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.
Pride to the Side
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My better half, my baby mama
My down bitch, my clan partner
She a bitch when I get mad, my lil' doctor
Put my pride to the side fuck you heard a nigga
I'm fucking Hova feeling like you don't deserve a nigga
How could I leave you shawty? You put in work for niggas
Fed time on the line you hold in work for niggas
I seen them pics inside ya phone and tried to fake it shawty
Yeah you hurt a nigga, heart aching shawty
But you know me just bein me I had to take it shawty
Look you dead in the eyes and said "believe that"
I'm fightin I'm fussin just askin where my keys at
Bitch, where my keys at?
I'm puttin that pride to the side
I'm puttin my pride to the side
This song hurt a nigga eyes
Fuck it, but I just wanna apologize
I'm puttin my pride to the side
I grew up with this nigga he was like my right hand
We sold the packs of cocaine and robbed the weed man
We played the pewee football he was the best achiever
He was the corner back, the running back, and the wide receiver
On some plenty my nigga I loved him like a brother
It was like my mother his mother we shared the same brothers
And I'm getting money, 16 I had a hundred stacks
I heard rumors my nigga been dippin in the pack
Damn, my nigga been dippin in the pack
They say he gone into powder graduated from crack
I wouldn't believe it my nigga what type of shit is that?
Then I seen it myself, had to face the facts
Damn homie, so you really on that shit?
What type of shit is that?
Come on homes, can't be that hard
Can't be that bad my nigga
Damn, I'm puttin my pride to the side
I said I'm puttin my pride to the side
Man these streets done hurt a nigga you feel me?
This song hurt a nigga eyes
Fuck it, and I just wanna apologize
See know what I mean, when you come from that life nigga
A lot of shit you see you don't wanna see
A lot of days you live you don't wanna live you know what I mean?
People change nigga shit happens
That bitch you met know what I mean
She don't be the same bitch a million dollars later my nigga
You feel me?
They say money change niggas
Money change niggas around niggas you can believe that
I had to put my pride to the side
I am, I said I am homie, I am
Everything I said I was, pussy
I put my pride to the side
I'm out
In Yo Gotti's song "Pride to the Side," he talks about putting his pride aside in various situations. The first verse refers to his wife or girlfriend, who is also the mother of his child. He acknowledges that she is his soulmate, baby mama, and partner in crime. He also mentions that he sometimes gets angry at her, but she takes care of him like a doctor. Despite their arguments and differences, he knows that she has done a lot for him, including holding it down while he was in jail. Gotti admits that he has made mistakes and crossed the line, but he couldn't leave her because of their bond. He apologizes for his behavior and puts his pride aside by admitting his mistakes and faults.
In the second verse, Gotti talks about his childhood friend who he used to sell drugs with. They were like brothers and shared a lot of memories growing up. However, Gotti hears rumors that his friend has been buying and using cocaine. At first, he doesn't believe it, but he eventually sees it for himself. He confronts his friend, and despite the disappointment and anger, he puts his pride aside to try and help him.
Overall, the song is about putting aside ego and personal grievance to deal with matters that involve the well-being of those we care about. It is a reminder that pride can often prevent us from making the right decisions and taking responsibility for our actions.
Line by Line Meaning
My soulmate, my kid's mother
The person he is romantically committed to and has children with
My better half, my baby mama
His partner who is a significant part of his life and the mother of his child
My down bitch, my clan partner
His close friend and partner in their shared gang activity
She a bitch when I get mad, my lil' doctor
His partner is sometimes difficult to deal with when he is angry but also helps him deal with his emotional issues
Put my pride to the side fuck you heard a nigga
He is willing to humble himself and apologize
I'm fucking Hova feeling like you don't deserve a nigga
He feels like he is on top of the world and his partner does not deserve someone like him
How could I leave you shawty? You put in work for niggas
He acknowledges his partner's loyalty and dedication to him and their shared activities
Fed time on the line you hold in work for niggas
His partner was willing to go to jail to protect their gang activities and was loyal to the end
I crossed the line so many times but I couldn't take it shawty
He acknowledges that he has made mistakes in the relationship but still couldn't bring himself to let go of his partner
I seen them pics inside ya phone and tried to fake it shawty
He discovered some pictures on his partner's phone that upset him and tried to pretend it didn't bother him
Yeah you hurt a nigga, heart aching shawty
His partner has caused him pain and he is struggling with it
But you know me just bein me I had to take it shawty
Despite the pain, he chose to stay with his partner and work through their issues because that's who he is
Look you dead in the eyes and said "believe that"
He made a promise to his partner and wants them to trust him
I'm fightin I'm fussin just askin where my keys at
He is having an argument with his partner and is upset
Bitch, where my keys at?
He is being aggressive and confrontational with his partner
I'm puttin that pride to the side
He is humbling himself and being vulnerable
I'm puttin my pride to the side
He is emphasizing how important it is to let go of pride in relationships
This song hurt a nigga eyes
The song is emotional and hits close to home for him
Fuck it, but I just wanna apologize
He is willing to admit when he is wrong and apologize
I grew up with this nigga he was like my right hand
He has a close relationship with the person he is talking about
We sold the packs of cocaine and robbed the weed man
They were involved in illegal activities together and were partners in crime
We played the pewee football he was the best achiever
They were also friends growing up and played football together
He was the corner back, the running back, and the wide receiver
His friend was very talented on the football field and could play multiple positions
On some plenty my nigga I loved him like a brother
He had a close bond and deep love for his friend, almost like a family member
It was like my mother his mother we shared the same brothers
Their families were very close and they considered each other brothers
And I'm getting money, 16 I had a hundred stacks
He became successful in illegal activities at a young age and had a lot of money at 16
I heard rumors my nigga been dippin in the pack
He heard that his friend had been stealing from their illegal activities
Damn, my nigga been dippin in the pack
He is disappointed and upset to learn that his friend was stealing from him
They say he gone into powder graduated from crack
His friend has moved on from their previous illegal activities and is now addicted to drugs
I wouldn't believe it my nigga what type of shit is that?
He is in disbelief that his friend has turned to drugs and has betrayed him
Then I seen it myself, had to face the facts
He had to confront the reality of his friend's drug addiction and stealing from him
See know what I mean, when you come from that life nigga
He understands the hardships of growing up in a rough environment
A lot of shit you see you don't wanna see
Growing up in a rough environment exposes you to things that you would rather not see
A lot of days you live you don't wanna live you know what I mean?
Living in tough circumstances can be emotionally draining and take a toll on you
People change nigga shit happens
People's actions and behaviors can change due to various circumstances
That bitch you met know what I mean
He is referring to his partner and how people can change over time
She don't be the same bitch a million dollars later my nigga
He is acknowledging that money can change people and their attitudes
They say money change niggas
Money can influence people and cause them to act differently
Money change niggas around niggas you can believe that
Money can change the way people behave around their friends and associates
I had to put my pride to the side
He is emphasizing how making amends requires humility and vulnerability
I am, I said I am homie, I am
He is affirming who he is and how he wants to handle the situation
Everything I said I was, pussy
He is acknowledging that he hasn't always lived up to his word
I put my pride to the side
He is making a conscious decision to be humble and put his pride aside
I'm out
He is saying goodbye or ending the conversation
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT DANIELS, MARIO MIMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind