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.
Driveway Furniture
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Uh-huh, okay right
(Ayy) you see, back in '06
We told y'all so
(speak to 'em for a sec?)
Gotti (I'm back)
I think we should remind 'em (look)
3.5 the new Chiron inside my business name
Nigga, I survived the vultures, had to do this for my culture
Had to go back and put cocaine white on everything (gangsta Grillz)
So it's fair to say a decade and a half later
We showed you niggas how to actually run the game
Can I speak to 'em for a sec?
I'm back (DJ Drama)
Look
G.i. Certified, two carats in my tennis chain
3.5 the new Chiron inside my business name
Nigga, I survived the vultures, had to do this for my culture
Had to go back and put cocaine white on everything (Cocaine Murzik)
Uh, Gotti in a 'Gatti, I like how it sounded
Nine figures up, but I been stayin' grounded (stayin' grounded)
Scoop a nigga bitch, then leave her how I found her
I'm Mr. Give-him-the-load 'cause they know how I'll down it (down it)
Skyscraper office, I should put a kitchen in it
And a rose-gold scale for when I'm reminiscin' (huh?)
Rose-gold Rollie, that's the dope boy watch
Bando-jumpin', that's the dope boy spot (dope boys)
Dropped nothin' but mixtapes from now on, fuck these charts (gangsta)
We need Gotti back outside to get the streets back hot
It's like Universal, Mexico, and Interscope my trap house
Every friday come around, I'm tryna send a pack out
Bitch say she need therapy, I'm like "Let me knock your back out"
She seekin' attention, you know that's when bitches act out
And I ain't confrontational with bitches, that's when I back out
I'm here for peace, not pussy, bitch
I'm dippin', you get too loud (Dramatic, dramatic)
Ayy, you know how this shit go man, like
Bitches wanna go back and forth, forth and back (you know what I mean?)
Bitch, I ain't got no time for that shit (Uh-uh)
You know, time is money, man, I got big shit to handle, bitch
You feel me? (We back at it)
I need no distractions
Bitch just sent me five attachments like Glorilla said
You know Karrine Steffans, bitch, I want some super head
I recorded this in a week
Told John Janick to clear the schedule out
We releasin' this for the streets
I been dream-chasin' all my life, sometime I think I'm Meek
Tryna break in my house like shit sweet, fuck around and got sweeped
I invite snakes to the grass, gotta kill what you eat
Why you strapped with security? If I go out, I'm goin' out me
This the life of survival
Where I don't trust allies, I look at them like my rivals
I don't talk on the phone around my bitch or my driver
I don't talk on the phone about no shit that's incriminating
Nigga like, "Bring me that," I'm like, "What you insinuating?"
Rat-ass niggas'll try to put you in any case
Watchin' niggas tell it, then say they didn't cooperate
Shit crazy, we really seein' niggas tell it
Then say they didn't cooperate
Amigo, you bring me one million cash and I will double it
And drop it off at your doorstep
Gotti, show 'em
Negotiations with the plug, ask what type of math for that
Numbers through the roof, and nigga, I'm payin' half of that
I'm mister 90/10, nigga, I want more than half of that
I can drop a tape and you go platinum and won't make half of that (gangsta)
I'm a hustler, game giver
Hundred up and still I'm the same nigga
Me and my baby mama don't even rock, but I bought her a Range, nigga
And you niggas depressed, takin' painkillers
And you'll lose your life 'bout a chain, nigga
Go and slide on the opps, get caught
And turn around and tell on the same niggas
Forty million in real estate and twenty in stocks
A million dollars in security, but five hundred for a Glock
I told my brother and them, "Watch, I'ma get us out of this bitch
If you believe in the plan, we gon' swap music with bricks"
Phantom, Lamb', Bent', 'rari
And I don't drive none of 'em
Look good in front of the crib though
It's driveway furniture (Dee, you poppin' your shit, nigga)
Phantom, Lamb', Bent', 'rari
And I don't drive none of 'em
Look good in front of the crib though (showed y'all niggas)
It's driveway furniture
In the lyrics of Yo Gotti's song "Driveway Furniture," the artist reflects on his success and accomplishments in the music industry. He asserts his influence and impact on the game, highlighting his significance and longevity. He mentions his G.I. certification, symbolizing his authenticity and expertise, and the two-carat tennis chain he wears as a symbol of his success and wealth. The reference to the new Chiron and his business name points to his continuous growth and expansion in the music industry.
Gotti acknowledges the challenges he faced throughout his career, including dealing with vultures and preserving the integrity of his culture. He emphasizes his resilience and determination, showcasing his ability to overcome obstacles and stay true to himself. The line, "Had to go back and put cocaine white on everything," signifies his dominance and impact on the rap game, as well as his influence on the streets.
The lyrics also touch on Gotti's lifestyle and experiences. He talks about his luxury cars, particularly the 'Gatti, which he enjoys driving and has become synonymous with his image. Despite his success, he remains grounded and connected to his roots. Gotti mentions his ability to attract women effortlessly, but also highlights his focus on his own goals rather than getting caught up in unnecessary drama.
Gotti alludes to his involvement in the drug trade, using metaphors such as "Rose-gold Rollie, that's the dope boy watch" and "Bando-jumpin', that's the dope boy spot." These references highlight his past hustle and street credibility. However, he also declares a shift in his focus towards music, emphasizing that he will now prioritize dropping mixtapes rather than chasing chart success.
The lyrics also touch on Gotti's skepticism and caution when it comes to trusting others. He asserts that he is selective about who he surrounds himself with and doesn't disclose incriminating information over the phone. He also references the betrayal and cooperation of others, expressing his disappointment in those who turn on their allies.
Towards the end of the song, Gotti boasts about his financial accomplishments, speaking about his real estate investments, stock holdings, and security measures. He reflects on his journey from the streets to a position of power and wealth, determined to uplift those around him. The repeated mention of luxury cars in the chorus, serving as mere decorations in his driveway, represents the abundance and success he has achieved.
Lyrics © INGROOVES MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Mario Mims, Tyree Simmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MakinMoneyTrill
His Music Always & Forever Be Lit 🔥
@angelalittle6143
I SWEAR WE NEEDED THIS🔥🔥🔥
@mauricew5505
We really did fa real!!!
@brycewireman196
The whole album is wild 🔥😮💨
@treiber671988
Mixtape quality
@kaylee-53
Agreed
@JasonTheFinesseKid
Album of the year type sht
@moneymindedlife9698
This go be one of Gotti hardest albums 🔥
@airj0rd3n71
This shit SLAP 👋 sooo damn hard!!! Bish ride the whole time ‼️‼️‼️✅✅
@soulking87
To the person who reading this . I realize this life is hard, being mature is suck. I know you're tired with all of this, but you should know. You did a good job. You are great. You deserve to be happy.