Before we get too into this review, I think it’s important that I be honest about one thing: I am not a Gucci Mane fan. I may sometimes find myself nodding my head to some of his songs but can no way be considered a fan. I never understood the appeal or even his buzz on the streets (I do sometimes find him unintentionally hilarious though). But reviewing albums isn’t always rating albums by Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Joe Budden, or Eminem (Shit I was gonna listen to anyway). Sometimes it’s reviewing an album you know is not your type of music. Then you gotta push that shit aside and try to step out of your zone and use journalistic integrity (Wait, nappyafro has journalist integrity?). Now back to Gucci…
If you listen to Hip-Hop (Especially in the South) you probably already know his story. Came in the game in 2005 off the strength of the Young Jeezy featured “Icy” (So Icey later became the name of Gucci’s label and he would go on to beef with Jeezy over the track). He was later arrested for murder but got off the for lack of evidence (Though he would later go to jail for unrelated charges). But I guess he really stepped his profile up with his mixtape game (Do you know how many Wilt Chamberlain mixtapes there are?). A lot of people are saying that he’s the next to blow out of the South. But commercial appeal has always eluded him; none of his previous efforts has really been successful. Will his fifth album, Murder Was The Case, make Gucci Mane LaFlare a household name?
1. Running Back (Getting Fat)
Produced by DJ Speedy
The album starts off with how fat his pocket is getting (“Obese!”). Gucci also thanks God for the beat…he probably shouldn’t have. The beat is okay (Sounds a little like Mannie Fresh) but doesn’t stand out. Gucci does his usually thing but doesn’t do anything for me lyric wise. Flow wise? Naw.
2. Hot
Produced by DJ Speedy
“Man it’s gonna be a cold summer/ice on my belly so you know I gotta cold stomach” Huh? That line may not even be exactly what he said; Gucci doesn’t exactly rap coherently. The beat has little space age feel to it. Gucci sings on the hook to bad results.
3. Block Party
Produced by Zaytoven
Even though I’m not a Gucci fan, I do know that his best work is when he’s paired with producer Zaytoven. The hook on this isn’t that bad and sorta funny; “It’s my party buy a dub if you want to/30 if want to/40 then I front you…”. Straight trap music people. It works.
4. Stoopid
Produced by Zaytoven
Early I said there are some songs by Gucci that I nod my head to; this is one of them. The actual verses loose me but the hook and the way it fits with the beat is catchy; “See my chain stoopid/And my rang stoopid/Girl I’m not stoopid but my knot stoopid”. So ignorant but fun. This is the first single off the album and by far the most known.
5. Murder Was The Case
Featuring Ox
It’s Ox from Belly! Well, his real name is Louie Rankin. It’s just an interlude with him talking shit.
6. Murder For Fun
Featuring Ox; Produced Mel-Man
Here Gucci Mane goes at Young Jeezy. The track has an ominous feel (I wonder if this is the same Mel-Man that worked with Dr. Dre. I doubt it). It even gets darker when Gucci raps, “When you dealing with a vet don’t bring a rookie/Tell Young Jeezy that I smell pussy”. It’s definitely no “Ether”, but I guess the song does what’s it suppose. Ox does a long ass hook.
7. Trap Money (remix)
Featuring B.A. & Mook; Produced by Zaytoven
“I got trap money. I got trap money.” There is trap reference smorgasbord on this track. From comparing cocaine to Cheetah Girls to the obligatory “white girl” talk, I guess the trappers will love this one. It must be a remix because Gucci only does the hook.
8. Neva Had Shit
Produced by Zoe
Gucci with a little substance? Well not really, but Gucci at least goes a little off his usual track and gives us a little background on his poor upbringing. The beat fits the subject matter. You may have to mark this track as a win for Gucci.
9. Yella Diamonds
Produced by Tra Beats
Who can write a whole song about “yella” diamonds? Gucci Mane can! The production here is definitely club ready. I can hear the whole club singing the hook on this one. Not my thing though.
10. Get Low (Like A Lambo)
Featuring Selassie; Produced by DJ Speedy
Here Gucci compares a woman to a Lamborghini and proceeds to go through all the standards of the “trick off” song. I can tell they were going for straight radio play here when they brought in the R&B hook. The whole thing doesn’t work and Selassie is annoying.
11. Say Damn
Produced by DJ Speedy
Is this Gucci Mane rapping? It sounds like him with a cold or a frog in his throat. I guess he’s trying something different. It’s not really different because he still talking about drugs and his jewelry. The beat here isn’t that bad either.
12. Cuttin’ Off Fingaz
Produced by Zaytoven
“Gucci go and get it while them hoes get abortions/Shittin’ on them bitches take a piss on they Jordans” Damn. It’s like he’s a less talented southern Black Eminem (I’m just joking about the Eminem part. Not death threats please).
13. Gangs
Featuring Biz; Produced by Zaytoven
Guess what this song is about? “Let’s start a gang!” The song is forgettable but the rapper featured here, Biz, did say a “trap-tastic” line (That is what happens when you listen to too mush Gucci Mane. You make up work that have “trap” in them): “I gotta Forrest Gump traphouse, it stay running”. That’s really all I got from this.
14. Shittin’ Onum
Produced by DJ Speedy
The track starts of with flies buzzing around (Well, just the sound effects). It also poorly uses an Al Green “Love & Happiness” sample. At this point, I’m not even gonna point out the lack of album sequencing or even why this song ends Murder Was The Case. The title references what people say when they see his cars or jewelry (Shit!). Get it? The flow is tiresome but the beat is made for the club.
Bottom Line:
After taking the time to really listen to an entire Gucci Mane album (4 times to be exact), I’m sad to say that I still don’t understand the buzz. Some would go on to say that he makes songs for the traps and clubs. But when you push all that aside, can you really say Gucci Mane is a talented rapper? Can you even say that he is original or that he makes quality music? Plus with all the attention Gucci is receiving, shouldn’t this album have boasted better features (An OJ Da Juiceman feature or even a Soulja Boy would have helped). I went into this review putting aside my preconceived notions and focused on listening to the music. The music is not very good. They only reason Murder Was The Case doesn’t get less than 2 stars is because maybe (Just maybe) this is the type of music that you listen to strictly at the club. One thing I can say that this album achieved, making me feel dumber after listening to it. Gucci!
Download: Gucci Mane feat. Ox – “Murder For Fun”
