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.”
Remember When
Gucci Mane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you
Do you remember when (remember when)
[Chorus]
Do you remember when
I met you girl everything was alright
Do you remember when
Do you remember the time girl
Like I remember the time girl
Girl you my type you just right
That blouse on you fit just right
Them jeans she got on skin tight
Shes sexy cool but still shy
I'm colder than a Klondike
Bipolar I got dumb ice
We know each other we go together
Like hamburgers and french fries
Everything's all right
We'll never have a fist fight
But last night we had a sex fight
Then told her have blessed night
I'm leaning I'm meanin'
I fall asleep might have dreams in it
Did the club thing, brought my team in it
Last night I bring my queen in it
I go get it you bullshitter's
I hit it, damn right the kid did it
You hood critters and hood chickens
Please stay out my business
From south France to south Philly
A.T.L. to north Memphis
From my city to your city
Think you got more swag but not really
[Chorus]
Yo yo yo
I'ma put it down so
Gucci gon' wake up sore
Ironic its gon' hurt
But when I'm gone
It'll make you want more
Scented aura candles
I pull up in my Lambo
The best sex that you never had
Two bad streets off the main road
You had her but she left so
That's just the way the game go
No one on my level
So please get up out on my lane holmes
I met a girl so real no need to bring no game home
Reminisce of Gucci every time they play my same song
I'm on her like a long john
Short skirt with no thongs on
Sexy naked sunbathing outside my house with frames on
I took her from some busters?
And that boy ain't gon' shit bout it
Its alright we can tell that sucka to forget about it
[Chorus]
Girls to my right
Ladies to my left
The weathers so hot
Snows on my chest
When I see this fly girl
Tried to get her number
Then she tells me
I already smashed last summer
Mile high club G 5 planes
Remember back rubs and pink champagne
Mile high club G 5 planes
Remember back rubs and pink champagne
Do you remember when
I met you girl everything was alright
Do you remember when
We got a room we was fucking all night
Do you remember the time girl
Like I remember the time girl
Do you remember when (remember when)
Do you
Do you remember when (remember when)
In Gucci Mane's song Remember When, the artist appears to be reminiscing about a relationship he had with a woman. The chorus of the song asks the listener if they remember when they first met and began hooking up. Gucci describes the woman as his type, with clothes that fit her perfectly. He also talks about how they work well together, like hamburgers and french fries. Despite this positive imagery, he mentions that the night before, they had a "sex fight," though he still wished her a good night.
The verse goes on to describe how Gucci and the woman ended up together. He talks about how he shows up in his Lamborghini, and he's always on her like a "long john" (implying that he's always ready to have sex with her). He seems to be boasting about how he took her from another guy and how the other guy can forget about her now. The second half of the verse talks about how Gucci meets another woman who tells him that they already hooked up last summer.
Overall, the song is a somewhat crude look at a relationship, with Gucci boasting about his sexual prowess and ability to attract women. The song has a somewhat nostalgic feel to it - Gucci is asking if the listener remembers when they first met someone and began a hot and heavy relationship. Despite the boastful nature of the song, there's an undercurrent of sadness or loneliness to it, as if Gucci is wondering if his current relationship can ever live up to the excitement of past ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember when
Asking if the listener can recall a past moment.
I met you girl everything was alright
Reminiscing about when the singer first met the girl and things were good between them.
We got a room we was fucking all night
Recalling a time when the singer and the girl had stayed in a room and had sexual intercourse throughout the night.
Do you remember the time girl
Asking the girl if she remembers a particular moment.
Like I remember the time girl
Asserting that the artist has a vivid recollection of the past event.
Girl you my type you just right
Complimenting the girl for being just the type that the singer likes.
That blouse on you fit just right
Commenting on how well the blouse fits the girl.
Them jeans she got on skin tight
Noticing that the girl is wearing skinny jeans that fit her well.
Shes sexy cool but still shy
Describing the girl as having a mix of sex appeal and a reserved manner.
I'm colder than a Klondike
Using a simile to explain that the artist is emotionally distant.
Bipolar I got dumb ice
Suggesting that the singer has a fluctuating mood but has plenty of jewelry.
We know each other we go together
Asserting that the artist and the girl have a strong connection.
Like hamburgers and french fries
Using a simile to compare the relationship to a classic food combination.
Everything's all right
Saying that things are okay.
We'll never have a fist fight
Ensuring that the singer and the girl will not have physical altercations.
But last night we had a sex fight
Jokingly mentioning that the artist and the girl had rough intercourse, like a fight.
Then told her have blessed night
Informing the girl to have a good night.
I'm leaning I'm meanin'
Admitting that the singer is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
I fall asleep might have dreams in it
Acknowledging that the singer may dream while in a state of unconsciousness.
Did the club thing, brought my team in it
Explaining that the artist and their team went out clubbing.
Last night I bring my queen in it
Mentioning that the artist brought the girl with them to the club.
I go get it you bullshitter's
Asserting that the artist goes out and gets what they want, unlike people who lie or exaggerate.
I hit it, damn right the kid did it
Informing the listener that the singer has had sexual relations with the girl.
You hood critters and hood chickens
Referring to people from urban neighborhoods in a derogatory manner.
Please stay out my business
Asking people to not involve themselves in the singer's personal matters.
From south France to south Philly
Mentioning different locations that may be geographically distant but are still relevant to the singer.
A.T.L. to north Memphis
Referring to cities in the southern United States that hold significance to the singer.
From my city to your city
Noting that the artist and the listener may be from different places.
Think you got more swag but not really
Challenging the notion that the listener has more style than the artist.
I'ma put it down so
Asserting that the singer will perform well.
Gucci gon' wake up sore
Implying that the singer's performance will be so tiring that they will be sore.
Ironic its gon' hurt
Using irony to suggest that the good performance will actually lead to soreness.
But when I'm gone
Implying that the artist will leave the listener wanting more.
It'll make you want more
Suggesting that the artist's performance is so good that it will leave the listener wanting more.
Scented aura candles
Describing the singer's luxurious and romantic surroundings.
I pull up in my Lambo
Boasting about owning a luxury car.
The best sex that you never had
Claiming that the singer's sexual prowess is unparalleled.
Two bad streets off the main road
Using wordplay to describe the location of a particular encounter.
You had her but she left so
Reminding the listener of a time when they lost a girl they had some level of interest in.
That's just the way the game go
Suggesting that losing the girl was just a normal occurrence in the dating scene.
No one on my level
Boasting that the artist is superior in some way.
So please get up out on my lane holmes
Asking people to leave the singer alone and not interfere with their business.
Reminisce of Gucci every time they play my same song
Noting that people may think of the singer when a particular song of theirs is played.
I'm on her like a long john
Using a simile to describe the artist's pursuit of the girl.
Short skirt with no thongs on
Describing the girl's scantily clad outfit.
Sexy naked sunbathing outside my house with frames on
Painting a vivid picture of the girl sunbathing outside of the artist's home wearing sunglasses.
I took her from some busters
Implying that the girl was previously involved with undesirable men.
And that boy ain't gon' shit bout it
Asserting that the previous guy that the girl was involved with won't do anything to confront the artist.
Its alright we can tell that sucka to forget about it
Saying that the singer and the girl don't need to worry about the previous guy and can simply let it go.
Girls to my right
Noting that there are multiple girls present, with one group located to the right side of the singer.
Ladies to my left
Noting that there are multiple girls present, with another group located to the left side of the singer.
The weathers so hot
Commenting on the heat of the day.
Snows on my chest
Metaphorically expressing that the artist has a lot of money.
When I see this fly girl
Referring to a particularly attractive girl that the singer notices.
Tried to get her number
Attempting to obtain the attractive girl's contact information.
Then she tells me
Recounting an interaction with the girl.
I already smashed last summer
Revealing that the girl has had sexual relations with the artist in the past.
Mile high club G 5 planes
Referring to the act of having sex in an airplane.
Remember back rubs and pink champagne
Recalling a past intimate moment with the girl involving a back massage and champagne.
Do you remember when
Asking the listener if they can recall a specific moment.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RADRIC DAVIS, DEMETRIUS L. STEWART, BRANDON WHITFIELD, WILLIE RAY JR. NORWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@infamous070
only old fans know about this lyrical masterpiece 👀❤️🔥
@AlexandraPeters70
Yup ! 💯❤
@222ramdanemoctar4
Underrated guwop hit. Not so many recognize it. Best trapper alive or simply the TRAP GOD.
@1sexymona
best song Ray J ever made. GUCCI did his thing as usual.
@jE5zzy
Mos def!!!
@kingscopio843
I just said that lol literally 😂
@terrancetownsend9748
Gucci classic still 🔥🔥💥in 2023!
@theaustinavacoolkidssquare4855
He should’ve performed this at the versus battle 😤
@ramseycheframbojordan7905
exactly lol 😂
@shaleicasworld191
😂😂😂I had to come listen to something better