Gucci Mane
Photo: Rick Diamond/ Getty Images

The most important album of Gucci Mane's career is scheduled to surface in stores December 8. For Gucci, the title The State vs. Radric Davis took on an all-too-real relevance a couple of weeks ago when the rapper was sent to jail for 12 months.

He violated the terms of his probation, and at a time when he should be on the road promoting, Gucc is behind bars. He does have a slew of mixtape tracks holding him down in the streets and the clubs. A Gucci set is necessary for just about every hip-hop dance floor now. For the mainstream, the Zone 6 rep left a calling card: "Spotlight" with Usher. Meanwhile, "Wasted" with Plies continues its chart success.

Things couldn't be better for Gucci, career-wise. Despite the LP's grave title, The State vs. Radric Davis finds Gucci in many jovial moments.

The weightiest part of "Heavy" is the beat. Producer Shawty Red makes a track that sounds like it came out of a cartoon and was pimped with roaring bass for the booty-shake clubs. "Real heavy, real heavy," Gucci raps on the hook. "Somebody help me, my chain heavy/ My ego is toooo big/ It's getting' heavy/ My head is gettin' tooo big, it's too heavy."

Jazze Pha uses piano as the soundscape for "The Movie." The track sounds as if an old Charlie Chaplin movie was filmed in today's ATL trap.

"I'm jumping out my coupe with the missing roof," Gucci raps. He then tells the ladies out there he is not looking for any type of serious relationship. " 'Do you remember me from last month?'/ I can't remember nothing but my last blunt," he jokes.

Gucci totally changes his stance on the Zaytoven-produced "I Think I'm in Love." He raps about a woman he feels is "God's gift."

"Bad Bad Bad" has Keyshia Cole on the hook. That record takes a harsh look at love lost. "I can do bad, bad, bad all by myself," Keyshia sings on the chorus. Meanwhile Gucci pleads his case: "I'm a bad boy, but there's still so much good in me/ If you take me out the 'hood, there's still the 'hood in me."

The title says it all on the Rick Ross-featured "All About Money," as does "Sex in Crazy Places" with Bobby V, Nicki Minaj and Trina.

"Stupid Wild" features both Cam'ron and Lil Wayne. The trio stunt and once again plant their flags for being the owners of the rap game.

"Wilder than a jaguar, wildin' in a Jaguar," Weezy spews on the Bangladesh-produced track. "Please don't play with me, I'll put this pistol on your grandpa."

"Let's do the furs, his and hers," Cam comes in on the second verse. "Started gettin' on my nerves, so I hit with the 'burrr'/ ... And your wifey, we use her for her food stamps."

• Gucci Mane
• Lil Wayne
• Cam'ron
• Trina
• Nicki Minaj

Gucci Mane's <i>The State vs. Radric Davis</i>
Photo: Atlantic Records

While Gucci Mane serves his 12-month sentence for violating parole, his latest project, The State vs. Radric Davis, will be released on December 8. He has no shortage of top-flight guest stars on the new LP, including Cash Money Millionaires Lil Wayne and the Birdman, singers Usher, Keyshia Cole and Bobby V, as well as his close crew members Nicki Minaj, OJ Da Juiceman and Waka Flocka Flame.

Waka and Soulja Boy Tell'em appear on a track called "Bingo," while Wayne and Cam'ron show up on "Stupid Wild." Weezy also checks in on the remix of "Wasted," as do Jadakiss and the Birdman. Keyshia Cole lends her soulful crooning to "Bad Bad Bad" while Bun B, Devin the Dude and E-40 help out on the track with the zaniest title, "Kush Is My Cologne." Other guests include Rick Ross and actor Mike Epps. Producers Polow Da Don, Zaytoven and Bangladesh all crafted beats.

The video for his latest single, "Worst Enemy," premiered last week.

The State vs. Radric Davis track list, according to Asylum Records:

"Classical" (Intro)
"Interlude: Toilet Bowl Shawty/ Mike Epps"
"Heavy"
"Stupid Wild," featuring Lil Wayne, Cam'ron
"All About the Money," featuring Rick Ross
"Lemonade"
"Bingo," featuring Soulja Boy Tell'em, Waka Flocka Flame
"Spotlight," featuring Usher
"I Think I'm in Love," featuring Jason Caesar
"Bad Bad Bad," featuring Keyshia Cole
"Interlude: Toilet Bowl Shawty/ Mike Epps"
"Sex in Crazy Places," featuring Bobby V, Nicki Minaj, Trina
"The Movie"
"Volume," featuring Wooh Da Kid
"Gingerbread Man," featuring OJ Da Juiceman
"Wasted," featuring Plies
"Kush Is My Cologne," featuring Bun B, Devin the Dude, E-40
"Worst Enemy"
"Interlude: Toilet Bowl Shawty/ Mike Epps"
"Wasted" (Remix), featuring Lil Wayne, Jadakiss, Birdman

• Gucci Mane

Gucci Mane
Photo: MTV News

Gucci Mane spoke out for the first time Tuesday (November 17) since being sent back to jail last week. Through a statement sent to XXLMag.com, Gucci said he is prepared to face the music.

"I have accepted full responsibility for my actions, and I am ready to deal with what is in front of me right now," Gucci's statement read. "Thankfully, my label is still moving forward with my album release, so I will have plenty to look forward to when I get out. I am remaining positive and want my fans to know that I am grateful for their loyalty and continued support. I will get through this."

Last week, Gucci was sentenced to 12 months in jail for a probation violation. He failed to serve hundreds of hours of community service and attend classes for anger management and drug and alcohol abuse. Gucci also disregarded court orders to obtain permission for his travel. His lawyer and the courts say the rapper will serve no more than six months. During his sentencing, Gucci faced two and a half years, but the judge was lenient.

"First of the year, he could be out," Gucci's lawyer Dwight L. Thomas explained to MTV News last week. "It all depends on his conduct and how he conducts himself while he's there. We're working on other avenues that might entitle him to be released early. If nothing happens at all, he'll do six months. But if we're able to do some of the things we're exploring, we may get this thing down to two months."

"You can't hold down a man like Gucci for long," Shawty Lo told Mixtape Daily about his friend's sentence. "His situation is unfortunate, but he'll be back on top in a few."

• Gucci Mane

Audio Push
Photo: Interscope

The New Boyz have bust the door wide open, haven't they? The jerk movement is in full swing, with the Boyz, female duo the Bangz (Ella, we're going to keep you in our prayers) and today's Mixtape Daily subject Audio Push. West Coast isn't all gangsta music — the kids are trying to party.

This Week's Main Pick

Street Newcomers: Audio Push

Holding It Down For: San Bernardino, California

Mixtape: The Soundcheck

Real Spit: Cali teenagers Oktane and Pricetag are doing their part to take jerkin' from a fad dance to a movement. The duo's "Teach You How to Jerk" has become a YouTube blockbuster, and you have to check for their new record "Aviator" with Brandy. The duo's album isn't due until sometime next year, but they just put out a mixtape, The Soundcheck.

"We were in the airport, and we felt the soundcheck, before a big show, that's our preparation to make sure everything is ready, everything is right," said Price, who was in nursing school before his group started to blow up.

The fellas are slated to open up for Chris Brown on his Fan Appreciation Tour.

Joints To Check For

» "The Soundcheck Intro." "It's just setting the table for everything we do," Pricetag said. "How we prove ourselves in this whole music thing."

» "Up N Down." "That shows the other side of us," Oktane said. "By now, they know I sing. I'm singing on a lot of the record. Price always comes through and does his thing. That song is for the ladies. It's on a whole 'nother grown type of level. You're welcome in advance."

"Y'all gonna love it," Price insisted.

The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From The Underground

Barring a holiday miracle, Gucci Mane will spend his album-release date — December 8 — in jail. He was sentenced to 12 months in jail last week for probation violation. Still, his camp said his spirits are high, and his lawyer notes that with extremely good behavior, he could be home in as little as two months, if a judge sees fit.

Gucc's friends in the A say that even with the jail time, his popularity won't die down.

"Gucci is the hottest rapper out," producer Zaytoven said. "Hopefully this is only a minor setback. Knowing Gucci, he always bounces back."

"You can't hold down a man like Gucci for long," Shawty Lo added. "His situation is unfortunate, but he'll be back on top in a few."

"I think for the moment, it's unfortunate, given the fact he's moving with a lot of features and has an album coming up," DJ Scream said. "But he has a genuine fanbase. His fanbase is so strong, he'll be able to come out and resume business as usual. I think it's messed up for right now that his album is coming out, but he's somebody the streets need. He's somebody that feeds the streets with a lot of mixtapes and songs."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

• Mixtape Daily: Jay-Z, Robin Thicke, Nicki Minaj, More

• Chris Brown
• Gucci Mane

Gucci Mane

One day after he was sentenced to 12 months in jail for violating his probation, Gucci Mane's video for "Worst Enemy" hit the Internet. The video is for the latest single from his forthcoming — and now all-too-appropriately titled — LP, The State vs. Radric Davis.

In the clip, Gucci wears all black and performs the pensive song. Special effects of television screens show various moments from Gucci's life, such as him on the mic early in his career, and his sentencing last year for probation violation.

"I'm my best friend and I'm my worst enemy," he raps on the record, which addresses both Young Jeezy and T.I. "And no one else can hurt me unless I let them/ Is you feelin' me?/ And misery loves company and I had my share of misery/ No mystery, my infamy got me in hip-hop history/ First Tupac died then Biggie died/ And it crazily impacted me."

In his verses, Gucci goes on to dole out his thoughts on his tumultuous relationship with both Tip (stemming from his T.I. dis song "What Kind of King") and the Snowman, with whom he's feuded for years.

"I wouldn't hurt a girl on purpose 'cause I feel they don't deserve it/ I admit my words can hurt, I dissed Tiny she didn't deserve it," he rapped, expressing remorse for his disparaging comments about T.I.'s fiancée in "What Kind of King."

"Me, Jeezy and T.I share one thing in common," Gucci adds. "Role model to young people, though at times man we still ignore it/ And y'all gonna owe respect to me and I don't like apologies/ Just dis me till you satisfied/ I swear it doesn't bother me ... Insults only show the world how y'all respecting me."

In an interview that hit the Internet Wednesday, Gucci told radio personality Miss Info that he had no more time to beef with artists.

"Growing up," he said of the song's inspiration. "Growth — musically and as a person. I feel like I owed it to my fans. There's a lot of die-hard fans that have been writing me, praying for me. I gave it to them ... What anybody else does, doesn't stop my serenity. I'm good."

• Gucci Mane
• T.I.
• Young Jeezy

Gucci Mane

Gucci Mane's lawyer Dwight L. Thomas says that during the past four months, his client has been receiving counseling and getting himself off of cocaine, marijuana and alcohol. On Thursday, after violating his probation, Gucci was sentenced to 12 months in jail and is expected to serve half that time. But had it not been for Gucci's recent efforts to change, Thomas said, he might have gone away for a lot longer.

According to Thomas, Gucci's probation for a 2005 aggravated-assault case was revoked because the flamboyant rapper has not completed a court-ordered 600 hours of community service, he's tested positive for marijuana and cocaine during visits to his probation officer, and he has not been getting the proper permission to travel as mandated previously by the judge.

"[Gucci] told the court yesterday he was on a road to recovery in terms of being clean and sober," explained Thomas, who also represented T.I. in his recent gun case. "[He is] alcohol free and weed free. ... He's also dealing with the emotional issue of killing somebody. He's been in counseling and therapy."

In January 2006, murder charges against Gucci Mane in a May 2005 incident were dropped. The rapper was with a female companion in a Decatur, Georgia, apartment when four men invaded the home and attacked Gucci. During the fracas gunshots were fired, and the body of one of the assailants, Henry Lee Clark III, was later found outside a nearby middle school. Gucci admitted to shooting at the men, and it was ruled self defense.

After pleading no contest to aggravated assault for attacking a club promoter in 2005, Gucci was sentenced to six months in jail, followed by probation, drug and alcohol rehabilitation classes, anger management and 100 hours of community service. During a revocation hearing in 2007, it came to light Gucci had not completed his community service and was not going to class or notifying the proper authorities when he was travelling. He was given an addition 400 hours of community service. In September 2008, when Gucci appeared in front of the judge, it was confirmed that he had still barely completed any community service, tested positive for drugs and had been travelling without permission. His probation was revoked, he was given year in jail and 600 more hours of community service. After serving seven months of that sentence, Gucc was released again in March.

Thomas said that since he took Gucci over as client this summer, he has seen a massive improvement in the man whose nickname is LaFlare.

"We were able to put up a case and present to the court that yes, he didn't do what he was supposed to have done, but he was going through emotional issues that obscured his ability to think straight," Thomas said. "He never got therapy for the killing.

"When a soldier kills somebody, we give them therapy. When a police officer kills somebody, he gets therapy. When Gucci killed somebody, he never got therapy, even though it was justified," Thomas further explained. "It was legal, self-defense. He's going to continue to deal with those issues. It's not an easy thing to take a human life and [have] it not bother you or concern you. He had to take a human life, but he did not like the fact he had to."

Thomas also said that like T.I., Gucci is looking forward to doing something positive once he is released.

"He was in good spirits [yesterday]; he's in good spirits today," Thomas said. "He stood up, held his head up and accepted responsibility. He said, 'I'm a totally different man than I was the last time I was in your courtroom.' He was very pleased with the outcome of his case. He knows it could have been a disaster. He appreciates the support from his fans and the people in the music industry."

Thomas plans to petition for Gucci's early release before 2009 is over.

"First of the year, he could be out," Thomas said. "It all depends on his conduct and how he conducts himself while he's there. We're working on other avenues that might entitle him to be released early. If nothing happens at all, he'll do six months. But if we're able to do some of the things we're exploring, we may get this thing down to two months."

• Gucci Mane

Gucci Mane
Photo: Ben Rose/ Getty Images

Gucci Mane was sentenced to 12 months in jail on Thursday (November 12) for probation violation and taken away in handcuffs, according to his lawyer.

Mane pleaded guilty to assault in 2005 for attacking a nightclub promoter, and last September, he was sentenced to a year in jail for failing to fulfill his court-ordered 600 hours of community service in that case. He went to jail and served until March. Upon his release, Gucci went straight to the studio and recorded five songs.

The sentence is a blow to Gucci's career. The ATL rapper has an album coming out — The State vs. Radric Davis — on December 8 and is arguably at the height of his career; in terms of his sentence, he may be out of jail in six months.

Gucci has remained one of the hottest MCs in hip-hop solely off his multitude of underground songs released on mixtapes. The records kept him relevant in the clubs and streets and elevated his already blossoming fan-favorite status.

"It was a challenge for me," he told MTV News in March about going to jail. "I'm just happy my team kept my music going strong for me. And I'm happy I recorded so many records so people could hear me."

This year, Gucci definitely was breaking through from the streets to the mainstream, appearing on tracks for the Black Eyed Peas, Mario, Omarion, Mariah Carey and even a 50 Cent song. Gucci's current single is called "Spotlight" and features Usher. This follows on the heels of "Wasted," featuring Plies.

• Gucci Mane

Gucci Mane and OJ Da Juiceman
Photo: Asylum

The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive

OJ Da Juiceman smiles with a gold-tooth grin when asked who has more mixtapes: him or his brother in arms, Gucci Mane.

"I'm at 25 or 26 mixtapes, but Gucci Mane is well over 30," OJ said.

He plans to increase his catalog very shortly, with a tape called Six Rings: The Michael Jordan Edition dropping soon. Then he and DJ Drama are hooking up for a Gangsta Grillz simply called Orange. After all that, OJ said he and Gucci have plans to put out a street project with Waka Flocka Flame, a new member of the Brick Squad crew.

"We actually working on a me, Gucci, Waka mixtape," the Juice said. "[That's] half of the Brick Squad. I think me and Waka gonna do a mixtape first, then me, Gucci and Waka gonna do a mixtape together. Waka is up next. He has a song on the radio with the 'O Let's Do It.' He's real down to earth when you meet him. Waka, he's crunk. If you go to the store and buy a bobblehead, that's how he's gonna have you in the club.

"The Brick Squad is me, Waka, Gucci, Frenchie, Woo [Da Kid] — that's it," OJ explained of the clique. "The 1017 Boys is all them same people except me. 1017 is Gucci's crew."

In the beginning of 2007, OJ is putting out his official LP, The Otis Williams Jr. Story. He just finished a track with the New Boyz, and Busta Rhymes, Mistah F.A.B. and Verse Simmonds are onboard. The Juice appears on R. Kelly's upcoming Untitled LP via "Superman High" and laid down a verse for the remix of Mariah Carey's "H.A.T.E.U."

"That was a blessing. I was like, 'Are you serious? Who?!' " OJ said of getting the phone call from Jermaine Dupri about getting on Mariah's song along with Big Boi and Gucci Mane. "I hurried up and did it. Knocked that guy out in 10 minutes. It surprised me."

Other Heat This Week

» Audio Push - The Soundcheck Mixtape

» Sha Stimuli - My Soul to Keep

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

• Mixtape Daily: Soulja Boy Tell'em, Kanye West, Rihanna, More

• OJ Da Juiceman
• Gucci Mane

Gucci Mane's <i>The State vs. Radric Davis</i>
Photo: Asylum Records

Gucci Mane's second album, The State vs. Radric Davis, isn't due in stores until December 8, but MTV News has already obtained the album cover. On the cover art, Gucci is obviously reflecting on his much-publicized legal problems, appearing in an orange prison jumpsuit while resting his head in his right hand. His right wrist is handcuffed.

Gucci recently released a single, "Spotlight," with a co-star appearance from Usher. The song has a pure party vibe as the Gucc discusses his excursions with women.

"The spotlight ain't nothing without you, girl," Usher sings over Polow Da Don's ATL-bounce beat. "And the dance floor ain't nothing without you, girl/ You a showstopper/ Let's get it poppin'."

Polow said the song came about because Gucci wanted to experiment.

"He did the hard part," Polow said. "He owns the streets right now. All I did was what was easy for me — take what he's built and capitalize off it. We work hand-in-hand because I understand the pop side and I understand the street side and I'm from Atlanta. Usher, Gucci, Polow, it is what it is. It was a natural vibe. Me and Gucci did a bunch of records. That's like my boy, we talk every day. So we went in and made some records. [Gucci] was like, 'I wanna do something crazy, something the people won't expect.' "

Polow said it was easy to get Usher to jump on the hook once he and Gucci laid the foundation.

"One night me and Usher were hanging out, listening to records," Polow recalled. "Gucci did some songs with Usher for his album anyway, so Usher was going to do something for his album. He heard the record and wanted to do it. It was on some kicking it and vibing. It just happened."

• Gucci Mane

Gucci Mane performs at the 2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards
Photo: Ben Rose/PictureGroup/AP

As big as it gets: Jay-Z won the BET Hip-Hop Awards' MVP of the Year trophy, beating Lil Wayne, Drake, T.I. and Kanye West. Hov also opened the show with a performance of "As Real as It Gets" with Young Jeezy. Taped earlier this month in Atlanta and aired Tuesday night (October 27), the ceremony showcased the hip-hop nation, from the New Boyz to OGs like Jigga.

"Opened up the BET Awards, me and Jay-Z," Jeezy told Mixtape Daily of his performance the day after the show taped. "Shouts out to the homie, man, he stopped through. He was on his way to another show. But that's what we do. Real ones do real things. I just wanted to do something big for the city. Since the song is on both of our albums, we gonna shoot the video. It's gonna be crazy. We said, 'Let's go ahead and break it in at the BET Awards.' "

And while Jay faced stiff competition, Ice Cube didn't have to go up against anybody to win. He was honored with the prestigious lifetime-achievement "I Am Hip-Hop" award.

"Ice Cube, I think, is everybody's OG at this point in the game," Bun B said on the show's red carpet. "One thing Ice Cube brought to the game I don't think they give him credit for is sincerity, being real about what you say and really mean it. When Cube told the 'hood to stand up, he really meant that. He wasn't just throwing words and ideas around. When he said to check yourself, he meant it. The ups and downs we've had in the community, Ice Cube was always there to be honest and sincere with his words, his songs and his actions."

Jeezy co-presented the award alongside Ice Cube's favorite rapper.

"Without Chuck D, we'd be on a real bad collision course," Cube proclaimed during his acceptance speech.

Other performers on the show included the Goodie Mob, Snoop Dogg and Gucci Mane, who got a chance to perform all his big hits of the last few months, including "Break Up" and "Wasted." Even the legendary Kid 'N Play snuck in a dance step. Some of the most talked-about performances of the night were the ones that didn't happen in-house. Several rap cyphers were taped, resulting in standout verses from KRS-One, Eminem, Nicki Minaj and Joe Budden.

Em's verse was a fence-clearing homerun as he brought his distinctive cadence and semi-automatic handgun flow.

"Wow! I need to hear the unedited version!" DJ Drama, who DJed the awards show, said of Em's bars. "The crowd in the house went crazy! They were so excited to even see Eminem in a cypher. He's one of the greatest spitters of all time."

Mike Epps got a chance to do a little bit of stand-up during the show. He used the opportunity to rib some of the famous audience members, like Snoop. But you knew that was going to happen.

	Soulja Boy, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg And More At The 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards

"Hey, man, I'm cracking everybody," Epps forecasted on the red carpet with a grin. "I gotta keep it secret [who I'm going to target]. ... It's gonna be family fun. Everybody knows the inside jokes of everybody around here. It's gonna be fun, though."

Rick Ross said he and his group, the Triple C's, were just taking in the night and enjoying the unity.

"Every time this rolls around, I just reflect on the beginning of my career," Ross said on the red carpet. "When I was a fan at home looking at all the legends, eating a bowl of Cap'n Crunch, just dreaming. For me to be here, for my team to be here, and be happy to see other artists, none of that artist animosity. So if you're at home and waiting for your day to get here, I relate to you, because I was you."

BET head honcho Stephen Hill said it took a unified front to make the show happen.

"It takes pretty much everybody in the company with some type of dedicated effort to put a show on like this," Hill said. The co-president of programming for the channel also said that the person he looked forward to seeing the most was Snoop Dogg.

"Most people would shy and deflect that question," Hill said. "I've had a 17-year thing with Snoop Dogg. I love to see Snoop Dogg attack the stage. He has that same hunger in 2009 as he did in 1992."

Some other winners announced during the show were Drake for Rookie of the Year and DJ AM for DJ of the Year.

• Soulja Boy, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg And More At The 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards

• Eminem
• Gucci Mane
• Ice Cube
• Jay-Z

Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Mary J. Blige And More Come Out For Hot 107.9's Birthday Bash 2009

• Lil Wayne
• Trey Songz
• Plies
• Shawty Lo
• Pleasure P

Mixtape Daily: Other Notables, Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne And More

• Gucci Mane
• Lil Wayne
• Raekwon