After being released from prison, Gucci Mane returns with ‘Everybody Looking,’ his first studio album in years which was recorded in just six days.

Gucci Mane deserves some props. He recorded Everybody Looking,  his first studio album in years, in just six days. While there will be skeptics and haters that suggest Everybody Looking sounds like a six-day album, honestly, it’s respectable…to an extent.  The extent with Everybody Looking is that one has to accept that depth is not the M.O. of the album.  Most of the LP is produced by Mike WiLL Made It and Zaytoven, which is a pro. Still, for Gucci’s first studio album in years, Everybody Looking has some standout moments.   

The Tracks

“No Sleep (Intro)” commences Everybody Looking with a bang. Gucci is on autopilot in his signature southern drawl. The brightest moment is the infectious, brash hook. Simply put, he is an “open book.”

“I can’t even sleep I got so much to say

Fuck the feds, fuck the police, fuck the DA

I can’t even sleep I got so much to say

Ex-drug dealer, used to sell a brick a day.”

Much like “No Sleep,” Gucci kicks off “Out Do Ya” unapologetically “straight out of the gate”

“If I ain’t a millionaire then my lil boy can grow a pussy

If Guwop ain’t bout his business then Popeye must be sissy.”

No fucks given and none taken! “Out Do You” isn’t the type of record that will blow anyone away, but Gucci is consistent in his rhymes.  Ultimately, it seems he could care less what other rappers or people in general think.  Once more, he delivers a lazy, yet catchy AF hook.

“Back on Road” follows a similar script, but adds in a superstar – Drake.  To the song’s credit, it is celebratory and jubilant.  After just being released out of prison, Gucci Mane is clearly ready to revive his career.  Hence, that’s why he is “back on road.”

After hitting the highway, Gucci goes “Waybach,” clearly playing on words.  The hook is a flex-fest, with Gucci giving props to producers Zaytoven and Mike WiLL Made It, not to mention flaunting his Maybach. The production is lit.

“P***y Print” brings two “good ones together.”  Gucci doesn’t lie when he raps,

“And I only featured Kanye

Cause we both some fuckin’ narcissists.”

Where does the pussy print come into play? According to Gucci,

“my pockets bulgin’, bulging, pokin’ out just like a pussy print.”

Kanye West is filthier, delivering some of his horniest rap ever (“In the bathroom, at your mama’s / like a porn star, I’m a monster”).

On “Pop Music,” Gucci addresses rumors to being dropped from Atlantic.  Naturally, he hasn’t been, but even so, as he tells it,

“Rappers have conventions on how to stop Gucci

They know my glocks sing my hooks and we call it pop music.”

Keeping his gun talk 100, Gucci goes on to say,

“Fuck all that rap beef, let’s have a gun battle.”

The “Pop Music” can’t be likened to the style, but the Mane is 100% honest.

“Guwop Home” is merely okay, not the crème de la crème.  Gucci manages a couple of funny lyrics, namely,

“Take a white girl out a trailer make her Iggy

Take a black bitch outta Magic make her Nicki.”

“Gucci Please” is stronger, even if the play on baby talk is arguably cringe-worthy.  Is Gucci really saying much? No, but that’s the case throughout Everybody Looking.

“Robbed” has more depth than the majority of the album. Based on the lyrics, it doesn’t seem like Gucci was physically robbed, but rather robbed of his invincibility, arguably even years of his life (imprisonment).  Regardless of Gucci’s explicit meaning, “Robbed” is cut above the rest as it digs deeper.

The rest of Everybody Looking is familiar territory, in regards to both sound and messaging. On “Richest N***a in The Room,” Gucci brags,

 “I was hustling before I came up out the womb.”

Yeah, we totally believe you Gucci. “1^st Day Out Tha Feds” falls in line with “Back on Road” – he’s out of the “pen” and “on the chase to kill my enemies and beat my case.”  Give Gucci credit for his honesty. Mike WILL Made It shines on the boards.

The sentiment of “At Least a M” is cocky, considering Gucci “don’t even associate with niggas who associates don’t have at least a M[illion].” As Gucci sees it on “All My Children,” “All of these rappers are all my children.”  Why? According to Drumma Boy, Gucci is referring to up-and-coming rappers influenced by his story and style.  That explains why Gucci proclaims “This here is bigger than the game, deeper than rap, boy.”  Closer “Pick Up the Pieces (Outro)” features some sound wordplay, particularly with acronyms.

Final Thoughts 

How does Everybody Looking stack up? Ultimately, there are enough good moments to stimulate the ears. Is there enough substance to stimulate the mind? That’s a different story.  Everybody Looking is devoid of transcendence, so it’s like dessert. Fruits and vegetables with nutrients are “better for you.”  There are deeper rap albums, stacked with more “nutrients,” but Everybody Looking is good enough for a bite of something sweet.

Gems: “No Sleep (Intro),” “Back On Road” (ft. Drake), “Pussy Print” (ft. Kanye West), “Gucci Please” & “Robbed”

Gucci Mane • Everybody Looking • Atlantic • Release: 7.22.16

Photo Credit: Atlantic