Davis was born in Birmingham, Alabama and moved with his single mother to Atlanta in the fourth grade. Since elementary school, he had enjoyed writing poetry, and he began rapping at age 14. He signed to Big Cat Records after his debut single “Black Tee” was frequently played on local radio. In 2005, he released his independent debut album entitled Trap House, which featured the successful single “Icy” with Young Jeezy. Disputes over the rights to this single caused a rift between the two artists. Hard to Kill followed in 2006 and included the hit single “Freaky Gurl”. The song peaked at #12 on the Hot Rap Tracks, #19 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and at #62 on the Hot 100. The official remix featuring Ludacris and Lil Kim was included on his 2007 commercial debut album Back to the Trap House. Gucci Mane appeared on OJ da Juiceman’s “Make the Trap Say Aye” and began working on various mixtapes. Gucci Mane signed to Warner Bros. Records in May 2009.

He appeared on remixes of the songs “Boom Boom Pow” by Black Eyed Peas, “Obsessed” by Mariah Carey and “5 Star Chick” by Yo Gotti and made a guest appearance on Mario’s “Break Up” (he has made 17 guest appearances total in 2009). Gucci Mane’s second studio album The State vs. Radric Davis was relesead under the label Warner Bros. Records on December 8, 2009. Its first single, “Wasted” featuring Plies, was originally from Mane’s 2009 mixtape Writing on the Wall. It peaked at #36 on the Hot 100, #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and #3 on the Rap Songs making it Gucci Mane’s most successful single to date. The second single is “Spotlight” feauring Usher. The third single is “Lemonade”. The fourth single is “Bingo”.

On October 2, 2009, Gucci Mane was listed at #6 on MTV’s annual Hottest MC’s In The Game list.

Gucci Mane is undoubtedly a star in hip hop. This album validates his status. Right from the intro ‘Classical’, Gucci Mane displays that he indeed has talent and talent galore. His flow, content, lyrics, cleverness and technique are all displayed on that one song and lets listeners know that Gucci Mane is here to stay and the sky is the limit.

While expanding his subject matter and technique, he has not forgotten about what made him successful in the first place. Songs such as ‘Heavy’, ‘Stupid Wild’, ‘All About The Money’, ‘Lemonade’, and ‘Bingo’ are the type of anthems everyone has come to love about Gucci.

Production is truly not a problem here receiving beats from the best producers of today, including Drummer Boy, Bangladesh, Zaytoven, JUSTICE League, Polow Da Don, Zaytoven, Jazze Pha, Scott Storch, Shawty Redd, and Fatboi. That’s quite an impressive list of producers by any standards. Also coming to the defense of Gucci Mane are Lil Wayne, CamRon, Rick Ross, Soulja Boy, Keyshia Cole, Nicki Minaj, Trina, Bobby Valentino, Plies, Usher, Bun B, Devin The Dude, E-40, OJ Da Juiceman and Waka Flocka Flame.

Gucci Mane’s The State Vs. Radric Davis is potentially one of the best albums of the year. With its beats, lyrics, and anthems it’s more like a coming out party rather than a going in party. He has not disappointed one bit. 

4/5