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 cityβs underground rap scene before going on to become national superstars. Next up to bat is Yo Gotti, M-Townβs 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 Southβs 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. βBeing from the hood things like hustling will come your way,β says Yo Gotti. βEverybody in my family hustled in some kinda way.β 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 Gottiβs 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 cityβs 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 magazineβs 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. βIt sold about 40 or 50,000, with no promotions or video,β says Yo Gotti. βThat record did what it did on its own.β But as the old saying goes when one door is closed another opened. Gottiβs 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 didnβt do the type of big number heβd hope for youβd 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.
βThe 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. Thatβs why I call my record Back 2 Da Basics.β
Produced by DJ Thoomp, Mannie Fresh, Carlos Brody and newcomers Street Tunes, Back 2 Da Basics offers fans a gritty, insiderβs view into the real streets of Memphis as seen through the eyes of Yo Gotti. Nowhere is this viewpoint more intense than on βFull Time,β the amped up lead single βand featured in the MTV Filmsβ Hustle & Flow movie - with a thunderous bass and intoxicating beat that espouses Gottiβs formula to success βhustle full time.
βA lotta cats wanna be a rapper or a street hustler but they donβt wanna put in the time that it takes,β says Yo Gotti. βThey want the money and the cars and the girls, but they donβt wanna work hard for it. But to be successful at anything you gotta grind for it.β On the song βMama We Gone Be Alright,β 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. βMama We Gone Be Alrightβ along with the gripping tune βMy Storyβ emerges as two of the most interesting songs on Back 2 Da Basics. These three titles along with club banging songs like βShortyβ featuring Baby make Back 2 Da Basics one of the best albums of the year.
Shawty
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Representin' them I&E Blockburners mane
Y'all know what time it is mane
Gotta grind before you shine mane
This not a game mane
[Chorus: x2]
Got white shawty cheap cheap price shawty
I want a bitch that can do the whole click shawty
I'm just a young nigga tryin' to get rich shawty
I'm a pimp shawty plus I'm from the M shawty
And all these other rappers don't mess with them shawty
My life real shawty blood sweat and tears shawty
Through out these years I done told 'em how it is shaawty
No mills rap niggas they be broke shawty
Unless they sold a millon records or some dope shawty
We ridin' sprees and this suckas ridin spinners shawty
Cause we some vets and they some mahfuckin beginners shawty
We got green shawty we got lean shawty
We on the block where its hot serving fiends shawty
We in the club come on show a nigga love shawty
Forget a table dance Gotti wants some skull shawty
[Chorus]
I'm kinda young shawty far from being dumb shawty
You got ya hand out but you can't get a crumb shawty
I'm street made shawty streets how I get paid shawty
Real huslaz hustle a hundred different ways shawty
Stuck in the game shawty motherfuck the fame shawty
Slung every thing from cocaine to Mary Jane shawty
I never quit shawty trying to get rich shawty
If it ain't bout a dollar really it ain't shit shawty
I'm O-G shawty ridin lo key shawty
You know me seatbelt big heat shawty
Shop open he ain't never closed shawty
Still on the post breakin down O's shawty
[Chorus]
Smith and Wess V-V-S Mitchel and ness shawty
Never the less keep you a vest cause they will test ya shawty
24's that's the best VHS shawty
DVD and P-S-2 in ya head rest shawty
I'm on a mission shawty gotta give out my digits shawty
And see me clip a bag of them 5os off in my brithces shawty
I got my money right yep I been on the stretch shawty
6 days a week 23 and 1 in the crest shawty
And you can't bet shawty I'm one of few in the south
That really live the life that I be rappin bout shawty
I keep a glock 40 where I'm from we some fools
Anything goes we don't play by rules shawty
[Chorus]
In his song Shawty, Yo Gotti represents his life as a young hustler trying to get rich. The song begins with D-Nero representing the I&E Blockburners, and Gotti introducing his audience to his grind before his shine campaign. As he sings through the chorus twice, Gotti shows his desire for a woman who is able to accommodate his whole crew. He also mentions his life as a pimp from M and addresses his critics, stating that his life is full of blood, sweat, and tears.
The rapper then goes on to talk more about his life experiences and skills, mentioning that he is a real hustler, having sold everything from cocaine to marijuana. Gotti expresses his commitment to his quest to get rich and highlights the importance of money. He mentions the need for self-protection as he keeps a Glock 40 on him because his community has no rules.
In conclusion, Yo Gotti uses Shawty to represent his life as a hustler focused on getting wealthy, and he speaks about his experiences, challenges, and motivations for his hustle.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea yea mane, this D-Nero mane
Introducing myself as D-Nero, representing the I&E Blockburners
Y'all know what time it is mane
You all are aware of the grind required before success
Gotta grind before you shine mane
The importance of hard work before achieving success
This not a game mane
Success is serious business
Got white shawty cheap cheap price shawty
I have cocaine available for a low price
I'm in the club with that real clear ice shawty
Showing off my real diamonds in the club
I want a bitch that can do the whole click shawty
Looking for a woman who can perform sexually for my entire group of friends
I'm just a young nigga tryin' to get rich shawty
I'm a young man trying to attain financial success
I'm a pimp shawty plus I'm from the M shawty
I am a pimp from Memphis
And all these other rappers don't mess with them shawty
I don't associate with other rappers
My life real shawty blood sweat and tears shawty
My life has been full of hard work and struggle
Through out these years I done told 'em how it is shaawty
My music tells the real story of my life and experiences
No mills rap niggas they be broke shawty
Most rappers who haven't sold millions are struggling financially
Unless they sold a millon records or some dope shawty
The only way for rappers to make money is by selling records or drugs
We ridin' sprees and this suckas ridin spinners shawty
We have nice cars while our haters have less impressive ones
Cause we some vets and they some mahfuckin beginners shawty
We are experienced and successful while they are just starting out
We got green shawty we got lean shawty
We have money and codeine available
We on the block where its hot serving fiends shawty
We sell drugs on the streets
We in the club come on show a nigga love shawty
We want to be respected and appreciated in the club
Forget a table dance Gotti wants some skull shawty
I don't want a lap dance, I want oral sex
I'm kinda young shawty far from being dumb shawty
I am young but not naive
You got ya hand out but you can't get a crumb shawty
I won't give you anything even if you beg
I'm street made shawty streets how I get paid shawty
I make my money from the streets
Real huslaz hustle a hundred different ways shawty
Successful hustlers have various ways of making money
Stuck in the game shawty motherfuck the fame shawty
I am caught up in the street game and don't care about fame
Slung every thing from cocaine to Mary Jane shawty
I have sold both cocaine and marijuana
I never quit shawty trying to get rich shawty
I am always working hard to achieve financial success
If it ain't bout a dollar really it ain't shit shawty
Money is the most important thing
I'm O-G shawty ridin lo key shawty
I am an original gangster who keeps a low profile
You know me seatbelt big heat shawty
I carry a big gun at all times
Shop open he ain't never closed shawty
I am always selling drugs
Still on the post breakin down O's shawty
I am still selling and breaking down ounces
Smith and Wess V-V-S Mitchel and ness shawty
I have a high-end gun and clothing collection
Never the less keep you a vest cause they will test ya shawty
I advise you to wear a bulletproof vest because people will try to harm you
24's that's the best VHS shawty
My car rims are the best, and I still use outdated technology like VHS
DVD and P-S-2 in ya head rest shawty
I have a DVD player and PlayStation 2 in my car's headrest
I'm on a mission shawty gotta give out my digits shawty
I am trying to make connections to increase my profit
And see me clip a bag of them 5os off in my brithces shawty
You can witness me cutting up a bag of $50 bills
I got my money right yep I been on the stretch shawty
I have a lot of money and have been incarcerated
6 days a week 23 and 1 in the crest shawty
I spend 23 hours out of every day in jail, but still hustle 6 days a week
And you can't bet shawty I'm one of few in the south
I am one of the few successful rappers from the south
That really live the life that I be rappin bout shawty
I am living the lifestyle that I rap about
I keep a glock 40 where I'm from we some fools
I carry a .40 caliber gun because my area is dangerous
Anything goes we don't play by rules shawty
We don't follow the law and do whatever it takes to make money
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FLEMING, MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE, MEL JOHNSON, NIQUA JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DeSeanBBN
I was a freshman in high school when I first heard this. This song still goes hard.
belcha3
Facts
Iam_AMJ
fuckin classic! shout out Gotti!πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ
GhettoHungry
One of his hardest songs and it only has 6,000 views. People need to listen to this old gotti shit
Shoalssports
Back2theBasics this was my shit .. Homeboy from west Memphis Arkansas introduced me to gotti been waiting for him to blow up. He's been on this rap game for a while, like pusha t he never lost sight of his dream and now it's paying off
twistr
where ya at?
kimberly walker
Aint nobody better than Gotti... Best rapper out there...
Taylatrice
Still bumping 2020 miss those days 2004 was the summer
Kanisha Kimble
Real Hustlers hustle π― different ways!
Theory231
2020 still slappin