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.
Don't Come Around
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I believe it
I believe it
Don't come around again
I believe it
I believe it
Damn they'll speak about the truth
Damn they'll speak about you
When a nigga talk real
You won't even know how it feel
How you gon' tell me what it is
When a nigga say Gotti
All that noise from my Maseratti
All that noise turnin' up the party
All that noise young nigga with a whole bunch of rubbers
All that noise young nigga gon' catch a problem
When a nigga say no, nigga come and jumpin out the Porsche
With a bag full of 50 same court
Nigga still I try to fight a gun charge
Try to fight a brick charge
Lawyer ain't show up in court
When a nigga say trial, nigga comin' down with life
That's how a nigga really earn his stripes
When them niggas say
You'll fuck with me like I fuck with him
He ain't finna do something right
That nigga finna snitch
I knew that nigga was a bitch
Man I don't owe that nigga one shit
Ain't got no heart, man I knew that nigga wasn't rich
Should've killed him when he went up that lift
When them niggas say bang, nigga they be talkin bout my squad
Nigga they be talkin bout my cars
When they say white
Nigga they be talkin bout brick side
Buy that shit off of black card, talk to em
Don't come around again
I believe it
I believe it
Don't come around again
I believe it
I believe it
When them niggas say bitch, we don't really mean no harm
She ain't gotta be so offensed
When a nigga say ho, ain't say you know what you is
Shawty you ain't got to be so defenseful
Niggas say you bad
That's a compliment, not literally
Half naked pictures, but you lookin' for a gentleman
Instagram your whole life after the pull of trying to get your followers up
Sold your soul to the internet
Damn, damn right it's a cold world
Losing sleep, I'm a little girl
Them are right and we gonna like the right
Damn sure, ho be do me like oh girl
True when a nigga say it like you
Niggas sayin what he gon' do?
Tell a nigga he a lie, tell him that a real bad bitch get his own so that money can't buy
When a nigga say he ballin and someone's title in the desert
Not worth closing, it's teasin
Ask him if he ring
Tell him that your daddy was a real baller
He was blowin' money by the seasons
Let him know you good, left a couple mil and a whip for you
Big burner rays right that'll kill for you
Mama broke bad, left a nigga down bad
I ain't trippin, don't show I'm still here for you
Don't come around again
I believe it
I believe it
Don't come around again
I believe it
I believe it
Yo Gotti's song "Don't Come Around" talks about his experiences dealing with fake people who he believes are not loyal to him. Gotti believes that these people only come around him to benefit themselves and are not sincere when speaking about him, causing him to distance himself from them. He refers to these people as "niggas" and includes examples of their fake behavior, including speaking ill about him behind his back or pretending to be his friend for their own gain. Gotti also addresses how women are portrayed on social media, with many presenting themselves solely for likes and followers rather than genuine connections. He encourages women to value themselves and not to compromise their worth for acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't come around again
I don't want to see you anymore and I'm serious about it
I believe it
I truly mean what I just said
When a nigga talk dope
When someone brags about doing illegal activities
Damn they'll speak about the truth
They'll accidentally reveal information that could get them and others in trouble
Damn they'll speak about you
They'll also talk about you and what you're involved in
When a nigga talk real
When someone speaks honestly and openly
You won't even know how it feel
You might not even recognize the truth when you hear it
How you gon' tell me what it is
You don't have the right to tell me what's true or not
When a nigga say Gotti
When someone refers to me
All that noise from my Maseratti
All the attention I get from driving a fancy car
All that noise turnin' up the party
All the loud music and celebration that follows me
All that noise young nigga with a whole bunch of rubbers
All the bragging about having lots of condoms (implying that the person is sexually active)
All that noise young nigga gon' catch a problem
All the attention could lead to trouble
When a nigga say no, nigga come and jumpin out the Porsche
When someone challenges me and I have to respond aggressively
With a bag full of 50 same court
Possibly carrying a large amount of drugs/illegal items
Nigga still I try to fight a gun charge
I'm still fighting a charge related to owning/carrying a firearm
Try to fight a brick charge
Also fighting a charge related to selling/buying drugs
Lawyer ain't show up in court
My lawyer didn't show up to help me defend myself
When a nigga say trial, nigga comin' down with life
When someone is facing a lifetime in prison
That's how a nigga really earn his stripes
Going to prison is seen as earning someone respect or credibility
When them niggas say
When they speak about other people
You'll fuck with me like I fuck with him
If you're loyal to me, I'll be loyal to you
He ain't finna do something right
He's not a trustworthy person and might snitch or do something illegal
That nigga finna snitch
He's going to disclose information to the authorities
I knew that nigga was a bitch
I knew he wasn't a strong or reliable person
Man I don't owe that nigga one shit
I don't have any obligation to help him
Ain't got no heart, man I knew that nigga wasn't rich
He doesn't have any courage or loyalty, and he's not wealthy
Should've killed him when he went up that lift
I should have taken violent action against him when I had the chance
When them niggas say bang, nigga they be talkin bout my squad
When someone yells 'bang', they're talking about my group of associates
Nigga they be talkin bout my cars
They also talk about the cars I own and drive
When they say white
When someone refers to selling drugs
Nigga they be talkin bout brick side
They're talking about my neighborhood/area where drugs are sold
Buy that shit off of black card, talk to em
I pay for the drugs with a credit card, which is proof of my high status
When them niggas say bitch, we don't really mean no harm
When someone refers to a woman as a 'bitch', it's not meant to be offensive
She ain't gotta be so offensed
She doesn't have to be so defensive or angry
When a nigga say ho, ain't say you know what you is
When someone refers to a woman as a 'ho', they're not saying she is one
Shawty you ain't got to be so defenseful
You don't need to be so defensive about it
Niggas say you bad
People think you're attractive
That's a compliment, not literally
It's meant to be a flattering comment
Half naked pictures, but you lookin' for a gentleman
You're posting suggestive photos online, but you still want to be treated with respect
Instagram your whole life after the pull of trying to get your followers up
You're constantly documenting your life on social media in order to gain more followers
Sold your soul to the internet
You've become obsessed with social media and it's taken over your life
Damn, damn right it's a cold world
The world can be a cruel and harsh place
Losing sleep, I'm a little girl
I'm feeling vulnerable and scared
Them are right and we gonna like the right
Those who are truthful will ultimately win out
Damn sure, ho be do me like oh girl
You're treating me badly, just like other women have done in the past
True when a nigga say it like you
It's true when someone speaks to you honestly
Niggas sayin what he gon' do?
People make lots of promises, but don't follow through
Tell a nigga he a lie, tell him that a real bad bitch get his own so that money can't buy
Call out someone who is lying, and remind them that a truly strong woman doesn't rely on a man for success or happiness
When a nigga say he ballin and someone's title in the desert
When someone brags about being wealthy and powerful, it might not mean anything significant
Not worth closing, it's teasin
It's not valuable and might not lead to anything concrete
Ask him if he ring
Ask him if he's actually married or engaged
Tell him that your daddy was a real baller
Remind him that your family has real money and power
He was blowin' money by the seasons
Your father had significant wealth and was spending it frivolously
Let him know you good
Tell him that you're doing just fine without him
Left a couple mil and a whip for you
Your family has left you a significant amount of money and a nice car
Big burner rays right that'll kill for you
You have protection in the form of someone who will take violent action on your behalf if needed
Mama broke bad, left a nigga down bad
Your mother didn't have a lot of money and left you in a tough spot financially
I ain't trippin, don't show I'm still here for you
I'm not upset about it, and I'm still supportive of you despite the situation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ALEXANDER IZQUIERDO, KENDALL MORGAN, M. MIMS, M RODRIGUEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marvin Holmes
6 years later and I still get chills when singing this song
nick jordain
had the chills watching this grew up with the same shit. salute to gotti for this👌💯
cayla mccord
This song will never get old!! One of my favs.
Victor Nyamu
Fasho
Ben Dillon
Squad up
ACB904
Having a daughter, verse 2 hits home.......Yo Gotti the truth
Michael R Whitson Jr
Great song powerful message
SweetHeart
Absolutely love the song and the video is amazing .... Ive been through that situation before so big ups to Yo gotti my favorite rapper and Kendell Morgan her voice is beautiful
T Thomas
Yo Gotti is one of my favorite rap artist and its good to hear a "rapper" speak on this topic. Speaking as a person who just got out of a very violent relationship almost a year ago now. I can say its no fun being degraded and treated like you aren't worth living. I hope women who may be struggling with domestic violence realize that the only way to make it better is to leave.
Susan3 Robinson
Li guy