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.
Umma Do Me
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You just do you, umma do me, umma do me, umma do me
Umma do me, umma do me, umma do me
You just do you, umma do me, umma do me, umma do me
You wear Reebok, I wear Bally
You smoke Michy, I smoke Cali
You wear Enyce, but I wear Loui
I drop 600 boys on these Gucci's
I don't like her, so I one night her
You make is sprinkle, I make it tsunami
You get chump change, but I get money
You like dancin, I just two step
You like to trick off, but I don't do that
You don't tote guns, I keep that tooly
Wanna see how it's done? Watch me do me!
You just do you (and what), umma do me, umma do me, umma do me
You just do you (and what), umma do me, umma do me, umma do me
Wanna see how it's done?
Then watch me do me, watch me do me, watch me do me
Wanna see how it's done?
Then watch me do me, watch me do me, watch me do me
What's that, new Dolces? These here chrome heart
You need a key for yours? Me, my shit auto-start
Man I talk to the car, the car talk back
Then I step up out the car, watch the car back back (aye!)
Yo' money funny, my money talk
While we talking money, look, this how money walk
Playa why you limpin? It could be two things (like what?)
Them fifteens or whole stacks in my blue jeans
That's last years model, (me) I'm in that new thing
Black flips, black sack, call 'em shoestrings
Aye who you with? Frank n Roll best thing since the TV
Pay attention let me show you how to do me
You just do you (and what), umma do me, umma do me, umma do me
You just do you (and what), umma do me, umma do me, umma do me
Wanna see how it's done?
Then watch me do me, watch me do me, watch me do me
Wanna see how it's done?
Then watch me do me, watch me do me, watch me do me
You like the four-door, (me) I just do two
If you ain't getting money, nigga, I'm nothin' like you
I'm from the ol' school, you from the new school
My ol' school cost more than your new school
Just got a new school, that's what I'm use to
Suede around the panoramic equals clear view
You in my rear view, yeah you history (skkrrrt!)
First to second, two seconds, I love a six speed
I swag it out, uh felt my swag
The shoes match the hat, the hat match my bag
These niggas mad, you don't like it, nigga sue me
Wanna see how it's done, then watch me do me
You just do you (and what), umma do me, umma do me, umma do me
You just do you (and what), umma do me, umma do me, umma do me
Wanna see how it's done?
Then watch me do me, watch me do me, watch me do me
Wanna see how it's done?
Then watch me do me, watch me do me, watch me do me
In Yo Gotti's song "Umma Do Me," the rapper emphasizes his individuality and independence. He is contrasting his behavior and style against those of others, encouraging them to focus on themselves while he does the same. The chorus repeats the phrase "Umma do me" continually while alternating with "You just do you." These lines reflect the idea that everyone should focus on their own actions and decisions without worrying about what others are doing or expecting.
Throughout the song, Gotti highlights several examples of difference between himself and another person. He mentions wearing Bally shoes while someone else wears Reebok sneakers. He also smokes Cali, a type of high-end marijuana, while someone else smokes Michy, which is of lesser quality. Gotti flaunts his affluence by commenting on spending 600 dollars on a pair of Gucci boots. He believes he has more control over his romantic relationships than others, describing his tendency to have one-night stands when he doesn't like the person. Gotti also remarks that he makes a lot of money compared to others and can afford luxury items like Dolce and Gabbana clothing and chrome heart sunglasses.
In general, "Umma Do Me" is a confident song that encourages listeners to embrace their unique style and behavior. In a genre that often prioritizes conformity to certain standards, Gotti's message is refreshingly independent. He demonstrates his refusal to be influenced by trends or consumer culture and reinforces the idea that everyone should strive for their individuality rather than following others' expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Umma do me, umma do me, umma do me
I am going to focus on myself and my own goals, regardless of what anyone else is doing.
You just do you, umma do me, umma do me, umma do me
You can focus on yourself, but I am going to continue to focus on me and what I want.
You wear Reebok, I wear Bally
You may wear Reebok shoes, but I prefer to wear Bally shoes instead.
You smoke Michy, I smoke Cali
While you may smoke Michy cigarettes, I prefer smoking Cali cigarettes.
You wear Enyce, but I wear Loui
You may choose to wear Enyce clothing, but I prefer to wear luxury Louis Vuitton clothing.
I drop 600 boys on these Gucci's
I am willing to spend $600 on a pair of Gucci shoes without hesitation.
You really like her, you might wife her
You seem to be interested in a particular woman and may want to pursue a long-term relationship with her.
I don't like her, so I one night her
I am not interested in forming a relationship with this woman, so I will only have a one-night stand with her.
You make is sprinkle, I make it tsunami
You may be able to make a small amount of money, but I have the ability to make an enormous amount of money.
You get chump change, but I get money
You may receive a small amount of money, but I am able to make much more.
You like dancin, I just two step
You enjoy dancing, while I prefer to simply two-step and not engage in any more elaborate dance moves.
You like to trick off, but I don't do that
You may enjoy spending money frivolously, while I prefer to be more responsible with my finances.
You don't tote guns, I keep that tooly
You may not carry a firearm, but I always keep a gun on me for protection.
Wanna see how it's done? Watch me do me!
If you want to see how I am able to achieve my goals, then observe and learn from my actions.
What's that, new Dolces? These here chrome heart
You may be wearing new Dolce & Gabbana clothing, but I prefer to wear chrome heart clothing instead.
You need a key for yours? Me, my shit auto-start
Your car requires a key to start, but my car is equipped with an auto-start feature.
Man I talk to the car, the car talk back
I am able to communicate with my car and it is also capable of responding to me.
Yo' money funny, my money talk
Your finances may be questionable, but I am confident in the financial decisions I make and the success they bring me.
While we talking money, look, this how money walk
As we discuss financial matters, I am able to demonstrate how my wealth has allowed me to walk and present myself in a certain way.
You in my rear view, yeah you history (skkrrrt!)
You are not nearly as successful as I am, and are therefore not worth paying attention to.
My ol' school cost more than your new school
Despite being an older model, my car is more valuable and expensive than your newer car.
These niggas mad, you don't like it, nigga sue me
Others may be jealous or angry about my success and the lifestyle it affords me, but if you have a problem with it, you can take legal action.
Wanna see how it's done, then watch me do me
If you want to know the secrets to my success, then observe my actions and learn from them.
Contributed by Micah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marie Franklin
Listening in 2019 👌🤸
Micheal Smith 757
Listen 2020 Corona riots season
Terrill Rose
Underrated
Don Dee
Ay can somebody tell me the name of the song at the beginning I been trying to find it for so long 💯
Adam Abel
i mean its the end from talk to em by gotti on this tape but could be samplin somethin
Jay Fuentes
Talk to em by Yo Gotti
Quantrell Britt
He taking shots at T.i
Jay Fuentes
#CmGDaLabel