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.
Look In the Mirror
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hustle game incredible, ice game amazin'
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror
Mirror like a chandelier, look in the mirror, mirror
Ice super clear, clear, you lookin' in the mirror, mirror
Who you here to see when you look in the mirror
I'm on fire, whole 'hood blazin'
Hustle game incredible, Ice game amazin'
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror
6 in the mornin' my alarm goes off
Dope come out the pot, then stove goes off
Knock, knock on the door I'm standin' ho on soft
Nigga try to rob me get his nose blowed off
Am I a real nigga? Point-blank peer
If you a pussy-nigga, you need pants for your peer
Damn right I'm gettin' money, half a million on the chair
It's goin' next in me if you don't think a nigga ser'
My whole house glass, look in that reflection
I'm cocaine crazy, got a all white section
All my niggas Mafia, I never even heard a ya
Quarter brick, half a brick, my young niggas will murder ya, murder ya
I'm on fire, whole 'hood blazin'
Hustle game incredible, ice game amazin'
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror
Mirror like a chandelier, look in the mirror, mirror
Ice super clear, clear, you lookin' in the mirror, mirror
Who you here to see when you look in the mirror
If you a real nigga, you lookin' in the mirror, mirror
Wake up in the morning and I wash my face
Brush my teeth and put my gun on my waist
Louis belt: check, Louis shoes: check
Car on my wrist and a house on my neck
Last I remember I was standin' on Garland
Barin' kin for the hundred, I done reach Crescent Projects
Drop B-team material on 106th and Park
And no mistake, Gucci dead fresh on the regardless
I represent the Dope Boyz, I can't say it any clearer
You lookin' at me when you lookin' in the mirror
I motivate the trap, give the 'hood niggas hope
'Cause I became a millionaire and now I'm sellin' dope
I'm on fire, whole 'hood blazin'
Hustle game incredible, ice game amazin'
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror
Mirror like a chandelier, look in the mirror, mirror
Ice super clear, clear, you lookin' in the mirror, mirror
Who you here to see when you look in the mirror
If you a real nigga, you lookin' in the mirror, mirror
Pulled a nine from the kitchen, it's the Pyrex King
Straight from Northern Memphis to your T.V. screen
Couple foreign cars, all white everything
Keep a cool hundred grand in my Levi jeans
White and red colors, same color as a Smirnoff
One ticket, two ticket, I could take a year off
Got my money up, think I'm movin' where the beach is
Most dollar 'hood and famous, where the fuck is Robin Leach at?
I'm on fire, whole 'hood blazin'
Hustle game incredible, ice game amazin'
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror
Mirror like a chandelier, look in the mirror, mirror
Ice super clear, clear, you lookin' in the mirror, mirror
Who you here to see when you look in the mirror
If you a real nigga, you lookin' in the mirror, mirror
The song "Look in the Mirror" by Yo Gotti feat. Wale, J. Cole, and Wiz Khalifa is a song about self-reflection, success, and the hustle. The first verse talks about the artist's fire and hustle game being incredible, while the mirror represents his success and the reflection of himself. He boasts about his ice game being amazing, but it's not just about material things. The mirror is a symbol of his reflection, and he continuously repeats "look in the mirror." The second verse talks about waking up in the morning, and before even putting on clothes or shoes, he puts his gun on his waist. He has become a millionaire by selling dope and motivating the streets. The end of the song references money and success, saying that he has his money up and is thinking of moving to the beach.
Overall, the song is a powerful message about the importance of self-reflection, hard work, and success. It talks about the hustle and grind of the streets, and how it leads to success.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on fire, whole 'hood blazin'
My success and influence is spreading throughout my community and beyond
Hustle game incredible, ice game amazin'
My business acumen and my jewelry collection are both impressive
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror, look in the mirror
The act of self-reflection and introspection is crucial to success
Mirror like a chandelier, look in the mirror, mirror
My mirror is as flashy and extravagant as a chandelier
Ice super clear, clear, you lookin' in the mirror, mirror
My jewelry is of the highest quality and reflects clearly in the mirror
Who you here to see when you look in the mirror
When you take time to reflect on yourself in the mirror, who are you trying to see?
If you a real nigga, you lookin' in the mirror, mirror
A true man is self-aware and introspective
6 in the mornin' my alarm goes off
I start my day early and productive
Dope come out the pot, then stove goes off
I am heavily involved in the drug trade and am always busy with it
Knock, knock on the door I'm standin' ho on soft
I am always on guard and prepared for anything, even when I am caught off guard
Am I a real nigga? Point-blank peer
Am I truly self-aware and reflective or am I just pretending?
If you a pussy-nigga, you need pants for your peer
If you lack self-awareness and are afraid to be introspective, you're not a true man
Damn right I'm gettin' money, half a million on the chair
I am making a lot of money and my success is tangible
It's goin' next in me if you don't think a nigga ser'
If you doubt my sincerity, you don't know me well enough
My whole house glass, look in that reflection
My entire house is reflective, showcasing my wealth and success
I'm cocaine crazy, got a all white section
My addiction to cocaine is intense and my jewelry collection is all-white
All my niggas Mafia, I never even heard a ya
My crew is tight-knit and secretive, we don't associate with outsiders
Quarter brick, half a brick, my young niggas will murder ya, murder ya
My associates are capable of intense violence and will do what it takes to protect our business
Wake up in the morning and I wash my face
I start my day with a fresh outlook and hygiene routine
Brush my teeth and put my gun on my waist
I always carry a weapon for protection
Louis belt: check, Louis shoes: check
I am always dressed in high-end fashion brand clothing
Car on my wrist and a house on my neck
My jewelry collection is so vast and impressive it symbolizes an entire house and car
Last I remember I was standin' on Garland
My success has taken me far from my humble beginnings on Garland Street
Barin' kin for the hundred, I done reach Crescent Projects
My business has taken me to the Crescent Projects where I am able to barter and trade for profit
Drop B-team material on 106th and Park
I showcase my impressive jewelry collection on a popular TV show
And no mistake, Gucci dead fresh on the regardless
My Gucci clothing and accessories are always fresh and stylish
I represent the Dope Boyz, I can't say it any clearer
I am a leader and representative of the drug dealing community and take pride in that identity
You lookin' at me when you lookin' in the mirror
When you reflect on yourself, you should aspire to see qualities that I possess
I motivate the trap, give the 'hood niggas hope
Through my success, I inspire others in my community to achieve their own goals
'Cause I became a millionaire and now I'm sellin' dope
Even though I have achieved financial success, I am still involved in the drug trade
Pulled a nine from the kitchen, it's the Pyrex King
I always have a weapon on hand and am confident in my ability to handle myself
Straight from Northern Memphis to your T.V. screen
My success has led to my exposure on national television
Couple foreign cars, all white everything
I own multiple luxury foreign cars and all of my possessions are white
Keep a cool hundred grand in my Levi jeans
I always carry a large amount of cash on me at all times
White and red colors, same color as a Smirnoff
My clothing collection is always a combination of white and red, similar to the colors of a Smirnoff bottle
One ticket, two ticket, I could take a year off
With my wealth and success, I have the ability to take a year off of work without any financial issues
Got my money up, think I'm movin' where the beach is
I have amassed enough wealth to move to a location near the beach
Most dollar 'hood and famous, where the fuck is Robin Leach at?
I am the wealthiest and most famous person in my community and in need of extravagant exposure
Contributed by Natalie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ironwill3020
This is still a banger!! Lil Peanut is doing his thing now in "your honor"!! Keep shining youngin!! 💪🏾
@jthrilla2012
this beat go hard!
@starlettproud4615
Who STILL bumping this in 2019
@tomm7232
even better in 2020
@ashleygeekie4635
Still 🔥 in 2022
@jdot6885
2023 man🎉
@gaylanwright2317
@@jdot6885look in the mirror ❤
@JoeyTV
I remember listening to this in 6th grade. I’m 23 now lol
@PhantomEyceOldPage
Only street people know this track 👻
@seandowney2989
2017
Still a banger