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.
Slash
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Denial, finally my turn
So if you play wit fire you know you gone get burned
My life is in denial, finally my turn
So if you play wit fire, you know you gone get burned
I'm a pimp slash poet slash slash hustler
Pimp slash poet slash slash hustler
Pimp slash poet slash slash hustler
[Yo Gotti]
I got work slash yirk slash slash green
Slash hot heaters and them other felomies
Wanna feel better like the colors in yo sweater
Hit me on the hill I get pills and etc.
X slash V slash slash D
Slash Viagra for your high performance needs
Boy and that girl
Come into my world
38127, shady vista by the stairs
Y O slash G O slash T T I slash
Get up on yo ass
W W W slash dot Gotti slash dot com
Check out where I'm from
Makin' Easy Money Pimpin' Hoes In Style slash
Twenty inch wheels and I'm straight from the south slash
Home slash chrome slash doing my thang
Cause it's I slash E slash out the frame
[Hook]
[Yo Gotti]
I'm a real ass nigga, trill ass nigga
Play me if you wanna, you'll get killed fast nigga
I&E for life, Gotti thinkin' twice
Just like a atheist believing in Christ
Never havin' slash, been stackin' slash
Reliable, viable, worth more than cash
Street sense slash
Book sense slash
Young kid slash
Wit six figs slash
Ballerific slash, real gifted slash
Never drift away, I just pay attention slash
My shows be like whoa slash
At the doe (door) slash
Got a nigga poppin' Mo slash
Like a pro slash
Get wrong if you wanna slash
Bet I'm gonna slash
Hit yo block wit that K and wet it like Daytona slash
[Hook]
[T-Stit]
T slash Stit
No love for a bitch
Jiggalo slash lympho slash no trick
Paper-chaser slash block-burner slash
Dome-cracker wig-splitter nigga like a ass
I cook pork slash beef wit my P slash
And when I cap a nigga ass, they gone be sleep slash deceased
In deni slash ial slash slash title
Slash on fire, I'll blaze like a lighter
[Trizi]
I'm a block slash burner trill real youngster
Slash gettin' money, now can you count all these hundreds?
I'm slash artist, I'm so creative, I'm slash ink-smoker
Now can handle this dolja?
I'm slash thug nigga, I'm from the hood nigga
I'm slash head-busser, I'm slash playa nigga
I love to ride on chrome, pop Mo and shit
Hit the stage in a rage and rock shows and shit
[V-Dogg]
I be V slash D uh O G nigga slash
Just like a nigga, like I said befo' nigga
Puttin' it down wit my bru slash Y to the O G O T T I
Slash I&E for life
Wanna know where I'm from I'm screamin HYDE PARK BITCH
Slash shawt (short) end bound slash G-Street bitch
And I'm down for them niggas like lil R, Dre and Petey
Big B.B J.D, and girlfriends
[Hook] until end
The lyrics to Yo Gotti's "Slash" depict the life of a man who is able to effectively navigate through different aspects of his life. In the hook, the artist mentions that his life has been in denial but it's finally his turn to succeed. He warns people that if they play with fire, they will get burned. This implies that he has gone through rough times and is now in a position of power. The hook also mentions that he is a pimp, poet, and hustler, among other things. The next verse talks about his life in more detail. He mentions the drugs he sells (yirk, green, pills, etc.), the services he offers (e.g., Viagra), and the location where people can find him (38127, shady vista by the stairs). He also mentions his website (www.gotti.com) and his success in making money from pimping hoes.
Line by Line Meaning
Denial, finally my turn
After being in denial about his true calling, Yo Gotti is finally taking his turn
So if you play wit fire you know you gone get burned
If you try to play with Yo Gotti's success, you will inevitably fail
My life is in denial, finally my turn
Yo Gotti has been in denial about his true purpose, but is now embracing it
I'm a pimp slash poet slash slash hustler
Yo Gotti is proud to be a multi-talented artist and businessman
Slash playa hater killer, don't fuck wit busters
Yo Gotti will not hesitate to take out anyone who tries to hate on him or his crew
I got work slash yirk slash slash green
Yo Gotti is involved in various illegal activities to make money
Wanna feel better like the colors in yo sweater
Yo Gotti has connections to provide drugs and other substances to help people feel better
X slash V slash slash D
Yo Gotti has access to various drugs, including Viagra
Boy and that girl
Yo Gotti is involved in the drug trade for both men and women
Come into my world
Yo Gotti invites people to experience his lifestyle and all of its perks
38127, shady vista by the stairs
Yo Gotti is from the rough neighborhood of Shady Vista
Y O slash G O slash T T I slash
Yo Gotti likes to spell out his name for emphasis
Get up on yo ass
Yo Gotti is telling his haters to get ready to be defeated by him
W W W slash dot Gotti slash dot com
Yo Gotti has a website to promote himself and his work
Check out where I'm from
Yo Gotti wants people to know where he comes from and how he made it to where he is now
Makin' Easy Money Pimpin' Hoes In Style slash
Yo Gotti is involved in pimping and other illegal activities to make money
Twenty inch wheels and I'm straight from the south slash
Yo Gotti is proud of his southern roots and the flashy lifestyle that comes with his success
Home slash chrome slash doing my thang
Yo Gotti is living his best life, with a home and car that are both flashy and impressive
Cause it's I slash E slash out the frame
Yo Gotti is a unique and talented artist, standing out among his peers
I'm a real ass nigga, trill ass nigga
Yo Gotti prides himself on being a genuine and trustworthy person
Play me if you wanna, you'll get killed fast nigga
Yo Gotti is warning anyone who tries to challenge him or his business that they will be taken down quickly
I&E for life, Gotti thinkin' twice
Yo Gotti is loyal to his crew, and he always thinks carefully before making decisions
Just like a atheist believing in Christ
Yo Gotti doing something that seems impossible, like a non-believer having faith in God
Never havin' slash, been stackin' slash
Yo Gotti has been working hard and making money consistently
Reliable, viable, worth more than cash
Yo Gotti is a trustworthy and valuable asset to his business partners
Young kid slash, wit six figs slash
Yo Gotti is a young, successful businessman with a six-figure income
Ballerific slash, real gifted slash
Yo Gotti has a natural talent for making money and succeeding in life
Never drift away, I just pay attention slash
Yo Gotti stays focused on what matters and doesn't let distractions get in the way
My shows be like whoa slash
Yo Gotti's live performances are impressive and leave a lasting impression on his audience
At the doe (door) slash
Yo Gotti is making money and doing big things wherever he goes
Got a nigga poppin' Mo slash
Yo Gotti enjoys drinking Moet champagne and sharing it with others
Like a pro slash
Yo Gotti is a professional at what he does, and he does it well
Get wrong if you wanna slash
Yo Gotti is daring anyone to try to challenge him or his crew
Bet I'm gonna slash
Yo Gotti is confident in his abilities and knows he will come out on top
Hit yo block wit that K and wet it like Daytona slash
Yo Gotti is threatening to use his gun (K) to take over a rival gang's territory (block) and make it his own
No love for a bitch
T-Stit doesn't have any respect for disloyal women
Jiggalo slash lympho slash no trick
T-Stit is involved in prostitution and doesn't get emotionally involved with his clients
Paper-chaser slash block-burner slash
T-Stit is making money illegally and isn't afraid to commit arson to achieve his goals
Dome-cracker wig-splitter nigga like a ass
T-Stit is involved in violent crimes such as robbery and assault
I cook pork slash beef wit my P slash
T-Stit is involved in drug trafficking and conceals the drugs in meat products
And when I cap a nigga ass, they gone be sleep slash deceased
T-Stit isn't afraid to kill his enemies and make sure they never wake up again
In deni slash ial slash slash title
T-Stit is in denial about his life choices and their consequences
Slash on fire, I'll blaze like a lighter
T-Stit is on a roll, making money and taking on new challenges with ease
I'm a block slash burner trill real youngster
Trizi is involved in illegal activity to make money, but he's also young and real
Slash gettin' money, now can you count all these hundreds?
Trizi is making so much money that he has trouble counting it all
I'm slash artist, I'm so creative, I'm slash ink-smoker
Trizi is a creative musician and songwriter, but he's also involved in drug use
Now can handle this dolja?
Trizi is challenging his audience to keep up with his lifestyle
I'm slash thug nigga, I'm from the hood nigga
Trizi is proud of his tough background and where he comes from
I'm slash head-busser, I'm slash playa nigga
Trizi is involved in violent crime, but he's also a ladies' man
I love to ride on chrome, pop Mo and shit
Trizi enjoys driving his flashy car and drinking Moet champagne
Hit the stage in a rage and rock shows and shit
Trizi performs with passion and energy, putting on a great live show
I be V slash D uh O G nigga slash
V-Dogg is a Dogg Pound gang member with a tough reputation
Just like a nigga, like I said befo' nigga
V-Dogg is repeating his previous statement for emphasis
Puttin' it down wit my bru slash Y to the O G O T T I
V-Dogg is working hard with his brother Yo Gotti to make money and gain respect
Wanna know where I'm from I'm screamin HYDE PARK BITCH
V-Dogg is proud of his neighborhood, Hyde Park, and wants people to know where he's from
Slash shawt (short) end bound slash G-Street bitch
V-Dogg is involved in illegal activity on both the short end of the block and on G-Street
And I'm down for them niggas like lil R, Dre and Petey
V-Dogg is loyal to his friends and will support them no matter what
Big B.B J.D, and girlfriends
V-Dogg has connections in the criminal world and also has multiple girlfriends
Contributed by Nora H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
THE MN
I was 11 when this dropped and this song turned me into a fan #MemphisClassic
Michael Bonner
A Memphis Jookin battle brought me to this song. Shit go hard 🔥
LaCasey Da Prince
Aint heard this shit in 10 years
Dominic Kirkwood
I love it 😊 real talk song 100
TMT
Wassup !!
TMT
***** Uuuu eee amigooo!! Amili amili amili ..)). Bro the + good music . bro my buen my buen . let's Go !!! )))) ggggg unit . lol . танцуй мой дорогой латинОС. )))
Alex Mackey
Ain't nun like that old gotti!
Yo Deddy
Promise
Nashville Saint
Man you ain't Neva lied my nigga
kimberly walker
They don't want that old Gotti at all .. 🤔