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.
Upset
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In Yo Gotti's song Upset, the artist and Starlito depict their ability to thrive amidst their haters' resentment. The intro and chorus reveal Yo Gotti's aggressive approach to handling his critics. He goes "hard on them haters" leaving them upset just like the Memphis Grizzlies upset the Lakers in basketball, causing an unexpected outcome. The song's hook is catchy and highlights the artist's lavish lifestyle with white cars, rims offset, and women at his beck and call.
In verse one, Starlito raps about the perks of his success, including partying, women, and fine dro, a type of marijuana. He boasts about his hometown Memphis and its unique culture, particularly the green weeds that he smokes. However, he cautions that money and fame attract fake and disloyal friends, and he only trusts his real ones. In verse two, Yo Gotti takes a different route, acknowledging Starlito's influence on his rap style. He talks about his financial success, which earned him a luxurious lifestyle, including several million-dollar homes, expensive chains, and a few close friends. Gotti also claims that he can control his haters with ease, and he is willing to protect his woman from any competition.
Line by Line Meaning
I go hard on them haters leave them upset
Yo Gotti is saying that he puts a lot of effort into making haters upset with his success.
like the Grizzlies beat'n tha Lakers that's an upset
The Grizzlies beating the Lakers was a surprise upset, just like how Yo Gotti's success might be unexpected to his haters.
I go hard on them haters that's an upset
Yo Gotti repeats that he works hard to make his haters upset.
Cars all white, rims offset
Yo Gotti has customized his car with white paint and rims that are at an angle.
Now if I fuck ya bitch that's an upset
If Yo Gotti were to have sex with someone's significant other, that would definitely upset the person.
Niggas wildin in tha club throwin up sets
Starlito observes that some people in the club are acting out by representing their gang.
I'm gettin money fuckin hoes got em' upset
Starlito is earning money and sleeping with multiple women, which might upset some people who are jealous or disapprove.
Like the 16 seed in the Final Four
Refers to the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament, in which a 16th seed team (considered a long shot) made it to the Final Four.
A 16 without a seed is what I'm tryna smoke
Starlito wants to smoke a specific type of marijuana that has no seeds and is potent.
That's my kinda drodown in Orange Mound
Orange Mound is a neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee where Starlito can find high-quality marijuana.
Got a fine lil hoejus got a spot in Memphis been grindin so(hard)
Starlito has a good-looking female companion and is working hard to make money in Memphis.
Betta tell em' Yo
Starlito is telling Yo Gotti that he needs to hear about his hard work and success.
I go upside ya head bout my fetti tho
Starlito gets angry and confrontational when it comes to his money.
Cut tha check homeboy shit fuck that
Starlito is demanding payment and doesn't want to waste time with excuses or delays.
Niggas are not loyal I don't trust shit
Starlito doesn't have much trust in people because they can be disloyal.
You an upset
Starlito is calling someone upset, either because they are emotional or angry.
That's what my southside slut said
Starlito is referring to a woman from the south side of Memphis who called him upset or angry.
That's Cashville tough talk I give her rough sex
Starlito is implying that he's tough enough to handle someone's anger and will even have aggressive sex with them.
All white everything okay what's next?
Yo Gotti is showing off his white attire and asking what else he can do to impress people.
I'm only fuckin with tha green, green nigga suspects
Yo Gotti is only getting involved with people who have money (the green) and are trustworthy.
Ya homeboys wasnt round you wasn't tough yet
Yo Gotti is implying that someone might not be as confident or tough without their friends around.
A nigga swerve up on ya, you won't get to bust back
Yo Gotti is suggesting that someone wouldn't be able to defend themselves if they were caught off guard.
Ok Lito got me on my rapping shit, ok my snapping shit
Yo Gotti is acknowledging that Starlito inspired him to rap and get into a competitive mindset.
ima need one track for this no adlibs or shit
Yo Gotti wants to record a track without any additional vocal effects or sounds.
One take 1K one chain 100K
Yo Gotti wants to record the song in one take and references how much money he has made.
One house a couple mil
Yo Gotti owns a house worth multiple millions of dollars.
Bitches fake my niggas real
Yo Gotti thinks that women are often fake or disloyal, while his male friends are trustworthy.
The more you think about it don't it make you wanna vomit
Yo Gotti is talking about the disgust that might come from being envious or upset about someone's success.
Police and niggas out here ridin with sirens
Yo Gotti is describing the chaos of Memphis streets, where both police and criminals are always on the move.
Niggas throwin temper tantrums pissy fits silence
Some people are throwing tantrums and acting irrationally when things don't go their way.
We ain't on that bitchin shit me and my niggas violent
Yo Gotti and his crew are not going to waste time complaining or arguing, but they will be aggressive and violent if necessary.
Contributed by Eliana I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MilesLogan91
This whole tape was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@SavannahCPortNews
Like the grizzlies beating the Lakers, it's an upset
@otedondon561
This was dat shit
@rizzikzkz1951
a 16 without a seed when im trynna smoke.. Pound !
@buddyb.1891
2020
@abdidahir9025
Correction 2021 September
@willywaterz
well damn lol wa wa uhuuuuuuuuuuh ..... *