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 cityโs underground rap scene before going on to become national superstars. Next up to bat is Yo Gotti, M-Townโs 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 Southโs 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. โBeing from the hood things like hustling will come your way,โ says Yo Gotti. โEverybody in my family hustled in some kinda way.โ 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 Gottiโs 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 cityโs 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 magazineโs 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. โIt sold about 40 or 50,000, with no promotions or video,โ says Yo Gotti. โThat record did what it did on its own.โ But as the old saying goes when one door is closed another opened. Gottiโs 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 didnโt do the type of big number heโd hope for youโd 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.
โThe 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. Thatโs why I call my record Back 2 Da Basics.โ
Produced by DJ Thoomp, Mannie Fresh, Carlos Brody and newcomers Street Tunes, Back 2 Da Basics offers fans a gritty, insiderโs view into the real streets of Memphis as seen through the eyes of Yo Gotti. Nowhere is this viewpoint more intense than on โFull Time,โ the amped up lead single โand featured in the MTV Filmsโ Hustle & Flow movie - with a thunderous bass and intoxicating beat that espouses Gottiโs formula to success โhustle full time.
โA lotta cats wanna be a rapper or a street hustler but they donโt wanna put in the time that it takes,โ says Yo Gotti. โThey want the money and the cars and the girls, but they donโt wanna work hard for it. But to be successful at anything you gotta grind for it.โ On the song โMama We Gone Be Alright,โ 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. โMama We Gone Be Alrightโ along with the gripping tune โMy Storyโ emerges as two of the most interesting songs on Back 2 Da Basics. These three titles along with club banging songs like โShortyโ featuring Baby make Back 2 Da Basics one of the best albums of the year.
Different
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aye life's crazy man, like
It's crazy how like, motherfuckers treat you different
Material shit, accomplishments, you namsayin'
Aye, I got a hit they start treatin' me different
Been had that bag so it didn't make a difference
Yeah, in the beginning, she tried to keep her distance
They had their hand out but I ain't submissive
You tryin' to extort a nigga, I'm from Memphis
You know we mob different
Red or blue it don't make a difference
I flip that white to get that green
Them my only intentions (yeah, yeah)
I don't Twitter better get out my mentions
I'm paranoid I'm shootin', you flinchin'
Nigga, I'm from the trenches
My bag different
My swag different
My bitch went seen Dr. Miami, her ass different
I'm extraordinary young nigga, I'm past different
This little bullshit you doin' young nigga, my past history
Talking diamonds I done duck those
Bricks I seen truckloads
Snootie Wild 'Go Mode' I took Snootie where our shit go
All I know is yayo
All I know is Dracos (brrt)
Bricks stacked up like Legos
All my dogs on payroll
Gotti chain shine harder, his shit VVS
My life can't get no harder boy, I survived the 'Crest
I got a hit they start treatin' me different (different)
Been had that bag so it didn't make a difference
Yeah, in the beginning, she tried to keep her distance (bitch)
I got the pussy she started treating me different (yeah, let's get it)
They had their hand out but I ain't submissive (fuck 'em)
You tryin' to extort a nigga, I'm from Memphis
You know we mob different (brrt)
Red or blue it don't make a difference (it don't make a difference)
I flip that white to get that green
Them my only intentions (yeah, shit ain't the same)
I'm talkin' loyalty, you talkin' different (different)
Ungrateful niggas
I don't get it, you must define it different (different, yeah, ungrateful niggas)
Change nigga lives (lives)
Made niggas buns (buns)
You sold your niggas dreams (you did?)
Gave your niggas guns (damn)
I might not pay through these bills
But I told her what was real
Shorty you bad, that's cool but you gotta get some skills (facts)
See I pay different taxes (shit different)
That's a different bracket (shit different)
I hate when these niggas be talkin'
I wanna see the action
Wanna be the new Gotti
You ain't a fuckin' fraction (ain't a fraction)
You closer to being a Kardashian
You do not roll with assassins
I hate to see the cycle of niggas on their cycle
Talkin' 'bout haters when they act just like 'em
Ain't none of you niggas righteous (y'all different)
I got a hit they start treatin' me different (different)
Been had that bag so it didn't make a difference
Yeah, in the beginning, she tried to keep her distance (bitch)
I got the pussy she started treating me different (yeah, let's get it)
You gotta know the difference (yeah)
I hate when niggas compete with niggas out their league
Or niggas in their squad
You niggas act like broads
See I can tell pussy niggas when I see 'em
I can tell envious niggas when I see 'em
Ain't nothing worse than an ungrateful nigga though, namean'
How you real when you broke, but when you up you ain't
That mean you weren't real from the start, nigga (haha)
You niggas must remember money don't make you, heart do
We different
In these lyrics, Yo Gotti reflects on how people's attitudes towards him have changed as he has achieved success and gained material wealth. He notes that material possessions and accomplishments can cause people to treat him differently.
He acknowledges that once he had a hit record, people began treating him differently. However, he emphasizes that he had already attained financial success prior to that, so it didn't make much of a difference to him. He mentions a woman who initially kept her distance from him but changed her behavior after they slept together. This emphasizes how people's attitude towards him changed once he had that personal connection with them.
Yo Gotti also reflects on the different ways he and those from his hometown of Memphis approach life. He mentions that he is not submissive and will not allow anyone to exploit or extort him. He also mentions the rivalry between the Bloods (red) and Crips (blue), indicating that it doesn't matter which side someone is on as they all operate differently. He then mentions his intentions of making money through illegal activities, such as drug dealing, and how that is the driving force behind his actions.
In the next part of the song, Yo Gotti addresses his paranoid nature and mentions his rough upbringing in the trenches. He states that his bag (money) is different, meaning he has acquired wealth in a unique way. He also highlights how his style and his woman's physical appearance have changed, indicating that his success has allowed him to upgrade his lifestyle and the people he surrounds himself with.
Yo Gotti then criticizes individuals who talk about loyalty but demonstrate different behavior. He refers to them as ungrateful, indicating that they don't appreciate what he has done for them. He mentions the concept of changing lives and making people rich, insinuating that he has done this for others but they have not reciprocated. He contrasts himself with these ungrateful individuals and asserts his authenticity and honesty.
Towards the end of the lyrics, Yo Gotti expresses his dislike for people who talk without taking action. He specifically wants to witness action rather than hear empty promises. He then challenges those who aspire to be like him, implying that they will never come close to achieving his level of success. He also criticizes individuals who perpetuate negativity, comparing their behavior to that of haters. Finally, he emphasizes that he and these individuals are fundamentally different, particularly highlighting the contrast between their values and mindset.
Overall, these lyrics demonstrate Yo Gotti's perception of how people treat him differently as he attains success and wealth. He reflects on the changes in his relationships and the attitudes of others, contrasting his authenticity with the ungrateful and envious behavior of those around him.
Line by Line Meaning
Aye, I got a hit they start treatin' me different
After achieving success, people began to treat me differently.
Been had that bag so it didn't make a difference
I've had money for a while, so having more didn't change anything.
Yeah, in the beginning, she tried to keep her distance
At first, she tried to maintain some distance in our relationship.
I got the pussy she started treating me different
Once we became intimate, her attitude towards me changed.
They had their hand out but I ain't submissive
Many people expected me to give them money, but I refused to be controlled.
You tryin' to extort a nigga, I'm from Memphis
You're attempting to blackmail me, but I come from a place where we don't tolerate that.
You know we mob different
We have a different way of operating and handling things in Memphis.
Red or blue it don't make a difference
It doesn't matter which gang you belong to, it doesn't affect me.
I flip that white to get that green
I trade cocaine for money, that's my main focus.
Them my only intentions
Making money is my sole purpose and goal.
I'm paranoid I'm shootin', you flinchin'
I'm constantly on edge and ready to defend myself, and I can see your fear.
Nigga, I'm from the trenches
I come from a rough neighborhood where life is difficult.
My bag different
I have a unique, exceptional style and taste.
My swag different
I have a distinctive, stylish demeanor.
My bitch went seen Dr. Miami, her ass different
My partner underwent cosmetic surgery, and now her appearance has changed.
I'm extraordinary young nigga, I'm past different
I am an exceptional young individual, exceeding the average in every aspect.
This little bullshit you doin' young nigga, my past history
The insignificant actions you're involved in mean nothing compared to my past experiences.
Talking diamonds I done duck those
I skillfully avoided getting caught or involved in the illegal diamond trade.
Bricks I seen truckloads
I have witnessed large quantities of drugs being transported in trucks.
Snootie Wild 'Go Mode' I took Snootie where our shit go
I helped Snootie Wild gain success by taking him to the places where our music resonates.
All I know is yayo
I am well-versed and experienced in dealing cocaine.
All I know is Dracos (brrt)
I am familiar with using and carrying firearms, specifically, automatic guns like the Draco.
Bricks stacked up like Legos
I have a large quantity of drugs stacked up, comparable to Legos being piled.
All my dogs on payroll
I have all my close associates and friends working for me and getting paid.
Gotti chain shine harder, his shit VVS
My chain, owned by Gotti, shines brighter and has high-quality diamonds (VVS) embedded in it.
My life can't get no harder boy, I survived the 'Crest
My life has been incredibly challenging, but I've managed to overcome difficulties.
I'm talkin' loyalty, you talkin' different
I value loyalty in my relationships, but you seem to prioritize something else.
Ungrateful niggas
I'm referring to individuals who lack gratitude and appreciation for what they have.
I don't get it, you must define it different
I don't understand your perspective because you have a different definition of things.
Change nigga lives
I have the power to positively impact people's lives.
Made niggas buns
I elevated individuals to a higher level of success.
You sold your niggas dreams
You gave false promises and unrealistic hopes to your friends.
Gave your niggas guns
You provided weapons to your associates.
I might not pay through these bills
I may not pay for expenses using traditional methods.
But I told her what was real
I always speak the truth and keep it real with her.
Shorty you bad, that's cool but you gotta get some skills
Although you have attractiveness, it's essential for you to have talents and skills.
See I pay different taxes
I am subject to higher tax brackets due to my income.
That's a different bracket
My financial situation places me in a completely different category.
I hate when these niggas be talkin'
I despise it when people talk without taking action.
I wanna see the action
I desire to witness concrete actions rather than empty words.
Wanna be the new Gotti
Others aspire to become the next me, Yo Gotti.
You ain't a fuckin' fraction
You are nowhere near being a small part of what I have accomplished.
You closer to being a Kardashian
You are more similar to a Kardashian, known for their fame and notoriety, rather than someone like me.
You do not roll with assassins
You don't associate yourself with dangerous individuals or a close-knit circle like I do.
I hate to see the cycle of niggas on their cycle
I dislike witnessing men acting like women during their menstrual cycle.
Talkin' 'bout haters when they act just like 'em
They talk about having haters when in reality, their behavior mirrors that of those they claim to dislike.
Ain't none of you niggas righteous (y'all different)
None of you individuals are truly morally upright or virtuous.
You gotta know the difference
It's crucial for you to understand and distinguish between things.
I hate when niggas compete with niggas out their league
I dislike it when individuals try to compete with others who are far ahead of them in terms of accomplishments and success.
Or niggas in their squad
They shouldn't even be competing with their own teammates or associates.
You niggas act like broads
You men are behaving like women, displaying petty and emotional behavior.
See I can tell pussy niggas when I see 'em
I can easily identify cowardly individuals when I encounter them.
I can tell envious niggas when I see 'em
I can detect and recognize jealous individuals when I come across them.
Ain't nothing worse than an ungrateful nigga though, namean'
There is no greater disappointment than encountering someone who lacks gratitude and appreciation.
How you real when you broke, but when you up you ain't
It's contradictory to claim authenticity when you have nothing, but as soon as you find success, you change.
That mean you weren't real from the start, nigga
This implies that you were never genuine from the beginning.
You niggas must remember money don't make you, heart do
You guys need to understand that money doesn't define you; your character and kindness do.
We different
We are unique and unlike anyone else.
Lyrics ยฉ Ultra Tunes, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Mario Mims, Xavier Dotson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dozzy Heart
Imma need this song when I get ALL THE WAY how I wanna b. Ik ppl will start to change, but it's all good! ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ต๐ต๐ต๐ถ๐ถ๐ง๐ง๐ง๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ
Evelyn Shelton
Was watching the movie Uncorked and ran acrossed this song again. It hit harder! I knew it was Gotti cause I'm from Memphis!!!
Duncan Beasley
Ma what.. I had to look this one up.. I feel u
winston mcfarlane
Uncorked really in tune ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Danie Johnson
winston mcfarlane I was coming to find the song n u beat me but that movie bought me here too ๐๐๐
Alex Durazo
Favorite Yo Gotti song!
YOLO EaglesUP
This song goes so damn hard. Yooo gotttiiiii
Marcus Hatcher
He rode on this!!
Jenna L
This song worth billions views.
Chikatula Chisoko
Truuu truuu