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.”
OMG BRO
Gucci Mane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I roll with real life robbers but can't do no wrong
I got a jet black tone, all black foams
And I might crack your dome like I just cracked my iPhone
My pants sagging low but baby this is [?]
Twenty thousand every pocket so my belt can't help it
Green and white sweater, bitch, but I'm no Celtic
Chilling in the M-Town, but I'm not Elvis
Thirty pints for me to drink (I'm so selfish!)
A nigga went broke and his main ho pregnant
Gucci cash got low bet the whole crest felt it
I snatch a nigga chain out, hey let's melt it
Got lit for sixty bricks so I just MapQuest it
I smoke blunts for dinner and I drink lean for breakfast
I put four O's of lean in a lil bitty Mistic
Hey, OK, OK (OK then)
You gonna take it no way (No way then)
Yep, motherfuck, yep motherfuck
Money talk, credit talk
Guwop, my blood brother
Put my ice in your cup, it might not melt (Oh my God, bro)
Got my Olympic Jordans on, I'm feeling like Phelps (Oh my God, bro)
I'm cashed out like Mike, no Epps (I'm gonna cash out)
Versace on my boxers, look like a belt (Oh my God, bro)
Me and Guwop stay on the same street, my nigga (blat blat blat)
Ever ever catch you round there I'm pulling my trigger (blat blat blat)
I go a whole hundred bars like I'm at Tigger's (wooh, wooh)
You ain't rich till you got about six figures (Thugga Thugga, baby!)
Put your Rolie up, put your motherfucking Rolie up
That bad bitch in VIP wanna notice us (she wanna fuck me)
No smoking on that bush like Magnolia, bro
Got bands on top of bands, I'm up like Folgers, bro
Young Thug backstabbing, I ain't brabbin'
Your ho want a lot of wood like a cabin
Nickname Damion, stay acting (actor)
Even though I keep a smile, need to stop this madness
In Gucci Mane's song OMG BRO, he starts off by flaunting his wealth, wearing gold and carrying twenty thousand in each pocket. He also mentions being associated with real-life robbers but not being able to do any wrong. Gucci Mane talks about his fashion sense, wearing a velour Versace jogging suit and green and white sweater, but he's not a Celtic. He further explains that he's chilling in M-Town, but he's not Elvis. While he might appear to be living the high life, Gucci Mane also makes references to his past criminal activities, saying he'll crack your dome like he just did to his iPhone.
As the song continues, he talks about drinking lean for breakfast and smoking blunts for dinner, indicating his drug use. He mentions having a significant amount of money, and he's not afraid to spend it. Gucci Mane has gone broke before, and when it happened, everyone in his crest felt the loss. He's also stolen someone's chain and melted it down. The song has a guest feature from rapper Young Thug, who talks about his nickname being Damion and acting despite maintaining a smile.
The lyrics of OMG BRO are a combination of Gucci Mane and Young Thug talking about their wealth, crime, fashion, and drug use. It's a typical rap song that glorifies a lavish lifestyle that includes drugs, money, and violence. However, the lyrics reveal that their success isn't just about opulence and that they've had to resort to crime to achieve their remarkable wealth.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold up, homes, I got my gold on, homes
Wait a minute, I have my gold jewelry on
I roll with real life robbers but can't do no wrong
I hang out with criminals, but I don't do anything illegal myself
I got a jet black tone, all black foams
I have a black car and black shoes
And I might crack your dome like I just cracked my iPhone
I could hit you so hard that your head cracks, I just broke my phone from dropping it
My pants sagging low but baby this is [?]
My pants are hanging low, but that's just my style
Twenty thousand every pocket so my belt can't help it
I have so much money that it fills up my pockets and my belt can't hold it
Green and white sweater, bitch, but I'm no Celtic
I'm wearing a green and white sweater, but I'm not a fan of the Boston Celtics
Chilling in the M-Town, but I'm not Elvis
I'm hanging out in Memphis, Tennessee, but I'm not as famous as Elvis Presley
Velour Versace jogging suit (this not velvet!)
I'm wearing a comfortable tracksuit made by Versace, it's not velvet
Thirty pints for me to drink (I'm so selfish!)
I have 30 bottles of liquor just for myself, I'm selfish
A nigga went broke and his main ho pregnant
My friend lost all his money and his girlfriend is pregnant
Gucci cash got low bet the whole crest felt it
My bank account balance decreased and it affected my entire crew
I snatch a nigga chain out, hey let's melt it
I stole someone's necklace, let's melt it down for the value of the metal
Got lit for sixty bricks so I just MapQuest it
I acquired 60 packages of drugs, now I need to find a way to sell them
I smoke blunts for dinner and I drink lean for breakfast
I smoke marijuana cigars for dinner and I drink codeine for breakfast
I put four O's of lean in a lil bitty Mistic
I poured a lot of codeine cough syrup into a small fruit juice
Hey, OK, OK (OK then)
Hello, alright
You gonna take it no way (No way then)
You won't accept it, I understand
Yep, motherfuck, yep motherfuck
Yes, motherfucker, yes motherfucker
Money talk, credit talk
I like to discuss money and credit
Guwop, my blood brother
Guccie Mane is like a brother to me
Put my ice in your cup, it might not melt (Oh my God, bro)
I'll give you my jewelry to put in your cup, it's so frozen that it won't melt
Got my Olympic Jordans on, I'm feeling like Phelps (Oh my God, bro)
I'm wearing my Air Jordans and I feel like an Olympic athlete like Michael Phelps
I'm cashed out like Mike, no Epps (I'm gonna cash out)
I'm out of money like Mike Epps, I need to get more cash
Versace on my boxers, look like a belt (Oh my God, bro)
My underwear has a Versace pattern that looks like a belt
Me and Guwop stay on the same street, my nigga (blat blat blat)
Gucci Mane and I live on the same street
Ever ever catch you round there I'm pulling my trigger (blat blat blat)
If you come around here, I'll shoot you
I go a whole hundred bars like I'm at Tigger's (wooh, wooh)
I have 100 lines in my rap, like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh
You ain't rich till you got about six figures (Thugga Thugga, baby!)
You're not truly wealthy until you have at least $100,000
Put your Rolie up, put your motherfucking Rolie up
Show me your Rolex watch
That bad bitch in VIP wanna notice us (she wanna fuck me)
That attractive woman in the VIP section wants to talk to us, she wants to have sex with me
No smoking on that bush like Magnolia, bro
Don't smoke weed from that area, like the Magnolia projects in New Orleans
Got bands on top of bands, I'm up like Folgers, bro
I have a lot of money stacked up, like coffee beans in a can of Folgers
Young Thug backstabbing, I ain't brabbin'
Young Thug did something dishonest, I'm not boasting about it
Your ho want a lot of wood like a cabin
Your girlfriend wants a lot of sex, like a cabin needs a lot of wood
Nickname Damion, stay acting (actor)
My nickname is Damion and I act, like an actor
Even though I keep a smile, need to stop this madness
I try to stay positive, but I need to end this crazy lifestyle
Contributed by Gabriel R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leandre Nsabi
[Verse: Gucci Mane]
Hold up, homes, I got my gold on, homes
I roll with real life robbers but can't do no wrong
I got a jet black tone, all black foams
And I might crack your dome like I just cracked my iPhone
My pants sagging low but baby this is (?)
Twenty thousand every pocket so my belt can't help it
Green and white sweater, bitch, but I'm no Celtic
Chilling in the M-Town, but I'm not Elvis
Velour Versace jogging suit (this not velvet!)
Thirty pints for me to drink (I'm so selfish!)
A nigga went broke and his main ho pregnant
Gucci cash got low bet the whole crest felt it
I snatch a nigga chain out, hey let's melt it
Got lit for sixty bricks so I just MapQuest it
I smoke blunts for dinner and I drink lean for breakfast
I put four O's of lean in a lil bitty Mistic
[Hook: Young Thug]
Hey, OK, OK (OK then)
You gonna take it no way (No way then)
Yep, motherfuck, yep motherfuck
Money talk, credit talk
Guwop, my blood brother
Put my ice in your cup, it might not melt (Oh my God, bro)
Got my Olympic Jordans on, I'm feeling like Phelps (Oh my God, bro)
I'm cashed out like Mike, no Epps (I'm gonna cash out)
Versace on my boxers, look like a belt (Oh my God, bro)
[Verse: Young Thug]
Me and Guwop stay on the same street, my nigga (blat blat blat)
Ever ever catch you round there I'm pulling my trigger (blat blat blat)
I go a whole hundred bars like I'm at Tigger's (wooh, wooh)
You ain't rich till you got about six figures (Thugga Thugga, baby!)
Put your Rolie up, put your motherfucking Rolie up
That bad bitch in VIP wanna notice us (she wanna fuck me)
No smoking on that bush like Magnolia, bro
Got bands on top of bands, I'm up like Folgers, bro
Young Thug backstabbing, I ain't brabbin'
Your ho want a lot of wood like a cabin
Nickname Damion, stay acting (actor)
Even though I keep a smile, need to stop this madness
[Hook]
Hey, OK, OK (OK then)
You gonna take it no way (No way then)
Yep, motherfuck, yep motherfuck
Money talk, credit talk
Guwop, my blood brother
Put my ice in your cup, it might not melt (Oh my God, bro)
Got my Olympic Jordans on, I'm feeling like Phelps (Oh my God, bro)
I'm cashed out like Mike, no Epps (I'm gonna cash out)
Versace on my boxers, look like a belt (Oh my God, bro)
SBOGT
this is so slept on OMG BRO smh
Tomogara
IT STILL IS 💀
Easy Breezy Beautiful Thugger Girls
InThaHood frfr
Garrett Drummond
this whole tape legendary 🔥🔥🔥🔥🤤🤤😠
Easy Breezy Beautiful Thugger Girls
Garrett Drummond Yay still go hard af
sk8r6565
still slaps
rwashington041
When Gucci cash got low, bet da whole crest felt it!
Easy Breezy Beautiful Thugger Girls
Jamie Perez listen to When I Was Water Whippin by Gucci Mane
Jamie Perez
real shit
ishmael tha great
my favorite mixtape of his