Gucci Mane is basically the unofficial mayor of East Atlanta. If you've followed hip-hop for more than a week, you know the name. But honestly, his biggest flex isn't even his own platinum plaques or that legendary "First Day Out" verse he dropped after getting out of prison in 2016. It's his ear. The man finds stars in the mud like nobody else in the business.
The gucci mane record label—famously known as 1017 Records—has been a revolving door of some of the most influential, and sometimes tragic, figures in trap music. It's a weird, wild, and incredibly successful mess.
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The 1017 Name and Where it All Started
So, why 1017? It’s not just a random string of numbers. It’s actually a tribute to his grandfather’s house number in Bessemer, Alabama. Gucci, born Radric Davis, wanted something that felt like home. He started So Icey Entertainment back in 2007, but that eventually morphed into the 1017 Brick Squad era we all remember from the late 2000s.
That was the "Wasted" and "Lemonade" era. You had Waka Flocka Flame, OJ Da Juiceman, and Lex Luger on the beats. They weren't just making songs; they were shifting the entire sound of the radio. If you hear a high-hat triplet today, you can probably trace it back to a basement studio Gucci was paying for in 2009.
But business in the streets is messy. Things fell apart with his early partner Deb Antney, leading to a massive rebranding. This is a pattern with Gucci. He builds, he burns it down, and then he builds something even bigger.
The New 1017: From Prison to a $2 Million Gamble
Fast forward to 2020. Gucci is out of prison, he's healthy, he's "Gucci 2.0." He decides to reboot the label as The New 1017 (also called 1017 Global) in a partnership with Atlantic Records.
He didn't just sign people; he went on a scouting spree. He started looking for "diamonds in the rough" on Instagram and YouTube. Most CEOs sit in boardrooms. Gucci sits on his phone. He signed Pooh Shiesty and Foogiano, and suddenly, the label was the hottest thing in the industry again. Pooh Shiesty’s "Back in Blood" was everywhere. It felt like 1017 couldn't lose.
Then came the "So Icy Millionaires" pivot in late 2024. Gucci literally got on Instagram with stacks of cash—$1 million for a male artist and $1 million for a female artist.
"I’m looking for my next superstar 'cause I'm starting a whole new label. Fresh! So Icy Millionaires."
That’s a direct quote from his announcement. He and his wife, Keyshia Ka'Oir, were basically offering life-changing money on the spot. It's a bold move, but it highlights how he views the gucci mane record label: it’s a venture capital firm for the streets.
The So-Called "1017 Curse"
You can't talk about 1017 without talking about the "curse." It’s a dark topic, but people talk about it constantly on Reddit and Twitter.
The label has seen a staggering amount of misfortune. Big Scarr, a massive talent from Memphis, passed away tragically at just 22. Enchanting, another rising star on the roster, also died young. Then you have the legal issues. Pooh Shiesty and Foogiano—the two biggest earners for the label—are both currently serving significant prison time.
In late 2024 and heading into 2026, Gucci actually admitted he had to drop almost his entire roster. Why? Because the P&L (profit and loss) didn't make sense. If your artists are locked up, they can't tour. If they can't tour, the label loses money.
Who is actually left on the roster?
At various points, the roster has included:
- Pooh Shiesty (The heavy hitter, currently incarcerated)
- Foogiano (The "Molly" rapper, also currently incarcerated)
- BigWalkDog (A Mississippi standout)
- Bic Fizzle
- Brezden (The newest signee as of late 2024)
- Li Rye
Honestly, it changes so fast it’s hard to keep up. Gucci is ruthless with his business. If you aren't making him money or if you're bringing too much "heat" without the hits, he's going to let you go. He’s a businessman first.
Why 1017 Still Matters in 2026
Even with all the drama, the gucci mane record label remains the blueprint for how to run an independent-feeling imprint under a major label umbrella.
Gucci provides something most labels don't: a platform. He gives these kids a chain, a feature, and a massive audience. He’s not looking for "polished." He’s looking for "raw." He wants the person who is actually living the life they're rapping about.
The impact on Atlanta is undeniable. Without 1017, we might not have the Young Thug we know today (Thugger was an early 1017 signee). We wouldn't have Metro Boomin or Mike WiLL Made-It in the same way. Gucci's label is a graduate school for trap music.
What You Can Learn From the 1017 Business Model
If you're an aspiring artist or a manager, there are real takeaways here.
- Volume is King. Gucci didn't get famous by dropping one perfect album every three years. He dropped 71 mixtapes. He flooded the market until the world had no choice but to listen.
- Branding is Visual. The 1017 chain is one of the most recognizable "employee badges" in the world. It signals that you've been vetted by the Trap God himself.
- Adapt or Die. When the 1017 Brick Squad era ended, he didn't quit. He rebranded. When the 2020 roster ran into legal trouble, he started "So Icy Millionaires."
The music industry is fickle. Trends change in a week. But Gucci Mane has managed to stay relevant for two decades by being the ultimate talent scout.
If you want to keep up with the label, your best bet isn't a press release. It's following Gucci on Instagram. That’s where the deals happen. That’s where the money is shown. And that’s where the next 1017 star will likely be discovered.
To truly understand the legacy, you have to look past the headlines about arrests and look at the discography. From "Make Tha Trap Say Aye" to "Shiesty Season," the gucci mane record label has defined the sound of the South for a generation. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s unapologetically Atlanta.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Listen to the Compilations: To see how Gucci builds a "squad" sound, check out Gucci Mane Presents: So Icy Summer or So Icy Boyz. These albums serve as a showcase for the entire roster.
- Track the New Signings: Keep an eye on the "So Icy Millionaires" hashtag on social media. This is currently where the most active scouting and signing activity is happening for the 2026 cycle.
- Study the Early 1017 Era: Go back and listen to the Burrrprint series or Writing on the Wall. It provides the context for why 1017 became such a powerhouse in the first place.