General
gully
What does gully mean?
Rough in a respectable way. Street-tough, hard, not soft. Used as praise for someone who handles themselves, or a tune that hits with proper grit.
"That new Headie One track is gully, no skips."
Origin
From Jamaican use — 'gully' referring to the literal drainage gullies of Kingston, then the Gully Side of the Gully/Gaza beef (Mavado vs Vybz Kartel) in the late 00s. Crossed into UK road slang via that wave.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Gully' mean in dancehall?
It's the name of Mavado's camp and fanbase, 'Gullyside', and the rallying cry of his supporters against Vybz Kartel's Gaza.
Why is it called 'Gully'?
Mavado repped the 'gully' — the ghetto gully or ravine — as a symbol of hard, ground-level street life.
Who led the Gully camp?
Dancehall artist Mavado (the 'Gully Gad') led Gullyside, the rival to Vybz Kartel's Gaza during the famous feud.
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