GOTTI

"GOTTI" by 6ix9ine is a multi-faceted track that explores themes of newfound fame, loyalty, and the harsh realities of street life. The title itself is a direct reference to John Gotti, the infamous New York mob boss, which 6ix9ine uses to draw a parallel between his own rise to power and notoriety in the music industry and Gotti's dominance in the criminal underworld. This connection is meant to signify wealth, power, and a fearsome reputation.

Lyrically, the song juxtaposes celebration with aggression. On one hand, 6ix9ine revels in his success, boasting about money and luxury while emphasizing his loyalty to his original crew ('Got the money and I split it with day ones'). This reflects a core value within street culture: remembering and rewarding those who were with you from the beginning. On the other hand, the track is saturated with aggressive posturing and references to gang affiliations ('Scum Gang,' 'blood gang') and violence, serving as a warning to rivals.

The song also marked a significant stylistic departure for 6ix9ine. Known for his aggressive, screaming rap style, "GOTTI" features a more melodic, auto-tune-heavy vocal delivery over a dreamier beat. This showcased his versatility and was interpreted by some as an attempt to appeal to a broader audience by moving away from his signature hardcore sound. The track essentially captures a moment of transition, celebrating success while still being firmly rooted in the street mentality that defined his public persona.

The song chronicles a journey from obscurity to immense success, emphasizing a steadfast loyalty to the crew who were present before the fame and fortune. The narrator flaunts his newfound wealth, symbolized by luxury items like Rollies and designer brands, but makes it clear that this wealth is to be shared with his 'day ones.' He reminisces about a time when he was overlooked, particularly by women who now show interest because of his status. This transformation is a source of pride, and he expresses it through celebratory actions like dancing in the club and throwing money.

Alongside the celebration of success, there's a strong undercurrent of menace and a connection to a dangerous street life. The artist repeatedly references his 'blood gang' and 'Scum Gang,' asserting their dominance and readiness for violence with mentions of a 'big choppa' (a large firearm). He warns others not to challenge him or his crew, adopting a tough and confrontational posture. This duality of lavish celebration and gritty warnings paints a picture of a life where wealth and danger are intertwined.

A significant portion of the song is dedicated to the process of acquiring and distributing illicit substances, using coded language like 'cookin' up, speed it up,' 'double cup, Xanny cup,' and 'booted up, mollied up.' This highlights the hustle that seemingly underpins his financial success. There's also a sense of paranoia and a distrust of outsiders, as he explicitly states, 'I don't trust niggas.' Towards the end, there's a moment of introspection and prayer. The narrator prays for the well-being of his friends and family and asks for a chance from a higher power, acknowledging past missteps ('I was on the wrong things'). However, this vulnerability quickly reverts to a hardened exterior, questioning the intelligence of his rivals and reasserting his crew's ruthless nature. The recurring chant of 'Gotti Gotti' serves as a powerful motif, associating his name with the power, wealth, and notoriety of the infamous mob boss, John Gotti.

"GOTTI" was commercially released on April 10, 2018, as a bonus track on the deluxe version of 6ix9ine's debut mixtape, Day69: Graduation Day. The song is technically a remix or re-imagining of a track titled "Got it, Got it" by an artist named Packman, which also featured 6ix9ine. The hook from the original song is repurposed in "GOTTI". This led to some disapproval from Packman, who indicated he would be releasing his own remix.

The track was produced by Flamm and Sticks. Notably, it represented a significant musical shift for 6ix9ine, as he moved away from his typical aggressive, shouting delivery to a more melodic, auto-tuned style. This was one of the first times listeners heard him experiment so heavily with this vocal approach.

The accompanying music video was filmed in the Dominican Republic and directed by TrifeDrew and Cole Bennett. It features 6ix9ine at a private villa and on the streets, famously handing out $100 bills to local residents, an act meant to showcase his generosity and connection to his Dominican heritage. The video's release was highly anticipated, with 6ix9ine and Cole Bennett teasing clips for some time before its premiere on WorldStarHipHop.

The rhyme and rhythm in "GOTTI" are characteristic of modern trap music, prioritizing flow and delivery over complex, rigid rhyme schemes. 6ix9ine employs a relatively straightforward, often AABB-style rhyming pattern within his verses, focusing on couplets that are easy to follow and deliver with a melodic cadence. For example, 'You ain't got no money, you can keep her / Bitch, I got my Nina, I'ma squeeze her'. He also uses internal rhymes and assonance to enhance the musicality of the lyrics.

The song's rhythm is defined by its melodic, Auto-Tuned flow which glides over the beat rather than attacking it aggressively, a departure from his usual style. The tempo is a moderately fast 162 BPM, which provides energy, but the vocal delivery is laid-back, creating a distinctive juxtaposition. The rhythmic structure is loose and conversational, allowing the lyrics to feel more like a boastful monologue than a formally structured poem. The repetition of the hook 'Who, who really with the Gotti, Gotti?' creates a hypnotic, chant-like rhythm that serves as the song's central anchor, making it highly memorable. The interplay between the syncopated vocal rhythm and the steady, bell-driven beat is crucial to the song's 'trap-soul' feel.

"GOTTI" is notable for its significant departure from 6ix9ine's signature aggressive, scream-rap vocal delivery. The most prominent stylistic technique is the heavy use of Auto-Tune to create a melodic, sing-song flow, which contrasts sharply with the gritty lyrical content. This choice demonstrated his artistic versatility and aligned the track with the popular trap-soul and melodic rap subgenres of the time.

The production, handled by Flamm and Sticks, employs a dreamy, bell-laced instrumental, creating an atmospheric and somewhat laid-back soundscape that is atypical for a 6ix9ine song. This juxtaposition between the mellow beat and the often-aggressive lyrics is a key feature of the track's style.

Lyrically, 6ix9ine uses a declarative and confrontational narrative voice. He employs direct address ('Is you mad? You's a fuck nigga') and rhetorical questions ('Are you dumb, nigga?') to assert dominance. The song is built around a repetitive and catchy hook, a common technique in trap music to ensure memorability. The use of ad-libs ('Scum Gang!', 'Woop!') serves to punctuate his lines and reinforce his brand and gang affiliations. The track also samples elements from "Got It, Got It" by Packman, a common practice in hip-hop to build upon existing ideas.

"GOTTI" was a significant song in 6ix9ine's early career, primarily for its stylistic shift and its chart performance. The track was added as a deluxe song to his debut mixtape Day69: Graduation Day and became his sixth consecutive single to enter the US Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 99. It also charted in Canada and the UK. The song achieved Gold certification in Brazil and New Zealand.

Culturally, the song is remembered for marking 6ix9ine's first major foray into a more melodic, auto-tuned sound, a stark contrast to the aggressive scream-rap that made him famous. This demonstrated his versatility and willingness to experiment with popular contemporary styles, influencing perceptions of his artistic range. The music video, featuring 6ix9ine giving money to citizens in the Dominican Republic, became widely discussed, reinforcing his controversial but highly visible public image. While not as commercially massive as later hits like "FEFE," "GOTTI" was a key stepping stone, solidifying his presence as a consistent hitmaker in 2018 and showcasing a musical direction he would explore further in his career.

The most prominent symbol in the song is the title itself, "GOTTI." By invoking the name of the notorious New York City mob boss John Gotti, 6ix9ine aligns himself with themes of immense power, wealth, rebellion, and a fearsome reputation. It's a metaphor for his own rise in the rap game, suggesting he operates with the same level of influence and untouchability.

The act of handing out money to locals in the Dominican Republic, as depicted in the music video, is a powerful piece of symbolism. On the surface, it's a display of wealth and success. On a deeper level, it's a performance of the 'Robin Hood' archetype—taking from the system (in this case, the music industry) and giving back to the community, reinforcing his connection to his roots despite his fame.

The rainbow imagery associated with 6ix9ine, from his hair to visuals in the music video, has been interpreted in various ways. While often seen as part of his unique branding, some theories suggest it symbolizes a willingness to embrace change and defy categorization, just as the song itself was a change from his usual style. Another interpretation connects it to the concept of chakras and spiritual awakening, though this is more speculative.

Lastly, the lyric "Hermes on the buckle" is a subtle metaphor. Hermes, in Greek mythology, was the messenger of the gods. Referencing the brand could be a double entendre, signifying not just wealth but also his role as a messenger trying to 'awaken' people through his controversial persona.

The most significant recurring motif in "GOTTI" is the phrase "Gotti Gotti" itself. Repeated in the hook and throughout the song, it functions as a powerful declaration of identity, associating 6ix9ine with the wealth, power, and notorious reputation of mob boss John Gotti. Its repetition drills this association into the listener's mind, becoming the central theme of the track.

Another key recurring phrase is "Scum Gang." This is a direct reference to 6ix9ine's crew and brand, appearing frequently as an ad-lib and in the lyrics. Its repetition reinforces the theme of gang loyalty and collective identity, serving as a constant reminder of the group's presence and power.

The theme of loyalty to his origins is captured in the recurring idea of sharing his success with his "day ones." The line "Got the money and I split it with day ones" is a central tenet of the song's narrative, repeated to emphasize his faithfulness to his crew despite his newfound fame.

Finally, there's a recurring lyrical motif related to the preparation and sale of drugs, with phrases like "Cookin' up, speed it up," "Booted up, mollied up," and "Cop it, then I serve it up." This cluster of phrases paints a consistent picture of a street-level hustle that underpins the wealth he flaunts, adding a layer of gritty reality to his boasts.