Tone It Down
by Gucci Mane (featuring Chris Brown)

Album: Mr. Davis (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • To "tone it down" means to make something less forceful or to play less aggressively. Here, Gucci Mane is letting anyone around him know that he is not messing around and won't stand for any nonsense.
  • Chris Brown also gets down to business, contributing some smooth vocals in which he demands "Tell me who can ball like this."

    The song marks Breezy's first collaboration with Gucci Mane since his "Party" dropped in late 2016. Other collaborations between the pair include Mane's b-side "MoonWalk" co-featuring Akon, and "Ms. Breezy" off Brown's 2010 mixtape In My Zone 2.
  • The song is based on an upbeat flute-driven production from Cardiak & Hitmaka. The flute was hip-hop's instrument-de-jour in 2017 after the success of the woodwind laced beat of Future's "Mask Off."
  • The song samples Drake featuring Quavo and Travi$ Scott's "Portland."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.