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.”
Do It
Gucci Mane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Work the night, Pooh work the day shift
On South Beach, I'm in my spaceship
And I got more jewelry than Jacob (bling)
Haters sick, they doin' clap moves (damn)
Might as well just call the Jake up (huh)
In their feelings, not their bag (well, damn)
Just like a bitch, they need some make-up (woah)
Head chopped on him, got a tape up (baow)
I'm so picky, on my Vicky (yeah)
Shoot your funeral and wake up
Watch who you be screamin', "Free"
Sometimes their paperwork don't match up (free)
I'm a hustler and a robber, pray my crew never get captured
Ball like the Toronto Raptors, major player, indie label
Smokin' flavor, Garcia Vega, opps, yeah, that's my favorite flavor (well, damn)
Yeah, my daddy named me Gucci (pops)
But my mama named me Radric (mom)
But I named my crew So Icy (icy)
Then I put that on my bracelet (it's Gucci)
And it ain't no playin' games
Nigga, knowin' that we step
I can't change on my gang
These niggas know just what I rep
You know how we do it, nigga (do it nigga)
You know I ain't cool with niggas (cool with niggas)
You slidin', then prove it, nigga (prove it nigga)
No hidin', we shoot at niggas (shoot at niggas)
Load the clip, we're tryna shoot us a movie
Turn the swimmin' pool into a jacuzzi
Signed to Gucci, now I'm dodgin' the groupies
So official, niggas know how we do it
Know how we movin'
Had to bust down my necklace (brr)
Top tier, bitches know that I'm special (brr)
First nigga out the hood with a deal (ayy, ayy)
So I know I gotta keep me a weapon
Ayy, big automatics for all my opps, I'd really hate to be 'em
Brung 'em out just to get killed, I guess that means I paid to see 'em (can't wait to see 'em)
My shooters startin', they didn't come off the bench, these ain't no Jeremy Lins (no Jeremy Lins)
Gucci sealed the deal, now nothin' but blue check hoes in my DMs (hoes in my DMs)
My lil' Brooklyn ho too trained to go, keep my Glock in her Timbs (keep it in her Timbs)
Screamin', "Free Hank" ain't gon' work, now he out, what you gon' give him? (Ho, what you gon' give 'em)
I keep Chopper ridin' with me, can't name no young nigga more brazy than him (no nigga can see 'em)
Ayy, this Glock can chop a tree, bitch, you can't pay me to do an attempt (no attempts)
I use the red key for my SRT, press the gas in my Yeezy boots (skrrt, skrrt-skrrt)
Ayy, it ain't no pullin' over for the Jake, bitch, we do high pursuit
Don't ask to join my gang, it ain't no way, we don't do no recruitin' (it ain't no comin' home)
If we five deep and you sittin' in the middle, you ain't got no business shootin' (brr)
And there ain't no playin' games
Nigga, knowin' that we step
I can't change on my gang
These niggas know just what I rep
You know how we do it, nigga (do it nigga)
You know I ain't cool with niggas (cool with niggas)
You slidin', then prove it, nigga (prove it nigga)
No hidin', we shoot at niggas (shoot at niggas)
Load the clip, we tryna shoot us a movie
Turn the swimmin' pool into a jacuzzi
Signed to Gucci, now I'm dodgin' the groupies
So official, niggas know how we do it
Know how we movin'
Had to bust down my necklace
Top tier, bitches know that I'm special
First nigga out the hood with a deal
So I know I gotta keep me a weapon
This song is all about excess, and living life to the fullest, even if it means going overboard. Gucci Mane is talking about how he and his crew are constantly doing things that are lavish and unnecessary, but they do it anyway because it's part of their lifestyle. The lyrics are repetitive, with Gucci asking why people are doing things that they don't have to do, but then he turns around and admits that he's guilty of the same behavior. He brags about his expensive car, the custom paint job, and the Forgie rims that he added to it. He also mentions how he has a lot of money and influence, which allows him to do whatever he wants. This song is all about excess and living a life without boundaries or limitations.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released as part of Gucci's album "Trap God 2," which was a sequel to his successful "Trap God" mixtape. The album features collaborations with several other artists, including Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne, and Young Scooter. Another interesting fact is that the song samples a track called "Hey Hey Hey" by the artist The Romanian House Mafia. Gucci Mane has always been known for sampling beats and tracks from other songs, and this one is no different.
Another interesting fact about the song is that it features several references to Gucci's wealth and success. For example, he mentions how his car cost half a million dollars and how he has a lot of money and influence. He also touches on how he doesn't need a stylist because he's always fresh and looks good no matter what. This is a common theme in Gucci's music, as he often talks about how successful he is and how far he's come from his humble beginnings.
The chords for the song are not available at this time.
Line by Line Meaning
Why you painted that motherfucker? You didn't have to do it
Questioning why someone would paint their car when it was already nice without any modifications.
Why you flood yo wife? You know that you didn't have to do it
Similar to the previous line, questioning why someone would add excessive jewelry to their wife's collection.
It was clean fore you did it, you didn't have to do it
The item in question was already in good condition, making the modifications unnecessary.
It was a 2013 car, man you didn't have to do it
Reiterating that the car already had value and adding modifications to it was not necessary.
It's Gucci Mane izay, you know we overdo it
It's a Gucci Mane song, so it's expected to have lyrics about excess and over the top behavior.
They back in the Lamborghini man, they didn't have to do it
Someone bought a Lamborghini, acknowledging that it was not necessary, but they did it anyway.
They got so much, man it's so much, influence didn't have to do it
Those with vast wealth and influence don't need to do anything extra to show off, but they do it regardless.
They know that Gucci Mane stay fresh and he didn't have to do it
The rapper Gucci Mane is known for having a good image, even without putting in much effort.
Don't need no stylist, I'm so fresh, I didn't even have to do it
I have a good sense of style and don't need anyone's help to look good.
My car cost half a million dollars and I didn't have to do it
My car was already expensive, and spending more money to modify it was not necessary.
I paint that bitch instantly and put them Forgies to it
I quickly painted my car and added custom wheels to it.
I merk a nigga instantly, this shit here more than music
I can quickly take out someone who crosses me, to the point where it's more than just lyrics in a song.
As far as me, them niggas phony, that's balony music
Others who try to imitate my style are fake and not genuine.
These niggas so corny I'd be baloney if I listened to it
Other rappers are so boring and unoriginal that I'd be a fool to listen to them.
I paint my car soon as I get it, bitch I gotta do it
I always modify my cars as soon as I get them because I have to.
And get how many, can even a man take car paint that's on a Buick
I get so much attention for my car that even someone who drives a Buick can appreciate it.
I make a bitch feel insecure but she still listen to it
Even though my lyrics can make some women feel inadequate, they still listen to my music.
She in the car, don't know what it is but ain't like she knew
A woman is in my car but doesn't know what it's like to have this level of luxury.
You with a nigga with a check, this a Rari not a Vette
If you're with me, you're with someone who has a lot of money, and we're not driving a basic Corvette, but a Ferrari.
This ain't that same little lick that he got, man this Bentley cost 3-20 man
This is not the same level of luxury as what others have, my Bentley is much more expensive.
It's Gucci, I got plenty, me in city, we be killin shit
Gucci Mane is wealthy and successful, and when he's in the city, he makes a big impact.
Soon as you take drop man it's gon be trinity and it's have her 50
As soon as I release a new song or album, it will be a big hit and make me even richer.
I have my mind on a V, I'm trappin out abandoned buildings
I have my sights set on obtaining a specific luxury car, and in the meantime, I'm making money in other ways, such as selling drugs.
They say the rims on my Charger bitch are bigger than they children
The rims on Gucci Mane's car are so large that they are bigger than some children.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Elijah Best, Jordan Hawkins, Lontrell Wiliams, Radric Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KaneMane87
Gucci Part Is So Classic!!!🔥🔥🔥
@smurphy231
I want Gucci to sign the whole Atlanta 😂
@norrisrogers91
I played this every day my senior year in hs 09
@user-lh7ts3kk8f
This my senior year I know bout this
@lorenzopeterson5847
Facts!
@Leland650
Freshman year for me on god
@myronhorne8173
My senior years was 2010 I feel you
@jamekomanns4540
My senior year as well 09 was the year
@giovannimartinez3089
Damn Gucci Mane and Zaytoven were so ahead of their time
@bibeau201
Giovanni Martinez just thinking if all this shit was put out as "new" omg the trap scene would look 10000000× worse than it already does.