Yo Gotti is from Memphis, Tennessee (Northside, Ridgecrest to be exact) and his name has been buzzing in the streets for a minute now. I know this because my nephews ALWAYS ask if I have that new Gotti. But when the likes of Ross, Minaj, Jadakiss, and Gucci want to make songs with you, you know you have to be hot.
Yo Gotti finally dropped his debut album Live In The Kitchen after many delays. How do you explain your lead single off the album coming out in 2009? Your label getting shutdown can do that, but somehow Gotti kept his name buzzing with a number of mixtapes and constantly touring. Let’s see what Gotti is cooking up.
1. Testimony
Produced by DJ Montay
Gotti starts the album up just like I thought he would…with some straight HOOD music. Nothing new here, Gotti got all the bases covered…drugs, women, guns, and thuggery. What more could you ask for in a song? The production on this one attacks the speakers. Good start to the album.
2. Harder
Featuring Rick Ross; Produced by Lil’ Lody
When I first heard this beat, I immediately heard Waka’s “Hard In The Paint” and you can’t lose with that beat. Again, Gotti sticks to the recipe and gives his fans what they want to hear…straight goon music. Ross was a nice addition to the song as usual.
3. Killa
Produced by Shorty Redd
I really don’t like the production of this track and I have said previously that Shawty Redd has fallen off. It hurt Gotti on this song. The beat is so bad that I don’t even want to hear what Gotti is saying on this one. I have to hit the SKIP button on this one.
4. Red, White & Blue
Featuring Jadakiss; Produced by Drumma Drama
Gotti gets “patriotic” on this song, not really, but as patriotic as a hood cat can be. That means creating jobs in the hood with work from overseas. Jadakiss seems to always show up on the real street South music. He sounds good on the beats though.
5. Single
Featuring Stuey Rock; Produced by Lil’ Lody
This that club song that Gotti had playing at all the hood spots. The production KNOCKS on this one and I know the strippers made some good money when this one came on. Gotti might have something with this one.
6. Second Chance
Featuring Lex Luger
Gotti got real with the people on this one. I know people that can relate to what he talking about in this song. Second chance in a relationships and men rarely give females that second chance. That’s just how it is. Gotti made a goon version of a love song.
7. Cases
Featuring 2 Chainz; Produced by Mike Will
This sounds like Mortal Kombat to me. I really don’t like Gotti on this type of beat. This beat sounds like some techno music. Gotti and 2 Chainz are still doing what they do, but that Mortal Kombat music is doing too much. Take that out and the song is pretty decent. 2 Chainz has been tearing the circuit up lately.
8. Letter
Produced by Lil’ Lody
You can’t be a real street nigga and don’t have a “letter to my nigga locked up” song. This one happens to be to Gotti’s older brother. You can’t really be mad about these tracks because it’s feelings on wax. RESPECT.
9. Go Girl
Featuring Big K.R.I.T, Big Sean, & Wiz Khalifa; Produced by Mike Will
Mike Will redeemed his production on this one. This one is one of those “fun” songs that the “old” Young Dro would rap to. By the names on the song, you should know that feeling is pretty big on this one. I’m starting to see the appeal of Wiz’s music. He hasn’t won me over 100%, but he’s getting closer.
10. We Can Get It On
Produced by Drumma Boy
This was Gotti’s second single that was released a while back, which had Ciara on it. The album version doesn’t have it and it comes off kind of flat for Gotti. I rather have Gotti gooning it up instead of getting all lovey dovey.
11. 5 Star (Remix)
Featuring Gucci Mane, Trina, & Nicki Minaj; Produced by Hot Rod
You know it you put a two year old song on your album, this had to be a big hit for you. If you were around when EVERY chick on the planet was a “5 Star Chick” then you know the impact that this song had on the females. Nicki ripped it just in case you didn’t know.
Bottom Line:
Gotti gave his fans the kind of music they like. Some of this music most of his fans have heard with most of it coming out on one of his mixtapes. But for the new or casual Yo Gotti fan, this was a good introduction to what kind of music that Yo Gotti makes. Will he win you over with lyrics? No, but he will give you some real life, street rhymes for you to listen to. Gotti’s music might be enjoyed better in its raw state (mixtapes) than it’s cooked up form (album).
