Gucci Mane and 1017 Strike Again

8.22.23

Gucci Mane, J Cole

Gucci Mane is many things. An an artist, a manager, an A&R, a husband, a father, and more. A hustler, a businessman, an overall boss. He is sure making boss moves today, as Gucci Mane announces massive new record to drop on Friday, as well as a new 1017 signee whom is bound to break the Internet.

Earlier today, Gucci Mane shared the artwork for a new track releasing this Friday. The track features J Cole, who is featured on the single artwork, produced by Mike Will Made-It. Gucci and Cole is not something I would have expected at this point in time, but it is a massive feature for both artists. Gucci Mane has been a massive influence to hip-hop in the South, as well as for young men in general growing up and learning how to better their lives. J Cole has been a super well-loved main stream artist that to many, is considered the GOAT of hip-hop. He did hit a bit of bump in the road when fans questioned why he was not using his platform to stand up for racial injustice over the pandemic, but at the end of the day, he is still J Cole. These combined forces, is strong, and feels like a power move on both sides.

Shortly thereafter, Gucci Mane announced a new 1017 artist signed to the label. The artist is Brezden, who is a tall, slim, white artist with glasses that raps with a similar flow and sound of Babytron. The nerdy white boy look may be an act to curate extra buzz around his rhymes of Ferraris, smoking weed, and the ladies. An act we have seen break through, from artists like Jack Harlow and Lil Mabu. It seems like an interesting move for Gucci Mane, though, as not only is Brezden’s look completely different than any other 1017 artist in the past, but the sound is so different as well. Most 1017 artists are from the south and have a similar flow. Brezden’s sound again is something similar to Babytron, who was the 2022 XXL Freshman Class Fan Pick, so, he could be onto something. However it is super fresh and different, which could be a good thing for Gucci Mane and 1017.

Gucci Mane’s luck with his artists in the past has been absolutely awful. He’s at about 100% for artists getting locked up or causing trouble and going away. With this big J Cole feature coming up, along with a completely new talent signed to 1017, this could be Gucci Mane adapting with the times and ultimately, making smart decisions for his brand in the long run.

How do you feel about Gucci Mane’s latest artist interactions?

Brezden