You wanna know when I realized that Gunna was one of the hottest rappers in the game? When he appeared on both Mariah Carey and Usher’s albums within’ a month’s span. It’s obvious the hip-hop world is enamored with YSL’s whole drippy movement, and there is nothing Logic or I can do about it. Today, the movement manifests itself on a full length album called “Drip Or Drown 2.”
STREAM
TOP 5
5. OUTSTANDING
“Outstanding” is smooth, slick, sly and probably not butter. On it, Gunna glides to the finish line using this sleek style of rapping that sounds pretty effortless. Content-wise, the YSL rapper bounces between the topics of spending money, upgrading his drug choices and embracing shaky relationships throughout. The combination makes for one of the trillest/unattainable concoctions you’ve ever tasted.
“Outstanding” can easily serve as a theme song for Gunna. I feel like he tells you what he’s all about on it.
4. SPEED IT UP
“Speed It Up” features this uptempo trap instrumental that practically sucks you in with its lonely vibes. Over this instrumental, Gunna plays aerobics instructor, imploring us to speed s**t up without informing us what we should be rushing for. Flow-wise, the YSL rapper’s contributions are beyond choppy, featuring words being spit out like it was cooked at Tim Hortons.
As crazy as it may sound, I think you get Gunna’s best rap performance on this song. I know it isn’t all that dynamic, but I felt like it was unique/clear enough to keep my attention the whole time.
3. IDK WHY
In “IDK WHY,” Gunna taps into his introspective side, discussing a couple of things that motivate, frustrate and worries him. Personally, I love how the “Drip Season” rapper opens up about drug-usage, women-problems and potential legal issues throughout the song, not quite sweating it, but at least sounding like it runs through his mind quite a bit. As for his style of rapping, Gunna peels through his verses and the hook utilizing this sappy/melodic approach that nearly makes it sound like he’s sobbing on the mic at times.
Hold up, Gunna actually has feelings?
2. BIG SHOT
I love “Big Shot!” The beat attached to it has trap roots, but for the most part, it’s powered by rockstar vibes. Over this beat, Gunna lets loose, doing everything from harmonizing daringly to giving off the numbest of rap deliveries. Content-wise, I love how the Atlanta native sticks his chest out like a boss, vividly describing the ways he celebrates his success, while also acknowledging how he took care of his fam and homies in the process. That’s some dope s**t!
1. ONE CALL
The more I hear “One Call,” the more I f**k with it! Though I consider it a banger, for a good chunk of the song, Gunna vibes out on it, getting lost in the bass boomin yet smooth instrumental he was served with. When he wasn’t lost, he made sure to bless us with an infectious melody we can all f**k with, in addition to some lyrical content that serves as a reminder of how much of a come-up he has had these last couple of years.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. WIT IT (2/5)
2. OUTSTANDING (4/5)
3. ONE CALL (4.5/5)
4. CASH WAR (2/5)
5. RICHARD MILLIE PLAIN (2.5/5)
6. YAO MING (3.5/5)
7. IDK WHY (4/5)
8. DERRICK FISHER (3/5)
9. BABY BIRKIN (3/5)
10. SPEED IT UP (4/5)
11. 3 HEADED SNAKE (3/5)
12. BIG SHOT (4/5)
13. ON A MOUNTAIN (3/5)
14. OUT THE HOOD (3/5)
15. SAME YUNG N***A (3.5/5)
16. WHO YOU FOOLIN (3/5)
OVERALL RATING
(C+)
THINGS I LOVED ABOUT “DRIP OR DROWN 2”
- The vibes on “Drip Or Down 2” are fantastic! Production-wise, Gunna was setup with beats that were cold and numb, but at the same time, heavy-hitting. This allowed him to zone out for a good chunk of the album, soothing the minds of anyone who listens to it.
- Though there are thousands of mumble rappers in the game these days, nothing about Gunna’s particular mumble-heavy style feels unauthentic. On “Drip Or Drown 2,” he stuck with his unique style ’til the wheels fell off, showing little to no fear of coming across as stale. That’s brave.
- I thought the melodies, hooks and harmonizing Gunna delivered for us throughout this album were pretty solid. Not only does he have a knack for creating something infectious, but he also understands when to shift gears/energy-levels vocally.
- I love that Gunna kept his features at a minimum on this album. I do believe he’s talented enough to carry a song on his own, so there was absolutely no need to have a whole bunch of guest appearances on this album.
THINGS I HATED ABOUT “DRIP OR DROWN 2”
- Can we pump the breaks on crowning Gunna the best thing since sliced bread? For a mumble rapper, he’s great, but if you expand the criteria, he’s average at best. On a bunch of verses on this album, he was too unclear to fully enjoy, and lyrically, left much to be desired. I get it, the n***a is great at creating a vibe, but as a rapper, he doesn’t move me much.
- How many songs are you going to talk about having boogers in your watch, driving the fanciest of cars and splurging on the hottest of women, Gunna? I would’ve appreciated if you upped the percentage of humble lyrics on this album a tad bit, sir.
- I dozed off listening to a bunch of tracks on this album… they weren’t bad, they were just hazy and serene-sounding 🤷🏾♂️…
I predict that “Drip or Drown 2” will be one of those albums hip-hop fans bump for months. Each time you listen to it, I guarantee you will find a new song to like. Matter of fact, the album reminded me a lot of a poor man’s version of “DS2” by Future.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.