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It’s difficult to write scathing remarks about someone’s album, one that they undoubtedly spent a lengthy amount of time preparing; however, Yo Gotti’s effort for lack of a better phrase, falls short. If he spent more than a few weeks making “Back 2 Da Basics” he should quit while he’s ahead because it does not stand out in any respect. In fact, “Back 2 Da Basics” is a fitting title for the Tennessee native’s sophomore album because it hardly goes beyond simplicity.

Leave it to a rapper with a generic rap name (Gotti) to make a generic “southern” rap album. Hustling, breaking various laws, selling and using drugs, having money, and being a gangsta’ is the basis of pretty much every song on “Back 2 Da Basics.” Whether it be the track, “U a Gangsta Rite?,” “Gangsta Party,” or “Full Time” (meaning full time gangsta, hustla’, etc ), the subject matter doesn’t stray far from the typical 3-6 Mafia Memphis sound aside from the uplifting mantra, “This ya’ boy Yo Gotti!” that graces every track almost as much as the word, “gangsta”.

Songs like “25 To Life” is Gotti’s attempt at lyrical storytelling but it doesn’t make the cut. He tries to fit the number 25 in every bar but it just comes off as, repetitive, irritating and pointless, “But only 25 shots that night/ he got 25 to life for that night /felt like he got in 25 fights that night/or he got hit with 25 pipes that night.” That track is followed by the aptly titled, “That’s Not Yo B*tch” in which Gotti talks about all the things you can do to please a woman that still, for one reason or another, is not your woman. “Shawty Violating(Wup That Hoe)” is another song which addresses women and their conduct in the all to overused setting - the nightclub. The track sounds almost exactly like the song off of “Hustle & Flow,” it is unclear if that similarity was intentional or not.

Most production on “Back 2 Da Basics” is simple and somewhat predictable despite appearances by such notable producers as Scott Storch. There are a handful of songs that have some nice production work like “A Part of Thugs,” “We Gonna Be Alright” but Gotti’s lyrics and subjects make the tracks not even worth the listen. After listening to half of the album, some beats even seem to repeat themselves which only add to the disappointment.

Despite all its shortcomings, “Back 2 Da Basics” does encourage listeners to really think. Listeners will be forced to ask questions like, how many times will we be force-fed the same sound, negative images, and the same simple rhymes? Yo Gotti’s album is a big let down if you were expecting anything different from the norm, but if you are down for seventeen tracks of materialism, quasi-gangster bravado, predictability and repetition then Yo Gotti’s “Back 2 Da Basics” is just your cup of tea. If you are looking for something of substance, however, don’t even bother looking at the album cover.

toinedog

its your typical southern album..nothing special..i mean its your into the down south movement you will love this album.

Jeezy Da Snowman

quit hatin on the south album was hot i give it 4/5

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K Swiss

southern albums are tough, if you wanna have a good record that's notable amongst the same generic stuff you gotta have that extra desire that alot of normal artists don't have

G4m3_Po1nt

Hold up, hold up, hold up. Get up off my nigga gotti mane its been a long time comin 4 him and i think Back 2 da basics is his best shit yet. Yall ny niggas jus aint got no luv 4 da south, yall need 2 open up yall eyes and reilze da south got hip hop no lock now.

tmoney

shit is ill