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.
Don't Panic
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They knocking, don't panic
It's them people in penny-loafers
They searching people and searching sofas
Oh lord, can't panic, don't panic
No time to plot it, no time to plan it
100 keys up in the attic, 100 keys up in the attic
Oh lord
30 racks of Diesel, watching for them people
2 birds in the kitchen, 1 brick, 1 desert Eagle
If the cops rush in, better flush it
Better pray to God they don't see you
Cause them F-E-D-S Boys want to L-I-F-and E you
So don't panic, don't panic, if they grab you
Don't panic, nigga dropping statements on the
Whole hood, they grabbed the nigga and he ramming
Got them young boys like 30 years still walking around
And he standing, bet that would've been one of my niggas
Bet you homie would've died quicker
My lawyer cost 100 thou', nigga, rats telling with no remorse
Shoot at us, no reports, we shoot at them they going to court
Fuck niggas want to go to war, just make sure you could stand it
And when them boys start rushing, nigga, just don't panic
don't panic, don't panic
They knocking, don't panic
It's them people in penny-loafers
They searching people and searching sofas
Oh lord, can't panic, don't panic
No time to plot it, no time to plan it
100 keys up in the attic, 100 keys up in the attic
Oh lord
Pussy niggas panic, I could see they panties
Rain, snow, or sleet, I'm in these streets
And it's so organic, WB but no Atlantic
Play with me and I bet I'll handle it, 30 G's, 20 shows a month
That's too much to count and too much to manage
I'm on my dope boy shit, yeah my car's white
Motherfuck a hater, I done lived a hard life
I'm swanging out my building, trying to raise my children
Top got no ceiling, Yo Gotti
Nigga Meek Milly, counted my first million
That's when my whole life changed, I pledge allegiance to the streets
That I'll never panic if them FEDS came
That's on everything, money, bag and the bread game
My partner and them is my partner and them
Murder one or get guap with them, I'm Yo Gotti
Can't panic, don't panic
They knocking, don't panic
It's them people in penny-loafers
They searching people and searching sofas
Oh lord, can't panic, don't panic
No time to plot it, no time to plan it
100 keys up in the attic, 100 keys up in the attic
Oh Lord
In "Don't Panic," Yo Gotti conveys a sense of urgency and warns against panicking in high-pressure situations. The lyrics paint a picture of a scenario where the authorities, represented by "them people in penny-loafers," are conducting searches and investigations. The singer of the song, likely involved in illegal activities, is aware of the scrutiny and potential consequences but emphasizes the need to remain calm and composed.
Yo Gotti uses vivid imagery to describe his circumstances, mentioning "30 racks of Diesel" (a reference to drugs) and the presence of weapons. He acknowledges the constant threat of arrest or betrayal, cautioning against panic if apprehended by authorities. The line "Cause them F-E-D-S Boys want to L-I-F-and E you" suggests that cooperation with law enforcement can lead to a detrimental outcome, further reinforcing the song's central message of not succumbing to fear or panic. Yo Gotti emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure even in the face of potential danger or legal repercussions.
Overall, "Don't Panic" serves as a cautionary tale within the context of the street life Yo Gotti portrays in his music. It reinforces the notion that remaining calm and composed is essential in risky situations, where making hasty decisions can have severe consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't panic, don't panic
Do not become anxious or fearful
They knocking, don't panic
When someone is at the door, remain calm
It's them people in penny-loafers
Law enforcement officials are on the premises
They searching people and searching sofas
They are conducting thorough searches of individuals and furniture
Oh lord, can't panic, don't panic
Maintain composure and avoid panicking, seeking divine guidance
No time to plot it, no time to plan it
There is no opportunity to strategize or scheme
100 keys up in the attic, 100 keys up in the attic
There are numerous kilograms of drugs hidden in the attic
30 racks of Diesel, watching for them people
Cautiously monitoring for the presence of law enforcement
2 birds in the kitchen, 1 brick, 1 desert Eagle
Illegal activities involving drugs and firearms are being conducted
If the cops rush in, better flush it
In the event of a police raid, dispose of illicit substances
Better pray to God they don't see you
Hope that law enforcement does not notice your presence
Cause them F-E-D-S Boys want to L-I-F-and E you
The Federal Bureau of Investigation wants to apprehend you
So don't panic, don't panic, if they grab you
If law enforcement apprehends you, remain calm and collected
Don't panic, nigga dropping statements on the
Whole hood, they grabbed the nigga and he ramming
Despite legal pressure, it is crucial not to incriminate oneself or others in the community
Got them young boys like 30 years still walking around
And he standing, bet that would've been one of my n***as
Bet you homie would've died quicker
Individuals associated with crime are serving lengthy prison sentences, and the singer suggests that his associates would have met a fatal fate if in the same predicament
My lawyer cost 100 thou', n***a, rats telling with no remorse
The artist's legal representation is expensive, while cooperating informants provide information without guilt or regret
Shoot at us, no reports, we shoot at them they going to court
If violence is directed at the artist's group, it remains undocumented, while any retaliation results in legal consequences for the opposing parties
F**k n***as want to go to war, just make sure you could stand it
Individuals who provoke confrontation should ensure they can endure its consequences
And when them boys start rushing, n***a, just don't panic
In the event of law enforcement aggressively approaching, maintain composure and avoid panicking
P**sy n***as panic, I could see they panties
Cowardly individuals easily succumb to fear and display signs of vulnerability
Rain, snow, or sleet, I'm in these streets
Regardless of inclement weather conditions, the artist remains active and present in the neighborhood
And it's so organic, WB but no Atlantic
The artist's success is natural and authentic, not dependent on industry resources like major record labels
Play with me and I bet I'll handle it, 30 G's, 20 shows a month
Consequences will be faced by anyone who challenges the singer, who is earning significant amounts of money through frequent performances
That's too much to count and too much to manage
The income generated is immense, making it difficult to quantify and handle effectively
I'm on my dope boy s**t, yeah my car's white
The singer is operating in a manner characteristic of a successful drug dealer, driving a white vehicle
Motherf**k a hater, I done lived a hard life
The singer disregards and dismisses those who dislike or envy him, emphasizing the difficult experiences he has endured
I'm swanging out my building, trying to raise my children
The singer is displaying wealth and influence in his community while striving to provide for his offspring
Top got no ceiling, Yo Gotti
The roof of the car does not have a convertible top, and the artist identifies himself as Yo Gotti
N***a Meek Milly, counted my first million
The artist, along with Meek Mill, celebrated the attainment of their initial million dollars
That's when my whole life changed, I pledge allegiance to the streets
At that point, the singer's existence underwent a significant transformation, and he prioritized his loyalty to the neighborhood and street life
That I'll never panic if them FEDS came
The singer vows to never succumb to fear or anxiety in the presence of law enforcement
That's on everything, money, bag and the bread game
The artist's commitment to fearlessness extends to every aspect of his life, including finances and illicit activities
My partner and them is my partner and them
The artist holds unwavering loyalty to his associates
Murder one or get guap with them, I'm Yo Gotti
Whether engaging in criminal acts or pursuing financial success alongside his partners, the artist explicitly identifies himself as Yo Gotti
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joshua Luellen, Robert Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tyreselifestyle4642
Found myself singing this out of nowhere ๐ฆ๐๐ฅand it brought me here.
@trab33zzy
Same here
@IScorpionx
Wordd 10 years later it popped in my head
@suadez01
i be saying "OH LORD!" for no reason sometimes lol
@quavonhall7050
Facts Bro ๐โผ๏ธ
@bakchweza254
2020 donโt panic, embrace change, detox, look within, meditate, stay positive, trust in the Eternal God Source/ God / Goddess All That Is. We are all One
@AllStar
eat cereal outside?
@NewYorkBarbie
It takes better outside
@salvadormendez532
The beginning of this beat get me hype as fuxk everytime!!!
@yungsavage599
I swea