“I’m cool with Malcom Gladwell being more celebrated than me as an author,” writes rapper Gucci Mane in his new book “The Gucci Mane Guide to Greatness.”
But it’s not as if the trap music pioneer hasn’t put in his 10,000 hours: He’s put out 20 albums, dozens of mixtapes and a best-selling autobiography. In his newest book (out October 13, Simon & Schuster), Mane, 40, gives self-help a spin, spitting out the facts of life.
“People always ask me, ‘Gucci, why don’t you go speak at schools … or do seminars?’ This is my way of doing that,” he writes. “I’m in a position of influence, I’m in a position to lead. I lead by example. I inspire through my actions.”
Here are his best nuggets of gold.
‘Whatever it is, do it now’
“Life isn’t about one moment. It’s about a series of them. Do your best to make the most of those moments so you’re prepared for the next one,” Mane writes. “Don’t be the person who says, ‘Damn, we could have won the Super Bowl if we didn’t throw that interception’ … Man. You had three hours to win that game. It wasn’t one play.”
Everything can be taken away
“I have been in the same downward spiral, so I can identify with Antonio Brown, with Tiger [Woods], with Kobe,” writes Mane, referencing the two years he spent in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. “Kobe, we celebrated him and now he won’t get to be with his wife.” The loss of the basketball giant earlier this year had a profound effect on the “Black Beatles” rapper. “Thank you to the late Kobe Bryant for inspiring me to write this book,” he scripted in the acknowledgements.
Be your own biggest fan
“I’ve gone through many things, from a difficult childhood, to going to jail, to trying to come up as a rapper,” said Mane. “Self-talk and encouraging myself are what made me shake it off and be prolific.” When he’s feeling down, he tells himself, “I’m going to get through this. I know what they’re saying, but I’m going to show everybody and show myself that this isn’t going to be the end of me.”
Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom
The “So Icy Summer” artist takes cues from other musicians. “Embrace [your] challenge. How could anyone not be happy for Demi Lovato coming back from an overdose in 2018 to perform at the Grammys in 2020?” Lizzo, who was once homeless, also drives Mane. “I know the time she put in is real. She worked for it,” said the 1017 Records founder.
Your body is a temple
“If you tell me you’re going to get in shape and six months from now you’re still fat as hell, don’t keep telling me the same thing. Just go ahead and eat trash and be dead,” Mane writes. The tough love is personal for him: He lost about 100 pounds and got sober. The Atlanta-based rapper said you can trust people based on what they put in their body and how they treat themselves.
‘F - - k everything, stack your bread’
“I don’t give a damn if I sold five thousand, if I sold five million,” Gucci writes. “I’m still pushing another album.” Mane is “never stagnant” with his business. “How are you going to use all the s - - t you did in 2005 and 2019 to help you in 2020 and 2021 and 2031?”
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