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.
Shawty Said
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[D-Nero:]
Yea yea mane, this D-Nero mane
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: (2x)]
I'm in the the club wit that real clear ice shawty
I want a bitch that can do the whole click shawty
I'm just a young nigga tryin to get rich shawty
[Verse 1: ~Yo Gotti~]
I'm a pimp shawty plus I'm from the M shawty
And all these rappers I don't mess wit them shawty
My life real shawty blood, sweat and tears shawty
Through out these years I then told it how it is shaawty
No meals rap niggaz they be broke shawty
Unless they sold a million records or some dope shawty
We ridin sprees and these suckas ridin spinners shawty
Cuz we some vets and they some mahfuckin beginners shaawty
We got green shawty, we got lean shawty
We on the block where it's hot servin fiends shawty
We in the club come and show a nigga love shawty
Forget a table dance Gotti want some scrubs shaawty
[Repeat Chorus:]
[Verse 2: ~D-Nero~]
I'm kinda young shawty far from being dumb shawty
You got ya hands out and can't get a crumb shawty
I'm street made shawty, street how I get paid shawty
Real hustlaz hustle a hundred different ways shawty
Stuck in the game motherfuck the fame shawty
Slung everything from cocaine to Mary Jane shawty
I never quit tryin to get rich shawty
If it ain't bout a dollar really it ain't shit shawty
I'm OG 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
[Repeat Chorus:]
[Verse 3: ~Yo Gotti~]
Smith & Wess, VVS, Mitchell and ness shawty
Never the less keep you a vest cuz they'll test ya shawty
24s that's the best VHS Shawty
DVD and Ps2 in ya head rest shawty
I'm on a mission shawty, gotta get bout my digits shawty
And see me clip a bag of them 50s off in my britches shawty
I got my money right yep I'm been on the strecth shawty
6 days a week 21 and 2 in the crest shawty
And you can 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
We don't play anything goes shawty
The song "Shawty Said" by Yo Gotti featuring D'Nero is a rap song that talks about the life story of two young men who are trying to get rich. In the first verse, Yo Gotti talks about how he's a pimp and he doesn't mess with other rappers. He highlights his real-life struggle, dedication, and hard work to get to where he is. He talks about how people in the rap industry are often broke unless they sell millions or deal in drugs, which serves as an inspiration to him to succeed. In the chorus, Gotti wants a girl who can do the whole crew, which means he wants a girl who can be with him and his crew. He then again repeats, "I'm just a young nigga tryin' to get rich, shawty."
The second verse by D'Nero talks about how he's also young but clever and not afraid of hard work. He highlights his street smartness and how he knows hundreds of ways to make money illegally. He talks about how he's "OG Shawty" and keeps himself and his business lo key. In the third verse, Yo Gotti talks about how he's on a mission to get his money right and how he's been on the stretch for days. He mentions the things he owns such as VVS, Mitchell and Ness, which shows he's successful. He ends the song by saying they don't play anything in his hometown, and it's all about survival.
Overall, the lyrics show the struggles of the youth trying to survive and making it in the rap industry. It also highlights the reality of the streets and the obstacles that need to be overcome to become successful.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea yea mane, this D-Nero mane
Introducing himself, D-Nero claims he is the singer
Representin them I&E Blockburners mane
D-Nero is representing I&E Blockburners
Y'all know what time it is mane
D-Nero implies that people know what he is about
Gotta grind before you shine mane
People must work hard before they achieve success
This not a game mane
D-Nero is serious about his career
Got white shawty cheap cheap price shawty
Yo Gotti has obtained cocaine and is offering it cheaply
I'm in the the club wit that real clear ice shawty
Yo Gotti is at the club with authentic, clear diamonds
I want a bitch that can do the whole click shawty
Yo Gotti desires a woman who is able to perform sexual acts on his group of friends
I'm just a young nigga tryin to get rich shawty
Yo Gotti is a young man attempting to gain wealth
I'm a pimp shawty plus I'm from the M shawty
Yo Gotti is boasting that he is a pimp and he is from Memphis, TN
And all these rappers I don't mess wit them shawty
Yo Gotti does not associate himself with other rappers
My life real shawty blood, sweat and tears shawty
Yo Gotti has gone through a lot of difficulties and challenges in his life
Through out these years I then told it how it is shaawty
Yo Gotti believes that he has always been honest
No meals rap niggaz they be broke shawty
Most rappers are not making enough money to support themselves
Unless they sold a million records or some dope shawty
Rappers can only succeed if they sell many records or deal drugs
We ridin sprees and these suckas ridin spinners shawty
Yo Gotti and his friends have nicer cars than others in the area
Cuz we some vets and they some mahfuckin beginners shaawty
Yo Gotti is experienced and skilled, while others are inexperienced and less skilled
We got green shawty, we got lean shawty
Yo Gotti and his friends have both marijuana and codeine
We on the block where it's hot servin fiends shawty
Yo Gotti and his friends are selling drugs in a dangerous area
We in the club come and show a nigga love shawty
Yo Gotti wants people to show him support in the club
Forget a table dance Gotti want some scrubs shaawty
Yo Gotti wants women who will give him and his friends sexual favors, not just dances
You got ya hands out and can't get a crumb shawty
D-Nero believes that someone is desperate for money but cannot obtain any
I'm street made shawty, street how I get paid shawty
D-Nero earns money through illegal activities, such as dealing drugs
Real hustlaz hustle a hundred different ways shawty
Successful hustlers can earn money in many different ways
Stuck in the game motherfuck the fame shawty
D-Nero prioritizes financial success over fame
Slung everything from cocaine to Mary Jane shawty
D-Nero has experience selling many types of drugs
I never quit tryin to get rich shawty
D-Nero never gives up on trying to accumulate wealth
If it ain't bout a dollar really it ain't shit shawty
Money is the only thing that is truly important to D-Nero
I'm OG shawty ridin lo key shawty
D-Nero is a veteran with a low-key, understated presence
You know me seatbelt big heat shawty
D-Nero always carries a gun for protection
Shop open he ain't never closed shawty
D-Nero is always ready to sell drugs
Still on the post breakin down O's shawty
D-Nero is still selling large quantities of drugs on the street
Smith & Wess, VVS, Mitchell and ness shawty
Yo Gotti names specific brands related to his wealth and possessions
Never the less keep you a vest cuz they'll test ya shawty
Yo Gotti advises his listeners to always wear bulletproof vests as a precaution
24s that's the best VHS Shawty
Yo Gotti has fancy rims on his car
DVD and Ps2 in ya head rest shawty
Yo Gotti has sophisticated entertainment technology in his car
I'm on a mission shawty, gotta get bout my digits shawty
Yo Gotti is focused on making money
And see me clip a bag of them 50s off in my britches shawty
Yo Gotti is carrying large amounts of money in his pants
I got my money right yep I'm been on the strecth shawty
Yo Gotti has a lot of money and he has been wealthy for some time
6 days a week 21 and 2 in the crest shawty
Yo Gotti spends most of his time working and earning money
And you can bet shawty I'm one of few in the south
Yo Gotti sees himself as exceptional compared to other southerners
That really live the life that I be rappin' bout shawty
Yo Gotti says that he lives the life he raps about
I keep a glock 40 where I'm from we some fools
Yo Gotti carries a .40 caliber gun for protection and believes that people where he is from are foolish
We don't play anything goes shawty
People where Yo Gotti is from are willing to do anything to survive
Contributed by Madelyn O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
shanice sparks
I forgot all about this song!
Brings back memories from summer 08
sherika butts
I love you Yo Gotti! Man, you got a sista hooked on you!
Shaun Jackson
Always my shit real shit
HONEy12o1
lOVE dis !
Cristal Miller
OMFG THIS CHIT BRING BK SO MUCH MEMORY.....DAMN I MYSS YU BOOSIE FROM COLUMBUS GEORGIA.....WINTER 2010 REMIND ME OF WHN I WAS WITH HIM....NOW IM BK N CHARLOTE.....FUHK MAN....
Kamaya Johnson
I love you songs
Patricia Shinn
Dis for my love ones
Kap Partier
@MsFruitloops26 u must be from the A?