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.
Concealed
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remember Rico, from cm5 shit revealing
Jook ran off on the plug, damn near got me killed
But that's my brother so fuck em, ya know what it is
Hunnid choppers in the spot, look like Taliban
A hunnid niggas already killed, ya know what I'm saying
They tried to shut the hood down, we ain't going though
I been to prison, stressing lately, so I'm blowing dough
Bitches tryna throw me pussy, I tell em no
I'm a million dollar nigga, don't excite a nigga
Bitch if I go to jail today, would you write a nigga
Keep the game concealed
I'm tryna tell em how it is
Like Migos Bout my M&m's
Bitches jocking, niggas hatin, ya know what it is
Don't give no money to no hoes
Won't put money on yo books
I told epic I'm bout money, I don't give a fuck about no looks
I don't give a fuck about no bitches, and they feelings
Fuck about no niggas, telling me I'm not real cause I'm winning
Give a fuck about no penitentiary no consequence
Pussy niggas, I'm diving in it
Give a fuck about no gossip, no rumors, won't respond
All this and that, and back and fourth
All this social gangsta you on
Give a fuck about no bodies, or no murders or no guns
Give a fuck about no stripper bitches, even though I throw ones
Free C Murda
R.I.P to Soulja Slim, nigga
If ya got a minute in jail, go and see him nigga
Money order, send a picture, that mean ya fucking with em
It's only right if ya hold it down, then ya was thuggin' with em
Whenever you see me, you see the sad faces
My nigga go to jail, we got the same case
Read between the lines, bitch I'm riding for em
I'm a rapper and security bitch I'm fighting for em
My niggas do a big, I hold it down for em
And if the ho a hunnid, I make the time for it
Don't do no talking, straight out the muscle
I'm a keep a lot of shit concealed, til the art of hustle
The lyrics to Yo Gotti's song "Concealed" are filled with references to the harsh realities of life on the streets. The song revolves around the theme of keeping things hidden and oppressed in order to stay ahead in the game. The opening lines, "They cooperating with the state, the case concealed," speak to the dangers of working with the police and the importance of keeping any cooperation hidden from others in the game.
The lyrics reference past events, such as Rico's revelations from the CM5 case and Jook running off with money from the plug. But despite these betrayals, Yo Gotti remains fiercely loyal to those he considers his family, saying "that's my brother so fuck em, ya know what it is." The song also talks about the increased presence of violence in the area and the harsh reality of being in prison.
As the song progresses, Yo Gotti becomes increasingly insistent that he doesn't care about appearances or what others think of him. "I'm bout money, I don't give a fuck about no looks" he declares, emphasizing that he only cares about results and staying on top. The lyrics also mention the hardship of losing friends to jail and wishing them well from the outside.
Overall, "Concealed" is a powerful and raw reflection on the realities of life in a world that is often violent and unforgiving. For Yo Gotti, the key to success is keeping things concealed and never letting anyone see too much.
Line by Line Meaning
They cooperating with the state, the case concealed
Some people in our community are working with the authorities and the details of the case are being kept secret.
Remember Rico, from cm5 shit revealing
Recall how Rico was revealing secrets from the criminal organization in CM5.
Jook ran off on the plug, damn near got me killed
Jook stole drugs from the supplier and his actions nearly led to my death.
But that's my brother so fuck em, ya know what it is
Despite his mistake, Jook is still my brother and I will stand by him.
Hunnid choppers in the spot, look like Taliban
There are many firearms present in this location, so much so that it resembles a militant group.
A hunnid niggas already killed, ya know what I'm saying
We have already lost a hundred of our own to violence, do you understand the seriousness of this situation?
They tried to shut the hood down, we ain't going though
The authorities attempted to put a halt to our activities in the area, but we persisted.
I been to prison, stressing lately, so I'm blowing dough
Having recently been released from jail, I am feeling anxious and am spending a lot of money to try and relieve the stress.
Nigga hurting in the hood, trying to give em hope
Many people are struggling in our community, and I am trying to provide them with some sense of optimism and guidance.
Bitches tryna throw me pussy, I tell em no
Women are attempting to become intimately involved with me, but I am rejecting their advances.
I'm a million dollar nigga, don't excite a nigga
I am a wealthy and successful individual, and do not need any extra stimulation or excitement in my life.
Bitch if I go to jail today, would you write a nigga
If I were to be incarcerated, would you bother to correspond with me?
Keep the game concealed
It is important to keep the details of our criminal activities secret.
I'm tryna tell em how it is
I am attempting to be honest and straightforward about the realities of our situation.
Like Migos Bout my M&m's
I am focused on making money, much in the same way the musical group Migos is.
Bitches jocking, niggas hatin, ya know what it is
Women are trying to become involved with me and men are being resentful of my success, this is a common occurrence.
Don't give no money to no hoes
Do not provide financial support to promiscuous women.
Won't put money on yo books
I refuse to transfer money to your prison account.
I told epic I'm bout money, I don't give a fuck about no looks
I informed Epic Records that my focus is on making money, and I am not at all concerned with my physical appearance.
I don't give a fuck about no bitches, and they feelings
I have no concern for women and their emotions.
Fuck about no niggas, telling me I'm not real cause I'm winning
I have no interest in the opinions of those who accuse me of not being authentic simply because I am achieving success.
Give a fuck about no penitentiary no consequence
I am not afraid of the repercussions of being incarcerated.
Pussy niggas, I'm diving in it
I am confronting and dealing with weak individuals.
Give a fuck about no gossip, no rumors, won't respond
I do not care about hearsay or speculation and will not dignify it with a response.
All this and that, and back and fourth
There is a lot of confusion and discord among the individuals around me.
All this social gangsta you on
Individuals in our community are portraying themselves as strong and dangerous on social media.
Give a fuck about no bodies, or no murders or no guns
I am indifferent towards murders, bodies, and firearms.
Give a fuck about no stripper bitches, even though I throw ones
I do not care about exotic dancers, even though I tip them generously.
Free C Murda
I implore others to help secure C-Murder's release from imprisonment.
R.I.P to Soulja Slim, nigga
I recognize and pay my respects to the deceased rapper Soulja Slim.
If ya got a minute in jail, go and see him nigga
If you happen to have a moment to spare while incarcerated, consider visiting him.
Money order, send a picture, that mean ya fucking with em
If you send a money order and a photograph, it indicates that you are showing support.
It's only right if ya hold it down, then ya was thuggin' with em
If you remain loyal and steadfast, it is proof that you were truly a member of the group or a tough guy.
Whenever you see me, you see the sad faces
People are often filled with despair and misery in my presence.
My nigga go to jail, we got the same case
My partner in crime is incarcerated, and thus we share the same legal troubles.
Read between the lines, bitch I'm riding for em
Pay attention to the subtleties of the situation, as it shows that I am fully committed to supporting my incarcerated friend.
I'm a rapper and security bitch I'm fighting for em
Despite my position as a rapper and having security personnel, I am still fighting to support my friend who is in jail.
My niggas do a big, I hold it down for em
My associates participate in large and risky activities, and I am determined to keep things under control for their sake.
And if the ho a hunnid, I make the time for it
If a woman is genuinely devoted, I will make time for her.
Don't do no talking, straight out the muscle
Do not engage in negotiations or diplomacy, let's handle things through force and intimidation.
I'm a keep a lot of shit concealed, til the art of hustle
I will maintain confidentiality about many things until it's necessary to reveal them as part of making money.
Contributed by Kennedy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dmoney23
SOO HARD N REAL💯💪🏿🙏🏿♥️💙
Amy Agosser
he hits hard. i love that these men from the "hood" can make something positive and give inspiration to work hard and escape the streets
Aaron Bell
🍻
Hughleik1111
Haha for real? Have you listened to the lyrics?
Quinton Haygood AKA THE REAL DRIZZY DRAKE
💯
Truth Teller
Amyyyyy
Foxy Roxy
This is why Yo Gotti is among my favorite rappers, his lyrics keep it real! If you got a homie in jail, go visit him, after all you were thuggin with him and if she wouldnt put money on the books dont date her!. That cutless is sick!!!! couldnt stop staring. Video did the song justice cuz ppl were side eyein on folks just trying to have fun.
Kennette Smith
GOTTI U always keeping it REAL!
NM7
Yo gotti is Awesome, best mixtape of 2015 can't wait for the album
KANE HELLZ
this song is my jam for 2015
#HustlerMotivation