ItGetsGutta: The Rationale

by Christian McCoy

Click this link to listen to ItGetsGutta, produced and performed by Christian McCoy   https://soundcloud.com/christian-mccoy-4/itgetsgutta

Yeah...It Gets Gutta...and my song merely provides a fair warning for individuals not only in the society of Rap/Hip Hop, but also within the society we all live in.  When it comes to the particular concept of this song, some members of our society may be completely unaware--unaware that it can get "gutta" at absolutely any moment. 

"Gutta", as it pertains to the context of my song, is a term some of us use to describe what other people may consider to be a more unpleasant or undesired aspect of life, specifically associated with the streets. Additionally, for a lot of MCs, a gutta lifestyle is what we're most familiar with, either first hand or simply from having to grow up living in an environment where the majority of people live a gutta lifestyle. 

Moreover, to provide some clarity in regards to my songwriting, for the sake of avoiding misinterpretations and assumptions, any song I write that may express messages of violence in any way, is metaphoric, and is really a subliminal statement of how I will "murder" you with bars or through my music--primarily. However, like most MCs, I have experienced a lot of things in the streets and life, generally, that have shaped my mentality to the extent that I would actually do the things I say, given a certain set of circumstances--if I have not already done them. As I am a man that seeks to always be understood by others, I have provided this explanation of my songwriting, but I also know that some people will perceive my songs the way they want to, no matter how I explain them, and I am at peace with that as well.

The concept for ItGetsGutta, initially derived from the feel that is generated by the beat. Weeks before I even made the beat for this song, I was constantly feeling the necessity and desire to create the most gutta and classic Hip Hop beat.  Now keep in mind the aforementioned definition I have provided for the word gutta. In my opinion, Rap/Hip Hop is essentially a product of the gutta lifestyle most of us are familiar with. I believe most MCs would agree that Rap/Hip Hop would not even exist if we were not, first, gutta.  Moreover, as the gutta lifestyle is, in a sense, the soil of the Hip Hop genre of music, we can also make reference to certain sounds or patterns that are gutta and fundamental to Hip Hop as well. In this case, the drum pattern of my song--as basic as it is--is one that I could not get out of my head, literally, for weeks before I made the beat.  I was literally telling myself, as I would travel from my job, "I'm about to make the most gutta fuckin' beat", and I would make that exact drum pattern aloud saying, "that's fuckin' Hip Hop...I'm Hip Hop"--true story.    

In regards to the lyrics...this is who I am all day!  I immediately felt so comfortable on the beat, as I'm sure any true MC would.  Obviously, I'm an avid fan of Jay Z, because as I was making the beat, the first bar came to me instantly, and I just went with it--"I remove ya roof, nigga, let the sun shine in". Borrowing that line seems as if it gave me the energy I needed to lace the track the rest of the way--'preciate that, Hov. 

Additionally, I feel like the way I approached the beat is exactly the way many of the greats have approached similar beats in the past, which is what I have been able to pick up from them as a fan. Thus, from a certain perspective, I'm just emulating them, but only because it's the type of music I want to hear. Yeah, I'll admit, I pretty much only create music I want to listen to, but if I share it with you, and you like it, my happiness is then maximized. 

My initial aim was to, sort of, galvanize the legendary faction of the Rap/Hip Hop community as well as listeners like myself.  On the contrary, however, as soon as the song begins, it's like I just take control, in a way that is determined to wake up those unconscious heads that may be unfamiliar with this gutta sound and lifestyle.  As I also feel like people are gradually forgetting about the particular feel you may get when you hear this song, my intention was to remind them that it still gets gutta or the essential "Holy Spirit" of Hip Hop is right here.  

Finally, the track takes a bit of a detour at the bridge, and conveys a more violent message, while still staying aligned with the overall theme. My intention here is to simply highlight the fact that no one is safe, because anyone can get murdered by anyone--regardless how civilized, upstanding, or totally meaningless they may appear to be. There are many people that are living very comfortable lives--comfortable as in complacent--on whatever level, and often neglect to consider what others are going through or what may be going on in the minds of others at any given time. Of course, nobody owes anybody anything, however, common courtesy is a must in this world! Innocent people are dying all the time just because a poor man like me is just tired of going without, and abruptly decides to kill you cause you've got what I want. Watch how you talk to people, treat people how you would like to be treated, and never underestimate anyone--especially me...'cause "I'll close ya curtain for dat cake, nigga"!