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.
Big League
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody ain't champions
But I am, haha
(Murda on the beat so it's not nice)
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
Perfect release from the top of the key (three)
Step back, pull up, swish cheese (swish cheese)
Slam (ooh), got the crowd out they seats (up)
One step closer to the big ring
Court-side seats so close, I could triple-referee (haha)
Send to drop the fire, and one, that's three (go)
The reason y'all losin', you don't speak no D (no)
So we ain't gotta play team ball, that's Keith (sure)
Been won a championship in the trap
This Rollie a trophy, I hold it up (got me one)
They let us get up with no points, it's a wrap
Gon' shine every time, it's an open look (over with)
Ah, ah, shake 'em up, cross 'em up, post-move
Defence lock 'em up, fah, fah
Ain't nobody hot as us (pump fake)
Shooter gettin' added up
Twenty-four pointers and the AP shot-clock
Damn, what them rocks in your ear cost? (A lot)
On the grind, don't stop, one day it's gon' pay off (pay off)
Made it from the bottom to the play-offs
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
Playtime over, this the big league (phew)
Perfect release from the top of the key (three)
Step back, pull up, swish cheese (swish cheese)
Slam (ooh), got the crowd out they seats (up)
One step closer to the big ring
Court-side seats, this the big bag
Hit a Ja Morant shot, get 'em big mad
Real hustle knew one day it was gon' pay off, pay off
Yeah, now I'm ballin' in the play-offs, play-offs
Mansion in Miami, ball at the Celtics
"Gotti, you the MVP," yeah, I nailed it
Bought a Rolls Royce online, they mailed it
No look, pass to the Bagg, how you fail that?
Ah, ah, shake 'em up, cross 'em up, post-move
Defence lock 'em up, fah, fah
Ain't nobody hot as us (pump fake)
Shooter gettin' added up, ah, ah
Shot-clock, buzzer beater, Lambo
Two-seater, we don't do new people (fah, fah)
Feds break, takin' off, lose one
Shake it off, bounce back, then defeat 'em
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
Playtime over, this the big league (phew)
Like the '02 Lakers, I three-peat (I three-peat)
Mean we don't ever lose, we repeat (what's that?)
Yeah, they hate, but they really wanna be me (wanna be us)
Bet they do a no-look when they see me (when they see us)
Grab the .12 like Ja, I'm a Grizzly (I'm a Grizzly)
Think I'ma fall when I ball, you silly (you crazy)
I might trade all my pendants, ayy (what?)
Ayy, last name James, but my first name Mike (first name Mike)
Playtime over, this the tip-off
They tried to cross me and spit ball
No longer team, he got kicked off
Threw up the alley and watch how I lift off
We got 'em pissed off, look at the score
No Michael Jordans, we in Dior
Bet on the Warriors when they hit the floor
Yeah, get your ligaments torn
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
Playtime over, this the big league (phew)
Perfect release from the top of the key (three)
Step back, pull up, swish cheese (swish cheese)
Slam (ooh), got the crowd out they seats (up)
One step closer to the big ring
Playtime over, this the big ring (go)
Playtime over, need a big ring (go)
Playtime over, need a big ring (go)
Playtime over, this the big wing (go)
The lyrics to Yo Gotti's "Big League" speak to success and achievement in life, comparing it to playing in the big leagues of sports. The song talks about the hard work and dedication it takes to get to the top, and how once you are there, it's time to crush the competition. Yo Gotti knows that not everyone can make it to the top, and he sees himself as a champion. The line "playtime over" means that it's time to stop fooling around and get to work.
Throughout the song, Yo Gotti talks about the feeling of winning and how he has already won. He mentions that he has already won championships in his trap, comparing it to the feeling of winning a big game in sports. He goes on to talk about his court-side seats and the thrill of the game. The chorus repeats the line "perfect release from the top of the key," referring to hitting a perfect shot in basketball and the feeling of success.
The song's overall message is about the joy and success that comes from hard work and dedication. Yo Gotti is celebrating his achievements and encouraging his listeners to go out and chase their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Ayy, if you don't make it, you just don't make it
If you're not successful, it's simply not meant to be
Everybody ain't champions
Not everyone can be a winner or be successful
But I am, haha
But I am successful and I'm proud of it
(Murda on the beat so it's not nice)
The producer of the song is Murda and their beats are known for being hard
Playtime over, this the big league (go)
The game is not just a game anymore, it's the major league or the highest level
Perfect release from the top of the key (three)
Made a basket from the 3-point line in a perfect shot
Step back, pull up, swish cheese (swish cheese)
Dribble backwards then take a jump shot, and it goes in smoothly like cheese being swished
Slam (ooh), got the crowd out they seats (up)
Performed a slam dunk and the audience was so thrilled that they stood up from their seats
One step closer to the big ring
One step closer to winning the championship
Court-side seats so close, I could triple-referee (haha)
Seats in the basketball court are so close that the artist feels like they can referee the game three times
Send to drop the fire, and one, that's three (go)
Scored a basket in a way that caused an opponent to push them leading to a free-throw opportunity and a total of 3 points
The reason y'all losin', you don't speak no D (no)
The reason why the opponents are losing is that they have poor defense
So we ain't gotta play team ball, that's Keith (sure)
We don't need to play collectively as a team, that's not necessary
Been won a championship in the trap
They have already achieved success in the streets as if it were a championship
This Rollie a trophy, I hold it up (got me one)
Their Rolex watch represents an accomplishment like a trophy that they can show off
They let us get up with no points, it's a wrap
Opponents allowed them to win by not scoring any points
Gon' shine every time, it's an open look (over with)
They will always give their best and perform well when an opportunity arises
Ah, ah, shake 'em up, cross 'em up, post-move
They use a series of dribble moves to shake and cross over defenders, before making a shot from the post
Defence lock 'em up, fah, fah
A reference to their defensive skills in basketball
Ain't nobody hot as us (pump fake)
Nobody can compete with their skills and they feel superior
Shooter gettin' added up
The scorer is racking up points quickly
Twenty-four pointers and the AP shot-clock
Referring to a 24-second shot clock in professional basketball and how many points they score within that time
Damn, what them rocks in your ear cost? (A lot)
A reference to how expensive their earrings are
On the grind, don't stop, one day it's gon' pay off (pay off)
They are working hard and will eventually reap the rewards of their hard work
Made it from the bottom to the play-offs
They rose from a low point in their life to a position of success in the playoffs
Court-side seats, this the big bag
Being able to afford court-side seats indicates their level of success
Hit a Ja Morant shot, get 'em big mad
Performing a highlight-reel move like Ja Morant (a popular basketball player) makes opponents jealous and angry
Real hustle knew one day it was gon' pay off, pay off
They worked hard on their hustle, and knew eventually it would pay off
Yeah, now I'm ballin' in the play-offs, play-offs
They are now playing in a high-level basketball tournament
Mansion in Miami, ball at the Celtics
They own a big house in Miami and play basketball for the Celtics (a professional basketball team in Boston)
"Gotti, you the MVP," yeah, I nailed it
They were declared the Most Valuable Player in basketball and they are proud of it
Bought a Rolls Royce online, they mailed it
They purchased a car online and it was delivered to them by mail
No look, pass to the Bagg, how you fail that?
They made a blind pass to their teammate, Bagg, and are asking how anyone could mess up such an obvious pass
Shot-clock, buzzer beater, Lambo
They hit a buzzer-beating shot (before time runs out) and liken it to owning a Lamborghini car
Two-seater, we don't do new people (fah, fah)
They drive a two-seater car and they don't welcome new people (outsiders) into their circle
Feds break, takin' off, lose one
They are losing a member of their team due to getting caught by the law
Shake it off, bounce back, then defeat 'em
They're brushing off a loss and coming back stronger to defeat their opponents
Like the '02 Lakers, I three-peat (I three-peat)
Just like the 2002 Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, they won three consecutive championships
Mean we don't ever lose, we repeat (what's that?)
They never lose and continue to win time and time again
Yeah, they hate, but they really wanna be me (wanna be us)
People hate on them, but secretly they want to be as successful as them
Bet they do a no-look when they see me (when they see us)
They expect people to look at them (or not) the way they make a blind pass in basketball
Grab the .12 like Ja, I'm a Grizzly (I'm a Grizzly)
A reference to Ja Morant's jersey number and they compare themselves to a fierce Memphis Grizzlies basketball player
Think I'ma fall when I ball, you silly (you crazy)
They won't fall when playing basketball, and anyone who thinks they will is crazy
I might trade all my pendants, ayy (what?)
They would be willing to trade all their jewelry for something else
Ayy, last name James, but my first name Mike (first name Mike)
Their last name is James but they feel like Michael Jordan (a famous basketball player)
Playtime over, this the tip-off
The game has officially started and it's serious now
They tried to cross me and spit ball
Opponents tried to mess with them and spit in their face
No longer team, he got kicked off
A team member was kicked off the team
Threw up the alley and watch how I lift off
They threw the ball to a teammate for an alley-oop and soared high for the dunk
We got 'em pissed off, look at the score
The opponents are angry because they are losing by a lot
No Michael Jordans, we in Dior
They are wearing luxury clothing from the brand Dior, but not as iconic as Michael Jordan's clothing
Bet on the Warriors when they hit the floor
People should always bet on them because they're going to win like the Golden State Warriors (a successful basketball team)
Yeah, get your ligaments torn
They are so good at basketball that they can make the opponent's joints hurt while defending against them
Playtime over, this the big ring (go)
The game is over and they've won the championship (big ring)
Playtime over, need a big ring (go)
They need to win the championship to be considered successful
Playtime over, this the big wing (go)
They are ready to soar high after winning the championship (big wing)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Demario Dewayne White Jr., Janarious Wheeler, Kevin Gomringer, Mario Mims, Shane Lindstrom, Tim Gomringer, Timothy C. Patterson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Meechicewood
Gotti smart this gone be the song for the finals and on 2k23
@hitheemup1167
Sdhu
@Meechicewood
@@hitheemup1167 ?
@HushPuppy106
@@hitheemup1167 W Heemy
@Meechicewood
@@hitheemup1167 peon ass niggas always hating take the L
@mirsturdy6834
U meant 2k23
@nuttyboy915
This song did not miss. This is now The NBA's official theme song. It's classy, and clean. No bars about girls and guns. Straight BALLING and I respect that.
@JimmysJohn33
Too bad the big leagues is baseball ⚾️ 😂
@diamond5964
You really have to be a basketball fanatic to appreciate the lyrical genius of this song. Bravo
@kemop06
I agree I mean I’m not even a huge basketball guy and this is a cool ass song !!