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.
Change
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Know what I'm sayin'
Feel me money
I got on 10 diamond chains and that cost a little change
And I pulled up in that Dawn
My bitch say that I'm a don
I'm not comin' in your club if I'm not comin' with my gun
He came up, he gon' change
Naw bitch, I'm still the same
If you get me in my feelings bitch I'mma go insane
He so petty, he be wiggin' out like give my purses back
Work too hard for this check and you bitches ain't deserving that
Got the pussy then I changed on her
She got pregnant, put the blame on her
Family members put a strain on her
Family problems put a strain on her
Popped a Xan then I changed on 'em
On a runway swappin' planes on 'em
Gotti still trappin', Gotti still thuggin'
I went platinum, ain't changed nothin'
Street deserve to know the truth
Shot fired, I'm in Peru
Who-who shot, I wish I knew
I'm just lookin' at the news
Interviews, interviews, interviews don't incriminate yourself
Think twice 'bout what you doin' youngin' don't eliminate yourself
I don't have no issues with niggas
I got problems with myself
Personality been crashin'
Think part of me too flashy
My young bitch too nast'
Main bitch too classy
All my bitches too ratchet
So all my bitches I'm zaddy
I look in the mirror bitch I see an icon
Gotta squeeze on the game that shit tight as a python
I make hits in my sleep, nigga I'm blessed I don't right none
Not yet put them bricks on the road in a Scion
I ain't never wanna change on 'em
Devil tried to put the fame on 'em
Haters tryna put a aim on 'em
Family problems put a strain on 'em
Stayed down campaign on 'em
Stayed down campaign on 'em
Everybody think I changed on 'em 'cause I stayed down and campaigned on 'em
Change, it come in due time it come with success
Change, I went to Nick Benny and fucked up a check
I went to the hood and they say I changed
I looked in the mirror I looked insane
FN on my hip I'mma let it rip
So I hope the lil niggas don't play no games
I went from sellin' them nicks and dimes
I want a quarter ki, that's a nine
You talkin' pennies that's chump change
We on that gas that octane
All my lil niggas we gang gang
We got more chains than slave trade
We got more aim than a shooting range
And we all from the hood but we didn't change
Hundred thousand for a show
Yeah nigga that's some cool change
Eight hundred for the shirt
Saint Laurent that's chump change
Four hundred for the 'vert
4 bands for the syrup
Eight hundred for the purp'
30 bands for the work
The lyrics of Yo Gotti and Mike WiLL Made-It's song "Change" depict the theme of personal growth and the challenges that come with success. The opening lines convey a sense of confidence and self-worth, as the artist states that it's been a while since they've settled for small amounts of money. They refuse to compromise on their value and enter any situation without proper protection.
The next verses explore the changes that success brings to one's life and relationships. The artist boasts about their wealth, displaying the expensive diamond chains and arriving in a luxury car. However, despite their newfound status, they remain true to themselves and assure that they haven't changed as a person. The lyrics also touch on personal struggles, including feeling betrayed by lovers and dealing with family problems.
In the second half of the song, the artist reflects on the harsh realities of their environment and warns others about the consequences of their actions. They acknowledge that they have personal issues to deal with and are aware of how their lifestyle can be excessive. The lyrics emphasize the importance of making wise choices and avoiding self-incrimination. The artist also addresses the misconception of how success changes people, asserting that they have stayed true to their roots and worked hard to achieve their goals.
Overall, "Change" by Yo Gotti and Mike WiLL Made-It explores the dichotomy of personal growth and the challenges that come with it. It reflects on the changes that success brings, as well as the careful navigation required to maintain one's authenticity and integrity.
Line by Line Meaning
It been a minute since a nigga asked for chump change
It's been a long time since I needed a small amount of money
I got on 10 diamond chains and that cost a little change
I'm wearing expensive diamond chains
And I pulled up in that Dawn
I arrived in a luxurious car
My bitch say that I'm a don
My girl believes I'm a boss
I'm not comin' in your club if I'm not comin' with my gun
I won't go to your club without my weapon
You shouldn't be inside the strip club if your ass ain't throwin' ones
You shouldn't be in a strip club if you're not throwing money
He came up, he gon' change
If he became successful, he will likely change
Naw bitch, I'm still the same
No, I'm still the same person
If you get me in my feelings bitch I'mma go insane
If you make me emotional, I'll lose control
He so petty, he be wiggin' out like give my purses back
He is so small-minded, getting angry over trivial things like returning his purses
Work too hard for this check and you bitches ain't deserving that
I worked extremely hard for this paycheck and these women don't deserve it
Got the pussy then I changed on her
After I had sex with her, I treated her differently
She got pregnant, put the blame on her
She became pregnant and she took responsibility for it
Family members put a strain on her
Her family caused her stress
Popped a Xan then I changed on 'em
I took a Xanax and my behavior changed towards them
On a runway swappin' planes on 'em
I'm constantly changing my location, going from one plane to another on a runway
Gotti still trappin', Gotti still thuggin'
I, Gotti, am still involved in illegal activities and still living the thug life
I went platinum, ain't changed nothin'
I achieved platinum success, but I haven't changed as a person
Street deserve to know the truth
The streets should be aware of the truth
Shot fired, I'm in Peru
There was a gunshot, and I am currently in Peru
Who-who shot, I wish I knew
I don't know who fired the shot, but I wish I did
I'm just lookin' at the news
I'm simply watching the news
Interviews, interviews, interviews don't incriminate yourself
During interviews, be careful not to say anything that could be used against you
Think twice 'bout what you doin' youngin' don't eliminate yourself
Young person, think carefully before taking any action that could harm or remove yourself from the situation
I don't have no issues with niggas
I don't have any problems with other people
I got problems with myself
I have personal issues to deal with
Personality been crashin'
My personality has been collapsing
Think part of me too flashy
I believe that a part of me is too showy or extravagant
My young bitch too nast'
My young girl is too promiscuous
Main bitch too classy
My main partner is too refined or elegant
All my bitches too ratchet
All of my girls are too ghetto or uncouth
So all my bitches I'm zaddy
I am the dominant or attractive male figure to all my girls
I look in the mirror bitch I see an icon
When I look in the mirror, I see an influential figure
Gotta squeeze on the game that shit tight as a python
I have to exert control over the game as it is extremely competitive
I make hits in my sleep, nigga I'm blessed I don't right none
I effortlessly create successful songs, I'm fortunate that I don't have to put in much effort
Not yet put them bricks on the road in a Scion
I haven't started distributing drugs yet, but when I do, I'll use a Scion as my vehicle
I ain't never wanna change on 'em
I never wanted to become different around them
Devil tried to put the fame on 'em
The Devil tried to corrupt me by giving me fame
Haters tryna put a aim on 'em
Haters are trying to target or aim at me
Family problems put a strain on 'em
Problems within the family have caused stress and difficulty for me
Stayed down campaign on 'em
I remained loyal and consistent while promoting myself
Everybody think I changed on 'em 'cause I stayed down and campaigned on 'em
People believe I became different towards them because I stayed committed and promoted myself
Change, it come in due time it come with success
Change happens over time, especially when you achieve success
Change, I went to Nick Benny and fucked up a check
Change, I went to Nick Benny and wasted or misused a large sum of money
I went to the hood and they say I changed
I visited the neighborhood and they claimed I became different
I looked in the mirror I looked insane
When I looked in the mirror, I appeared crazy or mentally unstable
FN on my hip I'mma let it rip
I have a FN firearm on my side and I'm ready to use it
So I hope the lil niggas don't play no games
Therefore, I hope the young people don't act foolishly or provoke me
I went from sellin' them nicks and dimes
I transitioned from selling small amounts of drugs
I want a quarter ki, that's a nine
Now, I desire to sell a quarter kilogram of drugs, which equals nine ounces
You talkin' pennies that's chump change
If you're talking about small amounts of money, that's insignificant
We on that gas that octane
We are using a high-quality gasoline, octane
All my lil niggas we gang gang
All my young associates, we are a united gang
We got more chains than slave trade
We possess more necklaces or jewelry than the historical slave trade
We got more aim than a shooting range
Our accuracy or focus is better than that of a shooting range
And we all from the hood but we didn't change
Although we all come from disadvantaged neighborhoods, we haven't become different
Hundred thousand for a show
I charge one hundred thousand dollars for a performance
Yeah nigga that's some cool change
Yes, that's a significant amount of money
Eight hundred for the shirt
I paid eight hundred dollars for the shirt
Saint Laurent that's chump change
Compared to the amount of money I have, Saint Laurent is insignificant
Four hundred for the 'vert
I spent four hundred dollars on the convertible car
4 bands for the syrup
I paid four thousand dollars for the cough syrup (a reference to a codeine-based drink)
Eight hundred for the purp'
I spent eight hundred dollars on the purple strain of marijuana
30 bands for the work
I paid thirty thousand dollars for the drugs
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARCUS ANTHONY BELL, MARIO MIMS, MICHAEL LEN WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidrcruz03
He Snapped on this shit!🔥🔥🔥
@mikemike4869
the advice in this song to his artis youngsta was well said and needed 👍
@shad2336
😂😂 naw he was in Peru
@drosmith1781
Facts!!!
@amiyaeoh1140
2024 coming in like
@amiyaeoh1140
🔥🔥🔥🔥
@cedrickwoods4105
this mixtape fye...imma huge fun of gotti
@tonyvaldez6477
Hell yea🔥🔥🔥
@shad2336
Damn 🔥🔥
@darrellray3165
fye 😈🔥🔥🔥