Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Since Gucci Mane's failed crossover attempt in 2009, he’s consistently moved in and out of jail, seemingly with more time in than out. That hasn't stopped him from being a preeminent Atlanta—and by that definition national—rap tastemaker. An early supporter of Young Thug, Young Scooter, Migos, Rich Homie Quan and Peewee Longway, Gucci Mane amassed a trove of recording from these and other young Atlanta artists. Through his own legendary status and suspect recording contracts, last year Gucci Mane started putting out music from these artists even while in jail, with a new tape seemingly announced every week. It's hard to keep up with. So here are a few of the best tracks that Gucci Mane has released this year, in case you want to catch up before his next eventual avalanche of material.
Gucci Mane & Young Thug: "Bricks" (Young Thugga Mane La Flare)
The rapper most affected by the seemingly random nature of Gucci Mane’s release schedule is Young Thug. He broke through this year even though he was caught in label limbo, and his biggest songs, “Stoner” and “Danny Glover”, spread far and wide. “Bricks”, from Young Thugga Mane La Flare, pairs the young star with Gucci Mane, who used to be known for his dexterous flow but simply cannot keep up with gleeful easy Thug hops across this track.
Peewee Longway: “Goblin” (The White Album)
The strong personalities of rappers like Migos or Rich Homie Quan are obvious just from looking at their day-to-day outfits, but Peewee Longway, who lacks that flare, separates himself on record. His topic is usually trapping, but that singular scope allows him to be one of Atlanta's most consistent rappers on the subject. Even the goofy metaphor about goblins feels grounded, as other ATLiens have flown in their own galaxies.
Gucci Mane [feat. Young Dolph & Dr. Phil]: "Texas Margarita" (Brick Factory Vol. 1)
The long arm of Gucci Mane does not just reach across Zones 1-6 of Atlanta, but to every part of the American South. “Texas Margarita” is a collaboration with Memphis’ Young Dolph, who raps about sipping lean with the gusto of a church deacon. That energy makes his adlibs to every line Gucci spits appear as if he’s in the church pews agreeing with Pastor Mane’s Sunday sermon on self-medication.
Gucci Mane & Migos (feat. Young Thug): "Problems" (The Green Album)
The summer of 2014 was all about Bobby Shmurda and his instant Vine classic dance, but last year the Atlanta trio Migos sat top of the rap world after their Drake-assisted hit “Versace”. A year and a number of minor hits later, the trio continues to thrive, and though “Problems” has an excellent opening verse and hook by Young Thug, they alongside Gucci Mane hold their own over Nard&B’s triumphant production.
Gucci Mane [feat. K Camp]: "Bet Money" (Trap House 4)
K Camp of “Money Baby” and “Cut Her Off” fame doesn’t make particularly kind music. The former song in particular even got a scolding from The New York Times. Here the two rappers side-step that topic and instead focus on excitedly counting their collections of dead presidents and explaining how they’ve come into success. “Bet Money” displays K Camp’s oft-obscured ability to write hooks and Gucci Mane’s still intact rap ability.
Gucci Mane [feat. Young Thug & Migos]: "Hell U Talking Bout" (Brick Factory Vol. 2)
Contributor Andrew Noz pointed out that finding an exact timeline of Young Thug’s music is an almost impossible task to accomplish. The reason being his recorded output rests in various hands and released in such piecemeal ways it’s hard to know if a song is 2011 Young Thug or 2014 Thugger Thugger. “Hell U Talking Bout” is as bright as his current hit with Rich Homie Quan “Lifestyle”, but also sounds like it could’ve been on his early breakthrough tape I Came From Nothing 2, which dates back to 2011, well before he ever linked up with Gucci. But that’s half the fun of Gucci Mane’s tapes in 2014—the mystery surrounding when a song was recorded versus its release date.