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The Autobiography of Gucci Mane
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“As wild, unpredictable, and fascinating as the man himself. ” —Complex
“A cautionary tale that ends in triumph.” —GQ
“A revelation and a welcome addition to hip-hop’s literary legacy.” —All Hip Hop
The highly anticipated memoir from Gucci Mane, “one of hip-hop’s most prolific and admired artists” (The New York Times).
For the first time Gucci Mane tells his story in his own words. It is the captivating life of an artist who forged an unlikely path to stardom and personal rebirth. Gucci Mane began writing his memoir in a maximum-security federal prison. Released in 2016, he emerged radically transformed. He was sober, smiling, focused, and positive—a far cry from the Gucci Mane of years past.
Born in rural Bessemer, Alabama, Radric Delantic Davis became Gucci Mane in East Atlanta, where the rap scene is as vibrant as the dope game. His name was made as a drug dealer first, rapper second. His influential mixtapes and street anthems pioneered the sound of trap music. He inspired and mentored a new generation of artists and producers: Migos, Young Thug, Nicki Minaj, Zaytoven, Mike Will Made-It, Metro Boomin.
Yet every success was followed by setback. Too often, his erratic behavior threatened to end it all. Incarceration, violence, rap beefs, drug addiction. But Gucci Mane has changed, and he’s decided to tell his story.
In his extraordinary autobiography, the legend takes us to his roots in Alabama, the streets of East Atlanta, the trap house, and the studio where he found his voice as a peerless rapper. He reflects on his inimitable career and in the process confronts his dark past—years behind bars, the murder charge, drug addiction, career highs and lows—the making of a trap god. It is one of the greatest comeback stories in the history of music.
The Autobiography of Gucci Mane is a blunt and candid account—an instant classic.
“As wild, unpredictable, and fascinating as the man himself. ” —Complex
“A cautionary tale that ends in triumph.” —GQ
“A revelation and a welcome addition to hip-hop’s literary legacy.” —All Hip Hop
The highly anticipated memoir from Gucci Mane, “one of hip-hop’s most prolific and admired artists” (The New York Times).
For the first time Gucci Mane tells his story in his own words. It is the captivating life of an artist who forged an unlikely path to stardom and personal rebirth. Gucci Mane began writing his memoir in a maximum-security federal prison. Released in 2016, he emerged radically transformed. He was sober, smiling, focused, and positive—a far cry from the Gucci Mane of years past.
Born in rural Bessemer, Alabama, Radric Delantic Davis became Gucci Mane in East Atlanta, where the rap scene is as vibrant as the dope game. His name was made as a drug dealer first, rapper second. His influential mixtapes and street anthems pioneered the sound of trap music. He inspired and mentored a new generation of artists and producers: Migos, Young Thug, Nicki Minaj, Zaytoven, Mike Will Made-It, Metro Boomin.
Yet every success was followed by setback. Too often, his erratic behavior threatened to end it all. Incarceration, violence, rap beefs, drug addiction. But Gucci Mane has changed, and he’s decided to tell his story.
In his extraordinary autobiography, the legend takes us to his roots in Alabama, the streets of East Atlanta, the trap house, and the studio where he found his voice as a peerless rapper. He reflects on his inimitable career and in the process confronts his dark past—years behind bars, the murder charge, drug addiction, career highs and lows—the making of a trap god. It is one of the greatest comeback stories in the history of music.
The Autobiography of Gucci Mane is a blunt and candid account—an instant classic.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,057 reviews
October 7, 2017
I’m old so I knew nothing about Gucci Mane but this book was great. A fascinating look into the man’s life and how his career evolved. So many funny asides. So much realness. I kept thinking LEGEND! Just so fucking great.
December 26, 2017
I'm a big fan of Gucci Mane aka Guwop. I love ratchet rap music. The more hood, the better.
Gucci Mane has the talent to be as big as Future or Migos but he just can't seem to stay out of jail. Gucci has had a very interesting life. Poverty, abandonment by his father, multiple stints in jail, one very infamous stint in a mental hospital and of course the tattoo of an ice cream cone on his face. Through it all he hasn't lost his sense of humor or his zest for life.
Recommended for hip hop heads and lovers of off beat memoirs.
Gucci Mane has the talent to be as big as Future or Migos but he just can't seem to stay out of jail. Gucci has had a very interesting life. Poverty, abandonment by his father, multiple stints in jail, one very infamous stint in a mental hospital and of course the tattoo of an ice cream cone on his face. Through it all he hasn't lost his sense of humor or his zest for life.
Recommended for hip hop heads and lovers of off beat memoirs.
July 2, 2018
I’ve always been indifferent but leaning positive toward Gucci Mane - I like a fair share of his music and think he seems like a cool person, but I wouldn’t rank him among my favorite rappers.
Reading his book, The Autobiography of Gucci Mane, was nice to get a first hand account of his experience coming up as a rapper in Atlanta. I’m familiar with many of the places and landmarks he referenced throughout the book. Gucci has had more than his fair share of trouble - with drugs, cough syrup, the law, and relationships - personal and professional. It’s admirable that he remained resilient and was repeatedly determined to make comebacks after these setbacks. That said, much of the trouble appears to be self-induced, brushed over in the book, and at least to some degree, preventable.
I had no idea about the tension he has with Jeezy, which was disappointing to read about since 1) Jeezy is one of my all-time favorite rappers and 2) So Icy is still my favorite Gucci song (which features Jeezy). Can’t win them all I guess. I also didn’t realize how instrumental Gucci was in giving many other Atlanta rappers (whose music I also enjoy) some of their first opportunities.
Despite brushing over some of the incidents that caused him serious trouble, Gucci’s story was interesting and I appreciate the honest tone that remained throughout the entire book. Addressing the reader directly, for example, when casually mentioning he thought of his son during a specific moment. He then writes, “I know what you’re thinking. What son?” Yes, thank you G, because that’s exactly what I was wondering at that moment in the book.
I will say, it’s clear that since his latest sentence in jail, Gucci appears to have really turned things around this time. He is the fittest and healthiest he’s been since I first became familiar with him, back when I was in early high school. Hopefully these changes are permanent and he’s able to keep up the positive mindset and behavior, for himself and his family.
Unlike a few other memoirs I’ve read this year, I feel like there aren’t necessarily universal takeaways here - just an interesting story to a few different audiences. I’d recommend The Autobiography of Gucci Mane to fans of Gucci, obviously, and fans of rap music, stemming from the early 2000s on.
Reading his book, The Autobiography of Gucci Mane, was nice to get a first hand account of his experience coming up as a rapper in Atlanta. I’m familiar with many of the places and landmarks he referenced throughout the book. Gucci has had more than his fair share of trouble - with drugs, cough syrup, the law, and relationships - personal and professional. It’s admirable that he remained resilient and was repeatedly determined to make comebacks after these setbacks. That said, much of the trouble appears to be self-induced, brushed over in the book, and at least to some degree, preventable.
I had no idea about the tension he has with Jeezy, which was disappointing to read about since 1) Jeezy is one of my all-time favorite rappers and 2) So Icy is still my favorite Gucci song (which features Jeezy). Can’t win them all I guess. I also didn’t realize how instrumental Gucci was in giving many other Atlanta rappers (whose music I also enjoy) some of their first opportunities.
Despite brushing over some of the incidents that caused him serious trouble, Gucci’s story was interesting and I appreciate the honest tone that remained throughout the entire book. Addressing the reader directly, for example, when casually mentioning he thought of his son during a specific moment. He then writes, “I know what you’re thinking. What son?” Yes, thank you G, because that’s exactly what I was wondering at that moment in the book.
I will say, it’s clear that since his latest sentence in jail, Gucci appears to have really turned things around this time. He is the fittest and healthiest he’s been since I first became familiar with him, back when I was in early high school. Hopefully these changes are permanent and he’s able to keep up the positive mindset and behavior, for himself and his family.
Unlike a few other memoirs I’ve read this year, I feel like there aren’t necessarily universal takeaways here - just an interesting story to a few different audiences. I’d recommend The Autobiography of Gucci Mane to fans of Gucci, obviously, and fans of rap music, stemming from the early 2000s on.
September 21, 2017
I have to admit I wasn't expecting much. I find his story fascinating, but I've never been a fan of his music. I like rap in general, but his sound just isn't my thing and I find him repetitive. That said, this was well written, reflective, and generally an easy read. The tone was direct. He never made excuses for bad behavior and didn't try to justify poor decisions. He told the tale in a matter-of-fact way that didn't feel like bragging or exaggeration.
September 29, 2017
initially, i was not going to give a review but a lot of things took place in this book that really stuck with me. there is a lot that can happen in a man's life and although shit can seem so lavish, that is not always the case. when i look back on this book i understand Radric (Gucci Mane) so much better, but it was more to it. i think of how the world has constantly failed our black men and how we look for ways to survive and for family in so many different places. we feed of the next person's excitement and follow lead but in that process, we lose a bit of our selves.
Radric did not have the best life and even though there were some good examples in his life, that was not enough. from his grandparents, down to his father, and to his mom working constantly with nothing to show for it you would naturally want more. Radric was a natural born hustler but he was his own worse enemy. throughout all the drugs, fights, cases, deals gone bad and etc ... you can see that Radric was smart and never stayed down for too long. he made a lot of smart moves in his life time and much more shitty ones but the way he owned up to it and still managed to survive in a place where he shitted on a lot of people shocked me.
"if you keep looking back you're going to trip going forward".
this quote from this book fits Radric's whole life. he did trip so many times during his time of hustling and rapping, but how he ended up is a blessing. from selling drugs, to making hits, to having to resort back to selling drugs while making hits, and also having your life on the line is what this men went through. the consumption of drugs clouding your decisions and losing so many people will change you and Gucci Mane changed for the better.
Radric did not have the best life and even though there were some good examples in his life, that was not enough. from his grandparents, down to his father, and to his mom working constantly with nothing to show for it you would naturally want more. Radric was a natural born hustler but he was his own worse enemy. throughout all the drugs, fights, cases, deals gone bad and etc ... you can see that Radric was smart and never stayed down for too long. he made a lot of smart moves in his life time and much more shitty ones but the way he owned up to it and still managed to survive in a place where he shitted on a lot of people shocked me.
"if you keep looking back you're going to trip going forward".
this quote from this book fits Radric's whole life. he did trip so many times during his time of hustling and rapping, but how he ended up is a blessing. from selling drugs, to making hits, to having to resort back to selling drugs while making hits, and also having your life on the line is what this men went through. the consumption of drugs clouding your decisions and losing so many people will change you and Gucci Mane changed for the better.
March 17, 2018
Confession first:
Before reading this book, I had only listened to three or four Gucci Mane songs... maybe.
I am a child of the seventies and eighties, a New Yorker, jazz head, bibliophile, art-nerd, musician, whose taste in Rap is more "puritanical" than what began to emerge from the genre in the mid-nineties and the new millennium. The repetitive bass line, synthetic-hypnotic rhythm, and heavily slang-filled accented lyrics kind of lost me, but that is not to say that I was not open to rappers from the south. Actually, I was digging them. Their raps covered life as they knew it and educated those of us who didn't understand. Through them, we grew eager to see the alien contours and crevices of the planet they occupied and rushed in droves to Atlanta, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Memphis, and New Orleans to be enveloped by their often harsh-told realities and to tread upon their planet.
I first learned of Gucci Mane while a Dean in a Memphis performing arts high school. From the middle of a relatively quiet room came a screeching howl, "GUCCI!" and the room exploded in laughter and echoes of "GUCCI" raced across the room for what seemed like an hour, quieting only when it lost its comedic appeal. Still, I hadn't heard anything by this Gucci dude until a student pulled a CD from his backpack and put it into a player behind the classrooms. The CD was "Murder was the Case," and it was both familiar and extraordinarily foreign. It was the sound of the south, the story of forbidden zones and hidden realities, of 'life in the game.' It was raw and vivid, sad, tragic and poetically profound. It was catchy and definitely not my jam, but I could see why it was theirs.
Then I heard about the book.
I feverishly read "The Autobiography of Gucci Mane," because of Morgan Jerkins. She interviewed him for Vulture magazine in 2017, and from that interview penned an article entitled 'Gucci Mane Got Out of Prison and Wrote a Book. Here's How It All Happened.' I figured that if Morgan Jerkins found him worthy of writing about and millions of people love him and his music then I had spent an unrecoverable decade missing out. By the time I finished reading his autobiography, I realized that indeed I had.
Gucci Mane's story is the story of America. Not the pigeon-holed, stereotypical images perpetuated throughout the media, but the real day-to-day. It is an uplifting tale of rags to riches and dirt paths to gold paved streets. This autobiography was a graphic music video based on its own soundtrack. And it brought to the forefront that, tattoos, accents, drugs and all, Gucci is a bad MANE!
At the opening of his story, he writes about his ability to read earlier than his peers, thanks to his schoolteacher mother and his inexplicable interest in the written word. It was the word, ultimately, that would save his life a dozen times, and would equally make his world an orb of fire. Words produced poetry, poetry produced rap, and rap, at least for Gucci, produced money, power, and chaos. But the other part of his DNA was provided by a father who knew the importance of hustle and respect, and Gucci, whose real name is Radric Davis, followed that often sordid path. He was thought to have a speech impediment (at age nine Gucci and his mother moved to Atlanta where verbal inflections may be different from its neighboring states), but it seems that his Alabama accent was so thick his words didn't sound quite right. As the years progressed, Atlanta introduces and influenced young Gucci, exposing him, almost illuminating him, to a life of trapping, profiling, and grandiosity; certainly not a life he would have found in Alabama. He became disenchanted with formal education and, after high school, never fulfilled any academic commitments, dropping out of college and trade schools. But words remained his strength.
The Autobiography of Gucci Mane rockets through Gucci's existential life so quickly the reader feels as if something was missed. This sonic movement from period to period is, perhaps, the principal misfortune. Admittedly, I may have missed some of the fillers or statements that closed those holes, but I doubt it. From the point when he becomes a drug dealer to when the heavens opened, and he begins to realize his talent as a rap artist, it seemed to be a blur, particularly the bump from buying beats to bagging gigs. Suddenly his music takes off, soaring well beyond the skills of his peers and he is crowned and quickly revered. But, in all fairness, it is obvious that Gucci was a pursuer of his personal passions and thrusts himself into the spoils of those passions. He followed the credo of the very successful: Never Apologize -- and throughout the narrative abides by that credo. Regardless of the outcome, he never made excuses, and he never apologized. Then another phase emerged: Prison.
Being imprisoned for possession of firearms in 2013 (this was not this first rodeo, and it wouldn't be his last) was his metamorphosis and, in many ways, the beginning of his rebirth. When admitted, his body was wrecked from an addiction to a codeine-laced cough syrup concoction that affected him so profoundly he gained a mass of weight and suffered chaotic side-effects. Eventually, a doctor urged him to discontinue its use, but that was not a part of his immediate plan, and he continues to sip syrup until his environment prohibited access. Prison, as implied by the book, detoxed him. He was gradually getting clean of the damaging poisons and in doing so, clearing his head. The decision to engage in a self-developed exercise program (if you want to call it that) led to an eighty-pound weight loss by the time of his release. When his term ended (of course there are stories about his time behind bars), the beats of his life and the rumble of the streets welcomed him back.
Ultimately, The Autobiography of Gucci Mane was surprisingly well developed and absent of chapters of indecipherable rhetoric often common in autobiographies about musicians, especially rappers. I was shocked by his candor and his willingness to speak about a multitude of [personal] issues that other artists would avoid intensely. His transparency in this book was golden and elevated him, I believe, to a status that he would not have gained through music alone. Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! Not because it speaks to the life and success (or failure) of a known personality, but because it was everything one would never expect a book about a known personality to be. It seems that Morgan Jerkins also found this to be true. So, now, after a decade free of "trap" music I am trapped, bumping several Gucci Mane tracks locked securely in my musical repertoire. The magic is that these tracks clarify many parts of the book I only subtly understood and left me, randomly, if not hypnotically, yelling... "GUCCI!"
Before reading this book, I had only listened to three or four Gucci Mane songs... maybe.
I am a child of the seventies and eighties, a New Yorker, jazz head, bibliophile, art-nerd, musician, whose taste in Rap is more "puritanical" than what began to emerge from the genre in the mid-nineties and the new millennium. The repetitive bass line, synthetic-hypnotic rhythm, and heavily slang-filled accented lyrics kind of lost me, but that is not to say that I was not open to rappers from the south. Actually, I was digging them. Their raps covered life as they knew it and educated those of us who didn't understand. Through them, we grew eager to see the alien contours and crevices of the planet they occupied and rushed in droves to Atlanta, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Memphis, and New Orleans to be enveloped by their often harsh-told realities and to tread upon their planet.
I first learned of Gucci Mane while a Dean in a Memphis performing arts high school. From the middle of a relatively quiet room came a screeching howl, "GUCCI!" and the room exploded in laughter and echoes of "GUCCI" raced across the room for what seemed like an hour, quieting only when it lost its comedic appeal. Still, I hadn't heard anything by this Gucci dude until a student pulled a CD from his backpack and put it into a player behind the classrooms. The CD was "Murder was the Case," and it was both familiar and extraordinarily foreign. It was the sound of the south, the story of forbidden zones and hidden realities, of 'life in the game.' It was raw and vivid, sad, tragic and poetically profound. It was catchy and definitely not my jam, but I could see why it was theirs.
Then I heard about the book.
I feverishly read "The Autobiography of Gucci Mane," because of Morgan Jerkins. She interviewed him for Vulture magazine in 2017, and from that interview penned an article entitled 'Gucci Mane Got Out of Prison and Wrote a Book. Here's How It All Happened.' I figured that if Morgan Jerkins found him worthy of writing about and millions of people love him and his music then I had spent an unrecoverable decade missing out. By the time I finished reading his autobiography, I realized that indeed I had.
Gucci Mane's story is the story of America. Not the pigeon-holed, stereotypical images perpetuated throughout the media, but the real day-to-day. It is an uplifting tale of rags to riches and dirt paths to gold paved streets. This autobiography was a graphic music video based on its own soundtrack. And it brought to the forefront that, tattoos, accents, drugs and all, Gucci is a bad MANE!
At the opening of his story, he writes about his ability to read earlier than his peers, thanks to his schoolteacher mother and his inexplicable interest in the written word. It was the word, ultimately, that would save his life a dozen times, and would equally make his world an orb of fire. Words produced poetry, poetry produced rap, and rap, at least for Gucci, produced money, power, and chaos. But the other part of his DNA was provided by a father who knew the importance of hustle and respect, and Gucci, whose real name is Radric Davis, followed that often sordid path. He was thought to have a speech impediment (at age nine Gucci and his mother moved to Atlanta where verbal inflections may be different from its neighboring states), but it seems that his Alabama accent was so thick his words didn't sound quite right. As the years progressed, Atlanta introduces and influenced young Gucci, exposing him, almost illuminating him, to a life of trapping, profiling, and grandiosity; certainly not a life he would have found in Alabama. He became disenchanted with formal education and, after high school, never fulfilled any academic commitments, dropping out of college and trade schools. But words remained his strength.
The Autobiography of Gucci Mane rockets through Gucci's existential life so quickly the reader feels as if something was missed. This sonic movement from period to period is, perhaps, the principal misfortune. Admittedly, I may have missed some of the fillers or statements that closed those holes, but I doubt it. From the point when he becomes a drug dealer to when the heavens opened, and he begins to realize his talent as a rap artist, it seemed to be a blur, particularly the bump from buying beats to bagging gigs. Suddenly his music takes off, soaring well beyond the skills of his peers and he is crowned and quickly revered. But, in all fairness, it is obvious that Gucci was a pursuer of his personal passions and thrusts himself into the spoils of those passions. He followed the credo of the very successful: Never Apologize -- and throughout the narrative abides by that credo. Regardless of the outcome, he never made excuses, and he never apologized. Then another phase emerged: Prison.
Being imprisoned for possession of firearms in 2013 (this was not this first rodeo, and it wouldn't be his last) was his metamorphosis and, in many ways, the beginning of his rebirth. When admitted, his body was wrecked from an addiction to a codeine-laced cough syrup concoction that affected him so profoundly he gained a mass of weight and suffered chaotic side-effects. Eventually, a doctor urged him to discontinue its use, but that was not a part of his immediate plan, and he continues to sip syrup until his environment prohibited access. Prison, as implied by the book, detoxed him. He was gradually getting clean of the damaging poisons and in doing so, clearing his head. The decision to engage in a self-developed exercise program (if you want to call it that) led to an eighty-pound weight loss by the time of his release. When his term ended (of course there are stories about his time behind bars), the beats of his life and the rumble of the streets welcomed him back.
Ultimately, The Autobiography of Gucci Mane was surprisingly well developed and absent of chapters of indecipherable rhetoric often common in autobiographies about musicians, especially rappers. I was shocked by his candor and his willingness to speak about a multitude of [personal] issues that other artists would avoid intensely. His transparency in this book was golden and elevated him, I believe, to a status that he would not have gained through music alone. Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! Not because it speaks to the life and success (or failure) of a known personality, but because it was everything one would never expect a book about a known personality to be. It seems that Morgan Jerkins also found this to be true. So, now, after a decade free of "trap" music I am trapped, bumping several Gucci Mane tracks locked securely in my musical repertoire. The magic is that these tracks clarify many parts of the book I only subtly understood and left me, randomly, if not hypnotically, yelling... "GUCCI!"
September 29, 2017
I didn't think I had any expectations for this book going in, but apparently I did expect that it would at least be tolerable. Well, I was let down. This has to be one of the worst books I have ever read. It wasn't poorly ghost written, it was just a weak ass story. I'm not sure why I even read it because I hate his music, so that should have been red flag one. Anyway, I stupidly bought it and regretted it from about page 30 on. The story went something like this: I sold drugs, I did a bunch of bad shit, went to prison, got out, made crappy music, repeat. It got so old hearing about his drug use and weak ass songs, I couldn't take it anymore, and after about the 3rd or 4th time in prison, I skipped to the end. Even the ending was like blahhhh. There are plenty of better rappers with more interesting coming up stories, so save yourself the torture, time and money and skip this one.
September 30, 2017
This was a decent ass book. I don't know what else to say. It wasn't even that my expectations were low this book was good enough to thoroughly enjoy.
March 20, 2018
***This book is called the Auto Biography Of Gucci Mane and the author is himself written from his point of views. The genre is auto biography. The theme of the book is the struggle that he grew up being in and how hes showing people what he did to make it out and be a star. Gucci grew up in a small town of Alabama with just his grandma because his parents couldnt take care of him. Gucci had no support system which made him start selling drugs in the 7th grade. He started off with just selling weed and than he started moving on to pounds of cocaine. Gucci spent time in 5 different jails between the ages 20-30 for various charges. Most of it was for violating his probation. Then as he kept going in life he met up with some people and started making music that would send him to the top of the charts and start to make him millions. “If you keep lookin' back, you gon' trip going forward.” That is the quote that Gucci lived by and he still lives by that to this day. The book was very interesting to me because I know he had a rough life and it showed me how bad it really was. I agree with the author on how hard it actually is to grow up in poverty and how it can shape people into doing great things. The book leaves out what really caused his parents to not be there for him and what they did to not be there. The book affected me by making me realize what people actually go through in these situations. My opinions have changed people living in these conditions need some serious help.
August 21, 2019
I’m teetering between a 2& 3 stars on this one. This is his life story so I have a hard time judging it. He tells of his life growing up in Alabama without much of a father figure. Turning to selling drugs and later becoming a addict. In between all of that he turns to music as his outlet and in between getting caught up with the drugs and violence gets sent to prison. This book is kind of a rinse and repeat throughout the whole book with the drugs, violence, and law. There was nothing in this book that was shock and ahhhh or I have to recommend this book type of attitude.
August 9, 2023
Come look into the eyes of a man named Gucci,
Got me peepin' out the blinds like Malcolm with the Uzi,
The government, the church, and the world is so polluted,
They callin' me a criminal when I'm a revolution,
Woke up in a prison cell and I had a revelation,
That my life's a testimony, I could be an inspiration
Those lyrics aren’t found anywhere in this book, but I thought I’d start out this review with my favorite Gucci verse. Incidentally, if you don’t think hip-hop can be a powerful artform, take a listen to the song Forever Black America Again. If you do play it, just make sure to turn up the volume! Rap isn’t made to listen with the sound low.
Don’t get the impression that the song Forever Black America Again is the type of music Gucci Mane makes. In his words, he makes music for those guys on the corners with dirty tee-shirts and last week’s jeans on, taking penitentiary chances trapping out the local Texago gas station in Zone 6…East Atlanta. This particular type of rap music is known as Trap Music. This is music from the slums, all about hustling cocaine. Made by and for men who are so often slated to be grim statistics. And Gucci’s seen it all. The poverty, hustling, the jail cells, murder. When I heard it was coming out, I was looking forward to his autobiography more than I look forward to his albums! Releasing more than 80 albums / mixtapes in the span of ten years, he’s definitely more of a quantity over quality guy.
There are some good musings about the perils of addictions and how long it took for him to overcome that. He writes about the horrible conditions in some penitentiaries. Especially the USP in Terre Haute, Indiana. But there’s much to be desired in the telling of his story. Maybe a biographer would handle this better. Gucci doesn’t seem to be remorseful about many of his crimes, nor does he go into much detail. He doesn’t divulge what happened during the most infamous night of his life (the one many people want to know about when picking up this book). That was a bit odd. It’s not a statue of limitation thing, since he was already tried for the murder and beat the case. Anyways, this book comes off more as him taking a victory lap. Him coming out triumphant after hitting rock bottom a few times. This is him saying, “I’m a certified trap god and this is how I made my way in the music industry”. There just weren’t too many big take-aways that I got from reading this.
So why rate it so high? Because this book is mainly for those people who really know the Atlanta Trap Music scene, especially in the years 2005-2012. There’s a bunch of short, often amusing stories of his interactions with fellow rappers in the game. This book is for those who know artists like Bankroll Fresh, OJ Da Juiceman, PeeWee Longway, Future, Waka Flocka, Young Thug, Slim Dunkin, etc… He talks about meeting and working with young producers (who would later become huge producers working with mainstream artists) like Zaytoven, Drumma Boy, Mike WiLL Made It, Fat Boi and many more.
We hear what his favorite albums were, who he liked working with the most, how his beef started with Young Jeezy and T.I., the weird encounter early in his career with Juvenile, meeting a young Nicki Minaj and the Migos, and many more small anecdotes. I was also surprised to hear that Gucci really was a fan of southern rap coming out of Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans and especially Memphis in the 90s. I didn’t think he really knew the history of the artform like that. He talks about memorizing Kilo Ali’s (ATL) rhymes in the early 90s. He was listening to Kingpin Skinny Pimp and Playa Fly from North Memphis and Soulja Slim from the Magnolia Projects in New Orleans. All these guys are southern hip-hop legends that most people don’t know about today (even rap fans). Overall his favorite rapper was Project Pat (out of North Memphis as well).
So that’s why I rate this book three stars. If you’re not aware of all those artists above, this book probably won’t do much for you. Since I remember listening to all these Gucci albums years ago…The State vs. Radric Davis, I’m Up, the Trap God trilogy, the Cold War trilogy, The Burrrprint....all these projects bring back memories so it was cool to read how they came about. Gucci Mane has defied the odds and has seemed to have found some stability with his success. Personally, I’m happy for any real street dude to make it out and do something more with his life, even if I don’t think he’s one of the great emcees.
Overall Rating: A Few Bricks Shy of Trap-Tacular! 3 Stars for this lesson in Trapology by the Trap God. BURRRR!
Got me peepin' out the blinds like Malcolm with the Uzi,
The government, the church, and the world is so polluted,
They callin' me a criminal when I'm a revolution,
Woke up in a prison cell and I had a revelation,
That my life's a testimony, I could be an inspiration
Those lyrics aren’t found anywhere in this book, but I thought I’d start out this review with my favorite Gucci verse. Incidentally, if you don’t think hip-hop can be a powerful artform, take a listen to the song Forever Black America Again. If you do play it, just make sure to turn up the volume! Rap isn’t made to listen with the sound low.
Don’t get the impression that the song Forever Black America Again is the type of music Gucci Mane makes. In his words, he makes music for those guys on the corners with dirty tee-shirts and last week’s jeans on, taking penitentiary chances trapping out the local Texago gas station in Zone 6…East Atlanta. This particular type of rap music is known as Trap Music. This is music from the slums, all about hustling cocaine. Made by and for men who are so often slated to be grim statistics. And Gucci’s seen it all. The poverty, hustling, the jail cells, murder. When I heard it was coming out, I was looking forward to his autobiography more than I look forward to his albums! Releasing more than 80 albums / mixtapes in the span of ten years, he’s definitely more of a quantity over quality guy.
There are some good musings about the perils of addictions and how long it took for him to overcome that. He writes about the horrible conditions in some penitentiaries. Especially the USP in Terre Haute, Indiana. But there’s much to be desired in the telling of his story. Maybe a biographer would handle this better. Gucci doesn’t seem to be remorseful about many of his crimes, nor does he go into much detail. He doesn’t divulge what happened during the most infamous night of his life (the one many people want to know about when picking up this book). That was a bit odd. It’s not a statue of limitation thing, since he was already tried for the murder and beat the case. Anyways, this book comes off more as him taking a victory lap. Him coming out triumphant after hitting rock bottom a few times. This is him saying, “I’m a certified trap god and this is how I made my way in the music industry”. There just weren’t too many big take-aways that I got from reading this.
So why rate it so high? Because this book is mainly for those people who really know the Atlanta Trap Music scene, especially in the years 2005-2012. There’s a bunch of short, often amusing stories of his interactions with fellow rappers in the game. This book is for those who know artists like Bankroll Fresh, OJ Da Juiceman, PeeWee Longway, Future, Waka Flocka, Young Thug, Slim Dunkin, etc… He talks about meeting and working with young producers (who would later become huge producers working with mainstream artists) like Zaytoven, Drumma Boy, Mike WiLL Made It, Fat Boi and many more.
We hear what his favorite albums were, who he liked working with the most, how his beef started with Young Jeezy and T.I., the weird encounter early in his career with Juvenile, meeting a young Nicki Minaj and the Migos, and many more small anecdotes. I was also surprised to hear that Gucci really was a fan of southern rap coming out of Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans and especially Memphis in the 90s. I didn’t think he really knew the history of the artform like that. He talks about memorizing Kilo Ali’s (ATL) rhymes in the early 90s. He was listening to Kingpin Skinny Pimp and Playa Fly from North Memphis and Soulja Slim from the Magnolia Projects in New Orleans. All these guys are southern hip-hop legends that most people don’t know about today (even rap fans). Overall his favorite rapper was Project Pat (out of North Memphis as well).
So that’s why I rate this book three stars. If you’re not aware of all those artists above, this book probably won’t do much for you. Since I remember listening to all these Gucci albums years ago…The State vs. Radric Davis, I’m Up, the Trap God trilogy, the Cold War trilogy, The Burrrprint....all these projects bring back memories so it was cool to read how they came about. Gucci Mane has defied the odds and has seemed to have found some stability with his success. Personally, I’m happy for any real street dude to make it out and do something more with his life, even if I don’t think he’s one of the great emcees.
Overall Rating: A Few Bricks Shy of Trap-Tacular! 3 Stars for this lesson in Trapology by the Trap God. BURRRR!
December 9, 2017
I didn't know much about Gucci Mane or listen to too much of his music but I really enjoyed this book. His mom moved the family to Atlanta from Alabama to make a better life but living in rough neighborhoods at such a young age he got caught up in the streets. Reading Gucci's journey from then until now was fascinating. He has really transformed himself and seems to be committed to a more healthy and stable lifestyle. It's Gucci!
November 8, 2018
Idk I wish I liked this more than I did! I enjoyed it but I didn’t feel like ~shook~ like I should have been?! Gucci is smart and interesting to follow along, but he reeeeaally breezes over the part where he pushed a girl out of his car after she didn’t want to have sex with him like 👀👀👀. I still enjoyed this though and overall the level of humility was just what you want for a memoir
September 22, 2017
I loved Gucci Mane before but I love him even more now. I read this is one sitting!
August 11, 2020
I'm going to call this a 3.5! I enjoyed it. Gucci is just so god damn likeable - and when he feels like he has to explain who diplo is? King shit! Reading Malcolm Gladwell in prison? A Wild Fact. The two reasons I knocked it down from the 5 I think it could have been are these:
1. While I can appreciate not wanting to mine his life story for "drama," it seems like some pretty major parts were deliberately downplayed. The whole "pushing a woman out a car" thing leaves...questions? Maybe this was because these events weren't part of the story he wanted to tell - maybe it's tied up in the legal implications - who knows! But there is a feeling at times that he is ramping up to a major life event and then skirting past it.
2. He is clearly gifted at telling his own story - I mean tbh it is his job to talk about himself and his motivations - but his writing about his collaborators and friends is often lacking. I think this weird inconsistency I spotted is a good example of this. On page 206 he takes some time to discuss the difference in his professional relationships with Zay and Mike Will - his thesis is that Mike Will is confrontational and opinionated to work with, while Zay is more laidback and rolls with what he's given. He references the experience of coming out to the studio for the first time after a stint behind bars and being told by Mike Will "to throw that shit away and get back to freestyling like we'd been doing over the summer. Zay would never say something like that to me." Except...he did. On page 148 Zay has him do exactly that, under very similar circumstances, quote: "don't even think about a hook and don't do any of those written. Let's see what comes out." The idea of the characters of these two people is that they are distinct in how they challenge him - but he fails to make that clear because the anecdote negates other previous anecdotes used to characterize Zay. The characterization of other people is not there - a lot of people he is close to appear in this book but very few are written as anything more than a nebulous collection of facts and encounters.
But goddamn, I think I would read a book of Gucci just opining on shit.
1. While I can appreciate not wanting to mine his life story for "drama," it seems like some pretty major parts were deliberately downplayed. The whole "pushing a woman out a car" thing leaves...questions? Maybe this was because these events weren't part of the story he wanted to tell - maybe it's tied up in the legal implications - who knows! But there is a feeling at times that he is ramping up to a major life event and then skirting past it.
2. He is clearly gifted at telling his own story - I mean tbh it is his job to talk about himself and his motivations - but his writing about his collaborators and friends is often lacking. I think this weird inconsistency I spotted is a good example of this. On page 206 he takes some time to discuss the difference in his professional relationships with Zay and Mike Will - his thesis is that Mike Will is confrontational and opinionated to work with, while Zay is more laidback and rolls with what he's given. He references the experience of coming out to the studio for the first time after a stint behind bars and being told by Mike Will "to throw that shit away and get back to freestyling like we'd been doing over the summer. Zay would never say something like that to me." Except...he did. On page 148 Zay has him do exactly that, under very similar circumstances, quote: "don't even think about a hook and don't do any of those written. Let's see what comes out." The idea of the characters of these two people is that they are distinct in how they challenge him - but he fails to make that clear because the anecdote negates other previous anecdotes used to characterize Zay. The characterization of other people is not there - a lot of people he is close to appear in this book but very few are written as anything more than a nebulous collection of facts and encounters.
But goddamn, I think I would read a book of Gucci just opining on shit.
July 25, 2023
The impact of Gucci Mane on trap music cannot be denied. He is widely recognised as one of the forerunners and important characters in popularising trap music, a hip-hop subgenre distinguished by its ominous, heaviest beats and grimy lyrics.
Gucci Mane introduced an unmatched level of authenticity to trap music with his honest storytelling and unpolished delivery, connecting with listeners from all walks of life. Gucci Mane originated from Atlanta's underground music scene in the early 2000s, and his mixtapes and street songs helped him immediately achieve popularity. His songs reflected his personal experiences and the hardships and reality many people in underdeveloped areas face.
Gucci Mane's music connected with listeners because his songs frequently discussed topics like drug selling, violence, and the hustle. He has contributed significantly to the development of a network of talent within the genre by supporting and working with other up-and-coming trap musicians. Today's most popular trap musicians frequently cite Gucci Mane as a significant mentor and source of inspiration for their own work.
Gucci Mane's impact persisted despite his legal issues and stints of jail. Through the distribution of mixtapes made before his incarceration, his influence on the music world remained keeping his committed fan base.
Gucci Mane has had a greater impact on trap music than just his own successful career. He was key in making the genre well-known, giving aspiring trap musicians a stage to perform on, and advancing the hip-hop scene. He is a real trailblazer and icon in the hip-hop community because of his influence on trap music and culture, which will be remembered for years to come.
Gucci Mane introduced an unmatched level of authenticity to trap music with his honest storytelling and unpolished delivery, connecting with listeners from all walks of life. Gucci Mane originated from Atlanta's underground music scene in the early 2000s, and his mixtapes and street songs helped him immediately achieve popularity. His songs reflected his personal experiences and the hardships and reality many people in underdeveloped areas face.
Gucci Mane's music connected with listeners because his songs frequently discussed topics like drug selling, violence, and the hustle. He has contributed significantly to the development of a network of talent within the genre by supporting and working with other up-and-coming trap musicians. Today's most popular trap musicians frequently cite Gucci Mane as a significant mentor and source of inspiration for their own work.
Gucci Mane's impact persisted despite his legal issues and stints of jail. Through the distribution of mixtapes made before his incarceration, his influence on the music world remained keeping his committed fan base.
Gucci Mane has had a greater impact on trap music than just his own successful career. He was key in making the genre well-known, giving aspiring trap musicians a stage to perform on, and advancing the hip-hop scene. He is a real trailblazer and icon in the hip-hop community because of his influence on trap music and culture, which will be remembered for years to come.
November 10, 2017
Make no mistake. Gucci Mane is a gang banger, as he explains in his memoir. You name it, he's been through it. In and out of jail and rehab? Yep. Cough syrup addiction? Yup. Fights with Waka Flocka and Young Jeezey? Yep. Gucci's memoir reads like you might expect from the Scarface of the rap game, complete with all of the guns, drugs, hood rats, recording studios, and beef with other rappers, one might expect from one of the ATL's hardest rappers.
November 19, 2017
A fun book to cleanse the palate between heavier reads. You don't really need to be a Gucci fan to get into his autobiography. Neil Martinez-Belkin does a great job of capturing Gucci's voice and keeps the narrative cohesive. Gucci comes across as warm, funny and endearing.
June 17, 2020
what an amazing experience
I have no clue what just happened, but this book was INCREDIBLE. Perfectly paced, fun insertions of rap lyrics (I almost wanted to listen to the audiobook just to hear Gucci Mane rap), natural writing style, and an exciting story. One of my favorite books of the year, definitely the best memoir I have ever read. The only thing I noticed was that in the third section there were a few typos (possibly just in the eBook I borrowed from the library) that took me out of the story. BUT I would 100% recommend this to anyway who considers themselves a 00's kid or is generally interested in rap.
I have no clue what just happened, but this book was INCREDIBLE. Perfectly paced, fun insertions of rap lyrics (I almost wanted to listen to the audiobook just to hear Gucci Mane rap), natural writing style, and an exciting story. One of my favorite books of the year, definitely the best memoir I have ever read. The only thing I noticed was that in the third section there were a few typos (possibly just in the eBook I borrowed from the library) that took me out of the story. BUT I would 100% recommend this to anyway who considers themselves a 00's kid or is generally interested in rap.
December 2, 2017
As a music fan I’ve always been an admirer of Gucci Mane’s work ethic, the sheer amount of releases he’s had throughout his career speak for themselves. However, also reading all the non-music related news about him throughout the years, it’s been apparent that he’s always had a lot of demons counteracting this strength.
In his autobiography, Gucci Mane is honest, unapologetic and reflective while describing both the good and the poor decisions that’s taken him to where he is now. The books give a fascinating insight into the people and the environment that shaped the modern Atlanta hip hop sound, where some of the most influential and trendsetting producers of the world today resides (such as Zaytoven, Mike WiLL Made-It and Metro Boomin).
It’s the tale of a life of an incredibly resourceful man, with lots of highs and lows. I found it to a be an engaging and captivating read.
In his autobiography, Gucci Mane is honest, unapologetic and reflective while describing both the good and the poor decisions that’s taken him to where he is now. The books give a fascinating insight into the people and the environment that shaped the modern Atlanta hip hop sound, where some of the most influential and trendsetting producers of the world today resides (such as Zaytoven, Mike WiLL Made-It and Metro Boomin).
It’s the tale of a life of an incredibly resourceful man, with lots of highs and lows. I found it to a be an engaging and captivating read.
January 12, 2018
I knew literally nothing about Gucci Mane before reading this book! I just went online and googled all his videos like an old person.
This book was pretty interesting. More importantly, Gucci is very straightforward in it, which is really impressive and makes it okay that he leaves a lot out. I'm really glad he wrote this book!
This book was pretty interesting. More importantly, Gucci is very straightforward in it, which is really impressive and makes it okay that he leaves a lot out. I'm really glad he wrote this book!
January 1, 2018
🤔2.5 it was interesting hearing about the different artists he’s been connected to at different points in their careers but the only reason I finished it was because I LOVED Guy Lockard’s voice!
May 3, 2022
You know what this was honestly very good, outside of the fact that men can be so hard-headed, I enjoyed this very much. Wasn't it Kanye West who said 1 good girl is worth a thousand bitches? We gotta take everything that Ye says with a grain of salt, but Gucci's autobiography does hold weight to that grain that you do see a man's life start to change when the right one enters it.
Does that make me turn a blind eye to his mistreatment of the thousand? Hell no! So that's a loss for me on this book. I'm glad that Keyshia Kaoir has been a wonderful influence on Gucci's life, you can hear it in his words towards the ending of this book.
Continuing onward, I thought the Autobiography of Gucci Mane was brilliant. Like, it’s an imperfect redemption story. A man on the path of self-destruction giving back to the culture and trying to find his way. He’s so honest about his interactions with other rappers, fame, money, his irresponsibilities, it’s gangster and it's endearing while at times, while still remaining incredibly disgusting at others. I get the hype. GUWOPPPPPPPP .
Sidebar: I'm really glad that he explained the infamous ice cream face tattoo in this book because that's how I was introduced to Gucci. As the younger sister of a brother who I've had to beg not to get a face tattoo, I'm glad that I can now explain this situation as Gucci being out of his damn mind. It helps.
Does that make me turn a blind eye to his mistreatment of the thousand? Hell no! So that's a loss for me on this book. I'm glad that Keyshia Kaoir has been a wonderful influence on Gucci's life, you can hear it in his words towards the ending of this book.
Continuing onward, I thought the Autobiography of Gucci Mane was brilliant. Like, it’s an imperfect redemption story. A man on the path of self-destruction giving back to the culture and trying to find his way. He’s so honest about his interactions with other rappers, fame, money, his irresponsibilities, it’s gangster and it's endearing while at times, while still remaining incredibly disgusting at others. I get the hype. GUWOPPPPPPPP .
Sidebar: I'm really glad that he explained the infamous ice cream face tattoo in this book because that's how I was introduced to Gucci. As the younger sister of a brother who I've had to beg not to get a face tattoo, I'm glad that I can now explain this situation as Gucci being out of his damn mind. It helps.
June 30, 2020
A few years ago, a friend gave me a Secret Santa gift. He said that he'd wanted to get me a book, but didn't know what I had read, so he chose a book he was certain I wouldn't have read. It was genius. Many friends are too scared to buy me books for just this reason. But he was right: The Autobiography with Gucci Mane, by Gucci Mane with Neil Martinez-Belkin, was not on my to-read list. I promised him I would read it, and now I finally have.
Gucci Mane's memoir is honest and raw. He outlines his life, not shy about where he messed up, where he shouldn't have burned bridges, about his addictions and how they warped his life, dragging back moments that should have been successes. I didn't know the crucial part Gucci—real name Radric Davis—played in the birth of trap music, and in the mentorship of other artists from Migos to Young Thug and more. His passion for his art and his ambition are clear and fiery throughout the book, and he tells a story of vices that undermined his goals. Among other things, the book starkly shows the cruelty of our current incarceration system, from the dangers of solitary confinement to the ways that it fails addicts who need help. A solid pageturner of a memoir about a smart, ambitious hustler who has already had a huge impact on the music world.
Gucci Mane's memoir is honest and raw. He outlines his life, not shy about where he messed up, where he shouldn't have burned bridges, about his addictions and how they warped his life, dragging back moments that should have been successes. I didn't know the crucial part Gucci—real name Radric Davis—played in the birth of trap music, and in the mentorship of other artists from Migos to Young Thug and more. His passion for his art and his ambition are clear and fiery throughout the book, and he tells a story of vices that undermined his goals. Among other things, the book starkly shows the cruelty of our current incarceration system, from the dangers of solitary confinement to the ways that it fails addicts who need help. A solid pageturner of a memoir about a smart, ambitious hustler who has already had a huge impact on the music world.
March 16, 2021
Wow
I feel like I swallowed this book whole. Gucci has such an interesting past and it was really cool to learn about his past while connecting the dots of his music. A trip down memory lane of mixtapes that had me reminiscing of the early 2010s. It was cool to see him articulate his moments of darkness juxtaposed with this relentless ambition that ultimately ended up saving him. FreeGucci
I feel like I swallowed this book whole. Gucci has such an interesting past and it was really cool to learn about his past while connecting the dots of his music. A trip down memory lane of mixtapes that had me reminiscing of the early 2010s. It was cool to see him articulate his moments of darkness juxtaposed with this relentless ambition that ultimately ended up saving him. FreeGucci
January 20, 2022
At the start I wasn’t really into the book but that didn’t take long to change.
The trap god has lived a crazy to life with plenty of ups and even more downs. Great to see him get to where he is today.
Shout out 1017 brick squad
The trap god has lived a crazy to life with plenty of ups and even more downs. Great to see him get to where he is today.
Shout out 1017 brick squad
March 20, 2019
An integral piece of rap history
July 11, 2019
the book was very interesting and informative, wether or not you like gucci mane as an artist or person, you learn a lot of life lessons and techniques to make it out of a low income community.
January 21, 2019
“If you keep looking back, you’re gonna trip going forward.” Gucci Mane
This autobiography started off a bit too slow for me, I almost DNF’d it. However, I pushed through it and glad that I did. Gucci Mane literally put Trap Music on the map, so his story needed to be told. His autobiography covers everything you could think of, childhood woes, addiction, prison, violence, and fame. I appreciated the stories of him growing up and moving from Alabama to Atlanta as a child; he even touches on the infamous Atlanta’s Child Murders, i.e. Wayne Williams. He details how he went from selling drug as a young teenager, to attempting to manage talent, to actually becoming the talent himself. He’s extremely intimate and honest about it all, even things he probably can’t legally disclose (fully). This was a straight to the point, brutally honest, story of how you can go from nothing to something, and lose it all at a blink of an eye.
Overall, I enjoyed his story. I was left wanting to know more about his family, as he swiftly moves over that part of his life in the beginning of the book. I also wish he would have touched on the ice cream tattoo on his face a little more, as well. I mean we all know him for his music, but we also all know him for that ice cream tattoo that was on his face! Right?!
QOTD: What’s your favorite Gucci Mane song? Have you read his autobiography?
This autobiography started off a bit too slow for me, I almost DNF’d it. However, I pushed through it and glad that I did. Gucci Mane literally put Trap Music on the map, so his story needed to be told. His autobiography covers everything you could think of, childhood woes, addiction, prison, violence, and fame. I appreciated the stories of him growing up and moving from Alabama to Atlanta as a child; he even touches on the infamous Atlanta’s Child Murders, i.e. Wayne Williams. He details how he went from selling drug as a young teenager, to attempting to manage talent, to actually becoming the talent himself. He’s extremely intimate and honest about it all, even things he probably can’t legally disclose (fully). This was a straight to the point, brutally honest, story of how you can go from nothing to something, and lose it all at a blink of an eye.
Overall, I enjoyed his story. I was left wanting to know more about his family, as he swiftly moves over that part of his life in the beginning of the book. I also wish he would have touched on the ice cream tattoo on his face a little more, as well. I mean we all know him for his music, but we also all know him for that ice cream tattoo that was on his face! Right?!
QOTD: What’s your favorite Gucci Mane song? Have you read his autobiography?
January 26, 2018
"If you keep looking back you're going to trip going forward. In life, sometimes you reach a folk in the road and you have to make a decision. Which direction will it be? Left or right? To be firm in the decision you can't keep looking back. You have to make peace with the past. It doesn't happen overnight. It takes time for wounds to heal....To start a new chapter you've got to turn the page on the last one." ~ Radric Davis, The Autobiography of GUCCI MANE.
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