(AllHipHop News) Earlier today at midnight, Gucci Mane (Radric Davis) was released from Atlanta’s Fulton County Jail after serving six months for parole violation.
Gucci Mane walked out and was greeted first by friend Shawty Lo before thanking a group of roughly 50 media and fans who congregated outside the jail.
The East Atlanta emcee then read a prepared statement where he took responsibility for his actions.
“I have made some mistakes in my life that have hurt a lot of people who care about me. I have worked very hard to get past them, but those mistakes have brought me to where I am today, and they will not be repeated,” Gucci stated. “These past six months have been a difficult time but fortunately I have learned a great deal from my experience. I was able to do a great deal of soul searching; I am coming back with a new attitude towards life.”
Gucci Mane’s prison term came right before the release of his biggest album in The State vs. Radric Davis, which debuted in Billboard’s Top 10. After previously telling a judge his issues stemmed from trying to live up to his Hip-Hop persona, Gucci Mane now vows that that his public image will be one that his fans and the Atlanta community can look to as a role model.
“Unfortunately, my incarceration also came at a pivotal point in my career, just as my first major label album was dropping. I was forced to miss what should have been one of the proudest moments of my life,” he explained. “This is something I will make sure never happens again. My time in jail was trying, but I grew from it and am now a stronger and better person. I want to continue on a positive track and truly focus on being a role model to my fans and my community.”
Over the past several days, controversy has erupted over Gucci’s dismissal on his management company Mizay Entertainment, and his booking agency Hitt Afta Hitt Enterprises. The former is headed by Debra Antney, who was also the CEO of Gucci’s So Icey Entertainment and released a video earlier this week advising she was still on good terms with the rapper. The latter company, Hitt Afta Hitt Enterprises, is headed with Johnnie Cabbell, who claimed Gucci had sent him no paperwork advising their business arrangement was over.
Gucci Mane confirmed the split with both companies, and also advised that he has launched a new label.
“I have launched a new label, 1017 Brick Squad Records in affiliation with Asylum Warner Bros Records, and I’m working with a new team,” he verified.
Before summer’s end, Gucci Mane expects to drop another album, The Appeal. Then he will focus on releasing projects from Wocka Flocka Flame, OJ da Juiceman, and the Brick Squad. In addition, he proclaimed he will work hard to become the best rapper in the world, and urged his peers to also strive for excellence.
“The rap game is in need of substance right now…I’m ready to compete, so may the competition begin,” he declared. “I set out five years ago to be the #1 rapper in Hip-Hop. Today that journey continues with an even sharper focus. I challenge all artists to put out the best music they ever made this summer. I will accept nothing less than victory, but I still want worthy opponents.”
At press time, Gucci Mane plans to embark on a nationwide tour starting in July.
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