GUMMO

"GUMMO" is a raw and aggressive anthem that serves as 6ix9ine's explosive entry into the mainstream rap scene. The song's meaning is rooted in establishing a persona of unwavering street credibility, gang allegiance, and violent dominance. Lyrically, it's a declaration of war against his rivals, both in the streets and in the music industry, particularly aimed at rappers Trippie Redd and SosMula. The repeated phrases about robbing people and taking their women are a blunt assertion of power and a complete disregard for social norms. The song glorifies a dangerous lifestyle, with constant references to guns ('blicky'), violence, and gang activities, specifically shouting out the Nine Trey Gangster Bloods. Beyond the surface-level aggression, "GUMMO" represents a calculated rebranding of 6ix9ine's image, moving from a punk-rock aesthetic to a more marketable and controversial gangster rap persona. The title itself is a reference to the 1997 cult film "Gummo," known for its disturbing and chaotic depiction of disenfranchised youth, mirroring the track's unsettling and anarchic energy. Ultimately, the song is a vehicle for 6ix9ine's rise to fame, using shock value, controversy, and a menacing energy to become impossible to ignore.

The song's narrative is an aggressive and unapologetic declaration of street credibility and gang affiliation. The artist, 6ix9ine, opens by shouting out his crew, asserting their dominance and fearlessness. He positions himself as a genuine figure in a world of pretenders, someone who is actively involved in the violent and illicit activities he depicts. The lyrics are filled with vivid, often brutal, imagery of street life, including shootouts, robberies, and confrontations with rivals. He repeatedly boasts about his willingness to use violence, referencing his 'blicky' (a slang term for a gun) and his readiness to engage in conflict. There's a strong theme of disrespect towards his opponents, whom he dismisses as weak, fake, and cowardly. He specifically targets other rappers, most notably Trippie Redd and SosMula, turning the track into a direct diss. The chorus is a repetitive, hypnotic chant about robbing rivals and taking their girlfriends, reinforcing the themes of dominance and material gain through illicit means. He contrasts 'old hoes' with 'new hoes,' depicting women as disposable conquests. The narrative is one of constant motion and action—'doing the dash' in a car after a crime, counting cash, and always being ready for the next confrontation. This portrayal is not just about isolated acts but a lifestyle of unapologetic criminality and hedonism. The artist paints a picture of himself as an unstoppable force, a 'villain' who thrives on chaos and conflict. This persona is central to the song's identity, a conscious choice to embrace a notorious image. The lyrics also hint at the transformative power of this success, suggesting that this violent path was a way out of poverty and a means to a drastically changed life, as he prayed for change and 'GUMMO' was the answer.

"GUMMO" was officially released digitally on September 24, 2017, and served as the lead single for 6ix9ine's debut mixtape, Day69. The song marked a significant turning point in his career, engineered to shift his public image towards a more aggressive, gangster rap identity. The beat was created by renowned producer Pi'erre Bourne, who had initially intended it for rapper Trippie Redd. However, due to a growing feud between 6ix9ine and Trippie Redd, Redd gave the beat to 6ix9ine, who then used it to create a diss track aimed at Trippie Redd and another rapper, SosMula. Pi'erre Bourne was reportedly unhappy with this, as he had not been informed of the transfer and later distanced himself from both artists. The song was recorded in 2017, and according to his engineer Wizard Lee, they worked on it for nearly four months, experimenting with different flows and cadences to perfect its aggressive delivery. The music video was a crucial element of the song's creation and impact. Filmed in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, it features 6ix9ine alongside actual members of the Nine Trey Gangster Bloods street gang. This video shoot was pivotal as it marked the beginning of 6ix9ine's public association with the gang, a relationship that would later become central to his legal troubles. The song and its video were part of a deliberate strategy for 6ix9ine to go viral, embracing a villain persona to capture public attention.

The rhyme and rhythm of "GUMMO" are crafted to be simple, aggressive, and highly effective for its genre. The song's tempo is approximately 157 BPM, creating an energetic and frantic pace. The rhythmic structure is built around a standard trap beat, with skittering hi-hats, a prominent snare, and a deep, booming 808 bass that drives the track forward. 6ix9ine's lyrical delivery often works in a percussive manner, with his shouted, staccato phrases hitting like another layer of the drum pattern. His flow is generally straightforward and repetitive, prioritizing impact and aggression over complex lyrical structures. The rhyme scheme is predominantly simple couplets (AA, BB) and is often criticized for its basic nature. A significant number of lines end with the same word, frequently the N-word, used as a rhythmic placeholder to complete a rhyme. For example, in the opening verse: "Niggas iffy, uh, Blicky got the stiffy, uh / Got the blicky, uh, drum it hold fifty, uh." This technique, while lacking lyrical complexity, makes the song incredibly memorable and easy to chant, contributing to its anthemic quality in a live or club setting. The interplay between his aggressive, almost off-beat vocal rhythm and the steady, menacing pulse of the Pi'erre Bourne beat creates the song's signature tension and chaotic energy.

"GUMMO" is defined by its raw and aggressive stylistic choices, both musically and vocally.

• Vocal Delivery: 6ix9ine employs a signature "scream-rap" or "hoarse snarl" vocal style throughout the track. This aggressive, high-energy delivery, reminiscent of older New York hardcore acts like Onyx and M.O.P., is designed to be confrontational and attention-grabbing, cutting through the beat with urgency.
• Production: The beat, produced by Pi'erre Bourne, is sparse and minimalistic yet hard-hitting. It features a tense, distorted piano melody built on notes a semitone apart, creating a horror-like vibe. This is combined with a heavy 808 bass line and a driving trap drum pattern. The uneven structure and cold open contribute to the track's unsettling and sinister feel.
• Lyrical Repetition and Ad-libs: The song relies heavily on repetition, particularly in the chorus ("I'm on some rob a nigga shit, take a nigga bitch"). This makes the track incredibly catchy and anthem-like. The use of ad-libs like "Scum Gang!" and aggressive grunts punctuates the verses and reinforces his brand and confrontational stance.
• Direct Address and Diss Culture: The lyrics utilize direct address, calling out rivals and positioning the song within the context of an ongoing feud (a diss track). This technique adds a layer of real-world drama and authenticity, making the threats feel more immediate and personal.
• Borrowed Flows and References: The song's chorus interpolates flows from 21 Savage's "Red Opps" and SahBabii's "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick," while also referencing the breakout hit "The Race" by Tay-K. This grounds the song within the contemporary trap landscape while showcasing 6ix9ine's influences.

"GUMMO" was a massive cultural phenomenon that catapulted 6ix9ine from an internet personality to a mainstream rap star. The song was a commercial success, debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at number 12. It was certified double platinum by the RIAA, signifying over two million units sold. Its music video went viral, accumulating hundreds of millions of views on YouTube and solidifying 6ix9ine's rainbow-haired, heavily tattooed image in the public consciousness. The track's aggressive energy and controversial nature made it a staple in clubs and on the radio, establishing "scream rap" as a commercially viable subgenre for a brief period. However, its most significant and lasting influence is tied to its role in 6ix9ine's real-life legal saga. The song's lyrics and its music video, which featured members of the Nine Trey Gangster Bloods, were later used as evidence by federal prosecutors in the racketeering case against the gang and 6ix9ine himself. His testimony, where he broke down the lyrics and events surrounding the song's creation, became a major news story. "GUMMO" is therefore remembered not just as a hit song, but as a pivotal cultural artifact that marked the intersection of viral internet fame, street crime, and the music industry, setting in motion a chain of events that would define 6ix9ine's highly controversial career.

The symbolism in "GUMMO" is direct and heavily reliant on the visual and lyrical iconography of street gangs, specifically the Bloods.

• Red Imagery: The music video is saturated with the color red, from the bandanas worn by 6ix9ine and the gang members to other clothing items. Red is the identifying color of the Bloods gang, and its constant presence is a clear visual symbol of allegiance.
• The Title "GUMMO": The song's title is a direct reference to Harmony Korine's 1997 film of the same name. The film is known for its disturbing, plotless, and chaotic portrayal of impoverished and amoral youth in a desolate town. By naming the song "GUMMO," 6ix9ine aligns his music with this aesthetic of nihilism and chaotic energy, suggesting a world without rules or conventional morality.
• 'Blicky': The repeated mention of the 'blicky' (slang for a handgun) getting 'stiffy' is a crude and aggressive metaphor combining phallic imagery with lethal force. It symbolizes a readiness and even an eagerness for violence, equating the power of a gun with virility and dominance.
• Shout-outs to Nine Trey: The explicit lyrical shout-outs to the "Nine Trey" Bloods are not just references but acts of public declaration. They function as a symbol of authenticity within the gangster rap genre he was adopting, even though this association would later be used against him in court.

"GUMMO" is built around several key recurring phrases and motifs that are central to its identity and impact.

• "Scum Gang!": This shouted ad-lib is a recurring motif that functions as a brand identifier for 6ix9ine's crew at the time. Its repetition throughout the song serves as a gang call, reinforcing a sense of unity and collective identity.
• The Chorus: "I'm on some rob a nigga shit, take a nigga bitch / Do the dash in the whip, count the cash in the whip": This is the most prominent recurring phrase and the song's central hook. It encapsulates the core themes of the track: violent crime, dominance over rivals, and the material rewards of a criminal lifestyle. Its constant repetition makes it an inescapable and defining part of the song's aggressive message.
• "Niggas iffy, uh, Blicky got the stiffy, uh": This opening line is a highly memorable and controversial motif. It immediately establishes the song's violent and confrontational tone. The phrase, or variations of it, is a recurring anchor in the verses, consistently bringing the focus back to the threat of gun violence.
• "Billy": The reference to "Billy" is a recurring code within the lyrics, understood to be a shout-out to the Nine Trey Gangster Bloods. This motif serves as an insider reference, signaling his affiliation to those in the know and adding a layer of perceived authenticity to his gangster persona.