Gunna – a Gift & a Curse (Album Review)

Gunna makes his triumphant return with “a Gift & a Curse.”

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TOP 5

Honorable Mention. ca$h $hit

If Travis Scott doesn’t care if he works with a supposed snitch, he needs to hop on this track.

On this album, you get a lot of introspective bangers. “ca$h $hit” is one of the few bangers that actually sounds like Gunna’s old braggadios s**t. In the song, which is powered by this hypnotic trap beat, Gunna sticks his chest out like Conor McGregor, flexing his cash, jewelry, and freaks. The moxy that he raps with should make his naysayers even angrier. The flows and Travis Scott-like hook he blesses us with should make his fans excited for his return.

5. back to the moon

Something about the words “to the moon” brings out Playoff Gunna.

Gunna definitely raps like the rent is due in “back to the moon.” Like, that ninja fully sounds ready to kick ass and take names. To be more specific, I love the hectic flows, untamed passion, and grit that Gunna raps with throughout. I also like how war-ready his lyrics sound. I mean, how can you not root for this man after hearing this s**t?

4. turned your back

You can think what you want about Gunna’s court case, but you have to relate to his words about dealing with backstabbers.

“turned your back” might be Gunna’s most emotional record to date. Like, in the song, he really sounds hurt as he speaks on some of his biggest homies turning their back on him even after he gave them everything they wanted. If I were to guess, this track made Lil Baby’s stomach turn.

Aside from the song’s confrontational lyrics, the song also has an intoxicating hook, a very emotional vocal performance, and production that would fit nicely on a trap telenovela.

3. i was just thinking

In “i was just thinking,” Gunna makes it clear that he will not have his name dragged through the mud.

Even though “i was just thinking” boasts a somewhat therapeutic trap beat, we get some of Gunna’s most controversial lyrics in the song. In his verses, he proclaims that he is ready for war, doesn’t plan on stopping his career, and isn’t with folks coming up with lies about his infamous RICO court case. I love how much Gunna gets lost in the song, even electing to hum on the hook instead of giving us words. This s**t feels like the last time he will address his rumors.

2. bread & butter

I think Gunna’s return to the music scene with a song like “Bread & Butter” was genius. Before Gunna decided to go back to his normal flexing and s**t, I thought it was imperative to address his naysayers, and he does just that in this song.

Throughout “bread & butter,” Gunna calls out rappers speaking down on him, calling them hypocrites and liars (Cough cough Lil Durk and Lil Baby). He also talks about all the money he has lost and being tricked by his DA. What I love is how Gunna slides through the track sounding unbothered, even though the melodic raps he hits us with sound a little on the whiny side.

1. fukumean

“fukumean” ended up being one of the biggest tracks in hip-hop last year. The Jokes on my candy-ass.

When I did my initial review of a gift and a curse, I completely overlooked “#fukumean.” Well, actually, let me rephrase that: I didn’t give it the credit it deserves. Since then, I’ve heard the track 1000 times, and now believe in its simple, brash hook, QPeeski, and the way Gunna kicks the sensei-like production.

Sometimes I stink at picking the best songs from an album. This s**t is hard as f**k, though.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. back at it (4/5)

2. back to the moon (4/5)

3. idk nomore (3.5/5)

4. paybach (3.5/5)

5. ca$h $hit (4.5/5)

6. fukumean (5/5)

7. rodeo dr (3.5/5)

8. bottom (4/5)

9. p angels (4/5)

10. born rich (4/5)

11. go crazy (4/5)

12. bread & butter (4.5/5)

13. turned your back (4.5/5)

14. i was just thinking (4/5)

15. alright (4/5)

RGM RATING

(B)

Sometimes, you make your best music when your back is against the wall as a musician. Sometimes, you make your best music when you have to do s**t on your lonesome as a musician. Both things happened here, and guess what, this album is one of Gunna’s best efforts.

To us mere mortals, we can give a s**t about Gunna supposedly snitching, but for the street rappers of the world, that s**t is supposed to be a death sentence. Apparently, he isn’t rolling because in this album, he comes out swinging like John Gotti III. Throughout a Gift & a Curse, his content revolves around overcoming odds, having people change on him, fighting false narratives, and saying bye to people he thought were down for him. He also does tons of flexing, showing the world that his lifestyle has not been impacted by anything your favorite rapper has said about him. Because we can all relate to being counted out, I think this might be Gunna’s most relatable album to date.

Before going to jail, Gunna was one of the best beat selectors in the game today. After going to jail, Gunna is still one of the best beat selectors in the game today. I f**king love nearly every beat that we get on a Gift & a Curse. They all boom and boast either atmospheric, dramatic, evocative, or moody elements. Because of this, Gunna’s slick flows and intoxicating melodies poke out more than Kim Kardashian’s booty at an NBA all-star game.

Gunna’s mechanics haven’t changed one bit. He’s still mumbling his ass off and doing his best to sing like Mariah when he needs to. Here’s what has changed, though: His words and emotions are felt way more now. Let’s be honest, we now care about his personal life more than ever because of his court case, so we’re hanging onto everything he says. With that being said, Gunna makes sure he hits us with lyrical content that is as authentic as it gets. When paired with his already infectious melodies, you get gold.

This is my favorite Gunna album to date, even though it doesn’t feature your usual suspects (i.e. Young Thug, Lil Baby or Drake). It feels raw, authentic, urgent, and true to where the Atlanta rapper is in life today. As someone who always thought that Gunna was a bit overrated, after hearing this project, I am more than convinced that he is better than all of his loudest rap enemies.