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.
Cocaine Muzik
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flashbacks about the streets and memories of my dawgs
I just looked at my phone had a couple of missed calls
One from Gucci, one from Diddy, and a couple of brawds
Man I'm down for the cause
Put these bitches on pause
They'll lie to your face go fuck off with dawgs
I'm like what up to my fans I wrote this shit here for y'all
Cocaine music my nigga that shit considered the brand
All white is the movement
what the fuck is you sayin'
Niggas thought I was playing til' I pulled up in them cars
Then stepped out wit' that jewerly now they see us as stars
I pushed the button dropped the top
Fixed my chain cock my Glock
Tell my homies squad up 'bouta fall up in the spot
Stay focused keep your eyes open niggas be hating
murder if a nigga wanna play(BOW)
Cocaine straight face no emotion just silence
These niggas wildin'
They strive on violence
Niggas talkin' goon shit I preach it to the choir
I know it, I seen it, I done it . . . Cock, aim, fire
While we're gettin' to it(oooh)
This is how we do it(all night)
And you know my heat stay(by my side)
Just me and my thoughts waiting on that call
Listening to that cocaine
This is co-caine mu-sic mu-sic
Trash bag on the backseat
Having flashbacks of a track meet
Metro PD trynna catch me
High speed back streets if we crash so be it(Fuck it)
Cause the strap to big can't even stash the heat(Damn)
Predicate felon
in the passenger seat (So what we gonna do?)
So im smashing when they ask for ID(Scuur)
Blue lights flashin' there future in the rearview
God saying pull over but Lucifer I hear you
Might as well start bracing myself for the car chasin'
Man the law getting closer I pull to the shoulder
They sped right pass me they ain't even pull me over
I need a blunt and a
?
Til then im in the trap
20 pounds 20 thou yea I charge'em that
25 high risk boy a heart
Cashville on the ave where I started
Old school game yea I prolly need a starter hat
And a pull over I so fucking hooded yea
Zilla
Bopping cocaine music ridin' in a vanilla porche
In "Cocaine Muzik" by Yo Gotti, the rapper reflects on his past and success as he awaits a phone call, revealing his loyalty to those who have been by his side and are in the same industry as him. He talks about putting women on hold to focus on his career and the brand of his music, which is considered "cocaine music." Additionally, he touches on the violence involved in his lifestyle and how he is always prepared to defend himself and his crew, highlighting the importance of staying focused and aware in his journey.
Throughout the song, Yo Gotti portrays himself as someone who is confident in his abilities and has worked hard to achieve the level of success he has reached. The lyrics are a reflection of his gratitude for his fans' support and motivation to keep pushing forward despite the hardships that come with his lifestyle. The rapper's use of wordplay and clever metaphors adds depth to the song, and his delivery is both raw and powerful, drawing listeners in with each line.
Overall, "Cocaine Muzik" by Yo Gotti is a powerful track that highlights the highs and lows of the rapper's life and career. It is an introspective and reflective piece that speaks to the experiences of those who have struggled to make it in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
When Im alone in my room sometimes I stare at the wall
Sometimes when I'm alone with my thoughts, I think about my past and my present situation.
Flashbacks about the streets and memories of my dawgs
I often think about my experiences on the streets and the people who were there with me, both good and bad.
I just looked at my phone had a couple of missed calls
I checked my phone and saw that I had missed calls from some important people.
One from Gucci, one from Diddy, and a couple of brawds
I had missed calls from Gucci Mane, Puff Daddy, and a few women.
Man I'm down for the cause
I'm committed to my lifestyle and my music career.
Put these bitches on pause
I'm not interested in messing around with women right now.
They'll lie to your face go fuck off with dawgs
Women will sometimes pretend to be something they're not, so I don't trust them.
I'm like what up to my fans I wrote this shit here for y'all
I want to acknowledge my fans and let them know that this music is for them.
Come to your city stand on the couch, go hard, and ball
I want to perform in your city and give an amazing show that will make everyone have fun.
Cocaine music my nigga that shit considered the brand
My music is called 'Cocaine Muzik' and it's become my signature sound.
All white is the movement
I like to wear all-white clothing, and it's become a trend among my fans.
what the fuck is you sayin'
What are you trying to tell me?
Niggas thought I was playing til' I pulled up in them cars
Some people didn't take me seriously until they saw how successful I became with my music.
Then stepped out wit' that jewerly now they see us as stars
Once people saw me wearing jewelry and perceived me as being famous, they started to treat me differently.
I pushed the button dropped the top
I started my car, a convertible, and lowered the roof.
Fixed my chain cock my Glock
I adjusted my jewelry and got my gun ready.
Tell my homies squad up 'bouta fall up in the spot
I told my friends to get ready to go to a particular place together with me.
Stay focused keep your eyes open niggas be hating
It's important to stay alert and aware of your surroundings because some people might not be happy with your success.
murder if a nigga wanna play(BOW)
If someone tries to mess with me, I will defend myself with deadly force.
Cocaine straight face no emotion just silence
I keep a straight face and don't show any emotion when I talk about drugs.
These niggas wildin'
Some people are behaving in a crazy and unpredictable way.
They strive on violence
Some people seem to enjoy being violent and causing trouble.
Niggas talkin' goon shit I preach it to the choir
Some guys are talking about doing tough-guy things, but they're probably not actually willing to do them, and I know this well.
I know it, I seen it, I done it . . . Cock, aim, fire
I have experience with violence and know how to handle myself in dangerous situations.
This is how we do it(all night)
This is our lifestyle, and we live it every day, all the time.
And you know my heat stay(by my side)
I always carry a gun with me for protection.
Just me and my thoughts waiting on that call
I'm alone with my thoughts and waiting for something important to happen.
Listening to that cocaine
I'm listening to music that is popular in the drug scene.
Trash bag on the backseat
There is a trash bag sitting in the backseat of my car.
Having flashbacks of a track meet
I'm remembering an event from my past where I competed in track and field.
Metro PD trynna catch me
The police are trying to catch me.
High speed back streets if we crash so be it(Fuck it)
We're driving fast on back roads, and if we get into a crash, then so be it.
Cause the strap to big can't even stash the heat(Damn)
I have a gun that is too big to hide, and it's causing problems.
Predicate felon in the passenger seat (So what we gonna do?)
I have a convicted felon riding in the passenger seat of the car with me, and we're trying to figure out what to do next.
So im smashing when they ask for ID(Scuur)
I'm going to evade the police by driving away when they ask for my identification.
Blue lights flashin' there future in the rearview
The police are behind us, and we can see their flashing lights in the rearview mirror.
God saying pull over but Lucifer I hear you
I know that I should stop for the police, but I'm tempted to keep going and escape.
Might as well start bracing myself for the car chasin'
I'm preparing myself mentally for a high-speed chase with the police.
Man the law getting closer I pull to the shoulder
The police are getting closer, so I pull over to the side of the road.
They sped right pass me they ain't even pull me over
Surprisingly, the police didn't even stop to ask me any questions - they just drove right past me.
I need a blunt and a ?
I want to smoke marijuana and something else, but I'm not sure what yet.
Til then im in the trap
In the meantime, I'll be selling drugs out of my trap house.
20 pounds 20 thou yea I charge'em that
I charge $20,000 for 20 pounds of cocaine.
25 high risk boy a heart
It costs $25,000 per high-risk job, but I'm brave enough to do it anyway.
Cashville on the ave where I started
I'm from Cashville, and it's where I began my career.
Old school game yea I prolly need a starter hat
I still have an old-school mentality and might look good wearing a retro-style hat.
And a pull over I so fucking hooded yea
I also need a hoodie to wear in the cold weather to stay warm and continue looking cool.
Zilla
This is likely a reference to the nickname 'Godzilla,' which may be a nod to Yo Gotti's reputation for being powerful and unstoppable.
Bopping cocaine music ridin' in a vanilla porche
I'm listening to my own music while driving my white Porsche - this is part of my popular image.
Contributed by Noah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.