The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted

Untitled

The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted is the third studio album by American rapper Gucci Mane. The album was released September 28, 2010 on 1017 Brick Squad Records, Warner Bros. Records and Asylum Records. The album is the follow-up of 2009's The State vs. Radric Davis, released just after the Atlanta rapper's incarceration. The album debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart with 61,450 sold in its first week and has sold an estimated 100,000 copies as of the week ending October 24, 2010.

Conception

Background

In November 2009, Gucci Mane was sentenced to 12-months in Georgia's Fulton County Jail. Released in May 2010, the rapper emerged hungrier and more focused than ever, releasing a slew of mixtapes (including the Diplo-helmed Free Gucci, The Burrrprint 2, Mr. Zone 6, Jewelry Selection, Ferrari Music and Buy My Album) while recording dozens of tracks and viral videos.

"Unfortunately, my incarceration also came at a pivotal point in my career, just as my first major label album was dropping," said Gucci in at a press conference upon his release. "I was forced to miss what should have been one of the proudest moments of my life."

After being released from jail, Gucci Mane stated that he would start or change the label name from So Icey Entertainment to 1017 Brick Squad Records. He also announced that his next album would be titled The State vs. Radric Davis, The Appeal and would be released in late 2010, although the latest journalistic reports gave the title as The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted, with a release date of August 31. Gucci Mane has since then announced on his via Twitter that the album has a release date for Septemburrr 28, 2010 [sic].

Recording

During an interview with Atlanta’s veteran DJ Greg Street, Gucci Mane stated the album was good representation of where he is at "musically and mentally."

"I done grown a lot and I think I expressed it really good musically and I just want everybody to hear it and see what they think about it, because I put a lot of time in it and it’s definitely my best foot forward right now."

In addition to longtime producers Zaytoven, Shawty Redd, Drumma Boy and FATBOI, Gucci Mane has expanded his circle of producers as well for the album. The Appeal will include first time collaborations between Gucci Mane, Swizz Beatz, former Haitian Presidential candidate Wyclef Jean and Pharrell Williams.

"The new people I did songs I actually made hit record with them," Gucci calmly explained. "I made six records with Swizz, I made six records with Pharrell. And then I picked the best ones. I think this is a classic."

Now, that Gucci Mane has finally wrapped up his follow-up album and said that this is his best chance to capitalize on his underground allure. Gucci Mane told MTV that his new album The Appeal has been completed and the ATL transplant rapper considers this album to be a masterpiece.

"The Appeal is officially finished. It’s mixed and mastered, and the artwork is done,” he told MTV News from the set of one of his upcoming videos (he’s currently filming two at the same time). "I’m just out here promoting it and letting everyone know it’s coming. Just bring awareness to it ’cause I want everyone to know it’s coming and to support it because it’s a masterpiece."

Production

Gucci Mane confirmed that Production for the album would be contributed by The Neptunes, Swizz Beatz, DJ B-Do, Joey French, Drumma Boy, Zaytoven, Schife, OhZee, The Individualz, FATBOI, Lex Luger, BWheezy, G-Luck, Rob Holladay, The Inkredibles, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and Jim Jonsin.

Guests

Gucci Mane confirmed that guests on the album would include Bun B, Swizz Beatz, Ray J, Nicki Minaj, Pharrell Williams, Wyclef Jean and Estelle, since, of course, everyone wants to be in a song with him. So far it looks like there will be no appearances by Gucci Mane's 1017 Brick Squad members Waka Flocka Flame and OJ Da Juiceman; however, an inside source did confirm that Gucci Mane has rekindled his relationship with Auntie Deb, Waka Flocka Flame's mother, and has returned to Mizay Entertainment.

Release and promotion

National Promo Tour

Somewhere around September 2010 Gucci Mane announced a promotional tour for The Appeal and since his release from jail, Gucci Mane has maintained a whirlwind travelling schedule, reconnecting with fans and embracing new ones. This fall, he plans to continue his life on the road with appearances throughout the country.

"I set out five years ago to be the #1 rapper in Hip-Hop. That journey continues with an even sharper focus."

Promotional Mixtapes

On March 17, 2010 in Burbank, California Gucci Mane, along with 1017 Brick Squad Records, Asylum Records and Warner Bros. Records, announced plans to release the first installment in a series of commercial mixtapes, the Burrrprint (2) HD, a follow-up to the biggest mixtape release of 2009. Burrrprint (2) HD was released April 12, 2010 on the iTunes Store and in stores on April 13, 2010. The 24-track mixtape is hosted by DJ Holiday and is a mix of all new songs and interludes featuring some of the biggest names in popular music today. Features include Trey Songz, Ludacris, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Lil' Kim, Yo Gotti, Jim Jones and Gucci Mane's 1017 Brick Squad Records label mates Waka Flocka Flame, OJ da Juiceman and others.

This collection is the last piece of music Gucci Mane had recorded before his recent incarceration in 2009, as well as the opening track, "Live From Fulton County Jail", which was recorded over the phone from behind bars.

"Gucci called me from Fulton County and told me to start recording," says DJ Holiday. "He busted a hot verse right there on the phone and that's what you hear on the record, with the 1-minute automated warning and all, 'you have one minute remaining', it's so real."

"Many of my fans know me from the massive amounts of mixtapes I've released over the years," says Gucci Mane, when he was currently serving a 1-year sentence for a parole violation. "The Burrprint 2 mixtape is just something I wanted to put out there as a thank you for all those who have stuck by me through my incarceration, all those who have written letters, this is for you… I will be home soon."

The mixtape series will preface Gucci Mane's follow-up album, The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted, originally scheduled for a Summer 2010, release but later changed to August 31, 2010 and now to September 28, 2010. The Burrrprint (2) HD comes on the heels of DJ and producer Diplo's Free Gucci mixtape, a re-working of previous material from Gucci Mane's The Cold War mixtape series, and Gucci Mane's second major full-length LP The State vs. Radric Davis that included the hit singles "Wasted" feat. Plies, "Spotlight" feat. Usher and "Lemonade" which cracked the Top 10 at urban mainstream radio.

Gucci Mane has been busy since he was released from prison in May. The rapper appeared at Atlanta radio station Hot 107.9's Birthday Bash, he filmed a video for Lil Wayne's "Steady Mobbin'", he planned a collaboration with Drake, and he's released another set of mixtapes, including Mr. Zone 6, which he told Mixtape Daily would be the "Mixtape of the Year".

"Biggest mixtape of the summer, by far," Gucci Mane said about his tape, an ode to the neighborhood in Atlanta where he grew up. "When y'all get it, guarantee I win Mixtape of the Year."

Gucci Mane's first post-prison mixtape of 2010, Mr. Zone 6, was another successful outing for one of rap's most divisive artists. With Gucci Mane's focus on nimble rap acrobatics over an almost flat-line production style, the record was a victory for lyrical density at the expense of the colorful songwriting and stylistic affects that characterized his 2007-2009 output. The multi-dimensional pop approach that congealed memorably on 2008's The Movie mixtape had taken a backseat, a possible by-product of his court-enforced sobriety.

"The thing about me and Gucci, we don't even know when we're gonna go in," added DJ Drama, who hosts the tape. "We'll talk for, like, six months: 'You wanna do the tape? Yeah?' Then [I'll] get the call like, 'Yeah, we ready.' If you watch how we drop, we always drop around something special."

Mr. Zone 6 came out the same day as Gucci's headlining appearance at Hot 107.9's Birthday Bash concert somewhere around late of June, 2010.

"We come up with the craziest concepts, craziest ideas," Dram continued. "Gucci don't give me a lot of time [to put the tapes together]. But somehow, someway, when I hear [the songs], I be talking that sh--. I don't be knowing what comes over me. We like five tapes in, in two years."

"We're like five tapes in," Gucci reiterated. "This one right here, it's got a different feel to it. It feels good! We got some bangers on there."

"'Stove Music,' shout to Waka. 'It's Goin Up,' shout to Yo Gotti and Bun B," Drama said. " 'Georgia's Most Wanted,' 'Koolin' is serious. It's not fair, man. It's a cold summer, baby."

Jewelry Selection was released August 17, 2010, the mixtape is a more musically dynamic record than Mr. Zone 6, and its production, much of it from longstanding collaborator Drumma Boy, again pops from the speakers.

"Gucci Mane is out on the road, getting that show paper. Mr. LaFlare says he has to look his freshest for the people, which means an assortment of ice to shine, hence the name of his latest mixtape, Jewelry Selection."

"The mixtape came out, 700,000 downloads in, I think, 30 minutes," Gucci told MTV News. "Some people say it's my best mixtape ever. There's definitely a lot of songs that I could have put on my album on this mixtape. Something just to get the people ready to know that I'm coming. I don't want them to be surprised when they hear my album how slick and clever I am on the mic. It's just a prelude."

""I gave you nothing but classics," DJ Holiday, who hosts the tape, said of his and Gucc's latest collabo. "So it's only right I give you the preview of the mixtape. It was very imperative we did this mixtape for the streets. We gave the streets mixtape after mixtape with Writing's on the Wall, Burrrprint 2. And that album is coming September 28, The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted. "

On September 9, 2010 Gucci Mane released yet another DJ Drama assisted mixtape called Ferrari Music, and a DJ Holiday assisted mixtape called Buy My Album on September 23, 2010 five days before The Appeal was officially released.

Singles

On June 16, 2010 Gucci Mane and R&B singer Ciara went live on UStream to announce they both would be featured on each others’ new albums. Gucci Mane’s "Too Hood" featuring Ciara was the rumored first official single from The Appeal but it didn't make the final cut to appear on the album.

The first single from the album "Gucci Time" is produced by and features Swizz Beatz. The song premiered on Gucci Mane's official MySpace page on August 6, 2010 and was released as a single on August 30, 2010. It reached number 23 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 12 on Billboard's Rap Songs chart.

A promotional single form the album was "Remember When" featuring R&B singer Ray J

Other songs

In partnership with iTunes, several of the tracks from the new album were included in their prerelease program "Complete My Album" in the weeks leading up to the album's release date. The first offering of the program was "Making Love to the Money" and could be obtained on September 7, 2010. The song did peak at #36 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and on the Rap Songs chart at #21. Then "Trap Talk" was available on September 14, 2010. And the final offering, "Weirdo" was available on September 21, 2010.

A song called "Beat It Up", featuring Trey Songz, a deluxe edition track which also appears on Gucci Mane's Burrrprint (2) HD mixtape, debuted on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at #36 and #22 on the Rap Songs chart.

Reception

Commercial performance

The album sold 61,450 units in its first week, which is less than Gucci Mane's previous effort that sold 89,000 copies in the first week of release. However, The Appeal had more chart success entering the US Billboard 200 album chart at number four, where as the last album entered at number ten. The Appeal also entered at number two in both the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums and Rap charts. The album as sold 166,500 copies in the U.S. to date.

Critical response

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Beat-Town
Eye Weekly
HipHopDX
iHipHop
RapReviews
Rolling Stone

Upon its release, The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted received generally positive reviews from most music critics. Giving it 3 out of 5 stars, Rolling Stone's Jonah Weiner commended "This Atlanta mush mouth serves up hip-hop comfort food: rich synth beats; laid-back cadences; songs that find a gloriously low concept and stick to it ("Making Love to the Money," about all the different ways Gucci tries to impregnate his Benjamins, is a goofy standout here). But The Appeal, his third official album, suggests that Gucci's menu could use an update. Besides the distortion-laced "Gucci Time," the biggest change-ups here are drab gangsta ballads: "Haterade" features Pharrell at his most insufferably croon-y, and "O'Dog" makes you actually wish guest singer Wyclef would stick to politics."

Allmusic writer David Jeffries stated "The questionable consensus on mushed-mouth party rapper Gucci Mane is that his mixtapes beat his official albums by a mile, but The Appeal is another worthy, aboveground effort, holding more highlights than your everyday release while broadening the man’s horizons (something that certainly needed to happen). With ethereal production from the Neptunes and rapper Nicki Minaj delivering lines that are much more nimble than naughty (“I’m all that I can be/And I’ll admit, I’m appalled when you envy/Cause you can do it too/I just happen to be the girl that they threw it to”), “Haterade” is like nothing in Gucci’s earlier catalog, and when the closing “Grown Man” finds the usually sloth-like rapper rapidly explaining his family tree — and all the bad apples that fell from it — it’s downright shocking and solid. On the other hand, he’s lost none of his steadily stoned and constantly throwed appeal as he makes his somewhat slow guest Bun B sound like Twista on the opening “Little Friend.” Better still is when he confuses women and cash on the entirely Gucci “Making Love to the Money,” or gets ridiculous and between the beats on the decent roller “Gucci Time” (“White boy wasted, frat boy wasted/ Amazin’ like my bracelet I'm flossin/R.I.P. the mic, the ice got my chest moon walkin’"). If there’s a problem, it’s that mass appeal isn’t even considered and there are no grand singles for the radio heads to savor. This one is for those who would still love The State vs. Radric Davis even if the breakthrough hits “Lemonade” and “Wasted” weren’t included."

Giving it 3 out of 5 stars, HipHopDX's William E. Ketchum III commended "When he and his producers stay in their lanes, Mayor Gucci can serve his faithful constituents with the anthems that fuel their every day lives (or weekends). With last year's The State vs. Radric Davis proving that Gucci Mane could translate his street stardom into making a commercially viable release, the groundwork for the trilogy was set. Whereas Gucci was incarcerated during the 2009 release in one of Rap's more fitting album titles, this year, the Brick Squad 1017 leader is out and diversifying. Like his first installment, The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted is a big budget, guest-heavy release that distinguishes a Gucci Mane album from his endless supply of mixtapes. However, the Atlanta, Georgia mainstay still has yet to show the mainstream what the streets have been pointing out for the last five years.

Gucci Mane plays to his strengths: deceptively simple production, catchy hooks, and playful flows and adlibs. Aside from the brawny basslines of “Weirdo,” southern heavyweights Drumma Boy and Zaytoven disappoint with formulaic beats that seem to rely on Gucci Mane's charisma instead of being able to contribute to the song. Fortunately, lesser-known producer collaborators—DJ B-Do and Joey French, and Schife and OhZee—outshine their reputable counterparts on the on the Bun B-featured “Lil Friend” and “Making Love To The Money” with trunk-rattling percussion and busty horns and organs. Even Swizz Beatz uses “Gucci Time” to showcase a paced adrenaline shot that complements Gucci's simplicity without falling victim to it. As far as the rhymes go, Gucci's song concepts are trite at best: “Making Love To the Money” and “Brand New” are about exactly what their titles imply. But his fun, infectious hooks guarantee singalongs in clubs and whips nationwide; those leary of the repetitive subject matter may enjoy the songs in limited doses at parties or in “shuffle” mode with the rest of their music library.

But some may check The Appeal based on Gucci's comments during a press conference after leaving prison this past May, in which he claimed that the Rap game needed “substance” and that he would provide it. Only one song does this, but it does so brilliantly. On “Grown Man” Gucci closes the album by matching Jim Jonsin's synthy winner and Estelle's triumphant hook with honest verses that lament fallen or imprisoned loved ones, admit wrong and pushes to move on. But other attempted change-ups fall short. “ODog” shows promise with a layered, pensive Inkredibles backdrop and a defiant Wyclef Jean chorus that beams success despite prison setbacks and stereotypes, but Gucci's verses don't stray from the usual flossing and chick-****ing. And “Remember When” the trite Ray J-assisted attempt at female seduction, is weighed down with lines like, “We go together like hamburgers and french fries.”

The Appeal doesn't go too far left to make Gucci Mane's detractors change their minds, and it doesn't go too far right to make his fans love him anymore than they already do. When he stays in his lane and makes his producers stay with him, Mayor Gucci can serve his faithful constituents with the anthems that fuel their every day lives (or at least weekends). But when he doesn't have all his cylinders running, the results are disappointing at best and catastrophic at worst. Either way, he begins and ends the disc as Georgia's Most Wanted: for the career electric chair by his detractors, and for hood mayor by his disciples."

iHipHop gave the album 3.0 of 5 Mics stating It’s a daunting task to follow up a good album with another good album or something greater. Add to this task trying to please two different audiences and grow as an artist. Sometimes the results work together and gives birth to something incredible. Other times, its just another album. Unfortunately, this is just another album. Gucci Mane’s follow up to The State vs. Radric Davis just doesn’t have “The Appeal” of the first one. The total direction of the album is one that every Atlantic artist has traveled down - a road filled with cleaned-up southern artists that can make songs for the trap and for the radio. The formula has worked well for T.I., Plies, and Trey Songz even. But Gucci is in his best element on some gutter street music. It's the tale of two albums on this one - one with compromise and one without.

“The Appeal” lacked in both street and radio buzz because there was no clear cut hit on here. There are some good songs on here that have potential to gain momentum over time, but that may never happen. “Missing”, “What’s It Gonna Be” and “Making Love To the Money” are all great songs that play to Gucci’s best attributes as an MC and they have hit potential. The problem is that the leaked songs were “Gucci Time” and “Wierdo”, which both seemed like recycled themes (i.e. T.I.’s “Bring Em Out” = “Gucci Time”). My theory about his street music label-forced collabos is proven true strictly through the producers. Drumma Boy and Zaytoven fit Gucci the best while offering from others come of as either a hit (like Pharrell’s “Haterade”) or miss (Swizz Beatz “It’s Alive”).

Overall, the album seems forced to fit into a category that might be able to sell everyone, but isn’t narrow enough to fit into a category that people will consider as good. The formula of making good music in your genre will give any artist more longevity was actually pioneered by Gucci. He showed artists that he could drop relevant music without an album, tour and make money and get big checks for features. It’s a shame that they’re pushing him away from what worked for him so well the past couple of years.

Eye Weekly writer Dave Morris gave the album a 4 out of 5 stating "Gucci Mane’s ill-timed prison stint had the same effect on the Atlanta rapper’s major label debut that turning the sprinklers on at a nightclub might have on a bachelorette party. Now, the mush-mouthed MC is back doing hoodrat stuff in the same ludicrous way as before. Bragging about money? “Gucci Mane call Obama, wanna buy the dollar sign / feels like first day of school, my swag killed ’em like Columbine.” Weed? “Roll a bag of cannabis / they got this **** from Canada.” Um… money again? “Making love to the money, I swear the sex great / I kick them hoes out but let the money stay.” Really, Gucci kicking ridonkulous rhymes over beats from southern royalty Drumma Boy and Zaytoven is enough to make your weekend. But if it’s insight you’re looking for, consider the album’s opener, “Little Friend.” Scarface is a played-out reference, but Gucci transforms the story, casting himself as the outsider-by-birth (a black man in America) whose rise and fall was preordained (US incarceration rates for black men are nearly six times what they are for whites); all that’s left is to have as much fun as possible before the cell clangs shut for good."

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Little Friend" (featuring Bun B)	R. Davis, B. Freeman, R. Jerkins, J. Stevens	Darkchild, Jabbar "Bah" Stevens (co.)	5:18
2.	"Trap Talker"	R. Davis, M. Humphrey, K. Roberson	Big Korey, DJ Montay (co.)	4:38
3.	"Missing"	R. Davis, X. Dotson	Zaytoven	4:46
4.	"What It's Gonna Be"	R. Davis, C. Gholson	Drumma Boy	4:23
5.	"Making Love to the Money"	R. Davis, I. Lewis, O. Zayas	Schife & OhZee	4:07
6.	"Gucci Time" (featuring Swizz Beatz)	R. Davis, K. Dean	Swizz Beatz, The Individualz (co.)	2:56
7.	"Party Animal"	R. Davis, L. Douglas	FATBOI	3:59
8.	"Remember When" (featuring Ray J)	R. Davis, W. Norwood		4:27
9.	"Haterade" (featuring Pharrell & Nicki Minaj)	R. Davis, P. Williams, O. Maraj	Pharrell Williams	4:46
10.	"It's Alive" (featuring Swizz Beatz)	R. Davis, K. Dean	Swizz Beatz, Rob Holladay, Sean Garrett (co.)	3:38
11.	"ODog" (featuring Wyclef Jean)	R. Davis, N. Jean	Wyclef Jean, Sedeck "All Hands On Deck" Jean (co.)	5:15
12.	"Dollar Sign"	R. Davis, J. Duplessis	Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, Arden "Keyz" Altino (co.)	2:19
13.	"Brand New"	R. Davis, X. Dotson, J. Madison	Zaytoven	3:27
14.	"Weirdo"	R. Davis, C. Gholson	Drumma Boy	4:11
15.	"Grown Man" (featuring Estelle)	R. Davis, J. Duplessis, J. Scheffer, E. Swaray, W. Wilkins	Jim Jonsin, Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis (co.), Wayne Wilkins (add.)	3:36

iTunes bonus tracks

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
16.	"Beat It Up" (featuring Trey Songz)	R. Davis, T. Neverson, G. Christopher	Drumma Boy	4:32
17.	"Georgia's Most Wanted"	R. Davis, L. Douglas	FATBOI	3:41

Notes

• "Gucci Time" contains a sample from Justice's "Phantom, Pt. II".