for drugs.
But I’m on to them
But I know what they're up to.
They know I got them 5 birds, and they wantin’ them
They know I have 5 packs of drugs and they want them.
The Pontiacs, where the fuck I'mma put this money at?
I have too much money to fit in my Pontiac car, where should I put it?
Look, now I got 30 from ?sealings this year, 100 mill
I made 30 million dollars from drugs this year, I now have 100 million dollars.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@242stubbo3
6 goons counting money in my living room
@gnarnrawsteezem5894
Fire
@andrewyoung6727
2022 if this a dope house why u wiping dope out
@coolkid2237
Favorite song on this album
@BildPlayz
rocko
@tytytyme33
The chiCken Room 🍗🐔