Revisiting: "The State vs. Radric Davis" by Gucci Mane

In December 2009, trap pioneer Gucci Mane dropped what would be considered by many to be one of his best projects of all time. The album came after a large amount of independent mixtapes, and was his first studio release since Back to the Traphouse in December 2007. However, how well does this classic album from Gucci hold up today? Let's find out.

1. Classical - Intro

I cannot believe how good this instrumental is. It might be one of the best beats I've ever heard (that "Gucci, Gucci" built into it is amazing). Usually with a beat this good, it's kind of hard to not get carried by it. However, Wop delivers on the task of providing two tough verses, sending bars left and right. His charisma is undeniable, and this might be a prime example of Gucci back in his peak. I give this track a high 9/10.

2. Interlude: Toilet Bowl Shawty (ft. Mike Epps)

This is a pretty funny skit between Wop and Mike Epps, a well-known comedian. The two discuss topics such as their wealth, and both are pretty hilarious. It may not be vital to the album, but I enjoyed this skit a lot. I give it a 7.5/10.

3. Heavy

What a banger. The beat by Shawty Redd is nice and all, but Gucci's fiery hook is the icing on the cake for me. I can easily turn up to this song whenever, and the verses from Wop are also pretty dope. I haven't listened to too much stuff from the era of music in which this album was released, but after hearing this track, I might delve more into the trap scene back then. I give this track an 8/10.

4. Stupid Wild (ft. Lil Wayne and Cam'ron)

Although this isn't as good as the previous tracks, all three rappers still killed their verses. Wop came through with a fire hook, Wayne destroyed his part, and Cam'ron delivered some fire lines. Wop's verse was also pretty good. The beat was enjoyable, and I think all three rappers had great chemistry. I give this track a 7.5/10.

5. All About the Money (ft. Rick Ross)

The chemistry between Wop and Rick Ross is really good, and they both flow well over a hypnotizing beat courtesy of Drumma Boy. The hook is catchy, and I fairly enjoyed the verses. It's obviously not the greatest thing to come from either party, but it's good enough. I give this track a 7.5/10.

6. Lemonade

It's not hard to see why this is one of Gucci's best tracks ever. The piano beat is mesmerizing, Wop delivers three clever verses, and the choir on the hook is heaven-like. This could be one of the best instrumentals Wop has ever rapped on, because it's really tailored towards him. I can already predict that this will be one of the stand-out tracks on the album. I give this a 9/10.

7. Bingo (ft. Soulja Boy and Waka Flocka Flame)

This is yet another appealing track on the album. Gucci's raspy voice on the hook may take a bit to get used to, but once you get past that, all three artists deliver hard-hitting verses. Wop does his part, as usual, Soulja comes with one of his better verses, and Waka snaps up the last verse with his casual energy. The beat is also dope, so I'm giving this track a 7.5/10.

8. Spotlight (ft. Usher)

I'm genuinely surprised at how well Gucci can work over a more pop and R&B beat. This song is one for the clubs, and although Wop does well like he usually does, Usher steals the show with a catchy hook. But, hey, is it any surprise that Usher always brings great hooks to the table? Not really. I give this track a 7.5/10.

9. I Think I'm in Love (ft. Jason Caesar)

I've never heard this Jason Caesar man a day in my life, but he kills the hook. Gucci also does his part in delivering three hard verses, which is what I expect of him, anyways. Like the last track, this is more geared towards the mainstream, but I like it. I give this track a 7/10, which is a bit lower than the previous tracks. That doesn't mean it's bad, though.

10. Bad Bad Bad (ft. Keyshia Cole)

Another pop-geared song on this album. It does delve into elements of R&B, though. I really have no problem with all the mainstream tracks on here. It's just that I thought there would be tracks in the style of Gucci. Still, Keyshia Cole slays on the hook, and Wop delivers three decent verses. It's nothing out of the ordinary, but it is enjoyable. I'm giving this track a 7/10.

11. Interlude: Toilet Bowl Shawty (ft. Mike Epps)

This was a fairly entertaining skit, with it revolving around Mike Epps' woman cheating on him with Gucci. And, yes, her and Wop are in the... bathroom. Pretty gross, but I liked the back-and-forth dialogue between Epps and the unnamed woman. I give this skit a 7.5/10, and now I really wanna hear the third skit on this album.

12. Sex in Crazy Places (ft. Bobby V, Nicki Minaj and Trina)

It seems that another artist I've never heard of is coming on this album and bringing a good hook. Bobby V has a soothing voice just geared towards R&B, and he reminds me of singers like Usher. Nicki and Trina also did good on their verses, and Wop did his part, although it is not as memorable as the other three guests on the song. A rare occasion of Gucci being outdone by his features. I give this track a 7.5/10.

13. The Movie

This is probably the most braggadocious track on the album. From the cocky hook to the self-induced verses, Wop is really full of himself. And it works here. Usually, new rappers will act extremely cocky and full of themselves (Polo G, DaBaby, etc.), but Wop can say whatever he wants, given his status in the game at the time this track released. I really like this song, so I'm giving it an 8.5/10.

14. Volume (ft. Wooh Da Kid)

This track is basically classic Gucci, with a pretty dope verse from Wooh Da Kid sneaked in. I never heard anything of Wooh before this, and I may check out more of his stuff after I finish this album. Wop delivers a catchy hook over a simplistic beat courtesy of J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. I give this track a 7/10, because I like it, even though it's not anything special.

15. Gingerbread Man (ft. OJ Da Juiceman)

Gucci delivers fire bars, but the real highlight of this track is OJ Da Juiceman and his infectious hook. I hadn't heard anything from OJ before this, but he flows pretty well over beats like this. Wop's third verse is kind of lazy, but this track is good overall. I give it a high 7.5/10.

16. Wasted (ft. Plies)

This is probably one of the classic Gucci songs that everyone knows. It's not hard to see why, either. The hook is catchy, the beat feels just like something Wop could flow on, and Plies kills his verse with his usual swagger. Wop's verses are also dope, and there's something about this track that makes it this good. I give this track a strong 8/10.

17. Kush Is My Cologne (ft. Bun B, Devin the Dude and E-40)

This is the longest track on the album, but, surprisingly, it's pretty good. Gucci's hook is infectious, and Bun B delivers a dope verse. E-40 also has a unique part on this song, and although I hadn't heard anything from Devin the Dude before this track, he had a really good verse. Overall, this track is pretty great, and I can see myself putting it on repeat. I give it an 8.5/10, which is pretty high.

18. Worst Enemy

This is a very strong track, mainly because Gucci has the spotlight all to himself. He shows off his rapping ability as the main course, coming with a side consisting of an infectious hook and a synthesizing beat to wash it all down. I'm fully convinced that Wop should release an album with absolutely no guest features (it may have already been done, but he has so many mixtapes that I can't go around and find them all). I give this track an 8/10.

19. Interlude: Toilet Bowl Shawty (ft. Mike Epps)

This isn't as funny as the previous skit, but I still like out. There's a handful of clever lines traded back-and-forth between Gucci and Mike Epps, and it's clear the two could probably headline a comedy show as a duo (presenting The Gooch and Mike!). I give this skit a 7.5/10.

20. Wasted - Remix (ft. Birdman, Jadakiss and Lil Wayne)

This is one of the best tracks on the album. The original song was great and all, and Plies had a good verse, but the remix outranks the original version by a mile. Gucci's new verse is a level-up on his original verse, Weezy crushes his competition like usual, Jadakiss comes with heat, and Birdman closes out the track with a dope verse. All in all, the four rappers crushed their parts, making this a rare occasion where a remix succeeds fully. I give this track a 9/10.

FINAL RATING: 7.8/10

BEST TRACK: Lemonade

WORST TRACK: Volume (ft. Wooh Da Kid)

SUMMARY:

The State vs. Radric Davis is one of Gucci Mane's most consistent projects of all time. From the braggadocious tracks like "The Movie" to the smooth tracks like "Spotlight" to the classic tracks like "Lemonade," the album is filled with bangers from start to finish, an amazing feat for any album. Every track has Gucci delivering fire bars, where he showcases the best of what he haves. The State vs. Radric Davis is the face of Gucci's peak, and although he may still have it more than ten years later, it probably doesn't get much better than this.