Revisiting: "Writing on the Wall" by Gucci Mane

In May 2009, trap pioneer Gucci Mane dropped what many now consider as one of his best projects of all time, Writing on the Wall. The mixtape was hosted by DJ Holiday and included multiple classic Guwop tracks, such as "Wasted" and "First Day Out." But how well does the tape hold up in this current day and age? That is what I am finding out.

1. Intro

This is a classic type of opening to a Gucci Mane mixtape, with shout-outs being delivered to So Icey members Wooh Da Kid, Frenchie, and Waka Flocka Flame, along with flexes about Wop's jewelry. It sets the mixtape up for good things, which is usually true with Gucci projects. This intro gets a 7/10.

2. Hurry

Well, this isn't bad. Gucci's hook is pretty catchy, and he delivers three fire verses. This feels like a Guwop mixtape song for sure. It has the scattered trap beat, the classic ad-libs, and the somewhat frustrating but somewhat necessary additions from a DJ, in this case being DJ Holiday. I give this track a 7.5/10.

3. Going In

It's not anything too original, but this track is dope. I've got the "I'm going in, I'm going in" part stuck in my head now, and this is straight-up classic Gucci. I think people are pretty truthful when they call this the best mixtape from Wop. I give this track a 7.5/10.

4. Game (ft. OJ Da Juiceman and Kourtney Money)

Gucci has the best verse on here, but OJ and Kourtney also deliver on their ends. I didn't hear either on the track, but I guess they both sound a lot like Guwop. Either way, this is fire. I give this track a 7.5/10.

5. First Day Out

It's not the best Gucci mixtape track I've ever heard, but this still warrants classic status. Wop's bars are menacing, and Zaytoven's production is amazing. It's hard to see why someone wouldn't like this track. I give it an 8/10.

6. Gucci Mane Speaks

This is a very straightforward interlude, and a short one at that. Gucci shouts out So Icey and gives a transition into the next track on the mixtape, "Wasted," by talking about drinking. Nothing that sticks out, but it's really nothing to be critiquing, either. I give it a 7/10.

7. Wasted (ft. Plies)

I swear to God, man, this song just gets better and better each time I listen to it. From the infectious hook to the classic production from Fatboi, everything about this track screams "Gucci." Plies also has a memorable guest turn on here, and him and Wop deliver some magic. I give this track a high 9/10.

8. Check

Although it's not the best song on the mixtape by a mile (I can already tell), this is still pretty decent. The hook is catchy enough, and Gucci's two verses are dope. I wouldn't bump this over some of the other tracks on this project, but it's okay. I give it a 7/10.

9. Gorgeous

Gucci's flow is insane, and it reflects throughout the entire track. The hook is fire, and Guwop's three verses are something to behold. Zaytoven's presence is also felt, and he delivers an infectious beat. I give this track a 7.5/10.

10. Gucci Mane Speaks 2

On the interlude this time around, Gucci shouts out DJ Holiday, Southside, his label Bricksquad and more. There's not really much to say about this, so I'll just give it a simple 7/10.

11. 1017 Brick Squad (ft. Waka Flocka Flame, Frenchie and Wooh Da Kid)

This is an extremely fire Bricksquad cypher track. Gucci opens it up with impeccable energy, and although I've never heard Frenchie before, he delivered. Waka brought heat as usual, and Wooh Da Kid gave me a good first impression. The DJ Holiday transitions into each verse were also cool. I give this track a solid 8/10.

12. Perfect Diamonds

This tape is getting a tad bit repetitive, but it's staying consistent, and this song repeats the streak. A catchy hook and dope production is all Gucci needs to keep it flowing, and this track is an example of that. It may be lackluster compared to other songs on here, but it's still decent. I give it a 7/10.

13. Gucci Montana

The main highlight of this track is the hook. It's infectious, catchy, and pretty fire. The verses are also decent enough, and I like this song. Production from Zaytoven is always welcomed. I give this track a 7.5/10.

14. She Got A Friend (ft. Juelz Santana)

Gucci and Juelz both went off on this. I had never heard any music from the latter before this, but now I want to check out more stuff from Juelz. Wop delivered as usual, and the instrumental from Fatboi was classic trap stuff. I give this track a 8/10.

15. Freestyle

This track is pretty short compared to the other songs on this tape, but Gucci still brings the same energy. This is probably the most underrated track on the project, but it should be highlighted as a brief banger from Wop. I give this track a 7.5/10.

16. We Got Dat (ft. Chubbie Baby and 2 Chainz)

Wow, what a breath of fresh air. Just as the mixtape was starting to slack a bit, this song picked things back up. Gucci and Chubbie's hook is great, and all three artists delivered amazing verses. I hadn't heard music from Chubbie Baby before this, but he had the best part on here. I gotta check out more of his stuff now. I give this track a high 8.5/10.

17. Girls Kissing Girls (ft. Nicki Minaj)

Gucci definitely spit heat on this track, but Nicki is the clear standout on here. Her verse was filled with swagger and braggadocious bars, and it's hard not to enjoy it. I should listen to more old Nicki projects after this, because she seems way more energetic here than in her recent stuff. I give this track an 8/10.

18. Freestyle 2

Dope, another freestyle. It's not as good as the first one on this mixtape, but I still enjoy it. There's not much to say, other than go check out this entire project. Too many bangers, man. I give this track a 7.5/10.

19. P**** Rehab (ft. Playaz Circle)

Another strong track, this is. Gucci has a dope verse, but 2 Chainz and Dolla Boy SLAUGHTER their guest appearances. I didn't expect Wop to get out-rapped this hard, and not on a track where he has a pretty decent verse. I give this track a high 8.5/10.

20. Hood Up (ft. Busta Rhymes and Shawty Lo)

Although Gucci delivers two fire verses and Shawty Lo has a pretty decent hook, Busta Rhymes has a middling verse in comparison. His flow is awkward and his bars are all over the place. He nearly warrants a skip, but luckily Gucci picks things back up at the end. Still, I'll give this track a 7.5/10.

21. Everything (ft. Yung L.A. and Supa)

Gucci getting outshined again? I mean, he still did good, and his hook is catchy, but Yung L.A. and Supa both delivered two fire verses. I need to check out more stuff from both of them. This mixtape sure is introducing me to a lot of artists I haven't heard before. I give this track a 7.5/10.

22. Mr. Tonight (Outro)

Besides the minute-long wait of silence between the intro to this outro and the actual track, this is pretty dope. It's a good closer to a classic mixtape, and it reflects the key values of what makes this a great project: hypnotic trap production, catchy hooks, and Gucci's signature swagger. I give this track a 7.5/10.

FINAL RATING: 7.6/10

BEST TRACK: Wasted (ft. Plies)

WORST TRACK: Check

SUMMARY:

Although it's not his best body of work, Writing on the Wall is one of the definitive Gucci Mane projects. From a well-picked selection of producers to guest features that bring out the best in Guwop, everything about this tape feels like the old Gucci, the one that we want back. There are better Wop projects out there (Trap House III, The State vs. Radric Davis), but Writing on the Wall holds its weight. Suffice to say, it's a classic.