Radric Davis (born February 12, 1980 in Birmingham, Alabama), better known … Read Full Bio ↴Radric Davis (born February 12, 1980 in Birmingham, Alabama), better known by his stage name Gucci Mane, is an American rapper and CEO of 1017 Brick Squad Records. In 2005 he released his independent debut album, Trap House, which featured the successful single "Icy" that he recorded with Young Jeezy. He has since released a further three albums including 2006's Hard To Kill, 2007's Trap-A-Thon and 2007's Back To The Trap House. His sixth studio album, The State vs Radric Davis, was released in December 2009, just weeks after he was sent back to prison for 12 months for violating his probation. He was released in May 2010 and will now release his seventh studio album, The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted, sometime at the end of 2010.

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.”

Take It Easy
Gucci Mane Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let's go, did you know a killa stay right next door
Presto, I'ma put a half one on his next four
A black nigga drive in a phantom, just pulled up to Saks though
My necklace shine so bright, they see my ice through tinted window
Drop a bean, you think that I just kidnapped Kimbo
They let me through the side door, cause I brought that extendo
Guwop and Young Thugga bitch the crowd going digital
Your girl just licked this molly out the paper like an nympho

Baby fine, I'm attracted to her physical
The way she suck me, make me wanna buy her furniture
I just might upgrade and put some diamonds in her pistol
And business in her name so I can cover up these intervals

I pour some drank out for my dead homies
Cause I don't drink liquor
All I drink is purple codeine
She thicker than a snicker
You know thats my tender roni
I make you stick yourself
Like Tony I'm the macaroni

Take it easy
These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing
Take it easy
These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing
Take it easy
These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing
Take it easy
These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing

Like they can take a chill pill, my new deal worth like 10 mill
Young nigga I'm forreal, shouts out to that boy Mike Will
Warner Chappell make it happen, god damn Makonnen be snackin'
Rappin' in that kitchen muthafuck(n', super chef what happen
Macaroni with that Tony, young boy out to make the cash
Bitches talking shit I hit 'em with that pizza on they ass
Young timberland, goddammit what the hell you doin'
Hit Miami and I change the weather it start snowing

I pour some drank out for my dead homies
Cause I don't drink liquor
All I drink is purple codeine
She thicker than a snicker
You know thats my tender roni
I make you stick yourself
Like Tony I'm the macaroni

Take it easy
These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing
Take it easy
These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing

Take it easy
These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing
Take it easy
These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing

I pour some drank out for my dead homies
Cause I don't drink liquor
All I drink is purple codeine
She thicker than a snicker
You know thats my tender roni
I make you stick yourself
Like Tony I'm the macaroni

Take it easy
These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing
Take it easy
These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing

Take it easy
These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing

Take it easy
These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gucci Mane's song "What It Takes" depict a lifestyle of luxury, wealth, and violence. The opening lines establish the presence of a dangerous character, a "killa" who lives next door. The singer claims to have enough money to put a large amount of drugs on credit for the killer. He also boasts about driving a luxurious black Phantom and showing off his expensive jewelry. The mention of "dropping a bean" refers to taking the drug MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy. The singer hints at having access to exclusive areas due to his reputation and the presence of a weapon ("extendo").

The song then transitions to descriptions of the singer's interactions with women. He is physically attracted to a woman ("fine") and enjoys the way she performs sexual acts on him. He contemplates upgrading her lifestyle and ensuring her financial security by putting "business in her name." This could be interpreted as a combination of materialism, objectification, and a desire for control.

In the chorus, the repeated phrase "Take it easy, these Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing" refers to the singer wearing expensive jewelry ("Jesus Pieces") and suggesting that his wealth and status excite and entice women.

Overall, the lyrics of "What It Takes" showcase themes of materialism, violence, dominance, and the pursuit of pleasure, reflecting the dark and lavish lifestyle often associated with Gucci Mane's music.

Line by Line Meaning

Let's go, did you know a killa stay right next door
Come on, are you aware that a killer lives right next door?

Presto, I'ma put a half one on his next four
Abracadabra, I'm going to put a half ounce of drugs on his next four purchases

A black nigga drive in a phantom, just pulled up to Saks though
A black man is driving a luxury car and just arrived at the high-end store, Saks

My necklace shine so bright, they see my ice through tinted window
My necklace is so dazzling that it shines through the tinted car window

Drop a bean, you think that I just kidnapped Kimbo
Take a pill and you'll feel like I just kidnapped Kimbo (a reference to a famous fighter)

They let me through the side door, cause I brought that extendo
They allow me to enter through the side door because I have a gun with an extended magazine

Guwop and Young Thugga bitch the crowd going digital
Gucci Mane and Young Thug are dominating the crowd, making them go wild and crazy

Your girl just licked this molly out the paper like an nympho
Your girlfriend just licked the ecstasy drug from its paper packaging as if she were a nymphomaniac

Baby fine, I'm attracted to her physical
The girl is physically attractive, and I'm drawn to her beauty

The way she suck me, make me wanna buy her furniture
Her exceptional oral skills make me want to spoil her with gifts, like buying her furniture

I just might upgrade and put some diamonds in her pistol
I might enhance her gun by adding diamonds to its design

And business in her name so I can cover up these intervals
And put our business assets under her name to hide any gaps or discrepancies

I pour some drank out for my dead homies
I pour out some alcoholic beverage as a tribute to my deceased friends

Cause I don't drink liquor
Because I don't consume regular alcohol

All I drink is purple codeine
I only consume purple codeine, a type of cough syrup with recreational use

She thicker than a snicker
She is curvier and more attractive than a Snickers candy bar

You know thats my tender roni
You know that she is my beloved and cherished partner

I make you stick yourself
I can make you harm yourself

Like Tony I'm the macaroni
Similar to Tony the Tiger promoting Frosted Flakes cereal, I am the best and most skilled

These Jesus Pieces make her say I'm teasing
The expensive Jesus-themed jewelry I wear makes her believe that I am teasing her

Like they can take a chill pill, my new deal worth like 10 mill
Like they can calm down, my new business agreement is worth around 10 million dollars

Young nigga I'm forreal, shouts out to that boy Mike Will
I'm a young man, and I'm genuinely serious. I give a shout out to my friend Mike Will

Warner Chappell make it happen, god damn Makonnen be snackin'
Warner Chappell (a music publisher) makes things happen, and my friend Makonnen is making a lot of money

Rappin' in that kitchen muthafuck(n', super chef what happen
While rapping in the kitchen, I'm a super talented chef. What's happening?

Macaroni with that Tony, young boy out to make the cash
Cooking macaroni with Tony's seasoning, the young boy is determined to make money

Bitches talking shit I hit 'em with that pizza on they ass
When women are gossiping and talking nonsense, I figuratively hit them with a pizza on their buttocks as a form of mockery

Young timberland, goddammit what the hell you doin'
I'm a young man with a presence like Timberland boots. What in the world are you doing?

Hit Miami and I change the weather it start snowing
When I arrived in Miami, I had such an impact that the weather suddenly turned cold, as if it was snowing

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Radric Davis, Makonnen Sheran

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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