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.
Never Changed
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never changed, I never
Sun and the rain, nigga I never changed
We talkin' change, chains, or change nigga whats up
I never changed
I know about all three
With the money and the fame, through the sun and the rain
They tell me that it's all a game
Can't (?) my face, young nigga its still the same
I never changed, I never, I never changed
I never changed, I never changed, I never changed
I seen OGs turned to haters
Lost respect I had for 'em off of paper
If money change niggas, why I still 100?
I ain't runnin' from no problem, if you want it run it
Dr. Dre beats, street shits in my headphones
Nigga if you a rat you dead wrong
And your momma should be ashamed of the ground you walk on
The phone tap, watch the devices you talk on
Ride foreign, think about the times I walked home
We talkin' change on change
Cause I been gettin' money, I got this shit out the game
Six figure nigga sit in, bricks for the fit in
Money under the soul of the joints, crackin' my jizz-eans
Born hustle, genetic, yea shit in my gizz-enes
With these eyes here, you can only imagine what I've seen
Baby momma turned enemy, home boy befriending me
Own cousin (?) on me full of that Hennessy, damn
With the money and the fame, through the sun and the rain
Nigga I never changed
They tell me that it's all a game
Can't (?) my face, young nigga its still the same
I never changed, I never, I never changed
I never changed, I never changed, I never changed
I still wake up with them cold sweats
Real street nigga, did more and spoke less
Oh yea, pull up, haters looking so stressed
I get money, don't boast and don't flex
Been there and done that, streets I come from that
Been gone for a minute nigga, don't call it a comeback
A lot of niggas doubted me, hated and had it out for me
Grandpa would be proud of me, pray to God for my balcony
Fuck all the competitors you characters ain't scarin' us
I see you plottin' homeboy but I'm way ahead of ya
I got my cheddar up, haters don't know how to take it
Well I don't know how to fake it, sick like fuckin' doctor patients
Used to clock out the vacant, stash the Glock by the basement
Still get them pounds in, I need to watch what I be sayin'
Cause niggas snitchin', pointin' fingers it was them
Officer the only pounds I move are in the gym
You feel me?
With the money and the fame, through the sun and the rain
Nigga I never changed
They tell me that it's all a game
Can't (?) my face, young nigga its still the same
I never changed, I never, I never changed
I never changed, I never changed, I never changed
The song "Never Changed" by Yo Gotti is a testament to the rapper's dedication to stay true to himself and his roots through all of life's ups and downs. The lyrics in the chorus state, "Never changed, I never changed, I never changed," which reinforces this idea of being genuine and authentic despite gaining success and fame. The verse delves into more specific examples of how he has remained true to himself, such as not letting money change him and not backing down from problems.
He also mentions seeing OGs (Original Gangsters) turn into haters, which could be a reference to how some people change when they become successful and forget where they came from. But Yo Gotti never loses sight of who he is and where he comes from, as he mentions in the line, "I still wake up with them cold sweats, real street n***a, did more and spoke less."
The repeated line, "Can't (?) my face, young n***a, it's still the same" could be interpreted as Yo Gotti saying that even though he may have gained wealth and fame, he has not lost the essence of who he is as a person. The question mark in between "can't" and "my face" may be a reference to the fact that people may try to change or manipulate him, but despite their attempts, his true personality will always shine through.
Overall, "Never Changed" is a celebration of Yo Gotti's authenticity and a declaration that he will always stay true to himself, no matter what happens in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Never changed, I never changed
I have stayed true and authentic to myself
Sun and the rain, nigga I never changed
I have remained consistent through good times and bad times
We talkin' change, chains, or change nigga whats up
Are we discussing personal growth, material possessions, or money?
I know about all three
I have experienced and understand all of those topics
They tell me that it's all a game
People say that success in the music industry is just a game
Can't (?) my face, young nigga its still the same
Money and fame haven't changed my appearance or personality
I seen OGs turned to haters
I have witnessed older, respected individuals become jealous and resentful
Lost respect I had for 'em off of paper
My opinion of them changed based on their actions, especially when it comes to money
If money change niggas, why I still 100?
If wealth changes people, why haven't I changed?
I ain't runnin' from no problem, if you want it run it
I'm not afraid of confrontation or conflict
Dr. Dre beats, street shits in my headphones
I listen to a mix of commercial and raw, authentic music
Nigga if you a rat you dead wrong
I have no respect for snitches or traitors
And your momma should be ashamed of the ground you walk on
Even your own mother should be disappointed in your actions
The phone tap, watch the devices you talk on
Beware of surveillance and be cautious of what devices you use to communicate
Ride foreign, think about the times I walked home
I appreciate my success and remember my humble beginnings
Six figure nigga sit in, bricks for the fit in
I'm a successful, wealthy individual and I carry bricks of money on me
Money under the soul of the joints, crackin' my jizz-eans
I hide money in the soles of my shoes, causing my jeans to bulge
Born hustle, genetic, yea shit in my gizz-enes
Hustling is a part of my DNA and has been passed down through my family
With these eyes here, you can only imagine what I've seen
I have witnessed and experienced things that most people couldn't even imagine
Baby momma turned enemy, home boy befriending me
My former girlfriend has become hostile towards me and a close friend has betrayed me
Own cousin (?) on me full of that Hennessy, damn
Even my own family members have turned against me, under the influence of alcohol
I still wake up with them cold sweats
I still experience anxiety and fear, despite my success
Real street nigga, did more and spoke less
I take action instead of just talking about it
Oh yea, pull up, haters looking so stressed
I intimidate my enemies and make them uncomfortable
I get money, don't boast and don't flex
I'm wealthy but humble and don't show off my success
Been there and done that, streets I come from that
I have experienced the struggles of poverty and street life
A lot of niggas doubted me, hated and had it out for me
Many people didn't believe in me or actively disliked me
Grandpa would be proud of me, pray to God for my balcony
My grandfather would be proud of my success and I am blessed and grateful
Fuck all the competitors you characters ain't scarin' us
I'm not intimidated by my competition, they are not a real threat
I see you plottin' homeboy but I'm way ahead of ya
I'm aware of my enemies' plans and have already taken action to protect myself
I got my cheddar up, haters don't know how to take it
I'm wealthy and successful but my enemies can't handle or accept it
Well I don't know how to fake it, sick like fuckin' doctor patients
I'm genuine and authentic, I can't pretend to be someone I'm not
Used to clock out the vacant, stash the Glock by the basement
I used to sell drugs on abandoned property and kept a gun hidden in my home's basement
Still get them pounds in, I need to watch what I be sayin'
I still deal drugs and need to be cautious of what I say
Cause niggas snitchin', pointin' fingers it was them
People are snitching and blaming me for their own wrongdoing
Officer the only pounds I move are in the gym
I don't deal drugs anymore, only weights in the gym
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Dickinson, Mario Mims
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@buddyluv2660
Song so underrated should have way more views smh song str8 🔥
@2pistoltaj623
I can’t believe I forgot about this heat take me back to them day when I first jump off the porch. Sweet memories, 2012 - 2015 where the best years
@dominicmolina2414
2020 I still ain’t never changed 💯
@mizz.veetazticwest9531
Never will
@king-ghost1024
This my shit !!
@roncnote9461
People like Bibby and lord have mercy have that hardcore raw flow that rap ain't got no more, thanks!
@roncnote9461
Gotti teach that real past, present, and future hood street life.
@Chris-ih6jv
Hear the pain in bibbys voice in damn near every word he says. One of the few Chicago dudes that actually deserve drake money
@chevysandairmaxes
"I get money don't boast and don't flex".....real shit Bibby
@rodh4272
2020 I still wake up with them 🥶 sweats