As one of the six epicenters of Southern hip hop, Memphis has always had a thriving underground capable of producing major platinum superstars such as Eightball & MJG, 3-6 Mafia and Project Pat,Skip a.k.a Gianni Booker. All of the above-mentioned artists at one point in time literally dominated the city’s underground rap scene before going on to become national superstars. Next up to bat is Yo Gotti, M-Town’s current underground rap kingpin. Like his namesake John Gotti, the Memphis based rapper has been running the Southern underground scene with an iron fist for the past. Known and respected throughout the South for his skill and finesse on the microphone, Yo Gotti is one the South’s most respected young rappers.
Born Mario Mims, Yo Gotti grew up in the infamous Ridge Crest Apartments in a North Memphis neighborhood called Frazier. His childhood was typical for a poor ghetto youth in the Deep South. Raised in a family of hustlers and exposed to hard times 24 hours a day the Tennessee rap titan soon turned to the only thing that he knew could get him paid, hustling. “Being from the hood things like hustling will come your way,” says Yo Gotti. “Everybody in my family hustled in some kinda way.” Ironically, hustling is what ultimately led Yo Gotti to rapping.
Taking his cue from Memphis rap legends such as Eightball & MJG, Al Kapone, Gangsta Black, Triple 6 Mafia and Kingpin Skinny Pimp, all of whom he lists as influences, Yo Gotti released his own underground tape entitled, Youngster on the Come Up and placed it on consignment at local mom & pop record stores as well as hustling it out the trunk. The tape sold like hotcakes on the street and made Yo Gotti the hottest rapper on the streets of Memphis. From the Dope Game to the Rap Game, Yo Gotti’s sophomore effort sold so well that Select-O-Hits, a local based independent distributor offered him a small deal and the Memphis rapper more than doubled his fan base with absolutely no marketing or promotions. Soon he found himself ranked among the city’s top rappers. In addition to being featured on the cover of Murderdog Magazine along side his idols Kingpin Skinny Pimp and Al Kapone his record From the Dope Game to the Rap Game made the list for the magazine’s top independent record for the year 2000.
Two years later he inked a distribution deal with TVT Records and released the critically acclaimed album Life, which did respectable numbers for an independent label. “It sold about 40 or 50,000, with no promotions or video,” says Yo Gotti. “That record did what it did on its own.” But as the old saying goes when one door is closed another opened. Gotti’s reputation as the king of Memphis continued to spread and that eventually led him to a production deal with Cash Money/Universal records for his group the Block Burnaz. With his TVT sophomore album entitled Back 2 Da Basics, Yo Gotti returns with the same hardcore street flavor that his die-hard fans have come to know and love, only this time around the true king of Memphis has elevated his game a bit. Given the fact that his last record didn’t do the type of big number he’d hope for you’d think that Yo Gotti would switch up his style to reach a larger audience. Right? Wrong! According to Gotti his street credibility with his underground fans means more to him than gold or platinum status.
“The one thing that you have to understand is that when you create a fan base off of street product the last thing you wanna do is disrespect them by changing because of the record companies and stuff like that. When you do that you change what created you. To me it is very important that I keep in tune with the people that helped to sell 40,000 records independently. That’s why I call my record Back 2 Da Basics.”
Produced by DJ Thoomp, Mannie Fresh, Carlos Brody and newcomers Street Tunes, Back 2 Da Basics offers fans a gritty, insider’s view into the real streets of Memphis as seen through the eyes of Yo Gotti. Nowhere is this viewpoint more intense than on “Full Time,” the amped up lead single –and featured in the MTV Films’ Hustle & Flow movie - with a thunderous bass and intoxicating beat that espouses Gotti’s formula to success –hustle full time.
“A lotta cats wanna be a rapper or a street hustler but they don’t wanna put in the time that it takes,” says Yo Gotti. “They want the money and the cars and the girls, but they don’t wanna work hard for it. But to be successful at anything you gotta grind for it.” On the song “Mama We Gone Be Alright,” he waxes introspective by reflecting on all of the hard times that he and his family have suffered through the years and offers her hope-filled words encouragement. “Mama We Gone Be Alright” along with the gripping tune “My Story” emerges as two of the most interesting songs on Back 2 Da Basics. These three titles along with club banging songs like “Shorty” featuring Baby make Back 2 Da Basics one of the best albums of the year.
Bible
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bible, yeah, hand on my gun
Praying to my gun it be my bible
Me and two bitches in the shower
Too sauced up on these hoes, I'm going viral
Jackboy, I sell his ass a brick of flour
Hand on my gun, hand on my bible
Hand on my gun, hand on my bible
Praying to my gun it be my bible
Imma dope boy, never fold, never told, ran on overload
In the kitchen with the stove, baking soda, pot and bowl
Swear to God I'll kill a nigga then repent
I'm a millionaire and I grind for every cent (Amen)
Plug came that's a blessing
Fuck these hoes I ain't stressing (Never)
Leave the house with no weapon
Make sure the money right no discrepancies
Grind mode
Young nigga had a quarter pound but he stayed down, front row at the SuperBowl
Team strong we campaign pop champagne win the SuperBowl
I can change the flow up (Flow up)
I can take that work inside the kitchen make it blow up
You want a sack I make it show up (Show up)
Don't make me bring that Lam out just to pick your hoe up (Lil nigga)
Praying to my gun it be my bible
Me and two bitches in the shower
Too sauced up on these hoes, I'm going viral
Jackboy, I sell his ass a brick of flour
Hand on my gun, hand on my bible
Hand on my gun, hand on my bible
Hand on my gun, hand on my bible
Praying to my gun it be my bible
Hand on my gun hand on my bible
Just hit a lick for 500 thousand
Just copped a whip for 500 thousand
That loud had 500 pounds of it (Preach)
Dope boy I got money and the power (Preach)
My job pay 100 grand a hour (Preach)
My hoe want me to fuck her in the shower (Preach)
My hoe want me to fuck her for a hour (Preach)
Little money nigga we ain't never accepted that
Big choppas any beef you know we dealt with that
These watches like trophies
These niggas like vultures
These bitches like roaches and we good with that
Praying to my gun it be my bible
Me and two bitches in the shower
Too sauced up on these hoes, I'm going viral
Jackboy, I sell his ass a brick of flour
Hand on my gun, hand on my bible
Hand on my gun, hand on my bible
Hand on my gun, hand on my bible
Praying to my gun it be my bible
Church, hand on my gun hand on my bible
Fingers on the trigger like vagina
The bible open right there on the dresser, I just pray that all my enemies are watching me from heaven
Now I'm peeking 'round the corner before I turn that muthafucka
I played them corners like I'm Richard Sherman muthafucka
I play in my position on these niggas 1st and 10
Treating that prescription like a scripture amen
Now we in the kitchen with the chickens and the hens
Lord please forgive us but we sinning for the rent
I just popped 2 pills I feel them bitches kickin in
0-100 got a ticket in the Benz
Show me where the bible say thou shall not ball
I just hit a lick for a thousand Adderalls
I just rolled a blunt up in a page from the bible
And all my niggas psycho and all my bitches spiteful
John 3:16
Praying to my gun it be my bible
Me and two bitches in the shower
Too sauced up on these hoes, I'm going viral
Jackboy, I sell his ass a brick of flour
Hand on my gun, hand on my bible
Hand on my gun, hand on my bible
Hand on my gun, hand on my bible
Praying to my gun it be my bible
Hand on my bible
Hand on my bible
Hand on my gun, hand on my bible
That be my bible, yeah, Tunechi
The lyrics of Yo Gotti feat. Lil Wayne's song "Bible" reflect a hedonistic and violent lifestyle where the power of firearms is attributed to religious fervor. The hook "Hand on my gun, hand on my Bible, Praying to my gun it be my bible" expresses the idea that the gun is a deity-like figure that can protect and provide guidance. Gotti and Wayne's boastful rhymes glorify drug dealing, violence, and promiscuity. The line "I just rolled a blunt up in a page from the bible" shows how the artists mock religious traditions and trivialize religious symbols. The use of a Bible as a drug rolling paper also showcases a lack of respect for holy symbols.
Yo Gotti raps about his life as a drug dealer and his success in the rap game. He presents himself as a hard-working millionaire who doesn't shy away from violence. His lyrics also reflect a confident attitude towards women, referring to them as "two bitches in the shower." Lil Wayne's verse features explicit references to sex and drugs, as well as religious themes. He claims not to fear his enemies because he believes they are watching him from heaven. He also compares himself to Richard Sherman, a football player known for his aggressive play.
Overall, "Bible" showcases a nihilistic perspective on life and a disregard for traditional values. The song exposes the dark underbelly of the rap world, where gangsterism, drugs, and promiscuity are romanticized.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, hand on my gun, hand on my bible
I have my gun in one hand and my bible in the other, ready to do what I need to survive.
Bible, yeah, hand on my gun
I consider my gun to be my bible, a source of guidance and protection.
Praying to my gun it be my bible
I rely on my gun for safety and strength, almost like it is a religious symbol.
Me and two bitches in the shower
I was with two women in the shower.
Too sauced up on these hoes, I'm going viral
I am intoxicated and having a good time with these women, and it's getting a lot of attention.
Jackboy, I sell his ass a brick of flour
I sold Jackboy a large amount of drugs (flour is a common slang term for cocaine).
Imma dope boy, never fold, never told, ran on overload
I am a drug dealer who never breaks under pressure or betrays my associates, and I'm always busy.
In the kitchen with the stove, baking soda, pot and bowl
I am cooking up drugs using typical ingredients like baking soda, pots and bowls.
Swear to God I'll kill a nigga then repent
I would even commit murder if necessary, but would then ask for forgiveness from God.
I'm a millionaire and I grind for every cent (Amen)
I have made a lot of money, but I still work hard for every penny I earn.
Plug came that's a blessing
A drug supplier came through, and I'm grateful for that.
Fuck these hoes I ain't stressing (Never)
I do not care about these women and do not feel stressed or concerned about them.
Leave the house with no weapon
I sometimes go out without a firearm in order to be more inconspicuous.
Make sure the money right no discrepancies
I always ensure that I'm receiving the correct amount of money, with no discrepancies or mistakes.
Young nigga had a quarter pound but he stayed down, front row at the SuperBowl
A young man I know had a large amount of drugs, but stayed out of trouble and was able to attend the Super Bowl as a reward.
Team strong we campaign pop champagne win the SuperBowl
We are a strong group who campaigns and celebrates together, always striving to win big.
I can change the flow up (Flow up)
I can switch up my rapping style if I want to.
I can take that work inside the kitchen make it blow up
I can turn a small amount of drugs into a larger amount by cooking it up in the kitchen.
You want a sack I make it show up (Show up)
If you want drugs, I can make them appear quickly and easily.
Don't make me bring that Lam out just to pick your hoe up (Lil nigga)
I could use my expensive Lamborghini just to impress and pick up your woman.
Fingers on the trigger like vagina
I am ready to use my gun at a moment's notice, just like someone who is sexually aroused and has their fingers on a genital.
The bible open right there on the dresser, I just pray that all my enemies are watching me from heaven
I have the bible open on my dresser, and I am hoping my enemies are watching me from the afterlife and seeing how successful and powerful I am.
Now I'm peeking 'round the corner before I turn that muthafucka
I am checking for danger before entering a room.
I played them corners like I'm Richard Sherman muthafucka
I am strategic and vigilant, much like football player Richard Sherman on the field.
I just hit a lick for a thousand Adderalls
I just stole a large amount of Adderall pills.
I just rolled a blunt up in a page from the bible
I used a page from the bible as rolling paper for my marijuana blunt.
And all my niggas psycho and all my bitches spiteful
My male friends are all a bit crazy, and my female friends are all vindictive.
John 3:16
A reference to the popular Bible verse, which reads 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.'
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARIO MIMS, DWAYNE CARTER, BEN DIEHL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind