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 Know
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know I know I know (What you know Quan?)
You ain't that nigga you say you is (Well how you know though?)
Just know that I know I know I know (Okay!)
Them streets, they fuck with me strong
And them bitches gon fuck just because money long
You know that I know I know I know
Well you know that I know it I know it I know
You a fuck nigga and it ain't a secret
I'm so official they can referee it (they know I am)
Black gun, white work, I got jungle fever
28 on the scale, all I drop is ether (Rich Homie)
Get money, break bread, gotta feed your people
Every day like thanksgiving, everybody eating
I put work in the hood, let my homies grind
I do what I do to see my niggas shine
I know what I know and man that's all I know
I take 63 girls and try to make a four
That's a couple ounces if I get it right
Wanna see my homies rich cuz nigga this the life
I know
I know I know I know
I know I know I know (What you know Quan?)
You ain't that nigga you say you is (Well how you know though?)
Just know that I know I know I know (Okay!)
Them streets, they fuck with me strong
And them bitches gon fuck just because money long
You know that I know I know I know
Well you know that I know it I know it I know
I know that you ain't that nigga you claim to be
Despite how much money I make this shit ain't changing me
I know I know I know a lot of these niggas, they lame to me
I'm blown, I smoke what I rolled The same nigga that I came in with (Rich Homie baby)
I'm on the west coast in a low rider
4 bitches tryna leave with me
Ain't enough room and I don't know yall
I'm high as fuck, you a low pie
I got a pharmacy ho for them narcotics
Put a potato on it make it shoot silent
Fuck wrong with you? you profiling
I done made a million and I didn't go to college (Fuck you mean)
And all my niggas locked for some work, best believe he goin silent
He don't know nobody, can't trust nobody but yo self
So believe me when I tell you that I know about it
When I asked yo ho about it she said me and Yo Gotti
The realest niggas left and I told that bitch
I know I know I know
I know I know I know (What you know Quan?)
You ain't that nigga you say you is (Well how you know though?)
Just know that I know I know I know (Okay!)
Them streets, they fuck with me strong
And them bitches gon fuck just because money long
You know that I know I know I know
Well you know that I know it I know it I know
I wanna see my homies rich forever
I know some secrets, I'll never tell em
I got some birds but I'd never mail em
You in love with Instagram hoes and you ain't never met em
Pocket full of money, boy I know the feeling
I know that niggas hatin' that's why I lost the civic
And the drophead , of the 71 cutlass on 8's
And my wife beater on, with my hat to the back started from the bottom like Drake
But I'm with the same old niggas that I started with
Same young niggas I was robbing with
And if these niggas have a problem with
Got them automatic pistols no revolver shit (Bang!)
And I know niggas sell they soul, go against they guy
Fuck niggas, playin like they real, living in disguise
Homie what you know?
I know I know I know
I know I know I know (What you know Quan?)
You ain't that nigga you say you is (Well how you know though?)
Just know that I know I know I know (Okay!)
Them streets, they fuck with me strong
And them bitches gon fuck just because money long
You know that I know I know I know
Well you know that I know it I know it I know
The lyrics of Yo Gotti's song "I Know" display his confidence and unshakeable knowledge of his surroundings. He asserts that he knows the truth about people who try to deceive him and claims that the streets are loyal to him because of his genuine character. Gotti talks about the wealth that he has been able to accumulate and the importance of sharing it with his crew. He has had to deal with people who have been dishonest with him in the past, but he has learned to trust only himself. The song is a lesson in perseverance and staying focused on achieving success even when faced with obstacles and fake people.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I know" to emphasize Yo Gotti's conviction in his thoughts and experiences. He raps about how he's the real deal and can't be easily fooled by people who claim to be someone they're not. The line "them streets, they fuck with me strong" highlights his clout among the people and his ability to navigate through difficult situations. The lyrics also mention his penchant for making money and creating an environment in which his colleagues can thrive and achieve success. Gotti is a veteran in the rap scene, and the song serves as an ode to his journey to the top.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I know I know
I am very sure of what I know
You ain't that nigga you say you is
You are not as real as you claim to be
Just know that I know I know I know
I am confident in my knowledge
Them streets, they fuck with me strong
I have respect in the streets
And them bitches gon fuck just because money long
Women are attracted to me because of my wealth
You know that I know I know I know
You are aware that I am aware
I'm so official they can referee it
I am very legitimate
28 on the scale, all I drop is ether
I only sell high quality drugs
I know what I know and man that's all I know
I only speak on what I am sure about
I take 63 girls and try to make a four
I try to turn a little into a lot
That's a couple ounces if I get it right
If I do it correctly, it can lead to a lot of profit
And all my niggas locked for some work, best believe he goin silent
If my associates are caught, they will not talk to the police
You in love with Instagram hoes and you ain't never met em
You are obsessed with women on social media who are not genuine
And if these niggas have a problem with, Got them automatic pistols no revolver shit (Bang!)
If anyone wants to start trouble with me, I have guns to protect myself and my circle
And I know niggas sell they soul, go against they guy
I am aware that some people betray their friends for personal gain
Homie what you know?
What do you know about the topic at hand?
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Denzil Delano Foster, Thomas Derrick McElroy, Mario Sentell Giden, Dequantes Devontay Lamar, Jay A King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ughdang2482
Who still listening in 2024!!!!💯💯💯💯
@Monica-cc2bq
😢🎉
@DreyStar
💯
@grandmasternas2494
Aye u know we here 😂😂😂
@JuliaAniston7
2024 Still bumping for real 🔥
💖a u t h e n t i c v i e w s 💖 and Yo Gotti are a match made in heaven, Best song on album
@coreejacobs4780
Quan really had the voice for this music ish
@daredjouillard73
bad promoters and managers bro
@Trillioons
@dared jouillard Just like they did fetty wap dirty too 😢
@tristanzegethm.n7649
Truly
@mercedesstjohn5056
2023 and this still bumping 🎉