Gucci Mane wasted no time after being released from prison on May 26, 2016 after being convicted of firearm possession. He headed straight to the studio and recorded Everybody Looking over six days. This cut came together just hours after the rapper returned home from his incarceration.

The song was produced by frequent collaborator Drumma Boy. "I had tracks in a folder with his name on it waiting for his release from jail," the producer told Genius in an annotation. "I knew he would be ready to work. He called me as soon as he got out, and I was joking with him about him remembering my [phone] number by heart. He started laughing and was like, 'It's time.'"

The track addresses the influence Gucci has had on contemporary hip-hop. "Gucci has birthed a few careers and inspired many," Drumma Boy said. "I feel the same for me and upcoming producers. So many producers tell me they started making beats because of me, or inspired to make music because of something they heard I made. It's an honor to be an influence to anything."