Gucci Mane, Breath of Fresh Air, Album Review
By B. Sims aka ‘Urban Music Enthusiast’
As an 80's baby, growing up as a rap fanatic in the Midwest, artists like Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy were considered Street Legends turned Rap Gods. Gucci Mane, The CEO of 1017 Records (formerly 1017 Bricksquad/So Icy Ent) and New York Times Best Selling Author, releases his 17th studio album Breath of Fresh Air, after 16 studio albums, 70+ mixtapes, and over 100 singles.
There is no shortage of material in this man's portfolio and at the rate that he continuously releases independent and label compilation albums, it appears the Platinum-selling recording artist is far from finished.
Aside from pushing the envelope of his label portfolio, he’s shown consistent commitment to supporting new female artist at ground zero of their careers to propel them forward. In 2009, he featured on 3 of Nicki Minjas' songs (Slumber Party, Easy, Shopaholic) on her debut mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty. He also featured on Latto’s first single Muwop, on her first studio album, Queen of Da Souf. A cosign from an established and respected male artist of his caliber was an integral part in propelling both of their careers forward. Not to mention the many artists he’s signed to 1017 Records, most notably Waka Flocka Flame, OJ Da Juiceman, Pooh Shiesty, Foogiano, and Big Scarr. These efforts are the personification, of what it means to ‘send the elevator back down.’
Breath of Fresh Air contains 2 Volumes with 12 tracks each, totaling 24 songs. If you're a long-time Gucci Mane fan and are looking forward to classic Southern trap beats wrapped in grandiose bars with predictable pocket rap rhythms, this will satisfy your audio palette. However, 22 tracks lacking beat variety and storytelling, is unnecessary. There's also a lack of range in subject material and rhythmical flow/pattern, which creates a redundancy halfway through. More than 20 years into his career, it's understood that the best Gucci bars and lyrics are likely behind us, which further explains his recent shift in necessary energy toward cultivating new artists on the label.
In the music industry, critics often analyze Billboard chart numbers, ratings, and awards when evaluating an artist's portfolio. Although all of these metrics are valuable when assessing cultural impact, the impact can also be assessed in the artist's evolution outside of the studio as well. With that being said, I would argue that Gucci Mane's collection of number-one hits over the span of his career is as influential and impactful to the culture as witnessing Gucci Mane transform from Trap God- into Label Founder/CEO, Fitness Guru, Author, Husband, and Father. He is much more than a Platinum-selling recording Rap Artist, and his commitment to personal development, health, mentorship and family in his most recent years is a daily reminder that there is no limit to growth when you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone.
Radric Davis is undeniably one of the most hard-working Hip Hop Artists of our generation, and his lifestyle committed to sobriety, nutrition, and matrimony is one to be reverenced highly and respected.