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.”
Mouth Full of Golds
Gucci Mane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The empire need when I’m passin gas
With my entourage, no gas masks
I’m in my old school, with the George tale
When my George answer my rib …
I’m g’d up from the feet up
From my black belt, my feet up
And the …down and the beat up
You know me, from the own me
On John screen with the …,
I was low key, at hb,
Now I’m 3d, come face me
I went toe to toe with the best of
I bust shots in the west coast
Don’t test me, no tester
I rape you, like jester
I’m gonna … you bitch ass nigger,
You a …so snitch ass nigger
Work to the game feel some to the fame
Wear enough on me in this…
I’ma tell you right, cause it’s Gucci two times
Fuck and lick and fuck in right
If you got a trouble nigger, you can meet me outside
Use a head blows wide for your old man’s pride
Rich as new with a mouth full of gold
Rich as new with a mouth full of gold
Rich as new with a mouth full of gold, with a mouth full of gold,
with a mouth full of gold
Rich as new with a mouth full of gold
Rich as new with a mouth full of gold
Rich as new with a mouth full of gold, with a mouth full of gold,
with a mouth full of gold
Rich as new with a mouth full of gold
(Repeat)
In Gucci Mane's song "Mouth Full of Golds," the rapper talks about his status as a wealthy and successful empire, unmatched by those around him. He boasts about his entourage not needing gas masks around him when he "passes gas," indicating his power and dominance. Gucci Mane also refers to himself as "G'd up from the feet up," which signifies that he is dressed and ready for any situation. He mentions being in his "old school with the George tale," which is a reference to a car with a custom paint job by George Barris, who designed custom cars for Hollywood stars in the 1950s and 1960s. Gucci Mane is essentially saying that he is riding in style.
The rapper also talks about his past and how he used to keep a low profile, but now he is "3D" and ready to face anyone who challenges him. He even brags about his ability to hold his own against the best in the industry, as he has taken shots at the west coast and someone who tried to test him. There is also a reference to his wealth and success, as he talks about having a "mouth full of gold." He repeats this phrase multiple times in the song, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for his success and how he is "rich as new" with all of his gold.
Line by Line Meaning
It’s Gucci, two times, Gucci, Gucci
Gucci Mane introducing himself
The empire need when I’m passin gas
Gucci Mane is an important figure who demands respect
With my entourage, no gas masks
Gucci Mane has a group of loyal followers
I’m in my old school, with the George tale
Gucci Mane is in a classic car with a backseat story
When my George answer my rib …
Gucci Mane has a romantic partner with him
I’m g’d up from the feet up
Gucci Mane is fully dressed and ready
From my black belt, my feet up
Gucci Mane has an expensive outfit on
And the …down and the beat up
Gucci Mane's music is loud and aggressive
Short bad bitch with the seed up
Gucci Mane has a short, attractive female companion
You know me, from the own me
Gucci Mane is a well-known public figure
On John screen with the …,
Gucci Mane is on a big screen somewhere
I was low key, at hb,
Gucci Mane was keeping a low profile earlier
Now I’m 3d, come face me
Gucci Mane is back in the public eye and ready to be seen
I went toe to toe with the best of
Gucci Mane has taken on the most talented and emerged victorious
I bust shots in the west coast
Gucci Mane has been involved in violent incidents in the western United States
Don’t test me, no tester
Gucci Mane is not to be challenged or doubted
I rape you, like jester
Gucci Mane will take advantage of you in a humiliating way
I’m gonna … you bitch ass nigger,
Gucci Mane is threatening violence against an enemy
You a …so snitch ass nigger
Gucci Mane does not trust this person
Work to the game feel some to the fame
Gucci Mane has worked hard to get where he is
Wear enough on me in this…
Gucci Mane has valuable possessions on him
I’ma tell you right, cause it’s Gucci two times
Gucci Mane is emphasizing his importance
Fuck and lick and fuck in right
Gucci Mane is boasting about his sexual prowess
If you got a trouble nigger, you can meet me outside
Gucci Mane is inviting someone to confront him in a physical dispute
Use a head blows wide for your old man’s pride
Gucci Mane will cause serious physical harm
Rich as new with a mouth full of gold
Gucci Mane has achieved great wealth and success
Rich as new with a mouth full of gold
Gucci Mane repeats himself to emphasize his wealth
Rich as new with a mouth full of gold, with a mouth full of gold, with a mouth full of gold
Gucci Mane is showing off his expensive dental work
Rich as new with a mouth full of gold
Gucci Mane once again emphasizes his wealth
(Repeat)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RADRIC DAVIS, CHRISTOPHER GHOLSON, BRYAN WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrRacks
This forever will be one of the hardest songs ever
@MayaOprah
This forever will be one of the hardest songs ever
Gucci Mane is so dope. I can't stop watching this track again and again. I am sure he will be #1 soon due to 💖 a u t h e n t I c v i e w s 💖
@terrellmiller4768
The most underrated rapper of all times.
@MrMoneyBagz_International
No lie on my ♒💯
@davidg783
💯
@jaysmith4357
This
@villainova
Not in his city he ain't
@campok1609
10 years later and I’m still riding around listening to it.
@felicianicole9849
GUCCI, GUCCI ME TOO.... SINCE KITCHEN GUCCI G.A.N.G. ✌🏼❤️😇😃
@tantrarojo44
do you listen to the new clone?
just old bangers