An Appreciation of Gucci Mane’s Romantic Side—The Duality of Mane
I was driving with my mother when I heard a Gucci Mane song for the first time. It was “Freaky Gurl,” and I can still picture myself squinting and fixating on everything we saw as we went by as I pretended not to hear the words. My mother said, “This young man is nasty!” and turned off the radio as it reached the chorus, which goes, “She’s a very freaky gurl / don’t bring her to mama / first you get her name / then you get her number / then you get some brain in the front seat of the hummer.”
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It just took that to pull me in. I went on Limewire as soon as I got home and looked for “freaky girl song.” The song was not the only thing that drew me in. It was the sheer, unquestionable pleasure of hood swagger oozing over trap rhythms.
The most successful rapper in Atlanta, Gucci Mane, is mostly to blame for the current perception of trap music. Gucci Mane has been releasing tape after tape of hood classics for ten years, providing the soundtrack for events ranging from picnics to high-level robberies. Gucci previously said that his long-standing animosity with Young Jeezy stemmed from his dislike of adult guys engaging in “bitchass shit.” Gucci is skilled at portraying himself as rap’s Lothario antihero and understands how to rap about murder, complete with news story video. Gucci reportedly went to his rival’s birthday party because he “looked so fresh he just had to go” following years of violent altercations and tension with Jeezy. Not even the host dared to kick him out of the party.
Though I’m sure Gucci Mane enjoys his degree of intimidation, I think Gucci has an even greater passion for romance. Gucci has some very seductive and endearing melodies that remind me of an Isley Brothers album. The romance is there, but it’s hidden amid songs about servicing fiends and smoking too many blunts. Other rappers have not been able to match Gucci Mane’s honest dualism. A man who can rap “if they knew about my life I’d get the electric chair” and sing “they ain’t you babe, no they ain’t you babe, and there ain’t nothin else I can do but be with you, babe” on the same album is definitely fascinating. the actual duality of humanity.
His girlfriend Keyshia Ka’oir, also known as Keyshia Dior, shared on Snapchat earlier this week the news that he had been freed from federal prison after serving two years for possessing a pistol and threatening police officers. Longtime admirers understood why she shared the video of the two of them holding hands, even if it may have confused some onlookers.
I sobbed to Trap House 3 when it was released. Numerous times. For almost the whole album, Gucci Mane crooned about being chosen and showing off his romantic side to the woman he loves. In the song “Use Me,” which features 2 Chainz, Gucci talks about how he typically doesn’t grow tired of ladies, but that one woman in particular was so amazing that he had to let her stay (and he wants her to keep going). In “Point of My Life,” Gucci appears to be a more mature guy who has realized he’s ready to commit to a future with a certain lady as well as love. He lists all the women he has dated—one who buys him clothing, another who adores his boat, etc.—but he maintains they are nothing compared to the lady he is singing about. Wiz Khalifa’s song “Nuthin On Ya” is all about the romantic flex. I’ll admit that I completely ignore Wiz’s line, but the remainder of the song is all about getting matching automobiles, having twin girls, and having a great time at the mall. This is one of my favorite songs because of the intimate words that promise something (like, “I won’t ignore ya and I won’t divorce ya”) and are immediately followed by affirmations (like, “I respect that girl / I accept that girl / I’ll do anything I can/to protect that girl”). It’s the first I’ve heard of something such.
Yes, your favorites have released singles and even albums centered around the theme of “love.” However, with Gucci it’s not the same. Gucci Mane’s straightforward and matter-of-fact approach to relationships is one of the main reasons I adore him. In his feature verse for Mario’s song “Break Up,” Gucci makes the decision to move on after swiftly evaluating a failed relationship. He doesn’t reveal his former partner, her street name, or her job at Hooters just because she didn’t reply to his texts or direct messages on Twitter. Gucci raps, “I’m no longer hired, she says that I’ve been fired / Onto the next one, more fish in the sea / Girls are like buses, miss one next 15 one comin’.” This shows that he doesn’t view every woman he’s dated as an ex. Even if it seems contemptuous, it’s a sign of maturity as opposed to a beseeching and immature romanticism.
A lady dating Gucci Mane would probably have a matching Bugatti that he got her, so he wouldn’t be upset if she used his Bugatti to get Kotex from the shop. He doesn’t necessarily suggest that he is entitled anything in return when he talks about going above and beyond to impress or delight others. He may brag about having been picked over another guy, but that guy is generally broke and not nearly as interesting as he is. Gucci Mane exudes appeal even when he isn’t singing. Angela Yee stated in a 2013 Breakfast Club interview that she knows of a woman who dated Gucci and who thinks he is bipolar. With a broad, golden smile, he replies, “A female who dates me understands that I’m not bipolar. Any female you talk to who dated me would tell you that Gucci is “so nice, so charming, so intelligent.” Yee chuckles as they go on talking about rap feud.
The upcoming Gucci Mane chapter excites me. I expect to hear more romantic, candlelight, doting Gucci, too, even though I’m sure it will have some snippets from the past Gucci books—more tunes about the work, shooting enemies, and stunting on all of us. He really seems like he’s eager to be married to Keyshia Ka’oir. I see Gucci holding his little child, dressed in a onesie with his iconic ice cream cone tattooed on it. I envision a stunning springtime nuptial. It’s not too far off, in my opinion. Soon, we’ll find out. Following his release, Gucci was shown stroking his washboard abs and heading straight into the studio in later Snapchat videos. We’re all excited for new songs now that he’s back, and I’m looking forward to Mr. Perfect’s comeback.