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.
World War III
Yo Gotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a World War Three, nigga
Fuckin' wit me, nigga
My niggas wit it, wit it, I&E, nigga
World War Three nigga,
Fuckin' wit me, nigga
My niggas wit it, wit it, WB bitch
I'm bout to separate yo soul from yo body boy
I got that chopper boy, coming through yo block boy
And you can't stop us boy, betta call the coppers boy
My niggas wit it, wit it
Money, we get it, get it
I see my target, regardless I hit it, hit it
Bullets ain't got no name
Gotti ain't playin' games
Gotti don't buss in the crowd, I see my mane in aim
Situations don't matter, put yo head on a platter
Catch the cut then bitch, I shed, born, and rattle
Got on yo head, feel you ready, got on yo best?
You say you beefin' wit Gotti you livin' then you blessed
Fu-Fuck a institution, bitch this a revolution
I ain't gone chill, until I get a execution
Fu-Fuck a institution, bitch this a revolution
I ain't gone chill, until I get a execution
[Hook]
So you say you want to break the law
What about when I break your jaw?
What about, when I come through your hood, sideways in a Regal, me and my
People, stuntin' wit a Sod-Off
I say you want to think, before you do that
You don't really want to see me run through that
I'm screamin out Gotti, before I got him so why you screamin' "Who that?"
You say you want to wild out
But you don't want to foul out
What the fuck you thinkin' bout?
See you fuckin' wit a block burner, when shit get hot it melt, ain't no
Tellin' how it turn out
I'm bringin' fame to the streets in a proper way
Represent I&E each and every day
Yo Gotti, motherfucker, what the fuck you say?
My grill ain't real, my shit don't shine in your face
How many niggas had six figgas, besides Jigga
Before the rap game came, me and my niggas
Representin' down south
Wit plat up in our mouth
Shit, bricks, and chips is what I'm all about
Say it again
Rewind the shit, Play it again,???, ???, record again
Cause you fuckin wit a nigga, bring war again
[Hook]
I scream attention! (WHO?)
If you a I&E solider pay attention! (WHY?)
Cause it's some serious shit I'm bout to mention! (WHAT?)
Go and get that nigga, so I can lynch him! (WHO?)
Don't ever join my team and try to exit (BITCH)
That's like having a Lexus and won't flex it (BITCH)
I know you like the ice up in my bracelet (BITCH)
It's all about the sign around my necklace (BITCH)
You reckless (BITCH)
You had the advantage
Now you can't do nothing, but panic
Like a hoe, wanting it rough, but you too romantic
I'm the number one writer
Who say that they tighter?
That's just like bringing a fight, up out of a fighter
Trick, I'm ready for it, never 'noid, so energetic
And with that slick shit you pull, you make me feel disrespected
It's a World War Three nigga, fuckin wit Gotti boy
I ain't no studio gangsta I bring the drama boy
[Hook: until end]
In "World War III," Yo Gotti presents a vivid description of the chaos that will ensue if anyone decides to mess with him, his crew, or his money. He opens the song by declaring that he is ready for a war and warns anyone who thinks of challenging him to his face that he and his crew mean business. He goes on to boast about his ability to separate people's souls from their bodies using his guns and choppers. Gotti seems to take pride in his violent ways and makes no apologies for them. He asserts that his bullets have no names and that he doesn't care about the implications of his actions. He presents his crew as a unified force that has little regard for institutions or authorities, and he sees himself as a revolutionary figure.
In the second verse, Gotti continues to issue threats, this time mentioning the consequences of breaking the law and messing with him. He reiterates the idea that he is not one to mess with and that his crew has a block burner that can handle anything. He emphasizes his loyalty to his crew and his hometown in the south, where he and his crew represent I&E. Gotti ends the verse by challenging anyone who questions his legitimacy to listen to his record again and bring war again.
Overall, "World War III" is a song that glorifies violence and power. It portrays Yo Gotti as a dangerous man who is not to be trifled with and is willing to go to great lengths to protect his crew and his wealth. The lyrics also paint a picture of a man who is willing to act outside the law and who sees himself as a revolutionary who is above institutions.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a World War Three, nigga
This is a serious conflict, and I am not intimidated by it.
Fuckin' wit me, nigga
If you choose to mess with me, you will regret it.
My niggas wit it, wit it, I&E, nigga
My allies are with me, and we are ready to fight together for I&E.
World War Three nigga,
This conflict is significant and cannot be ignored.
My niggas wit it, wit it, WB bitch
My crew is prepared to fight, and we represent the WB.
I'm bout to separate yo soul from yo body boy
I am going to harm you severely, and you will feel it.
I got that chopper boy, coming through yo block boy
I have a weapon and am heading to your location to attack you.
And you can't stop us boy, betta call the coppers boy
You are no match for us, and the police will not be able to stop us.
Money, we get it, get it
We work hard and earn a lot of money.
I see my target, regardless I hit it, hit it
I know who I want to harm, and I am not afraid to do it.
Bullets ain't got no name
Bullets do not discriminate, and anyone can be a target.
Gotti ain't playin' games
I am serious about this conflict and will make sure my opponents know it.
I see my mane in aim
I have a clear target in sight, and I am going to hit it.
I ain't gone chill, until I get a execution
I will not stop until I have achieved my goal of executing someone.
So you say you want to break the law
You claim to be willing to break the law.
What about when I break your jaw?
If you mess with me, you will face physical consequences.
You say you want to wild out
You say you want to act recklessly.
But you don't want to foul out
You do not want to face the consequences of your actions.
Represents down south
I represent the Southern region of the United States.
Shit, bricks, and chips is what I'm all about
I am all about making money and building wealth.
I scream attention! (WHO?)
I demand that my allies pay attention to my message.
If you a I&E solider pay attention! (WHY?)
If you are part of my crew, you need to pay attention to this important message.
Cause it's some serious shit I'm bout to mention! (WHAT?)
I am about to reveal something significant.
Go and get that nigga, so I can lynch him! (WHO?)
I want someone captured so I can harm him severely.
Don't ever join my team and try to exit (BITCH)
If you are part of my crew, you are not allowed to leave.
I'm the number one writer
I am the best at what I do.
Trick, I'm ready for it, never 'noid, so energetic
I am confident and energized, and I am not worried about my opponents.
And with that slick shit you pull, you make me feel disrespected
Your behavior makes me feel like you do not respect me.
I ain't no studio gangsta I bring the drama boy
I am not a fake, and I am serious about the conflict that is about to happen.
Contributed by Ava P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ronnie Nelson
Both albums “Self-Explanatory” and “From Da Dope Game 2 Da Rap Game” needs to be made available on iTunes.
Gina M. Boyd
Here 2021…I grew up on the old gotti
G.G. Scoota
New gotta don’t kiss n tell. Old Gotti FYB then tell ya bout it
Robert Agnew jr.
Same here, Gina
Heather Brakebill
The number of times I quote yo gotti lyrics in my professional life is ridiculous 😂 man I miss this gotti. This is my top 5 all time best cds.
Dewayne James
😂😂😂
Anthony Wilburn
Girl u don’t know Gotti
low key champ
Just real shit Yo gotti.. He laced real game to survive in the streets.. Its rules to anything you do.
woozy wo
Ok u wanna play me
Roose the Roader
This is in my car CD player right now. When I was a teenager my mother went on a business trip to Memphis and went to a music store. She asked which albums they recommended and she brought back Yo Gotti : Self Explanatory and TN da Entertainer : Tennessee Representaz. Both albums are all time favorites.