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.”
Fast Break
Gucci Mane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Slam dunkin in my donk, trunk goin' stupid ham
I'm the man, I'm the man, like shawty, I'm the man
L-0 told me give it you so you finna get it man
Gucci pulled up in a Aston
Parking lot, Club Crucial, my rims doin' the pool palace
Ice stampede
I'm spinnin' on them Davins, backwards
Baby got a ass see, can we do the nasty? (yes)
Wilt need 3 girls, 2 girls not enough for me
I eat lovely
Richer than your budget be
Richer than my budget be?
I'm richer than his salary
Fast break, Lamb pass by that's a fast break
'Vette pass by, duelly truck that's a fast break
Avalanche pass by, Chevelle that's a fast break
74' Oldsmo' shawty that's a fast break
Fitty seen shawty hear da water runnin' water runnin' water ring water chain
Mane I got dem water diamonds
Colored diamonds
Yellow diamonds
Blue diamond
Red diamond
White diamond VVS, got a nigga watch shinning
I'm icy, I'm icy as a fool
I'm so icy that you know I got a tool
If you don't know, then I have to show you
Extended clip 40 pussy nigga I will blow u, away
Fast break, Lamb pass by that's a fast break
'Vette pass by, duelly truck that's a fast break
Avalanche pass by, Chevelle that's a fast break
74' Oldsmo' shawty that's a fast break
Fast break, fast break
V6 I never bought
V8, V12, V10 round kit
Benz with Ferrari kit
Please call astrologist, 'cause I dropped my top and I'm looking at the galaxy
Rolling off this Ecstasy
Thinking it's reality
Really it's a fantasy but why these rappers mad at me?
Crazy stupid icy
Crazy crazy icy
I would hate you too but now u bet ya Breitling
Pull up with the loud pack
No
It ain't Mike and Ike
Wilt Chamberlin shit bitch shinning like a traffic light
Icy (wilt)
Fast break, Lamb pass by that's a fast break
'Vette pass by, duelly truck that's a fast break
Avalanche pass by, Chevelle that's a fast break
74' Oldsmo' shawty that's a fast break
The lyrics to Gucci Mane's song "Fast Break" contain several elements that are characteristic of his style of music. The opening line "Fast Break, pass the kush that's a no look pass" refers to basketball terminology and smoking marijuana. The rapper is indicating that he's good at both smoking and basketball.
He then goes on to use several basketball references throughout the song, including the line "White folks think I play for the Falcons," referring to the Atlanta-based NFL team. He also mentions Wilt Chamberlain, a famous NBA player, when he sings "Wilt need 3 girls, 2 girls not enough for me."
The rest of the lyrics feature Gucci Mane bragging about his wealth, his cars, and his jewelry. He mentions different types of diamonds and the luxury cars that he drives. He also talks about his "Extended clip 40" gun and threatens to "blow u, away" if someone messes with him.
Overall, "Fast Break" is a typical Gucci Mane song with lyrics about money, cars, guns, and drugs. The basketball references add an interesting twist and help to create a unique sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Fast break, pass the kush that's a no look pass
Passing the marijuana without even looking is like executing a basketball pass in a fast break.
Slam dunkin in my donk, trunk goin' stupid ham
Riding my car with a loud sound system and a bouncing trunk is like slamming a basketball by a professional player.
I'm the man, I'm the man, like shawty, I'm the man
Being recognized as the best among others, and even better than the opposite sex, is like being a supreme authority.
L-0 told me give it you so you finna get it man
A person in authority allowed me to give you something, so be prepared to receive it.
Gucci pulled up in a Aston
I arrived with a luxurious Aston Martin car.
Parking lot, Club Crucial, my rims doin' the pool palace
My car's shiny wheels are attracting attention and enhancing my status in the parking lot of Club Crucial.
Ice stampede
My glittering jewelry is impressing others like a herd of rampaging ice elephants.
I'm spinnin' on them Davins, backwards
I'm driving a car with DUB spinning rims, and I'm going in reverse to show off the rims' design.
White folks think I play for the Falcons
I'm so successful and wealthy that even white people assume I play for the Atlanta Falcons football team.
Baby got a ass see, can we do the nasty? (yes)
A woman has an attractive body, and I'm asking her for a sexual experience.
Wilt need 3 girls, 2 girls not enough for me
Like Wilt Chamberlain, I require the companionship of three women, and two women are not sufficient for me.
I eat lovely
I'm living a luxurious lifestyle that allows me to eat exquisite foods.
Richer than your budget be
I have more wealth than what you can afford to budget for.
Richer than my budget be?
My wealth exceeds even my own budget.
I'm richer than his salary
I have more money than what someone else earns in their salary.
Fast break, Lamb pass by that's a fast break
A speeding Lamborghini car is like executing a basketball fast break play.
'Vette pass by, duelly truck that's a fast break
A Chevrolet Corvette and a dually truck passing by are like executing a fast break play in basketball.
Avalanche pass by, Chevelle that's a fast break
A Chevrolet Avalanche and a Chevelle car passing by are like executing a fast break play in basketball.
74' Oldsmo' shawty that's a fast break
A 1974 Oldsmobile car passing by is like executing a fast break play in basketball.
Fitty seen shawty hear da water runnin' water runnin' water ring water chain
A woman noticed my expensive diamond ring and necklace, which look like water droplets glistening.
Mane I got dem water diamonds
I own diamond jewelry that looks like glistening water droplets.
Colored diamonds
My diamonds are not just colorless, but I also have diamonds of various colors.
Yellow diamonds
I have yellow-colored diamonds.
Blue diamond
I possess a blue-colored diamond.
Red diamond
I have a rare red-colored diamond.
White diamond VVS, got a nigga watch shinning
I have flawless white diamonds and a watch with outstanding clarity that sparkles brightly.
I'm icy, I'm icy as a fool
I'm so cool and relaxed, like ice, that it's foolish to try and disturb me.
I'm so icy that you know I got a tool
My coolness and composure are so apparent that you know I carry a weapon to protect myself.
If you don't know, then I have to show you
If you're not aware of the danger, then I have to demonstrate it to you.
Extended clip 40 pussy nigga I will blow u, away
Using a 40-gun with an extended magazine, I'm ready to eliminate anyone who tries to harm me.
V6 I never bought
I don't drive a car with a V6 engine because I prefer something more powerful and luxurious.
V8, V12, V10 round kit
I drive cars with powerful engines that people can specify as V8, V12 or V10, and I outfit them with expensive accessories.
Benz with Ferrari kit
I own a Mercedes-Benz car with the same accessories and parts that a Ferrari has.
Please call astrologist, 'cause I dropped my top and I'm looking at the galaxy
Please contact an astrologist because I removed the roof of my car, and I'm gazing at the stars and planets in the galaxy.
Rolling off this Ecstasy
I'm completely relaxed and enjoying my luxurious lifestyle, like one who took the recreational drug Ecstasy.
Thinking it's reality
I'm living a life so luxurious that it seems unreal.
Really it's a fantasy but why these rappers mad at me?
My lifestyle may seem imaginary, but it's real, and some other rappers envy me.
Crazy stupid icy
My diamonds are so crazy, so flashy, so visible that it's almost absurd.
Crazy crazy icy
My diamonds are extremely flash and eye-catching, to the point that it's almost ridiculous.
I would hate you too but now u bet ya Breitling
If someone wears a Breitling watch, it will impress me, though I might have hated on them previously.
Pull up with the loud pack, No It ain't Mike and Ike
I'm arriving with drugs that produce a strong smell, but it isn't something like candy Mike and Ike.
Wilt Chamberlin shit, bitch shining like a traffic light
I'm shining so brightly with my diamonds, like the colorfulness of a traffic light, that it's like Wilt Chamberlain scoring 100 points in a single basketball game.
Icy (wilt)
I'm shining, and the reference to Wilt Chamberlain is a nod to his famous nickname.
Fast break, Lamb pass by that's a fast break
A speeding Lamborghini car is like executing a fast break play in basketball.
'Vette pass by, duelly truck that's a fast break
A Chevrolet Corvette and a dually truck passing by are like executing a fast break play in basketball.
Avalanche pass by, Chevelle that's a fast break
A Chevrolet Avalanche and a Chevelle car passing by are like executing a fast break play in basketball.
74' Oldsmo' shawty that's a fast break
A 1974 Oldsmobile car passing by is like executing a fast break play in basketball.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RADRIC DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind