Introducing RDPRM Newest Client "Gutta Squad"

Gutta Squad

Be it the abstract rhymes of multi-platinum duo Dre 3000 and Big Boi of Outkast or the gritty,
soul-drenched sound of Texas tag team Bun-B and the late Pimp C of UGK right down to the
pioneering kings of rock Run-DMC, two talented rappers have always given the rap world double
doses of lyrical heat.
Up next to add their names to the long list of two-man threats are Atlanta-based lifelong friends
Spanky and Solo of emerging rap group Gutta Squad. This dynamic duo has already had ATL
streets buzzing with two underground mixtapes. Riding off the runaway success of scorching
track “Trap Everything” with accompanying video and strip club single “Come On,” they are
readying for the release of their third mixtape Gutta Music Vol. 3 hosted by DJ Swamp Izzo of
HoodRich DJs.
“We’re more than just two people stuck together in a group,” Solo explains. “We know each other.
We grew up together. We got a bond like brothers.”
Both 24 years old, Spanky (Gerald Wallace) and Solo (Chris Watkins) first became acquainted at
age 10. They initially met in the Atlanta suburb of Austell in the Baby Land community. Although
they mutually had a deep love for music, they took different paths to their destination.
Spanky knew from an early age that he wanted a career in rap music. Since middle school, he had
been piecing together studio equipment and recording. He honed his skills rapping at clubs and
performing at local talent shows.
Solo, on the other hand, was making a name for himself freestyling and performing for
neighborhood friends. He didn’t take the music seriously until he wound up in youth detention
center for running with the wrong crowd.
“All I had was those four walls. To keep me going, I started writing down what was inside of me,”
says Solo. “I always had it in me but I didn’t have nothing to do but rap.”
As soon as his foot touched free ground, he linked back up with Spanky and hit the studio. Song
after song after song, they recorded constantly. Eventually, they decided to combine their abilities
and form a group. Soon after, they dropped their highly favored DJ Smooth-hosted debut mixtape
Gutta Music Vol. 1 in 2007. The mixtape made so much noise that distribution powerhouse
Universal Records showed interest. They flew to New York to negotiate their contract. But
unfortunately, the deal fell through during negations.
“The person who brought us in had a bad name for ripping folks off,” says Spanky. “So when we
got back to Atlanta, we had to start all the way back over.”
Not letting anything hold them back, they released their following mixtape Music Reincarnation
last year. Now readying for the release of their third mixtape No Excuses Vol. 1 hosted by DJ
Swamp Izzo of Hood Rich DJs, they are riding high off the hard-hitting track “Trap Everything”
and steamy strip club single “Come On.”
“Putting out music independently for yourself is a hard grind. But if you’re consistent, it’ll pan
out,” says Spanky. “You got to put your grind in and your money behind yourself. If you get it easy,
it’ll leave easily. I’d rather grind it out and stay around than to just put out one single and be gone
tomorrow.”