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.
I'm a Thug
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chorus:
Im a gangsta(gangsta)
You a actress(actress)
You be dreamin(dreamin)
I make it happen(make it happen)
I aint a g I aint a crip I aint a blood
I got respect
I came from the streets
If a nigga didnt hustle then a nigga didnt eat homie(homie)
And aint nan nigga took nuttin
Playin with me money
Make ya mami go and book somethin
A fruit of a for that bitch ass nigga
Ole dick in a booty slitch nich ass nigga(look) a couple niggas got fronted
Took to long with me money
Send them youngstas to that dumpin bitch
And i got soljas on my team
That will die for the i to tha e
The feds want me bad because they know i got them killa niggas out tha north
If Gotti get tha word they'll take them niggas off
And kids wanna be just like me
Systems tryna dig cause some shit wan indict me
I sold hella keys made hella cheese
And all my niggas what convicted felonies cuz a
Chorus(x2)
You wanna beef with c'mon lets go get em man
Fuck talkin im tryna be the first one to hit em man
My patience little man
Dont take alot of bullets man
Drop em where the stand with one squeeze u dont understand
This a hard knock of life for niggas
Take a pentatentery chance throwin bricks to prison
And i aint talkin bout no polka
But i watch niggas fold
Fuck them other niggas cuz them other niggas hoes
Them niggas hoes thats the verdict case closed
Aint shit like they say
We da streets we know
7 out of 10 of dem niggas who talkin gangsta need a g replaced with the w cuz they wankstas(aint cha)
And i guess we like the black sheep
We live where we speak
So we neva talk cheap
These niggas vegetarians dont wanna see no beef
When it come they want peace
But me i want a piece cuz
Chorus(x2)
Back in 95
Got a pick da side
With them big guys
They seen it in my eyes
They had a lot of pies
Money to the vibe
I knew no betta but whateva i was down to ride
And neva asked about tha shit dat they owe me
Just did wat they showed me
Or did what they told me
The littlest nigga with tha biggest fuckin
Balls i was down for tha motha fuckin cause
Now i must say today im a rich cred veteran
Shot alot of niggas cuz i sold a lot of medicine
Did a lot of shit that you may think irrelavent
I masked on them rappers cuz they play with my intelligence
They had white when the price was cheapa
They hate the mel row
And now my brothers keepa
Alot of niggas may not think the same
Cuz they lame
They just rap they wasnt in tha game get it
Chorus(x2)
In the song "I'm a Thug," Yo Gotti emphasizes his toughness and street credibility, asserting that his life as a thug is a result of his difficult upbringing and harsh circumstances. He declares that he has earned the respect of those around him because he has risen from the streets and made things happen for himself. Yo Gotti is frank about his association with gang culture, though he doesn't claim a specific gang affiliation. He challenges others who claim to be gangsters, but are, in his eyes, phonies or "wankstas."
Gotti indicates that he's willing to resort to violence to handle his problems, stating that he doesn't have a lot of patience and that he won't hesitate to shoot someone if necessary. He talks about the challenges and risks of dealing drugs and moving between different circles of people, some of whom may not be trustworthy. He insists that his hard-earned respect is not to be trifled with and warns others not to mess with him or his money.
Ultimately, the song is a declaration of Yo Gotti's masculinity and strength, as well as his willingness to employ violence to achieve his goals. The lyrics highlight his rough and tumble persona and evoke a sense of danger and excitement, inviting listeners to experience his world and respect the code of the streets.
Line by Line Meaning
Im a gangsta(gangsta)
I am a member of the gang and I live the life of a gangster
You a actress(actress)
You pretend to be something you are not, like an actor or actress in a movie
You be dreamin(dreamin)
You have unrealistic fantasies and dreams that are unlikely to come true
I make it happen(make it happen)
I have the ability to turn my dreams and goals into reality
I aint a g I aint a crip I aint a blood
I am not affiliated with any specific gang such as the Bloods, Crips or G's
But i be fuckin with them niggas im a thug x2
I associate with gang members and other people from the streets which makes me a thug
I got respect
I am admired and respected by others for my actions and behavior
I came from the streets
I grew up in the rough neighborhoods and areas of the city where gang activity and crime was prevalent
If a nigga didnt hustle then a nigga didnt eat homie(homie)
If someone did not work hard and make money, they did not have anything to eat or survive
And aint nan nigga took nuttin
No one was able to steal or take anything from me
Playin with me money
If someone tries to steal or mess with my money, they will face the consequences
Make ya mami go and book somethin
I will make someone's mother go and book a funeral if they try to mess with me or my money
A fruit of a for that bitch ass nigga
I have no tolerance for someone who acts cowardly or snitches (a fruit is a derogatory term for a snitch)
Ole dick in a booty slitch nich ass nigga(look)
I have no respect for someone who is weak or snitches, and I will humiliate them in front of others
a couple niggas got fronted
I lent some people money upfront
Took to long with me money
They did not return the money they borrowed from me in a timely manner
Send them youngstas to that dumpin bitch
I will send young and inexperienced people to collect my money, and they will become violent and aggressive if necessary
And i got soljas on my team
I have loyal and trustworthy people who are willing to do anything to protect me and my interests
That will die for the i to tha e
My soldiers are willing to risk their lives for me (I to tha E is Yo Gotti's rap name)
The feds want me bad because they know i got them killa niggas out tha north
The federal authorities are trying to catch me because they believe I am involved with deadly gang activity in the north part of the city
If Gotti get tha word they'll take them niggas off
If I give the order, my people will take care of anyone that causes problems or gets in the way
And kids wanna be just like me
Young people admire and look up to me, and want to be like me when they grow up
Systems tryna dig cause some shit wan indict me
The authorities and judicial system are trying to find incriminating evidence that can be used to charge me with a crime
I sold hella keys made hella cheese
I made a lot of money selling drugs (keys) and other illegal activities
And all my niggas what convicted felonies cuz a
My friends and associates have been convicted of serious crimes, similar to myself
You wanna beef with c'mon lets go get em man
If someone wants to start a conflict with me, I am ready to confront them and fight
Fuck talkin im tryna be the first one to hit em man
I do not want to engage in verbal arguments or discussions, I am ready and willing to physically attack my enemies
My patience little man
I do not have a lot of patience, especially for people who wrong me or cause trouble
Dont take alot of bullets man
It does not take a lot of bullets to take someone down and kill them
Drop em where the stand with one squeeze u dont understand
I am capable of killing someone with one shot from my weapon, and my enemies do not understand how dangerous I can be
This a hard knock of life for niggas
Life is extremely difficult and challenging for people like myself who grew up in the streets and have criminal backgrounds
Take a pentatentery chance throwin bricks to prison
If I continue to engage in illegal activities and commit crimes, I risk going to prison for a long time
And i aint talkin bout no polka
I am not talking about something trivial or insignificant, this is a serious matter
But i watch niggas fold
I have seen many other people break under pressure and fail in their criminal endeavors
Fuck them other niggas cuz them other niggas hoes
I do not respect or care about other people who are not in my inner circle, especially those who are weak or cowardly
Them niggas hoes thats the verdict case closed
I have made a final judgment about those people and decided they are not worth my time or attention
Aint shit like they say
People often exaggerate or lie about their criminal activities, but I am the real deal
We da streets we know
The people who grew up in the streets and came from similar backgrounds as myself, know the truth and what really happens in this lifestyle
7 out of 10 of dem niggas who talkin gangsta need a g replaced with the w cuz they wankstas(aint cha)
Most of the people who act tough and talk about being gangsters are actually wankstas or fake gangsters, and are not affiliated with any real gang (G replaced with W)
And i guess we like the black sheep
We are the outcasts and misfits of society, but we embrace that and take pride in being different
We live where we speak
We are authentic and true to ourselves, and we do not hide or pretend to be someone we are not
So we neva talk cheap
We do not waste time or talk about things that do not matter, we only focus on the important issues and goals
These niggas vegetarians dont wanna see no beef
Other people who pretend to be tough are actually vegetarians and do not want to see any real conflict or violence
When it come they want peace
When confronted with a real challenge, these fake gangsters want to avoid conflict and find an easy way out
But me i want a piece cuz
I am not afraid of conflict or violence, and I will do whatever it takes to protect myself and my interests
Back in 95
In the year 1995
Got a pick da side
I had to choose which side to align with in the gang world
With them big guys
I chose to work with the most powerful and influential people in the gang
They seen it in my eyes
The gang leaders saw that I was determined and committed to the gang life
They had a lot of pies
The gang was involved in many criminal activities and had a lot of money and power
Money to the vibe
Money was the most important thing to the gang, and they were constantly focused on making more money
I knew no betta but whateva i was down to ride
I did not know any better about life and my options, so I was willing to do anything and take risks for the gang
And neva asked about tha shit dat they owe me
I never asked for the money or profits that I was owed by the gang leaders
Just did wat they showed me
I followed the instructions and orders of the gang leaders without question
Or did what they told me
I obeyed the rules and expectations of the gang, even if they were dangerous or harmful
The littlest nigga with tha biggest fuckin
I may have been small or young at the time, but I had a lot of courage and tenacity to succeed in the gang world
Balls i was down for tha motha fuckin cause
I was willing to do anything and sacrifice everything for the gang and its mission
Now i must say today im a rich cred veteran
Today, I am a successful and wealthy veteran of the gang world
Shot alot of niggas cuz i sold a lot of medicine
I have been involved in many violent conflicts and shootings because I sold drugs and controlled certain territories
Did a lot of shit that you may think irrelavent
I have done many risky and dangerous things that may seem pointless or unimportant to others
I masked on them rappers cuz they play with my intelligence
I have hidden my true intentions and actions from other rappers and musicians who may try to take advantage of me, or think they are smarter than me
They had white when the price was cheapa
Other people may have had access to cheaper or better drugs, but I know how to control the market and make the most profit
They hate the mel row
My competitors and enemies do not like or respect me or my business
And now my brothers keepa
My loyal and trustworthy associates are now my protectors and support system
Alot of niggas may not think the same
Other people may have different opinions or perspectives about me or my actions
Cuz they lame
They are weak and not able to achieve the same level of success or respect that I have
They just rap they wasnt in tha game get it
Other rappers and musicians may rap about the gang and street life, but they were never really a part of it like I was
Contributed by Lillian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.