Gucci Mane: “I’m so big in Atlanta”
AP photo
Gucci Mane does not dream small.
The Atlanta rapper talked to The Source Magazine for its April “Green” issue. He said he wants to be “the richest person in Atlanta,” and that he’s becoming so famous he can scarcely live his life.
“I’m so big in Atlanta right now, I can’t even go outside,” Gucci says in an excerpt the magazine sent us. “It never used to be like this. Now old people, white people, all people know who I am. Like people almost wrecking their car to take a picture of my car.”
Gucci says people have followed him home seeking an autograph and that a police office once pulled him over just to see his ride.
“Yesterday, I’m in my Ferrari, I get pulled over, the cop comes to the car and says, ‘Sorry, I just wanna see the inside of your Ferrari.’ I swear to God.”
Gucci was detained briefly when Henry County authorities raided the home of fellow rapper Waka Flocka Flame in December, but he didn’t discuss that.
“I can’t really go into detail, but I was detained, released, and wasn’t charged with any crime,” Gucci said. “When you go through stuff like that, you just got to shut your mouth and wait ‘til it blows over.”
Records show the artist, whose real name is Radric Davis, has been in the Fulton County Jail at least five times since 2005 on drug, aggravated assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges. But Gucci’s all about looking ahead.
“When I came out of school, I had a 3.4 GPA,” said Gucci, who went to Georgia Perimeter College. “I was always a smart guy. I always prided myself on being a challenger and making challenging decisions. I’m not perfect, but I definitely try my best to be a good person that makes wise decisions.”
- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com
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221 comments Add your comment
Tyler hall
March 15th, 2011
9:42 am
Man all yall who say gucci aint nutin yall aint nutin gucci stuntin hard for all you dat are gucci fans straight up but to all you that are hatin forgetyall you all mad because gucci get a milli every time somebody buy his tracks gucci goes hard i dont care what any of yall say burr
Angela
March 15th, 2011
9:43 am
If you have never heard of him, why take the time to read the article?
bird dawg
March 15th, 2011
9:45 am
i made myself sit through some videos on mtv jams for shats and giggles. thats the only time i heard one of his songs. it was unlistenable garbage. i was shouting out “who could possibly like this? and how could anybody?” didnt know he was from here until his arrests kept popping up on ajc.
at least athens still puts out good music.
INDI
March 15th, 2011
9:46 am
He may appear to be dumb when he speaks but he is actually quite smart…he got 43 comments mostly from people who claim they dont know him but NOW YOU DO!
atlmom
March 15th, 2011
9:47 am
@JesSayin…why judge? If I like his music, then that is my right. I don’t see any reason for you to cast judgement on my music choices. And yes, he is a player in the game of music – not only for his songs, but who he works with, produces, etc. He is also a “behind the scenes” kind of musician. Please stop judging – and as someone else mentioned…if you don’t like him or know who he is – just pass the article by and ignore it. My wise grandmother taught me, “Keep a pleasant expression on your face at all times and if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Try it…
Chuck Sheen
March 15th, 2011
9:49 am
Who? I’m richer than this clown
PacTrip
March 15th, 2011
9:50 am
Honestly, I would not recognize him if he stood in front of me. As for his wealth, I hope he is being a good steward and saving for a rainy day. Many times, folks spend as they go expecting to always have a large income and when that ends, they have nothing to show for it. Seems he thinks more of himself than he should.
JoeV
March 15th, 2011
9:53 am
@DNice
GPC is NOT a part of the University of Georgia. It is a part of the University SYSTEM of Georgia. The USG is just an organizational body of 35 public schools in GA. That does not make each member school equivalent to the next. GPC is a two-year college that grants associate degrees. The University of Georgia is a full, doctoral-granting research university.
BIG DIFFERENCE!
Atlantaphotog
March 15th, 2011
9:53 am
Well, “Radric Davis” (I REFUSE to use his gang…er.. “rapper” name), is a convict and nothing more. Why would anyone follow him, unless it’s the police to serve a warrant for his arrest (again)?
It’s a real shame that in this country we celebrate thugs and convicts more than we do firemen, teachers, and police. It’s why America will be a third world country in less than a couple of more generations.
Steve
March 15th, 2011
9:54 am
A 3.4 GPA from what effectively amounts to metro Atlanta’s 13th grade. Yay, you’re so brilliant dude. And apparently so humble too.
It’s miscreants like this guy – and all the other hip hop d-bags – that bring shame to this city. ‘Kickin mad rhymes’ to the beat of loud, obnoxious ‘music’ is more important than setting intelligible lyrics to music that is melodious. We get to hear this crap being blared out of car windows everywhere from ‘Da SWATS’ up to Dunwoody and beyond. This garbage adds nothing to the cultural landscape other than glorifying a lifestyle that is depraved, disgusting and often downright illegal. And yet all you empty-headed goons continue to call it “self-expression” and everyone who doesn’t approve of it is “racist”.
I look forward to the day when this trashy breed of noisemaking goons finds a new mecca to destroy. Don’t let the door smack your A on the way.
Banned For life
March 15th, 2011
9:56 am
Enter your comments here
A Rap "Song"
March 15th, 2011
9:57 am
Sample Loop, Sample Loop.
Triangle. Triangle.
Ni__ger This, Ni__ger That.
Sample Loop, Sample Loop.
Triangle. Triangle.
Peace Out
News Report
Club Shooting
3 Arrested for Murder.
bob
March 15th, 2011
9:58 am
@atlmom
You sound hot.
Aaron
March 15th, 2011
9:59 am
He will end up shot/murdered within a few years like the rest of them I am sure.
Andre
March 15th, 2011
10:00 am
As a rap music lover, he is so not big in Atlanta.
bag of bones
March 15th, 2011
10:00 am
Why can’t a young black man think big with out some white person’s approval instead yall would like to see a soft cushion weak kneed apologetic negro speak highly of white people but he’s nothing if he speaks proudly of his original blackself !!!
Tico Maze
March 15th, 2011
10:00 am
Enter your comments here
Greg
March 15th, 2011
10:01 am
Who cares if he is a true player in the Atlanta Hip Hop Scene? This guy makes money saying dumb stuff to kids to in turn make them dumb. His whole style is get rich by being a complete idiot. Why does society glorify these hoodlums? I love rap music, but I love those who speak with intelligence. People like Common, Black Thought from the Roots, and Skyzoo all have a message, but sadly radio only pushes these idiots.
Its sad to know a fool who has gone to jail several times has made enough money to buy a ferrari and brag about it just by making dumb dumb lyrics, and the kids love it….so sad.
DUH
March 15th, 2011
10:01 am
Gucci does realize that Arthur Blank lives here right, and he is a Billionaire …
LSUnAtlanta
March 15th, 2011
10:02 am
Can’t be that BIG I don’t have the first clue as to who this guy is.
Steve
March 15th, 2011
10:02 am
@A Rap “Song” : You forgot some other equally important elements:
“I smack all dem hos”. “I get more A than a toilet seat”. “No one F’s with me or they get a taste of my 9mm”. “I so bad, I so bad, I so bad”. “Blow, crack and (insert name of overpriced brand name liquor here)”. “I got me 15 (various expensive German and Italian cars) beeyotch”, “F da po-po”
Etc. etc. etc.
Grape Eater
March 15th, 2011
10:05 am
I could walk right past him on the street and wouldn’t have any idea who he is.
Steven
March 15th, 2011
10:05 am
I hate Goopie Mange! My sweet black lab buddy got it and we had to put him down. The smell was awful and the kids were devastated. RIP Buddy….
LRAdams
March 15th, 2011
10:06 am
This egotistical fool should get no Press at all. He is so full of himself there is no room for anyone else. He needs to understand that his success is driven by his fans. If his fans leave* he is toast. Instead of bragging about his car and his wealth he should be thanking his family* the city of Atlanta and his fans for supporting him.
Jesse Jackson has a scheme for you....
March 15th, 2011
10:14 am
He went to Perimeter…..WOW Gucci…..that’s awesome….my dog just graduated from there too with a degree in accounting…….Congrats my friend….
Daqve
March 15th, 2011
10:16 am
I wonder if Bernie Marcus is worried? How many drugs does Radric have to sell to top 2 billion?
Jesse Jackson has a scheme for you....
March 15th, 2011
10:17 am
Isn’t it also fun to note that Rappers tend to spend more time in jail than illegals immigrants…The Rap Culture is so amazingly beneficial to the moral fiber of this great country……….
4xtra
March 15th, 2011
10:18 am
oh brother ..dont get me started again.
The richest person in atlanta ?
I like to see brothas get ahead..trust me, I do, if that was to happen
(its a long shot but anything is possible)
but THEN WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? By more exotic cars?
How in the world is that going to help anyone else except himself?
How about “I want to start the largest philathrapy in Atlanta.”
Keep in mind many brothas in the hood have no business sense so that doesnt suprise me that he made a comment as grandiose as that.
People like him think being “hood rich” is to have a nice car, an apartment with 3 roomates w/NO FURNITURE and $1000 in $1 dollar bills to make it rain every monay night at Magic City.
Dont get mad at the guy because he (and others) do NOT know any better.
By the way ….Relax Im black (but real)
Galatians 4:16
I like hip hop music but……….
HIP HIP IS ENTERTAINMENT NOT A LIFESTYLE.
He said what?????
March 15th, 2011
10:19 am
They need to show us a picture of his house! I don’t care what he drives or how much bling he rocks! Until he is rocking it like P-Diddy, 50 or Jay-Z or even T.I. he ain’t CRAP!!!!!
He said what?????
March 15th, 2011
10:21 am
4xtra well put my man!!!!!
AJC as usual lovvvvvvvves to open comments
March 15th, 2011
10:21 am
on stories that involve RACE. As a matter of fact 90% of the stories they let people comment on are “black people vs white people.” SHAME ON YOU AJC. IM WATCHING AND WILL MAKE THIS COMMENT EVERY TIME.
Greg
March 15th, 2011
10:23 am
The problem with this black man is he says dumb stuff, is a criminal and does not care that he says dumb stuff to make money all while killing the artform. Unfortunately, he is viewed as some kind of leader in the Atl rap music scene. People are always judged by the worst of their kind. Why would any self respecting black person want this guy to be the face of any sect of black people. This is the problem. If he was an intelligent dude with something to say that was remotely positive you would not see such a negative response to this moron!
JENNIFER BRETT (THE AUTHOR) DOES IT AGAIN
March 15th, 2011
10:25 am
WE SEE YOU MS BRETT….TOLD YOU A FEW WEEKS AGO YOU WRITE RACIALLY INFLAMMATORY ARTICLES AND OPEN THE COMMENTS TO LET THE “MASSES” DO THE DIRTY WORK AND MAKE THE BLATENTLY RACIST COMMENTS….NICE “JOURNALISM” OR “BLOGGING” AS YOU CALLED IT LAST TIME. YOU’RE CONSISTENT.
Greg
March 15th, 2011
10:27 am
4xtra…I agree
Captain Midnight
March 15th, 2011
10:29 am
If I had to guess, I’d say Ed Roland (Collective soul) is probably the richest musician in the city. You can’t turn on the tv without hearing one of his songs. “The world I know” is backgroung music in a Chevy commercial right now and I’m sure ED-e ain’t lettin em play it for free.
Jamie
March 15th, 2011
10:30 am
He’s big in Atlanta and Detroit. Go figure. Looks just like hundreds of thousands of other rapper wannabes in da ATL. Wonder who will be the first to be shot again, him or Wakka Flaka Flame.
Captain Midnight
March 15th, 2011
10:31 am
Oh my bad, Ed’s a white musician in da Atl so he don’t count.
Greg
March 15th, 2011
10:31 am
Why is what she wrote….Racially Inflammatory? He is what he is..his record stands for itself. I understand why some people may say racially inflammatory things..its because some folks are sick of seeing some black folks (gucci mane types) be so blatantly ignorant, destroy the city, shoot, rob and make records about it all why becoming rich and being a dreg on society. I get it and I am black.
Traci
March 15th, 2011
10:32 am
Everyone stops to see the Circus when its in town –HE is a Clown.
He is recognized cause he Tattooed an Ice Cream Cone on his FACE.
Yesm these Rappers can have a fat bank account – an Advance will do that. Now ask the question – how much does he OWE the record label. ” ReCouperable” is the word that many of these star struck fans need to learn. –They took our a loan and advance on sales.
Neil Jackson
March 15th, 2011
10:34 am
BBBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Greg
March 15th, 2011
10:34 am
We can’t expect others to respect us…when we do not respect ourselves. Gucci and Waka Flocka help make that divide each time they release and album and go to jail and flaunt that lifestyle.
Nicole M
March 15th, 2011
10:35 am
Ok listen to what he just said: I’m a good person who tries to make the right decisions. Yet he’s been in and out of jail 5 or more times since 2005 on listen now drug, aggravated assualt and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon but he’s all about looking ahead, to what the same charges. Since 2005 you mean to tell me you been looking ahead to all this in and out of jail mess? Or he wasn’t thinking about that just thinking about trying to be the richest rapper In Atlanta WOW! Please don’t get me wrong I like gucci I listen to him i’m no hater, but seriously his main focus is trying to become the richest person in Atlanta SMH!!! Is he serious?
Caleb
March 15th, 2011
10:35 am
Greg: THANK YOU. We need more folks out there like you and less of these gangsta/thug types and the folks who defend them against “evil whitey” under the guise of promoting racial harmony.
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck… IT’S A DAMN DUCK. Get that straight, people.
Greg
March 15th, 2011
10:36 am
Traci is right… This is most likely why they have been pimped into making ignorant music. The record companies own them for millions.
Proof Reader Needed (Apply Within)
March 15th, 2011
10:38 am
that a police office once pulled him over just to see his ride.
Steve
March 15th, 2011
10:40 am
@Proof: I had a good laugh at that too. And APD officers have nothing better to do? Yeah right.
Just Sayin
March 15th, 2011
10:41 am
The police likely pulled him over to see if they smelled weed wofting from his car
ThisIsPitiful
March 15th, 2011
10:41 am
Im pretty sure we all clicked this article to laugh at this dude. 26 yr. old black man here with a couple of degrees and born in Decatur without a dad, and made no excuses. I completely agree with the majority of comments on here. We as young blacks feed into the porch monkey mentality (don’t start with the bs) as a means of trying to make money to get out of difficult situations. It’s no different from the bojangles of 50 years ago.
The sad part is that there are some rich white billionaires making their money off people like Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame, Lil Wayne and all that other crap, as they feed non-sense to little kids to keep up an image. And they wonder why they cant sell more than 13,000 CDs but have a billion youtube hits (Soulja Boy). That bs should be free. Music is one of the most powerful tools to influence people, but nobody will waste their money on crap. Atlanta used to be the home of outstanding African-American artists (S.O.S. Band, OutKast, TLC, etc.) and now all these fools try to move here just to sell a hot song. Gucci, Waka, Soulja Boy can seriously move back to where they are from and stop brainwashing the future of Black Atlanta.
***I challenge anyone to a debate***
Ben
March 15th, 2011
10:42 am
What a loser. Gucci Man! effin Dork!
JUST A FAN OF SPORTS
March 15th, 2011
10:42 am
Aaron, If you have never seen a white person with gold teeth or their pants hanging, you have been under a rock, maybe you should leave the your trailer park occasionally and see the outside world with your undereducated comments…