Mario Mims (born May 19, 1981 in Memphis, Tennessee), better known by his s… Read Full Bio ↴Mario Mims (born May 19, 1981 in Memphis, Tennessee), better known by his stage name Yo Gotti, is an American rapper signed to Cash Money Records. Formerly known as Lil Yo in the 90's, he released his first album, From Da Dope Game 2 Da Rap Game, in 2000. Since then he has released 2001's Self-Explanatory, 2003's Life, 2006's Back 2 Da Basics, 2008's Cocaine Muzik, 2009's CM2 (Cocaine Muzik 2 hosted by DJ Drama), and The Pyrex King: Street Runnaz Special Edition.

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.

Hard To Believe
Yo Gotti Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hook: It's hard to believe (It's hard to believe)
I made it through the years (I made it through the years)
I guess that I'm blessed (I guess that I'm blessed)
Cause I didn't get popped (or I didn't get killed)

(Yo Gotti)
It's hard to except
The cards I was dealt

The life that I chose
???
A life full of crime
A bag full of dimes
A hood full of jealous ass niggas wanting mine
But now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the lord my soul to keep
And if I die before i wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take
I seen it, all this ana fall, never thought I'd make it out
Broad-daylight, I seen my homeboy get takin' out
They shot at me
They got at me
Never could they get at me
I gotta thank the Lord from shielding me from all my enemies
Ran mo' blocks than fugitives
Sold mo' dope than Cubians
Kept my mind on dollar signs and never was abusing them
I think I got the feeling jone
I'm seeing millions jone
Come into my residence
But that's irrelevant
2000 was on jone
2000 is gone jone
2000 and 1 is here, I'm still droppin' songs jone

(Hook)

(Denaro)
Don't shit exist in this galaxy, that's like Denaro
Ain't facin' shit, but tragedy from out of my baro
Witnessed too much shit at a age like mine
Beef off in the streets got me on stages wit nines
My nig Gotti get the mic, and yo I'm watchin' the crowd
I see a nigga start to reachin' and let that heater go pow
Took too many losses, felt sad feelings out here
My nig lost his mom and dad, I lost my lil' one this year
We be exposed to a lot of shit our eyes shouldn't see
But I'm composed of a lot of shit y'all niggas couldn't be
Cause I'm a real nigga, meaning I'm limited dog
Fake shit done played out like SEGA Genesis dog
They used to call me Ghost, cause I had a nigga that spook
Just a young nigga, strapped up and ready to shoot
I played it smart this year
Life was hard this year
I kept my lawyer fully paid and beat my charge this year, nigga

(Hook)

(V-Dog)
It's hard to believe I made it nigga, but I made it nigga, yeah I'm here
You thought that I wouldn't make it nigga, but tell me who you hear
It wouldn't my time to go, so I ain't gone nowhere
I'm still bumpin, keepin' you jumpin, while I'm smokin' my square
I be V slash D uh O G nigga, I'm just like a nigga, holdin' my pants when I
pose nigga
Still fuckin' hoes nigga
Doing my shows nigga
And listening to you niggas say this bitch is cold nigga
I'm out of control nigga
I can't be stopped bitch
I made it through the years with out gettin popped or killed
I said I'm out of control nigga, I can't be stopped bitch
I made it through the years with out gettin' popped or killed

(Hook)

Overall Meaning

In Yo Gotti's song Hard To Believe, he reflects on his past and the challenges he faced. The hook repeats the phrase "It's hard to believe," emphasizing how unlikely it is that he made it through the difficult years of his life without being killed or incarcerated. Yo Gotti touches on the choices he made, acknowledging the difficulty of the cards he was dealt but also acknowledging that he chose to live a life of crime. He describes the dangers of his environment, with jealous individuals constantly threatening his life, and the pain of watching his friends and loved ones die. However, despite all these hardships, he is still here and grateful to be alive.

The other two verses in the song are contributed by Denaro and V-Dog, who both similarly reflect on the difficulties they have experienced in life. Denaro describes seeing too much tragedy and violence from a young age, being exposed to dangerous situations in the streets, and losing loved ones. He also takes pride in being a "real" person who has managed to stay true to his values despite everything he has faced. V-Dog similarly celebrates surviving despite the odds, highlighting how unexpected it is that he made it through his experiences. His verse emphasizes his own sense of control and determination, as he refuses to be stopped or held back by anyone.

Overall, Hard To Believe is a song that reflects on the struggles that Yo Gotti and other artists have faced in their pasts. It acknowledges the difficulties and challenges of growing up in an environment with violence and crime, but also highlights the resilience and determination of those who manage to survive and thrive despite everything.

Line by Line Meaning

It's hard to believe
Acknowledging the difficulty to comprehend the success achieved despite the difficult circumstances faced

I made it through the years
Celebrating the fact of having survived the challenges faced over the years

I guess that I'm blessed
Recognizing the good fortune received to have made it thus far

Cause I didn't get popped (or I didn't get killed)
Highlighting the significance of having avoided untimely death despite the risks involved

It's hard to except
Acknowledging the difficulty to come to terms with one's situation

The cards I was dealt
Referring to the circumstances that one has to deal with, which are often beyond personal control

The life that I chose
Accepting responsibility for the decisions made that have led to the current situation

A life full of crime
Referring to the criminal activities that one has been involved in

A bag full of dimes
Referring to the drugs or illegal substances that one has been dealing with

A hood full of jealous ass niggas wanting mine
Highlighting the competition and envious attitudes of others in the same situation

But now I lay me down to sleep
Expressing gratitude for having made it through the day and being able to rest

I pray the lord my soul to keep
Asking for protection and guidance from a higher power

And if I die before i wake,
Acknowledging the possibility of death and seeking reassurance for the afterlife

I pray the Lord my soul to take
Seeking spiritual support in the case of one's demise

I seen it, all this ana fall, never thought I'd make it out
Reflecting on the challenges faced and expressing surprise and gratitude for having overcome them

Broad-daylight, I seen my homeboy get takin' out
Recalling a traumatic experience of seeing someone close to them being killed

They shot at me
Acknowledging the physical danger and the possibility of being killed in the line of fire

They got at me
Recalling the experience of being engaged in violence

Never could they get at me
Boasting of having escaped harm and outwitting those who seek to harm them

I gotta thank the Lord from shielding me from all my enemies
Expressing gratitude and giving credit to a higher power for overcoming obstacles and defeating enemies

Ran mo' blocks than fugitives
Referring to the extent of their involvement in criminal activities and outrunning the police

Sold mo' dope than Cubians
Boasting of their greater success in drug dealing than other notorious drug dealers

Kept my mind on dollar signs and never was abusing them
Emphasizing the focus on making money and avoiding using the profits for personal vices

I think I got the feeling jone
Expressing a sense of confidence and satisfaction with one's success

I'm seeing millions jone
Referring to the aim of achieving massive financial wealth

Come into my residence
Expressing the hope of being able to enjoy the fruits of their success

But that's irrelevant
Acknowledging that the focus on achieving wealth should not be the sole purpose of life

2000 was on jone
Referring to the past year and the optimism at the time for future success

2000 is gone jone
A recognition of the passage of time and the need to continue striving for success

2000 and 1 is here, I'm still droppin' songs jone
Acknowledging the continued pursuit of success and the commitment to producing music despite adversity

Don't shit exist in this galaxy, that's like Denaro
Boasting of being unique and unparalleled in their abilities and experiences

Ain't facin' shit, but tragedy from out of my baro
Acknowledging the hardships faced and the inevitability of adversity in their life

Witnessed too much shit at a age like mine
Reflecting on the traumatic experiences faced at a young age

Beef off in the streets got me on stages wit nines
Having to carry a firearm for protection in the violent streets and clubs

My nig Gotti get the mic, and yo I'm watchin' the crowd
Acknowledging the skill and command of Yo Gotti in the music industry

I see a nigga start to reachin' and let that heater go pow
Recalling a violent incident where a gun was fired in self-defense

Took too many losses, felt sad feelings out here
Acknowledging the pain and sadness that comes from losing friends and family members in violent circumstances

My nig lost his mom and dad, I lost my lil' one this year
Sharing their own experiences of personal loss and acknowledging the impact it has had on their life

We be exposed to a lot of shit our eyes shouldn't see
Reflecting on the negative and traumatic experiences faced in the streets and criminal life

But I'm composed of a lot of shit y'all niggas couldn't be
Boasting of a strong character and resilience in the face of adversity

Cause I'm a real nigga, meaning I'm limited dog
Asserting that their authenticity and genuineness limits them from engaging in fake or phony behavior

Fake shit done played out like SEGA Genesis dog
Acknowledging that artificiality and inauthenticity are no longer in style or trendy

They used to call me Ghost, cause I had a nigga that spook
Referring to a past incident where their actions led to another person being scared or intimidated

Just a young nigga, strapped up and ready to shoot
Acknowledging the readiness and willingness to engage in violence for self-defense or in the line of duty

I played it smart this year
Recalling a period of smart and calculated decisions that led to success

Life was hard this year
Acknowledging the difficulties and challenges faced in the past year

I kept my lawyer fully paid and beat my charge this year, nigga
Celebrating the legal victory achieved by having a good defense lawyer and not getting convicted of any crime

It's hard to believe I made it nigga, but I made it nigga, yeah I'm here
Reiterating that the success achieved is almost unbelievable but it has actually happened

You thought that I wouldn't make it nigga, but tell me who you hear
Questioning the critics and doubters who may have thought that they would fail

It wouldn't my time to go, so I ain't gone nowhere
Acknowledging that they still have a lot to achieve and prove before their time comes

I'm still bumpin, keepin' you jumpin, while I'm smokin' my square
Celebrating their continued relevance and popularity in the music industry while enjoying their smoking habit

I be V slash D uh O G nigga, I'm just like a nigga, holdin' my pants when I pose nigga
Identifying themselves as a Dogg and expressing their likeness to other thugs who hold their pants when posing

Still fuckin' hoes nigga
Celebrating their sexual conquests and promiscuity

Doing my shows nigga
Acknowledging and boasting of their successful career as a performer

And listening to you niggas say this bitch is cold nigga
Reflecting on the critics and doubters who may have dissed their music or talent

I'm out of control nigga
Acknowledging their wild and unpredictable behavior and attitude

I can't be stopped bitch
Asserting their prowess and invincibility despite any external factors that may impede them

I made it through the years with out gettin popped or killed
Reiterating the importance of having survived and avoided untimely death despite the adversities faced

Contributed by Samuel P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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