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.
Ion Feel 'Em
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gun emoji on they comment, you gon' kill 'em
I don't believe these niggas
I ain't with these niggas
I don't get these niggas
I don't feel 'em
And you got eggs for sale on the 'gram
And you got bricks for sale on the town, God damn
I don't trust these niggas
I don't fuck with these niggas
These buster-ass niggas, I don't feel 'em
I don't feel 'em, I don't feel 'em
I don't feel 'em, I don't feel 'em, I don't feel 'em
You a gangsta on Twitter, I don't feel you
Sendin' threats on the 'gram, they gon' kill you
I just woke up to some Twitter beef
Social gangstas, them niggas tickle me
And my bitch say I'm a deadbeat, on the 'gram
But I burn they head every week
I'm from Memphis, my nigga
Shit different, my nigga
We don't do comments
These young niggas shoot pistols, my nigga
Drug dealin' on the 'gram, you got the eggs for sale
Are you a Microsoft plug, you got threats for sale?
These niggas uploading guns and shit
Can't make bonds and shit
When you gon' post your whole life, how you gon' run?
These niggas ain't thinkin', these niggas foolish
And me, I'm just coolin'
Kickin' back, like who they think that they foolin'?
These niggas ain't G, these niggas ain't me
These bitches really ain't bad, like they on I-G
In person, might think it's a whole 'nother person
Nigga livin' through my verses
Bitches fuckin' just for purses; is it worth it?
But who am I?
I will never live a lie, I won't even try
Nigga quick to post some shit that they can't even buy
Nigga quick to write some shit that they won't even try
Gun emoji, bang-bang; pussy, you a lie
Never shot nothin', never watched nothin' die
How you gon' hash-tag squad, when you ain't ever ride?
Log on, log off; yeah, run and hide
And be on that same tough shit when I'm lookin' in your eyes
Pussy
Got beef with a nigga on Twitter, you a hitter
Gun emoji on they comment', you gon' kill 'em
I don't believe these niggas
I ain't with these niggas
I don't get these niggas
I don't feel 'em
Took a trip out the city, bein' escorted by [?]
Just had come back from out the row, but I got caught in the district
Paper-thin, gettin' skinny; class-2 and a felony
What if I get convicted, who gon' take care of my children?
Prayin' harder than ever, know I oughta do better
I be talkin' to God, while I walk with the Devil
Sell the carpenter skills
Work in horrible weather
Can hold a hammer and nail, pistol and an umbrella
The clip [?] I'mma [?]
Get too close, I'mma scalp him
Jump up out the Benz, [???]
What that is, a Beretta?
[??] Sylvester
Ain't no shinin' when I'm grindin'
On my mind is whatever
Mike Brown murder only talked about for a week
They say Gates what's your take? We just wanna hear you speak
Where I'm from, it's cold-hearted every day in the streets
Stood on avenues with [?]
They won't work, I'mma flood
Even when it's hot, I thug
Make 'em work for the boss
(Got it like what if I go to jail?)
They gon' work for a boss, fuck
Ion Feel 'Em by Yo Gotti is a song that addresses the inauthenticity and lack of credibility of many individuals who claim to be gangsters on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. In the first verse, he talks about those who threaten people's lives on social media, but don't take any real action. He also mentions those who pretend to have expensive lifestyles but in reality, they sell drugs to make ends meet. The chorus echoes his sentiments of not trusting these social media gangsters.
In the second verse of the song, Yo Gotti talks about his struggles with being a successful rapper and balancing it with his life as a father. He reflects on his past mistakes and expresses his fears of being a convicted felon and having to potentially leave his children behind. He talks about his reliance on God and the constant battle between good and evil that he faces in his life.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the phoniness of social media and how people can easily portray a fake image. This theme is further emphasized in the music video, which shows Yo Gotti scrolling through social media while seeing people live lavish lifestyles when, in reality, they live in a ghetto. The song is a reminder that one's social media presence does not always reflect who they are in real life.
Line by Line Meaning
Got beef with a nigga on Twitter, you a hitter
If you're fighting with someone online, claiming you're a hitman, you're not to be trusted.
Gun emoji on they comment, you gon' kill 'em
Posting gun emojis and threats is not a real-life representation of your character.
I don't believe these niggas
I find it difficult to trust people.
I ain't with these niggas
I don't hang around with people I don't trust.
I don't get these niggas
I don't understand the motives and actions of some people.
Took a picture from the Lamb
You're trying to sell yourself as wealthy on social media, by taking pictures of expensive things.
And you got bricks for sale on the town, God damn
You're trying to look like a drug dealer on Instagram.
I don't trust these niggas
I'm skeptical of the character and intentions of some people.
I don't fuck with these niggas
I don't hang around or associate myself with these people.
These buster-ass niggas, I don't feel 'em
These untrustworthy individuals don't inspire a positive reaction within me.
You a gangsta on Twitter, I don't feel you
If you claim to be a gangster online, it doesn't make me believe you're actually tough.
Sendin' threats on the 'gram, they gon' kill you
Making threats on social media only highlights your cowardice.
Social gangstas, them niggas tickle me
People who act tough online and not in real life amuse me.
And my bitch say I'm a deadbeat, on the 'gram
My girlfriend is accusing me of not supporting our family on Instagram.
But I burn they head every week
I am working hard to provide and support my family.
Drug dealin' on the 'gram, you got the eggs for sale
Selling drugs on social media is only going to get you in trouble.
These young niggas shoot pistols, my nigga
Many young people nowadays are quick to resort to violence.
Can't make bonds and shit
These individuals can't form meaningful connections with others.
When you gon' post your whole life, how you gon' run?
If you post your entire life on social media, you can't hide or escape from your problems.
Kickin' back, like who they think that they foolin'?
I'm relaxed and unconcerned about the people trying to deceive others.
These niggas ain't G, these niggas ain't me
These people don't have the same authenticity and strength of character I have.
Bitches fuckin' just for purses; is it worth it?
Women engaging in sexual activity for material possessions is not worth the trade-off.
But who am I?
I am not anyone special or superior.
I will never live a lie, I won't even try
I refuse to be fake, dishonest or insincere for anyone or any reason.
Nigga quick to post some shit that they can't even buy
People are too eager to show off and flaunt things they can't even afford.
Gun emoji, bang-bang; pussy, you a lie
Posting gun emojis or threatening messages online does not actually make you a real aggressor.
Never shot nothin', never watched nothin' die
Making threats online doesn't mean you have ever taken a life.
How you gon' hash-tag squad, when you ain't ever ride?
Claiming to be part of a collective, when you've never been involved in any group activity, is meaningless.
Log on, log off; yeah, run and hide
People who talk tough online, don't usually have the same energy in person.
And be on that same tough shit when I'm lookin' in your eyes
You should be just as tough and honest as you were online when meeting people face to face.
Paper-thin, gettin' skinny; class-2 and a felony
My reputation and resources are declining due to a criminal charge.
What if I get convicted, who gon' take care of my children?
I'm worried about my family and dependents if I am found guilty of a crime.
Prayin' harder than ever, know I oughta do better
I'm praying for guidance and strength to improve my situation.
I be talkin' to God, while I walk with the Devil
I am struggling with temptation and trying to find a balance between what is right and wrong.
Can hold a hammer and nail, pistol and an umbrella
I am skilled in various crafts and activities.
The clip [?] I'mma [?]
I am always prepared with my weapon.
Jump up out the Benz, [???]
I am quick to react and assert myself in any situation.
What that is, a Beretta?
I am inquisitive and proactive in identifying objects or potential threats.
Ain't no shinin' when I'm grindin'
There's no glamour in the real work and hustle.
On my mind is whatever
I'm thinking about anything and everything that's pressing me.
Mike Brown murder only talked about for a week
The news cycle is quick to move on from important events, leaving me disheartened.
Where I'm from, it's cold-hearted every day in the streets
Life in my hometown can be brutal and unsympathetic.
Stood on avenues with [?]
I spent a lot of time on the streets, hustling to survive.
They won't work, I'mma flood
If people won't provide for themselves, I will take over their territory.
Even when it's hot, I thug
In difficult or dangerous situations, I maintain my composure and strength.
Make 'em work for the boss
I am a respected leader and others must follow my directives.
They gon' work for a boss, fuck
If people won't work together, then they will ultimately fail.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kevin Gilyard, Mario Mims
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ctay
One of the hardest mixtapes till this day
MrThebigchief91
Probably one of the realest tracks ever with two of the best artist out. Y'all need to drop a lil mixtape #Gotti&#Gates
No name
It sound like Kevin gates ass just woke up n went straight to the studio ๐
Santana Wicker
Still my shit HERE IN 2022
Matthew Gonzales
2022 and I still donโt feel em!!
Torrey Mabone
Still my shit ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Don Yates
Man this like my top 5 favorite songs fr this had so much facts in it ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฅ
PuppyKartel kennels
Still bumpin
SH EM
Ft tho
The_Cherokee Gypsy
Me too