Since debuting on the mainstream in 2005, Radric "Gucci Mane" Davis has contributed to the sound and experience of Southern hip hop. In the tradition of jazz, blues, and other earlier genres, Gucci and his collaborators have related the anguish of jilted relationships, poverty, and crimes of necessity in the American South. His growling voice and often minimal production convey mournfulness and regret, but also celebrate the environment of which he became a champion.
Beyond his contributions to the evolution of uniquely American musical forms, Gucci also democratized how music is consumed. By releasing well-produced mixtapes online and free of charge, 1017 Bricksquad allowed listeners to circumvent the music industry. For these contributions, October 17 should be decreed "Bricksquad Day."