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.”
truth
Gucci Mane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Suckers keep on doubting me
They know they should be crowning me
Go
Scoo wop
Just counting paper, just counting paper
Your boys just counting days
Ain't nothing retarded bout gucci but this gold rolex
A ten thousand dollar bounty put on my neck
I hope you didn't paid em cuz they didn’t have no success
You see my interview nigga and you got upset
I see your interview too, you look all so stressed
I think the nigga just mad cuz I fucked his ex
And I’m a big dog, he got the lil boy complex
Go dig your partner up nigga, bet he can’t say shit
And if you’re looking for the kid I'll be in zone 6
I hit a birthday party fresh, you and your homeboy tip
I know yall seen me over there with that black 4/5
I bought a bentley, move it son, it look just like tip's
But I never went platinum, do you catch my drift?
I never let a nigga do me like tip did flip
This the same shit that got biggie and tupac killed.
It’s gucci
Ha ha okay
For the record, this is not a diss record
Just the truth
It’s gucci, the living legend
Oh yea, I’m a legend
Living legend nigga
Respect that
I ain’t playin with you, I ain’t tryna dance with you
I ain’t using your hands, let them rubber bands get ya
It take money to go to war, we can go to war nigga
I Ain’t no real rapper, I’m a fucking grave digger
I'm an old school fool don’t make me show my age nigga
Grab a louie v then turn it to a batting cage nigga
I did a song with keisha cole and I know you still miss her
But puff was fucking her while you was falling in love with er
For you do a song, wouldn't even smoke no bud with ya
I was screaming so icy and was a neighborhood nigga
They say r is my backup cuz I don’t need now nigga
Must've heard when flocka said let them guns blam nigga
Used to drive up in the hound with a lot of grams nigga
I’m just who I am nigga but I’m ain’t span now nigga
I know it’s hard for you to sleep, knowing you killed your homeboy
You left his son to be a bastard, won't even raise your own boy
It’s gucci
In Gucci Mane's song Truth, he starts the song off by addressing the doubters and how he should be crowned the king but people keep doubting him. He follows up with lines about counting his money while his opponents count the days until their downfall. Then he delves into some controversial topics, including his gold Rolex watch, a bounty on his neck, and his beef with Young Jeezy. Gucci claims that Jeezy is just mad because Gucci slept with his ex-girlfriend and has a complex about being the little guy.
As the song progresses, Gucci continues with a no-nonsense tone, stating that he's not trying to dance with anyone, and instead focuses on making money and being who he is. He doesn't claim to be a great rapper, but a "fucking grave digger" who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. He hints at his prior involvement with the gang-life, with lines such as "Used to drive up in the Hound with a lot of grams nigga." At the end of the song, Gucci delivers the final blow to his haters by calling himself a living legend and advises people to respect him as such.
Overall, Truth is a diss track towards Young Jeezy, stemming from their long-standing beef that has gone back and forth for years. Gucci deliberately threatens and provokes Jeezy with lines like "go dig your partner up nigga bet he can't say shit" and hints at the fact that Jeezy's friend was killed during their feud.
Line by Line Meaning
It’s gucci
The artist, Gucci Mane, is speaking
Suckers keep on doubting me
People constantly have doubts and skepticism towards Gucci
They know they should be crowning me
Despite their doubts, people should be acknowledging and praising Gucci's success
Just counting paper, just counting paper
Gucci is focused on accumulating wealth
Your boys just counting days
The people around Gucci are just waiting for their time to be up
80 chains goin and they ain’t took one yet
Gucci has a lot of jewelry and hasn't been robbed yet
Ain't nothing retarded bout gucci but this gold rolex
Gucci is not stupid or foolish except for spending money on a gold Rolex
A ten thousand dollar bounty put on my neck
Someone offered a large sum of money to have Gucci killed
I hope you didn't paid em cuz they didn’t have no success
Gucci doubts that the person who put the bounty on him found anyone to do the job
You see my interview nigga and you got upset
Someone was angered by Gucci's interview
I see your interview too, you look all so stressed
Gucci saw someone else's interview and noticed that they appeared stressed
I think the nigga just mad cuz I fucked his ex
The person is upset because Gucci had relations with their ex-partner
And I’m a big dog, he got the lil boy complex
Gucci considers himself as the more dominant and experienced person compared to the other person
Go dig your partner up nigga, bet he can’t say shit
Gucci insults someone by suggesting they question their deceased partner
And if you’re looking for the kid I'll be in zone 6
Gucci can be found in Zone 6 if someone is looking for him
I hit a birthday party fresh, you and your homeboy tip
Gucci attended a birthday party where the person he is talking to and their friend T.I. were also present
I know yall seen me over there with that black 4/5
Gucci is suggesting that the person saw him with a gun at the party
I bought a bentley, move it son, it look just like tip's
Gucci purchased a car that looks like T.I.'s Bentley
But I never went platinum, do you catch my drift?
Gucci did not reach a certain level of success in his music career
I never let a nigga do me like tip did flip
Gucci did not allow someone to double-cross him like T.I. did to another person named Flip
This the same shit that got biggie and tupac killed.
Gucci implies that the person's actions could result in harm or death, similarly to what happened to Biggie and Tupac
Ha ha okay
Gucci laughs and responds to the ongoing discussion
For the record, this is not a diss record
Gucci clarifies that the song is not meant to insult anyone
Just the truth
The song is simply stating the truth
It’s gucci, the living legend
Gucci is a respected and successful artist
Oh yea, I’m a legend
Gucci confirms that he is indeed a legend
Living legend nigga
Gucci repeats that he is a legendary person
Respect that
Gucci demands respect for his achievements
I ain’t playin with you, I ain’t tryna dance with you
Gucci is not joking around, and doesn't want to interact with the other person
I ain’t using your hands, let them rubber bands get ya
Gucci is not physically touching the other person and suggests that cash is more important than physical contact
It take money to go to war, we can go to war nigga
Gucci highlights that money is needed to fight and suggests that he can engage in conflict with the other person
I Ain’t no real rapper, I’m a fucking grave digger
Gucci doesn't consider himself a true rapper, but rather a person who buries other people's careers
I'm an old school fool don’t make me show my age nigga
Gucci sees himself as an older, wiser person and advises the other person not to mess with him
Grab a louie v then turn it to a batting cage nigga
Gucci suggests that even expensive items can be used for sport or destruction
I did a song with keisha cole and I know you still miss her
Gucci collaborated with a woman named Keisha Cole, and the other person may still have feelings for her
But puff was fucking her while you was falling in love with er
Gucci implies that Puff Daddy was having a sexual relationship with Keisha Cole while the other person was developing feelings for her
For you do a song, wouldn't even smoke no bud with ya
Gucci wouldn't even collaborate with the other person, let alone spend time with them
I was screaming so icy and was a neighborhood nigga
Gucci was emphasizing his record label 'So Icey' and was known in his neighborhood
They say r is my backup cuz I don’t need now nigga
People suggest that the artist Ralo is Gucci's sidekick or follower, but Gucci does not consider him necessary
Must've heard when flocka said let them guns blam nigga
Gucci suggests that the other person was influenced by someone named Flocka who is known for using guns
Used to drive up in the hound with a lot of grams nigga
Gucci used to transport large amounts of drugs in a Hummer vehicle
I’m just who I am nigga but I’m ain’t span now nigga
Gucci is still himself, but he is not a prisoner or 'span' anymore
I know it’s hard for you to sleep, knowing you killed your homeboy
Gucci accuses the other person of killing someone close to him and likely causing them anxiety or guilt
You left his son to be a bastard, won't even raise your own boy
The other person abandoned their friend's child and is not involved in raising their own child
Contributed by Violet F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@guccimane
I Am My Only Competition
http://guccimaneonline.com/
@sbskrilla5430
Yo
@ozemsadventureofrandomstuf252
Came out that Jail and went straight to top!!🤫😎
@kenderiusboggan8915
Play this tonight Wop💯💯🐐
@Floydhendersonjr
Top 5 dead or alive
@dregopce3125
Big wop 1017💪🏾
@TheBaBaTV
Gucci’s a triple OG never forget that, defends himself surviving a hit against him, catches body beating the case, took time in feds max prison GP. Stays Successful after. Real af.
@brandonsocold909
100% even before all that he was the beginning of trap music he knows how it is to flip bricks to feed your family but also knows what its like to be rich and on top 💯💯💯
@TheBaBaTV
@@brandonsocold909 facts, didn’t want to write too much, he’s part of street/rap history. Really a legend.
@Jose-ii2tx
Gucci went to college 😂😂 jeezy real street