 Gucci Mane has a new album coming out on November 13th called "Back To The Traphouse", we recently caught up with him and asked him about the album, the "What Kinda King" T.I. dis and even his thoughts on Michael Vick.
 Down-South: First off…re-introduce yourself to all the people who are slow
out there….
Gucci Mane: My name is Roderick Davis, professionally known as Gucci Mane La
Flare; 27 year old recording artist off So Icey Entertainment just got a major
deal with Atlantic Records.
Down-South: How did you get the name Gucci Mane?
Gucci Mane: My Dad is named Gucci Mane; my grand momma named him that. So I just
adapted it and made it into my stage name, into my rap name.
Down-South: Like Kanye West & Common your Mom is a school teacher, what was it
like growing up the son of a teacher?
Gucci Mane: It definitely makes you smarter, more educated cause as long as I
can remember my Mom was reading to me, showing me how to write, or practicing
somethin’. My childhood was straight just real articulate. She was on me
everyday she did good with me, that’s why my word play is so sick. That’s where
I get my crazy vocabulary from.
Down-South: Explain to the world what East Atlanta Zone Six is like?
Gucci Mane: Robbing, stealing, selling dope, whatever you name it’s happenin’
over there in the Stix. You know what I’m sayin’? Either you with it or you
ain’t. Either you a victim or you ain’t. You only fall into two categories
predator or prey over there.
Down-South: How did growing up there help you deal w/the industry today?
Gucci Mane: Watch your back at all times, you never know.
Down-South: You sold more records independently than some major artist, so what
made you decide to go major?
Gucci Mane: I want to be a international star. I want to be a part of the
history, a part of the movement of hip-hop. You feel me? I want people to say
that I inspire them to rap and I can have a bigger fan base.
Down-South: What attracted you to Atlantic Records?
Gucci Mane: They came with the best deal, and also with the best play. You know
what I’m sayin’? And they was really interested in me, they promised me they
would give me their all. And I trusted Craig when he told me that.
Down-South: A few months ago you dissed a major Atlantic Records artist (T.I.)
then apologized for dissing…You got a lot of respect for that, but what do you
say to the people that think that you shouldn’t have apologized?
Gucci Mane: Um, You know what I mean? I could feel them on that, you know what
I’m sayin’? To the people that feel I shouldn’t have apologized I respect yall
for that wholeheartedly. You know what I’m sayin’? In both ways it’s two sides
to everything, so like you said alotta folks ridin’ with me. I felt like if I
was wrong and he wasn’t sayin’ nothin’ to me then it was wrong and I shouldn’t
done that. You feel me? I never make the first move to diss anybody if somebody
say somethin’ about me I say somethin’. And everybody can’t understand that
so…You know what I mean?
 Down-South: Your first album was called “Traphouse”, and your new album is
called “Back to the Traphouse”, what made you pick that name?
Gucci Mane: Cuz man I like the Traphouse, that’s where it’s at. It’s where it’s
poppin’ at! Ya dig? The first album was Traphouse and it was a classic, and I
know for a fact this a classic so I stamped it before it even came out like BOOM
“Back to the Traphouse”, I gave yall another classic!
Down-South: When is your new album coming out?
Gucci Mane: November 13th
Down-South: Who did you work with on your new album?
Gucci Mane: As far as production wise I worked with Frank Nitti, who made the
Yung Joc record “It’s Going Down” Grammy award winning producer. My producer, So
Icey’s own, Zaytoven he made “So Icey” and he got 4 or 5 joints on the new
album. You Know what I mean? I got um, Shawty Redd he banged me one out. Fat Boy
from Beat Bangers banged two or three of em out. Supa Sonics dropped that “Bird
Flu” that might be a single. I got Reefa who made “One Blood” for the Game. Man
I got a whole bunch of people, it’s just star-studded. I also got Pimp C and
Rich Boy on there, Luda on there. You know what I mean? It’s goin’ down dawg!
Down-South: Speaking of Pimp C, he spoke about southern artist needing to step
up their content. Did you hear his radio interview? How do you feel about what
he said?
 Gucci Mane: I heard bits and pieces of what he said. I always been a big fan of
him, the whole UGK movement I’m down with. But at the same time I can’t tell a
man what to say if he grown. If that’s how he feel then that’s how he feel. If
he can back it up then he can feel like that. You know what I’m sayin’?
Down-South: How do you feel Zaytoven (So Icey Ent. producer) has contributed to
your success as an artist?
Gucci Mane: Zaytoven produced “Ice Attack” 1 & 2(Gucci mixtape series) so he
killin’ ‘em! You know what I’m sayin’? He definitely got my swag lookin’ stupid
and everybody like listenin’ to me. You know what I mean? That’s my homeboy and
my producer man, I show that nigga love right there.
Down-South: How do you feel the mixtape game contributed to your success as an
artist?
Rappers, songwriters, lyricists, freestylers---it help everybody. I got a new
freestyle tape coming out its 31 songs—all freestyles.
Down-South: Atlanta is a competitive market, besides mixtapes---what did you do
to set yourself apart from others?
Gucci Mane: I just go harder than everybody, push it in over drive. Always stay
hungry, be humble, but always be hungry. Eat every meal like it’s your last one.
Everything you buy and everything you cop, if it’s for the rap game then let it
be for the rap game.
Down-South: This year internet advertising topped radio advertising...Why do you
feel the internet has helped or hurt the music industry?
Gucci Mane: I like the internet, the internet is crazy right now. I got like 5
youtube videos poppin’ you know what I mean? We got YouTube(www.youtube.com)
videos poppin every day! Check me out. The internet is just a blessing for us.
Down-South: On your mixtape “Ice Attack 2”, you dissed Big Cat Records pretty
hard…can you tell us what happened with that situation?
 Gucci Mane: They just soft as hell. You know what I mean? Them was just some
soft ass dudes or whatever. I just cut ties with ‘em cause They was just talking
shit, trying to fuck my business up. It’s like breaking up with a girl, that’s
exactly what it is they some pussy ass nigga!
Down-South: You have your own label now, So Icey Entertainment, what your are
the plans for your label?
Gucci Mane: To make every artist a international star, down wit me. Keep on
bangin’ out hits. We wanna be the next Atlantic Records. You know what I’m sayin’?
Down-South: Yeah, I feel that. It is rumored that Shawnna has left DTP and
signed with you…is there any truth to that?
Gucci Mane: We gone keep everything chilled out right now (laughs). You know
what I mean? Any press is good press.
Down-South: What business interest do you have outside of the music industry?
Gucci Mane: Oh mane. Right now I’m just researching on stuff I can invest in.
Cause,um I don’t wanna make a bad investment. You know what I’m sayin’? I want
it to reflect me and what my people been going through. I’m looking for a lot to
invest in but haven’t seen the right thing to invest in.
Down-South: Lately there has been a lot of talk about the use of the word NIGGA,
BITCH, AND HO in rap music. What are your thoughts on the subject?
Gucci Mane: I ain’t know that! That’s my whole album (laughs) Nah, I’m just
bullshitting. But on the real though, that’s aight mane whatever they do let ‘em
do, I’m creative enough & articulate enough to not even curse. Cause most of the
time I don’t even use curse. I’m on the radio so I’m Mr. Radio, like Mr. Radio
Down-South: Since you’re from Atlanta I was wondering what are your thoughts on
your hometown quarterback Mike Vick?
Gucci Mane: Um, I hope Vick get a chance to play again. The Falcons need ‘em. We
got our assed whooped by Minnesota (Vikings) yesterday! I ain’t feelin’ it,
that’s how I feel. I don’t wanna lose no more games. Joey Harrington? He’s not
gone do nothin’!
Down-South: Yeah, he’s garbage.(laughs)
Gucci Mane: True trash can
Down-South: Any last words or anything else you want to add…?
Gucci Mane: November 13th man we goin’ “Back to the Traphouse”, everybody cop
that you know what I mean? Cop 3 or 4 of them joints! And we gone get ‘em on
Christmas day with the DVD inside for the limited edition. Jump on that.
*Interview by Die Rich*
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