Gucci Mane is a storyteller. But I didn’t immediately understand the gravity of that statement growing up in the South (I was born in Maryland, but raised in Florida from the age of one). Admittedly, it didn’t fully resonate with me until his first post-jail album dropped. Billboard’s coverage of “Everything Gucci Mane Did His First Week Out of Prison” still sticks with me. Based on fan reaction alone, I’d liken Gucci’s comeback to the second coming of Jesus.
Which is why I was excited when his autobiography was announced. I’m only through part one, but what I can say about it is this: The Autobiography of Gucci Mane—so far, at least—is probably not what you expect. If you were waiting for him to dish on explicit details of all his rap beefs to date or recount his days as a Trap God in full, I’m sorry to inform you that this isn’t your book. (Though I’m told he does address the incident during which he reportedly pushed a woman out of a moving vehicle.)
But! If you want to read about how Gucci pushed through trials and tribulations (nevermind that he created most of them for himself), then this is a read for you. In the first 100 pages, I’ve already learned a lot. Behold, a brief list of fun facts you might not know about Guwop:
1 Gucci’s name comes from his daddy, Ralph Everett Dudley, who “went by a lot of aliases,” including Slim Daddy and Ralph Witherspoon. Gucci’s grandfather loved to dress and particularly loved Gucci as a clothing brand. (Pg. 5)
2 Gucci’s brother Duke essentially birthed his love for rap. A music enthusiast, Duke was up on the hottest hip-hop during the ’80s, and Gucci studied his brother’s tapes intently—even when Duke wasn’t around. (Pg. 12)
3 Gucci met OJ da Juiceman as a kid collecting aluminum cans for money. Collecting cans was his “first enterprise,” as he describes in the book. (Pg. 24)
4 Gucci started selling dope in eighth grade so he could afford the Starter jacket his mother couldn’t get him for Christmas that year. (Pg. 26)
5 32 Bouldercrest is the name of one of the buses that stopped near the Texaco where Gucci would sell. He references both in 2008’s “I’m a Star.” (Pg. 38)
6 In 2001, Gucci was arrested at the famed Texaco station he rapped about in “I’m a Star” (both he and OJ da Juiceman have rapped about the Texaco many times). He says this particular arrest was the catalyst of his music career. (Pg. 46)
7 Zaytoven is actually from the Bay Area. When Gucci met him, he was new to Georgia and had been making beats for folks like E-40 and Messy Marv. (Pg. 48)
8 “Misery Loves Company” was Gucci’s first-ever music video, which was put out around his early days with the Zone 6 Clique. (Pg. 65)
9 Gucci’s success with 2004’s “Black Tee” was sort of accidental and opportunistic. He recorded a remix of Dem Franchize Boyz’s “White Tee” and with members of Str8 Drop, a crew he formed with his partner Whoa back in the day, and DJs started to credit it as Gucci’s record since he had the first verse. This is essentially how his name started buzzing in Atlanta. (Pg. 73-75)
10 Gucci turned down a deal with Grand Hustle. He believes Young Dro was possibly signed in his place. (Pg. 80-81)
11 Cam’ron is one of Gucci’s favorite rappers. (Pg. 82)
12 LaFlare Entertainment was spwaned through a deal with Marlon Rowe (aka Big Cat), who signed Gucci to his local independent label Big Cat Recordings. (Pg. 84)
13 John Legend’s “Ordinary People” was Gucci’s favorite song around the time he found out he was wanted for murder. (Pg. 96)
The Autobiography of Gucci Mane is on sale now.
