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.
Bulletproof
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living like a bulletproof, bang-bang-bang-bang-bang.
Living like a bulletproof, bang-bang-bang-bang-bang.
Game fucked up, streets hang on loaded,
Real dope boy and I spend real nigger portrait.
Niggers talking fast, loud about what they gonna do to me,
Fall on my call twice so when you see me, bitch, you know it's me.
With my pistol in my pocket I'll obey the bitch in college,
I'm getting head in my droping, feeling like I'm bulletproof,
Told my nigger get your body gone, get yourself a cup or two.
Free the nigger mitch and free my nigger boost, too,
Tonight I'm in the strip club and do a bit of milf will do.
I'm sick of rap niggers, all my strap niggers.
Got an AK and a thirty in my truck, nigger.
Living like a bulletproof, bang-bang-bang-bang-bang.
Living like a bulletproof, bang-bang-bang-bang-bang.
I'm in some kind of wait, waiting to lead here today,
You call the land of me, pussy, I shoot you square in your face.
I give the niggers a landing, I put these hoes in their place,
Brilliant new look, they got it, they booty call him a case.
Million cash for the boomer, I dare say go home and wait,
Don't need to talk to no lawyer, boy, hoe, I'm not here today.
You think I come here to play, you watch your head beat and that,
I'm in the streets every day and I've got a hell of a grant.
I will lost in the money, these streets won't dare to hunt it,
I put this rap shit on hold, you've got my niggers a bundle.
You nigger's six feet and under, ‘cause they dare play with the king.
Than in this case I'm enormous, see, I stood up for the team.
Never rent on my homes, niggers know I'm their homie,
You're feeling bulletproof, nigger, swear to God you don't want.
Living like a bulletproof, bang-bang-bang-bang-bang.
Living like a bulletproof, bang-bang-bang-bang-bang.
In this song Bulletproof, Yo Gotti is talking about living a life in which he feels invincible, like nothing can hurt him. The repetition of "Living like a bulletproof, bang-bang-bang-bang-bang" emphasizes his feeling of being protected and powerful. Gotti discusses his reputation as a "real dope boy" and how he spends his money on real things, like portraits of himself, while others talk about doing things to him. He explains that he always carries his pistol with him and feels untouchable, symbolized by getting head in his car. Gotti also mentions his friends who are locked up, and his desire to enjoy himself with some "milfs" at the strip club.
Throughout the song, Yo Gotti is clear that he does not play games and that he is always ready to defend himself. He talks about giving people a "landing" and putting them in their place. He is confident in his ability to protect his empire and his friends, saying he has a "hell of a grant" and puts the "rap shit on hold" to ensure his people are taken care of. Gotti's final message in the song is a warning - he is not someone to be messed with, and anyone who thinks they are bulletproof should think twice.
Overall, Yo Gotti's Bulletproof is a song about feeling powerful and untouchable in a world where others are constantly trying to bring you down. It is a commentary on the dangerous and often violent lifestyles that some people choose to live, and a warning to those who think they can take on someone like Yo Gotti.
Line by Line Meaning
Living like a bulletproof, bang-bang-bang-bang-bang.
Yo Gotti leads a life that feels impervious to danger, represented by the onomatopoeic sound of gunfire.
Game fucked up, streets hang on loaded,
The inner-city landscape is full of danger and uncertainty.
Real dope boy and I spend real nigger portrait.
Yo Gotti is a successful drug dealer who spends his money on expensive portraits of himself.
Niggers talking fast, loud about what they gonna do to me,
Yo Gotti's rivals talk a big game about harming him, but he isn't intimidated.
Fall on my call twice so when you see me, bitch, you know it's me.
Yo Gotti has specific instructions for his associates to identify him quickly and easily.
You know I'm living, nigger, but I'm cruising low collars,
Yo Gotti is living a lavish lifestyle but is careful to keep a low profile.
With my pistol in my pocket I'll obey the bitch in college,
Yo Gotti is always armed and ready to use his weapon in any situation.
I'm getting head in my droping, feeling like I'm bulletproof,
Yo Gotti feels invincible and empowered while receiving oral sex in his car.
Told my nigger get your body gone, get yourself a cup or two.
Yo Gotti orders his associates to dispose of any incriminating evidence or drugs in their possession.
Free the nigger mitch and free my nigger boost, too,
Yo Gotti wants his incarcerated associates to be released from prison.
Tonight I'm in the strip club and do a bit of milf will do.
Yo Gotti is planning to visit a strip club and hook up with a mature woman.
I'm sick of rap niggers, all my strap niggers.
Yo Gotti is tired of other rappers and prefers spending time with his armed associates.
Got an AK and a thirty in my truck, nigger.
Yo Gotti carries powerful weapons in his car at all times.
I'm in some kind of wait, waiting to lead here today,
Yo Gotti is eager to confront his enemies and prove his dominance.
You call the land of me, pussy, I shoot you square in your face.
Yo Gotti will respond violently to anyone who disrespects or insults him.
I give the niggers a landing, I put these hoes in their place,
Yo Gotti asserts his dominance over other men and women, and puts them in their rightful place.
Brilliant new look, they got it, they booty call him a case.
Yo Gotti has a flashy and attractive appearance that draws women to him, but he also attracts attention from the police.
Million cash for the boomer, I dare say go home and wait,
Yo Gotti has enough money to bribe anyone who might interfere with his illegal activities.
Don't need to talk to no lawyer, boy, hoe, I'm not here today.
Yo Gotti has no fear of the law and doesn't need a lawyer to protect him.
You think I come here to play, you watch your head beat and that,
Yo Gotti is a serious threat and won't hesitate to use violence if provoked.
I'm in the streets every day and I've got a hell of a grant.
Yo Gotti spends most of his time on the streets and has plenty of money to support his lifestyle.
I will lost in the money, these streets won't dare to hunt it,
Yo Gotti is wealthy and successful enough to avoid being targeted by the police or rival gang members.
I put this rap shit on hold, you've got my niggers a bundle.
Yo Gotti prioritizes his illegal activities over his music career and wants to provide for his associates.
You nigger's six feet and under, ‘cause they dare play with the king.
Yo Gotti's enemies are likely to suffer violent consequences for opposing him.
Than in this case I'm enormous, see, I stood up for the team.
Yo Gotti is a powerful and respected leader who is loyal to his associates.
Never rent on my homes, niggers know I'm their homie,
Yo Gotti is a dependable friend and ally who never betrays his associates.
You're feeling bulletproof, nigger, swear to God you don't want.
Yo Gotti warns that a false sense of invincibility could lead to disastrous consequences.
Contributed by London B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.