Lucas Foster once dunked off of a gold tank, but it was before cell phones had cameras.
Gucci Mane is perhaps the most accomplished A&R in rap history. In nearly all of his dealings with the innumerable talents he discovered and developed he prioritized the interests of his artists and health of the culture over financial success (Thug would likely not have the nation’s number one album today if Gucci had not amicably released him from a 1017 deal while Gucci was in prison and Thug primed for stardom) which is partly why he didn’t quite capitalize on numerous opportunities to make 1017 a hit factory at the beginning of this decade. In signing Lil Wop, Yung Mal, and Hoodrich Pablo Juan to 1017 Eskimo, he has created something that works as much for his artists as it does for his finances, and keeps Atlanta’s traditions alive.
Mal hasn’t quite distinguished himself in the way Hoodrich Pablo Juan and Wop have, but that is not for lack of talent. Pierre is at the peak of his powers, a king-maker currently unrivaled, and Mal returns Gucci’s investment in the features, production and video by carrying the song.
