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.
Dolla Fo' Dolla
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah bitch, it's whatever
Yeah, I am
I'll never let my niggas down
Nah, I'll never put them choppas down (never)
Hit your bitch when I come in town
She ain't never let a nigga down (yeah)
They swear they go with a nigga (swear that they)
I'm a superstar, we duck off on the low
She know not to take no pictures (yeah)
Blogs put a nigga business out
Knock 'em down then switch 'em out (yeah)
I got opps I don't know about (I don't know about)
Stand on business, we don't talk about it (shh)
10 got ten bad bitches in the mansion
dancin', look like the soul train
I'm on the airplane
Pourin' up purple, it look like the Soul Plane
We do real numbers, real chef, Benihana's (yeah)
I'll take a nigga under
Watch three-hundred, these the new Yeezy's
'Fore they drop (yeah), call 'em Dondas
Jay said I got the thunder (woo)
Pray to God for the runners
Whole pandemic, all I seen was snow
it's like I missed a summer
Put it on my mama
Yo Gotti, he a hall of famer drug dealer (legend)
Yo Gotti he be runnin' 'round with real killers (steppin')
Hush gang, he ain't frontin' no fuck niggas (shh)
Big stepper, we'll stomp one of you lil' niggas (be quiet)
Niggas say they slidin', nobody dyin' though
(Niggas say they slidin', nobody dyin') oh
Your net worth in the Forbes, but what was they lyin' 'fore?
(You in the Forbes but why is they lyin'?) yeah
Go dollar for dollar, shotta for shotta
We can go thottie for thottie
I'm scholarship Gotti, you gave a bitch a Birkin
I just gave her some knowledge
I'm on some rocker shit
She was basic, I made her a model bitch
Lenny Kravitz, I pull up, start rockin' shit
She athletic, she built like a soccer bitch
.45 but that 9 got a softer kick
Don't slip 'cause I drip when I'm walkin', bitch
I be rollin' that jay with some bosses, shit
Rondo, got 9 on my hip
Like Steph put thirty in the clip, I'm equip
Lay a nigga flat on the floor like a quilt
I just ran off on the plug like a bill
I'm at the top like I'm king of the hill
She freaky, she poppin' that pussy like pill
I'm tryna fuck, I'm just keepin' it real
That pussy be bald and wet like a seal
Since Corona that young nigga ill
Get turned to a donor, you play with my bills
I'm knockin' all my opps out the field
I'm knockin' all my opps out the field
Young niggas sick, young nigga ill
All of my niggas united
Just bought into DC United
I gave him the pack and he tanked it (tanked it)
Twenty-five pints and he dranked it (uh)
Just showed her my account and she fainted (on God)
Showed him the plug and he thanked me (you welcome)
"Ayy, Gotti you low, you janky"
Lil' bitch just posted me, brainless (dumbass)
Rolls Royce stainless (steel)
Made my neighborhood famous (for real)
Rich cribs for tourists (for tourists)
Ayy, why yo' jewelry blurry?
All my jewelry flawless, all my niggas stallers
None of my niggas sanctified, they be throwin' crosses
All my Forgi's offset
All my diamonds factory set
That my lil' savage, I stamped that
My bitch like the sunset, yeah
Yeah, yeah
I see the same niggas doin' the same shit every day (same shit every day)
Different nigga, yeah, I had to go and make a way (yeah, I hadgo and make a way)
Any day, it's another million-dollar play
It's like seventy mil' now, 'nother hundred on the way
The lyrics to Yo Gotti's "Dolla Fo' Dolla" are packed with expressions of wealth, power, and bravado. Gotti claims to be a "superstar" with "ten different hoes," and he raps about his expensive clothing, private planes, and luxurious lifestyle. He is also a self-made man who gives back to his community, boasting of having made his "neighborhood famous" and investing in professional soccer team DC United. Throughout the song, Gotti emphasizes his loyalty to his inner circle, his willingness to use violence to protect his interests, and his disdain for those who seek to undermine his success.
In the first verse, Gotti pledges never to abandon his "niggas" and to always carry his weapons ("choppas"). He also brags about his sexual conquests and his ability to avoid paparazzi. The second verse contains a few lines that seem to allude to the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial justice protests that took place in 2020. Gotti raps about "miss[ing] a summer" and praying for peace ("Pray to God for the runners"), but then quickly pivots back to his usual subject matter of guns and money. The final verse mentions Gotti's friends and business dealings, including his ability to "run off on the plug" (fail to pay a drug supplier) and his willingness to fight anyone who challenges his authority.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah nigga, it's whatever
I don't care what you think or do
Yeah bitch, it's whatever
I don't care what you think or do
Yeah, I am
I am the way I am
I'll never let my niggas down
I will never disappoint my friends
Nah, I'll never put them choppas down (never)
I will never stop using firearms
Hit your bitch when I come in town
Have sex with your girlfriend or wife while I'm in town
She ain't never let a nigga down (yeah)
She's always reliable when we have sex
I just went up the sco', I got ten different hoes
I have many sexual partners
They swear they go with a nigga (swear that they)
They think they are in a relationship with me
I'm a superstar, we duck off on the low
I'm famous, but I try to stay out of the public eye
She know not to take no pictures (yeah)
She understands the importance of keeping our relationship secrets
Blogs put a nigga business out
I don't appreciate blogs exposing my private information
Knock 'em down then switch 'em out (yeah)
Get rid of bad business partners and replace them with better ones
I got opps I don't know about (I don't know about)
I have enemies I might not be aware of
Stand on business, we don't talk about it (shh)
We keep our business private and don't discuss it openly
10 got ten bad bitches in the mansion
dancin', look like the soul train
I have many attractive women dancing in my mansion
I'm on the airplane
Pourin' up purple, it look like the Soul Plane
I'm drinking purple alcohol on a plane and feel like I'm in the movie Soul Plane
We do real numbers, real chef, Benihana's (yeah)
We make a lot of money and can afford nice restaurants like Benihana's
I'll take a nigga under
Watch three-hundred, these the new Yeezy's
I will mentor someone and I am buying the new Yeezys
'Fore they drop (yeah), call 'em Dondas
I have the new Yeezys before they are released, and I call them Dondas
Jay said I got the thunder (woo)
Pray to God for the runners
Jay-Z said I am powerful and influential, and I pray for my friends to succeed
Whole pandemic, all I seen was snow
it's like I missed a summer
I made a lot of money during the pandemic, but it feels like I missed out on summer
Put it on my mama
Yo Gotti, he a hall of famer drug dealer (legend)
I am proud of my career as a drug dealer, and my mother supports me
Yo Gotti he be runnin' 'round with real killers (steppin')
The people I surround myself with are dangerous and will not hesitate to hurt others
Hush gang, he ain't frontin' no fuck niggas (shh)
We are a silent gang, and do not associate with people we don't trust
Big stepper, we'll stomp one of you lil' niggas (be quiet)
I am a big shot and will harm anyone who disrespects me
Niggas say they slidin', nobody dyin' though
(Niggas say they slidin', nobody dyin') oh
People claim they want to harm us, but no one has actually died
Your net worth in the Forbes, but what was they lyin' 'fore?
(You in the Forbes but why is they lyin'?) yeah
You were listed in Forbes magazine, but were they lying about your net worth?
Go dollar for dollar, shotta for shotta
We can go thottie for thottie
We can compare and compete with each other in terms of money, weapons, or women
I'm scholarship Gotti, you gave a bitch a Birkin
I just gave her some knowledge
I am a smart person and can teach people things, unlike someone who just gives expensive gifts
I'm on some rocker shit
She was basic, I made her a model bitch
Lenny Kravitz, I pull up, start rockin' shit
I have transformed a plain-looking woman into a model and I party with rock stars like Lenny Kravitz
She athletic, she built like a soccer bitch
.45 but that 9 got a softer kick
My girlfriend is fit and sporty, but the recoil of my .45 is more powerful than my 9mm gun
Don't slip 'cause I drip when I'm walkin', bitch
I be rollin' that jay with some bosses, shit
Don't get jealous of my flashy style and expensive marijuana
Rondo, got 9 on my hip
Like Steph put thirty in the clip, I'm equip
I'm carrying a 9mm gun and feel as powerful as NBA player Steph Curry scoring 30 points in a game
Lay a nigga flat on the floor like a quilt
I just ran off on the plug like a bill
I am capable of killing someone, and I just stole drugs from my drug supplier
I'm at the top like I'm king of the hill
She freaky, she poppin' that pussy like pill
I am successful and powerful, and my girlfriend is sexually liberated
I'm tryna fuck, I'm just keepin' it real
That pussy be bald and wet like a seal
I'm being honest about my sexual desires and my girlfriend's genitalia
Since Corona that young nigga ill
Get turned to a donor, you play with my bills
Since the coronavirus pandemic, I have become wealthy, and anyone who tries to cheat me out of money risks getting hurt
I'm knockin' all my opps out the field
Young niggas sick, young nigga ill
I am eliminating all of my enemies, and feel powerful and successful
All of my niggas united
Just bought into DC United
My friends are loyal to me, and we just invested in a soccer team
I gave him the pack and he tanked it (tanked it)
Twenty-five pints and he dranked it (uh)
I gave someone drugs, and they successfully sold it all. He also drank 25 pints of alcohol
Just showed her my account and she fainted (on God)
Showed him the plug and he thanked me (you welcome)
I revealed my bank account balance to a woman and she was impressed. I also introduced someone to my drug supplier
"Ayy, Gotti you low, you janky"
Lil' bitch just posted me, brainless (dumbass)
Someone insulted me for being secretive and sneaky, but a girl who is not very smart recently posted a picture of me on social media
Rolls Royce stainless (steel)
Made my neighborhood famous (for real)
I own an expensive Rolls Royce car, and my neighborhood has become well-known because of my success
Rich cribs for tourists (for tourists)
Ayy, why yo' jewelry blurry?
My luxurious homes are popular tourist attractions, and I am showing off my blurry jewelry
All my jewelry flawless, all my niggas stallers
None of my niggas sanctified, they be throwin' crosses
My expensive jewelry is perfect, my friends are flashy, but not religious. They make gang signs instead of religious crosses
All my Forgi's offset
All my diamonds factory set
My car rims are customized and my diamonds are professionally set
That my lil' savage, I stamped that
My bitch like the sunset, yeah
I am proud of my violent friend and my girlfriend appreciates sunsets
I see the same niggas doin' the same shit every day (same shit every day)
Different nigga, yeah, I had to go and make a way (yeah, I had go and make a way)
Any day, it's another million-dollar play
It's like seventy mil' now, 'nother hundred on the way
Many people do the same things every day, but I had to find a way to stand out. I am constantly making money, and I have already made $70 million, with another $100 million on the way.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, EMPIRE PUBLISHING
Written by: Brian White, David A. Marcus, Jack Richmeier, Mario Mims, Pierce Mackey, Salomon Naar Gonzalez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alexandria Tiffany
Yo Gotti go in soo hard on this right here! He aint like all them goofies and oppas who just be usin that AUTHENTICVIEWS to go big... SMH seem like anyone can go big them days..
Kojo Da Reaper
Out of all the people that did this challenge I KNOW this ain’t the hardest verse he could find.
Saniya Murrah
Dude was probably already signed great promo tho
Jay Son
Nah!!!! I heard better verses than this dude lol. Even shorties was spittin better than this
Carlos Bigard
Wonder who all listen to them
DarealDirtmoney 23
Gtfo bro hard
Kia Studivant
Exactly 😒
Timmy_Hoops
Gotti is letting anyone use this sound . No copy write infringements , all legit . My man 👍
Shawn Cross
He already had the song done … Took dude off and finessed the game for more exposure
murderville martinez
@dboi618 your mom is