Artist: Gucci Mane
Interviewer: Henry Adaso

Gucci Mane has experienced more in a year than most people would ever go through in a lifetime. From the publicized feud with Young Jeezy over the rights of the hit-song, “So Icy,” to the ensuing conflict that left one person dead. He also went through a subsequent stint behind bars over an alleged murder charge. Yet, Gucci is as undeterred as ever. Now a free man, he found time from his busy schedule to talk to Soundslam about the controversy and his upcoming projects.

Soundslam: How has this whole situation changed your attitude towards life in general?

Gucci Mane: It made me appreciate everything because I know tomorrow is not promised. So you’ve got to spend time with your family – let them know you love them.

Soundslam: What’s your perspective on the whole southern rap movement?

Gucci Mane: I love what the south is doing for Hip Hop right now. Um, we’re throwing out some hits right now. I love to be a part of that movement.

Soundslam: How do you hope to help propel that movement to the next level?

Gucci Mane: By doing stuff that nobody else is doing. Just being myself, being unique.

Soundslam: By the way, how’s the album doing?

Gucci Mane: My album [Trap House] has sold over 130,000 copies while I was in the county jail and not being out to promote it. Now that I’m out, it might do about 200-250,000.

Soundslam: Planning any follow up to it?

Gucci Mane: I’ve got a second single called “Go Head” I’m about to release off the Trap House album.

Soundslam: What was the real controversy behind the song “So Icy”?

Gucci Mane: The real controversy was that we made the song and Def Jam Records wanted to get the rights to it. That’s the controversy on that right now. They don’t have any parts of that song because I wrote that song as a Big Kat recording artist.

Soundslam: You think it might have been better from a business perspective if Def Jam had secured the rights to the song?

Gucci Mane: Well, they have a bigger machine behind them than we have. Just to be honest, they could have pushed it more. At the same time, we’re proud of what we did with it. Financially, we could have gained if we had given the rights to them.

Soundslam: Speaking of “So Icy”, the song obviously references ice. How do you feel about the diamond trade in Africa that has people losing arms and legs so some artists can wear diamonds?

Gucci Mane: It’s a shame that people have to lose their lives just to put jewelry on the artists’ arms, but, I’ll be a hypocrite to say I don’t love jewelry. My heart goes out to those people, because that’s real deep.

Soundslam: Being from the south, do you honestly feel that 50 Cent’s Katrina comments were appropriate?

Gucci Mane: I really don’t want to comment on that.

Soundslam: Since the last time you talked to Soundslam, you’ve transited from talking quickly on the phone to being a free man. How did you manage to keep your sanity while you were locked up?

Gucci Mane: Everything I was feeling, I just wrote it down on a piece of paper. I bled my heart out on that pad. That helped me a lot. That was my therapy.

Soundslam: Young Jeezy once said in an interview that he doesn’t have any ‘beef’ with you because he doesn’t beef with kids…Would you say that the beef is now in the past or is there still conflict between you two?

Gucci Mane: Right now, I’m just focused on doing me. I’m not really concerned with what anyone else is doing. I’m just going to the studio and making hit records.

Soundslam: What five artists would you say are definitely holding down in the south right now?

Gucci Mane: I like what Jermaine Dupri is doing. I like Dem Franchise Boys. D4L, Jazze Pha – he has some good production.

Soundslam: I was hoping you’d name someone from Houston.

Gucci Mane: Houston, I like Slim Thug. He’s real tight. I like Mike Jones, Paul Wall; I like all of them, especially Slim Thug. I like Project Pat as well.

Soundslam: Do you own any investments or businesses?

Gucci Mane: I plan on investing in this movie. I’m pushing it with my own money. I hope to release the DVD this year.

Soundslam: What’s the movie about?

Gucci Mane: It’s called Trap House. It’s about growing up in the inner-city, some harsh sh*t you had to face, and moments of trial.

Soundslam: Any last words for your fans?

Gucci Mane: I appreciate all the support from my fans. Check out the “Go Head” when it hits 106th &Park; please vote for it and help me get it to number one.