Reviews for The Autobiography Of Gucci Mane

by Gucci Mane with Neil Martinez-Belkin

School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Atlanta has always played a significant role in shaping the sound and culture of rap and hip-hop, and the influence of Gucci Mane (né Radric Davis) can't be overstated. But he almost didn't get to experience the success because of his frequent stints in jail. Most recently released in 2016, Gucci Mane has been on a tear since then, putting out albums and mixtapes and collaborating with others. This autobiography, written while he was serving time in a federal prison for possession of a firearm, paints a rich portrait. Gucci Mane was born in rural Alabama. As a young teen from very limited means, he began petty drug dealing and moved on to bigger deals to earn money fast. In 2001, he met record producer Zaytoven (with whom he still works) and music became his passion even as the drug dealing greatly funded it. Gucci Mane briefly discusses how he was accused of murder in 2005 (which was ruled an act of self-defense) but is very frank about his use of lean (a mix of prescription cough syrup, soft drinks, and fruit-flavored candy) and the tolls of addiction. Several full-color photographs enhance the stories. The book name drops frequently, as Gucci Mane has influenced and worked with almost every rapper out of Atlanta in the last decade. VERDICT An engaging addition for fans of the artist or music lovers in general.-Jamie Watson, Baltimore County Public Library © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Hip-hop artist Radric Davis, aka Gucci Mane, was born in Alabama and raised under less than optimal conditions in Atlanta. He culled traits from his alcoholic father and lessons learned from dealing drugs during the height of the crack epidemic, parlaying these experiences into a platinum-selling music career. Known as the Godfather of Trap Music (a subgenre of Southern rap characterized by gritty lyrical content, 808 bass, and synthesizer-heavy beats), he is responsible for some of today's most well-known artists, including Waka Flaka Flame, Migos, and Young Thug. Hampered by poor decision-making, a fractured family, and personal and professional relationships fueled by an addiction to prescription cough syrup, Gucci Mane's career has been a roller coaster of resounding successes and failures all detailed in this self-aware autobiography. The title, written with former XXL Magazine music editor Martinez-Belkin, chronicles Mane's disputes with other Southern rappers, stints in rehab, court cases, and incarcerations. Many in the performer's inner circle believe his erratic behavior goes beyond addiction to undiagnosed bipolar disorder, but he attributes his issues to post-traumatic stress disorder from his environment and upbringing. Verdict Accessible and conversational in tone, this book juxtaposes Gucci's genius and self-destructive tendencies in a way that will elicit responses from ire to empathy. Recommended for rap music scholars and fans of Gucci Mane and trap music.-Tamela Chambers, Chicago Pub. Schs. © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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