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.”
Everybody Looking
Gucci Mane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(yo-yo)
Lambo's get the bitches
(mo-hoes)
Stove make the cookies
(o's-o's)
Hurtin these suckas feelings
(ouch-ouch)
Yo yo yo come check this crazy flow
I gotta go and do this show
Just where is tokyo?
Yo yo damn brick squad be burnin' dro
Drink bur man and white folk wit me I got cash to blow
Yo yo your nose gon' grow
Just like pinocchio your lying that your hot as me but that is not the truth
Oh no my left right wrist is truly extra cold
My flow sick need them extra o's
I need an extra stove
So so I'm so icy my squad run in snow
You know it and you knew before so much dough
I shut down the store
Hoes hoes I bird feed these bitches like they like were crows
I pull the totum pole out and leave them bitches swole
Errybody lookin'
(yo-yo)
Lambo's get the bitches
(mo-hoes)
Stove make the cookies
(o's-o's)
Hurtin these suckas feelings
(ouch-ouch)
Errybody lookin'
(yo-yo)
Lambo's get the bitches
(mo-hoes)
Stove make the cookies
(o's-o's)
Hurtin these suckas feelings
(ouch-ouch)
Space age, what you though? what you think I say?
I make money different ways give banks through the day
Hey hey damn I paved my way I payed my way
I used to sell a lot of yay I moved a key a day
Wait wait way way way way back in the day
I ran the a me an my who 2 shotguns
And a k now I'm gettin that stupid cake
I'll put you to sleep like change the slate
Then throw big faces Friday in your face right in front the place
One day you might get some money maybe
12 bars if you pay me scuse me girl you want some baby's?
Gucci you can't have my baby's one day I'm a go to magic city
See some ass titties scur some shrimp
And sip some liquor all these bitches fuckin' with me
Errybody lookin'
(yo-yo)
Lambo's get the bitches
(mo-hoes)
Stove make the cookies
(o's-o's)
Hurtin these suckas feelings
(ouch-ouch)
Errybody lookin'
(yo-yo)
Lambo's get the bitches
(mo-hoes)
Stove make the cookies
(o's-o's)
Hurtin these suckas feelings
(ouch-ouch)
Goddamn gucci mane just bought another lamb,
Chevy with the crazy cam I pull over with that stoopid slam
Yeaa plus I got all this jewelry on
Flexin' like I'm serious jones bubba kush still my cologne
Word up? bricksquad put your birds up
You ain't never heard nothing if you never heard of us
Blood cause run to you, you can't rep no mo, matter you can't breath no more
Blow so hard that there is nothing left for sure
What? I'm royalty like king tut
Got someone to introduce you to baby dats deez nutz
Plus I wouldn't give a flying fuck bout none of that shit you fuss about
I fly them in them bus em out there's nothing left to talk about
Errybody lookin'
(yo-yo)
Lambo's get the bitches
(mo-hoes)
Stove make the cookies
(o's-o's)
Hurtin these suckas feelings
(ouch-ouch)
The lyrics to Gucci Mane's song Everybody Looking are an expression of pure confidence and bravado. The rapper is boasting about his excesses- his lavish cars (the Lambos), his wealth (the cash to blow) and the power he holds over women (bird-feeding hoes). Additionally, the lyrics are filled with references to drug dealing, guns and violence, which resonate with Gucci's drug-dealing past and the gangster rap genre as a whole.
Gucci Mane's voice and flow are powerful in this song, as he seamlessly switches between styles and rhyming schemes. He also uses repetition to emphasize the key themes in the song- the Lambo's, the stoves and the hurt feelings of those who are jealous of his success. The song's chorus re-iterates this theme, indicating that everybody is watching him because of the power and influence he holds.
Overall, Everybody Looking is a song that exudes confidence and braggadocio, with Gucci Mane's voice and flow providing the perfect complement to the song's themes.
Line by Line Meaning
Errybody lookin'
Everyone is staring or paying attention
(yo-yo)
Adlib indicating a hype tone
Lambo's get the bitches
Women are attracted to Lamborghinis
(mo-hoes)
Adlib indicating a hype tone
Stove make the cookies
Making cookies using a stove, possibly a metaphor for cooking crack cocaine
(o's-o's)
Adlib indicating a hype tone
Hurtin these suckas feelings
Making others feel bad or inferior
(ouch-ouch)
Adlib indicating a hype tone
Yo yo yo come check this crazy flow
Listen to how well I can rap
I gotta go and do this show
I need to perform for an audience
Just where is tokyo?
Questioning the location of Tokyo
Yo yo damn brick squad be burnin' dro
My rap group Brick Squad smokes a lot of marijuana
Drink bur man and white folk wit me I got cash to blow
I am drinking and partying with friends, spending a lot of money
Yo yo your nose gon' grow
You are lying, your nose will grow like Pinocchio's
Just like pinocchio your lying that your hot as me but that is not the truth
You are lying about being better than me
Oh no my left right wrist is truly extra cold
My jewelry is expensive and impressive
My flow sick need them extra o's
My rapping is great, I need more adlibs
I need an extra stove
I need more equipment to make my drugs
So so I'm so icy my squad run in snow
My crew is great, we are like ice running through the snow
You know it and you knew before so much dough
You already knew how rich and successful I was
I shut down the store
I am so rich I can afford to close stores
Hoes hoes I bird feed these bitches like they like were crows
I am taking care of these women as if they were birds
I pull the totum pole out and leave them bitches swole
I intimidate and beat up other people
Space age, what you though? what you think I say?
I am futuristic and innovative
I make money different ways give banks through the day
I have many sources of income
Hey hey damn I paved my way I payed my way
I am self-made and successful
I used to sell a lot of yay I moved a key a day
I used to sell a lot of cocaine
Wait wait way way way way back in the day
Many years ago
I ran the a me an my who 2 shotguns
I ran Atlanta with only two guns
And a k now I'm gettin that stupid cake
Now I am getting a lot of money
I'll put you to sleep like change the slate
I will hurt you severely
Then throw big faces Friday in your face right in front the place
I will show off my money and success in front of you
One day you might get some money maybe
One day you might be successful
12 bars if you pay me scuse me girl you want some baby's?
I will rap for you for a price, and are you interested in sex?
Gucci you can't have my baby's one day I'm a go to magic city
I will not have children with you, I will go to the strip club Magic City
See some ass titties scur some shrimp
I will enjoy the strip club and eat shrimp
And sip some liquor all these bitches fuckin' with me
I am drinking alcohol and women like me
Goddamn gucci mane just bought another lamb,
I just bought another Lamborghini
Chevy with the crazy cam I pull over with that stoopid slam
I have a modified Chevrolet car with a loud engine
Yeaa plus I got all this jewelry on
I am wearing expensive jewelry
Flexin' like I'm serious jones bubba kush still my cologne
I am confident and I smoke marijuana
Word up? bricksquad put your birds up
Brick Squad is my rap group and we are ready to fight
You ain't never heard nothing if you never heard of us
You are not knowledgeable if you have not heard of us
Blood cause run to you, you can't rep no mo, matter you can't breath no more
If I harm you, you will no longer be able to represent anything or breathe
Blow so hard that there is nothing left for sure
I am bragging about how good I am at rapping
What? I'm royalty like king tut
I am important and powerful like King Tut
Got someone to introduce you to baby dats deez nutz
I am insulting you and saying you are foolish
Plus I wouldn't give a flying fuck bout none of that shit you fuss about
I do not care about your problems
I fly them in them bus em out there's nothing left to talk about
I send people away in buses and do not want to talk anymore
Errybody lookin'
Everyone is staring or paying attention
(yo-yo)
Adlib indicating a hype tone
Lambo's get the bitches
Women are attracted to Lamborghinis
(mo-hoes)
Adlib indicating a hype tone
Stove make the cookies
Making cookies using a stove, possibly a metaphor for cooking crack cocaine
(o's-o's)
Adlib indicating a hype tone
Hurtin these suckas feelings
Making others feel bad or inferior
(ouch-ouch)
Adlib indicating a hype tone
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER GHOLSON, CHRISTOPHER JAMES GHOLSON, RADRIC DAVIS, RADRIC DELANTIC DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@3timez
I remember playing this in 2010 with a chick in the car who ain't like rap. She ain't say sht the whole time the song was on. She then put it on repeat. I'll never forget that when I hear this.
@dzt8396
She was fuckin with them bassbrations. 🔊📢
@plugonsounds
My white boy used to be turnt up to this
@ShotByMoo
Onhood 😂 Guwop effect
@ninacardoza2005
BOYYYYYYYYY THIS BRINGS BACK MEMORIES ON SETTING OFF CAR ALARMS
@lordsosa9383
make me a sandwich
@wurthmannd024
2 12s and 3000w did the trick
@UrbanComposerMusic4L
Yeah that bass was booming on that bih !!
@kendrick_on_4s567
Right
@mattgonzalez849
O u2😂