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So I saw an article the other day that suggested Gucci Mane is the new Lil Wayne. I clicked on it out of curiosity, but it was poorly written and the author did a piss poor job of stating his case…so I left and thought nothing more of it.
But as the days pass and I continue to encounter Gucci everywhere I turn, it got me to thinking: Is Gucci Mane the new Lil’ Wayne?
Now I will readily admit I’m partial to southern hip hop in general and Gucci Mane in particular. After all he did record my theme song some of the hottest club bangers in the last couple of years.
And before you Lil’ Wayne cultists attack me and suggest that Gucci Mane doesn’t possess the skills on his best day that Lil’ Wayne has on his worst, I’d argue being the new Lil’ Wayne doesn’t have anything to do with talent or lyrical skills.
I’d also argue that Lil’ Wayne doesn’t have the skills that everyone claims he has, but that’s another post for another day.
What Lil’ Wayne has/had is a work ethic that’s unmatched by anyone in his industry and possibly only matched by Tyler Perry. Hence their incredible success. Wayne also was willing to jump on any and everyone’s record and he flooded the streets with mixtapes, combined with catchy beats and occassional glimmers of genius, he was able to take his southern hood swag and tun it into mainstream gold.
Gucci apparently looked, listened and learned from the Lil’ Wayne Playbook and (while in jail) took notes and plotted out how he was going to do the same. And from the looks of things his plan is working.
So how has Gucci mastered the art of going from hood star to mainstream (Lil’ Wayne) success:
1. Have the Hood on Lock
Gucci has a huge fan base that’s not online waxing poetic about hip hop’s best lyricists. He use to work the strip club circuit and had several underground hits, on with Jeezy that eventually led to their falling out and an attempt on his life – but that’s another story. The point is before he attempted his mainstream success there was already a huge following in place to aid in his ascent to clearer (read whiter) audiences.
2. Become a Mixtape King
Lil Wayne did it – as have any number of other artists. “It” being a Mixtape king. And Gucci Mane has done the same. The idea with the mixtape is to keep the buzz going about you even if you don’t have a “mainsteream” album or record out. And let’s face it, tracks form mixtapes are notorious for becoming underground hits and certified club bangers. Gucci has done this with “Brrussia,” “Great Brritain” and “Guccimerica” to name a few.
3. Guest on Any and Everyone’s Record
Gucci is for hire. You can’t turn on the radio these days without hearing a new Gucci laden track, even from the most mainstream of artists. From Yo Gotti’s “Five Star Chick” to Mario’s “Breakup” Gucci is the go to man if you have 16 bars to spare (sound familiar?).
4. Have Catchy Lyrics and Memorable Catch Phrases
Gucci!
Come on, you know you want to say it every time you hear his name. An you know since Gucci has been on the scene ‘Brr” has taken on new meaning.The point is Gucci has given you the tools to remember him…whether you want to or not. And while I won’t be making any arguments that Gucci Mane is a top notch lyricist I will say he is quite entertaining. Just check out Gucci’s lyrics on Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed” Remix:
I guess shorty mad cos he ain’t got you no more,
so just like Pinocchio, his nose gon grow,
Gucci Mane, Mariah Carey bling blaww wow,
i wish i had a lie detector test right now
he hit my girl word, old is what ya heard,
he know he a bird, i know he a nerd,
catch me in the A with a bad yellow bong,
9, 10, 11, 12 diamond chains on.
Come on…you gotta admit..that ish is fiyah.
5. Go from the Streets Talking to the Mainstream Talking
Gucci Mane was given the number 6 spot on MTV’s hottest MC’s list. Whether you agree with it or not, he’s gotten the mainstream to talk about him and rnk him on a list that no one even though he’d be considered for, let alone make, a year ago. And I’m sure that many of the hip hop aficionados sitting at that table would have never chosen Gucci to make the list, hell Eminem, ludacris and T.I. didn’t make the list, yet Gucci did. Love’em or hate’em….he’s got the mainstream talking.
So there you have it. Gucci Mane is definitely inching towards Lil’ Wayne status and proving with time, luck and a lil’ talent the hoodest of hood rappers can make the transition to the mainstream
Gucci!
