Gunna
Gunna in 2021
Gunna in 2021
Background information
Birth nameSergio Giavanni Kitchens[1]
Also known as
  • Wunna[2]
  • Gunna Gunna
  • Yung Gunna
Born (1993-06-14) June 14, 1993 (age 30)
College Park, Georgia, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2011–present[4]
Labels
Websiteonly1gunna.com

Sergio Giavanni Kitchens (born June 14, 1993), known professionally as Gunna, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter.[5] He is signed to Young Thug's YSL Records and 300 Entertainment.[6] Gunna initially rose to fame with the mixtape Drip Season 3 in 2018.[7] Later that year, he released the mixtape Drip Harder with Lil Baby, which spawned the single "Drip Too Hard" that reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually achieved Diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[8]

Gunna released his debut studio album, Drip or Drown 2, in 2019 and followed it up with his second studio album Wunna in 2020, which debuted atop the Billboard 200.[9] In August 2020, he was featured on Internet Money's single "Lemonade" which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped multiple charts worldwide.[10] His third album DS4Ever was released in 2022, becoming his second consecutive number-one album.[11][12]

On May 11, 2022, Gunna was arrested two days after alleged co-conspirator Young Thug in a 56-count RICO indictment against the YSL record label.[13][14] On December 14, 2022, Gunna took a plea deal and was released from prison.[15] Five months following his release, he released his fourth album, A Gift & a Curse (2023).[16] The album contained his first top-ten solo single, "FukUMean".[17]

Early life

Gunna was born in College Park, Georgia. He was raised by his mother and has four older brothers.[1] He started making music at age fifteen.[18] He grew up listening to Cam'ron, Chingy and Outkast, among others.[19] Gunna attended North Springs Charter School of Arts and Sciences and Langston Hughes High School. In 2013, Gunna released the mixtape Hard Body under the name Yung Serg.[18]

Career

2016–2018: Career beginnings and Drip Season series

Gunna was introduced to fellow rapper Young Thug through Keith "King" Troup, a mutual friend and community figure who died in December 2015. He was later featured alongside rappers Travis Scott and Gucci Mane on Thug's song, "Floyd Mayweather", from his commercial mixtape Jeffery.[19][20]

On October 14, 2016, Gunna released his debut mixtape Drip Season through YSL Records. It featured members from YSL, such as Young Thug, Lil Duke, and Nechie.[21] He released the mixtape Drip Season 2 on May 11, 2017. It featured many popular Atlanta and YSL artists such as Young Thug, Playboi Carti, and Offset. From the mixtape, "YSL", featuring Playboi Carti, was on a "Grand Theft Auto" radio station.[22][23] On November 30, 2017, he released his debut extended play Drip or Drown, in which his record producer and close friend Wheezy entirely produced it, with a sole guest appearance from Young Thug.[24]

On February 2, 2018, he released the commercial mixtape Drip Season 3. It featured notable guest appearances from Hoodrich Pablo Juan, Lil Durk, Nav, Metro Boomin, and Lil Yachty, while the deluxe edition featured additional appearances from Lil Uzi Vert, Young Jordan, Young Thug, and Lil Baby. The regular and deluxe editions were simultaneously released together.[25]

On April 17, 2018, Gunna released a single titled "Sold Out Dates" featuring Lil Baby, a close friend and frequent collaborator. The song became one of his mainstream recordings and received millions of streams on platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud. It was eventually released as a non-album single after leaks. On August 3, Gunna also appeared alongside Nav on Travis Scott's single "Yosemite", a standout song from his third studio album, Astroworld, which happened to also be the highest-selling album of the year. The verse in the song, which was performed by Scott mimics Gunna's verse in "Sold Out Dates". The majority of the song's popularity went towards Gunna's appearance on the chorus.

On September 12, 2018, Gunna and Lil Baby released a collaborative single "Drip Too Hard", which would be the lead single of their collaborative mixtape Drip Harder. The single peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.[21] The mixtape was released on October 5. With guest appearances from Lil Durk, Nav, Young Thug, and Drake, it peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200.[21]

2019: Drip or Drown 2

Gunna performing in 2019

On February 1, 2019, Gunna released the single "One Call", which was certified platinum and serves as the lead single of his debut studio album, Drip or Drown 2. On February 11, he released the second and final single, "Speed it Up". The album was released on February 22, featuring guest appearances from fellow Atlanta rappers Lil Baby, Young Thug, and Playboi Carti, and charted at number three on the 200 Chart.[26]

On August 16, 2019, he was featured on Young Thug's single "Hot" from the latter's debut studio album, So Much Fun. The song peaked at the number-one spot on Apple Music. The song was given a remix with an extra feature on a verse from Travis Scott on October 31 (Halloween), because of which the song eventually peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.[27] Gunna is also featured on "Surf" from the album, as well as "Diamonds" from the deluxe version, the latter which was released in December 2019.

2020–2022: Wunna, DS4EVER and Slime Language 2

In February 2020, Gunna was featured on three songs. He appeared on Pop Smoke's "Dior" remix, released on February 12. He was also featured on Marlo's "My Hood" alongside Roddy Ricch and London on da Track on A Boogie wit da Hoodie's song "Numbers", both released on February 14. Gunna later released a collaborative single with Nav, titled "Turks", featuring Travis Scott. The song was released on March 27, 2020, and serves as the lead single to Nav's third studio album, Good Intentions (Gunna is also featured on the track "Codeine" from the album). "Turks" marks the second time the three artists had collaborated on the same song following Scott's "Yosemite". Six days later, on April 2, 2020, he released a collaborative track with producer Turbo and Young Thug, titled "Quarantine Clean", referencing the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 6, 2020, he released "Skybox", the lead single of his second studio album, Wunna. It was released with an accompanying music video.[28] On May 18, 2020, Gunna released the title track of the album, which was the second single. Four days later, on May 22, Gunna released the album.[29] It features guest appearances from Young Thug, Nechie, Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, and Travis Scott. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming his first number one album.[30] On July 24, 2020, he released the deluxe edition, with eight more songs, featuring additional guest appearances from Yak Gotti, Future, Nav, and Lil Uzi Vert.

On August 14, 2020, Gunna and hip hop collective and record label Internet Money released the single "Lemonade", featuring Don Toliver and Nav.

On April 16, 2021, Gunna released a collaborative album with Young Thug and their record label Young Stoner Life titled Slime Language 2.[31]

On January 7, 2022, Gunna released his third studio album, DS4Ever, which is the fourth and final installment in his Drip Season series. The album features guest appearances from Future, Young Thug, 21 Savage, Drake, Kodak Black, Chlöe, Lil Baby, G Herbo, Nechie, Chris Brown, Yung Bleu, and Roddy Ricch.[32]

2023: A Gift & A Curse

Five months after his release from prison, Gunna released the track "Bread & Butter", in which he speaks on his arrest and allegations that he snitched on the YSL gang.[33] On his 30th birthday, Gunna announced a new album titled A Gift & A Curse, which released a day later.[34][16]

Philanthropy

In February 2022, Gunna teamed up with sustainable food waste management and hunger relief company Goodr to open a free grocery store at Ronald E. McNair Middle School, which he attended as a teenager.[35]

Legal issues

In May 2022, Gunna and Young Thug were among 28 persons associated with YSL Records who were charged in a 56-count RICO Act indictment filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.[36] On May 11, 2022, Kitchens turned himself in to authorities.[37] Kitchens was denied bond, and his trial was scheduled to begin January 9, 2023.[38] On October 13, 2022, Kitchens was again denied release from jail ahead of his January trial.[39] On December 14, 2022, Kitchens pleaded guilty to a single charge of racketeering and was sentenced to five years in prison, with one year commuted to time served and the rest of the sentence suspended subject to probation conditions, including 500 hours of community service; he was released from jail the same day.[40]

Discography

Main article: Gunna discography

Awards and nominations

Award Year Nominee Category Result Ref.
Grammy Awards 2020 "Drip Too Hard" (with Lil Baby) Best Rap/Sung Performance Nominated [41]
2022 Planet Her (Deluxe) (as featured artist) Album of the Year Nominated
2023 "Pushin P" (with Future featuring Young Thug) Best Rap Performance Nominated
Best Rap Song Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b Kochhar, Nazuk (October 25, 2017). "Gunna wants you to go out and get it". The Fader. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  2. ^ @1GunnaGunna (March 17, 2020). "Wunna - Wealthy Unapologetic Nigga Naturally Authentic ‼️" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Gunna Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  4. ^ "Langston You Can Do It (Langston Hughes High School)". YouTube. May 7, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  5. ^ Aderoju, Darlene (February 15, 2022). "Gunna & Chloe Feel the Love in Valentine's Day-Released 'You & Me' Music Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  6. ^ Bundy, Will (November 16, 2016). "Young Thug Has Apparently Launched His Own Label, YSL Records. Some of Gunna's top Billboard hits include "Drip Too Hard", "Never Recover" and "Space Cadet"". The Fader. Archived from the original on November 2, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  7. ^ "Stream Gunna's 'Drip Season 3' Mixtape Now". Hypebeast. February 2, 2018. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  8. ^ Callas, Brad. "Lil Baby and Gunna's "Drip Too Hard" Is Now Certified Diamond". Complex. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  9. ^ Johnson, Patrick (May 12, 2020). "Gunna Announces 'Wunna' Album Release Date With New Documentary Trailer". HypeBeast. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  10. ^ Anderson, Trevor (September 24, 2020). "Internet Money's 'Lemonade' Hits Top 10 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  11. ^ Caulfield, Keith (January 18, 2022). "Gunna Scores Second No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'DS4Ever'". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  12. ^ Breeze, Julian Denizard | The (May 26, 2020). "Thankfully, 'Wunna' isn't the worst project Gunna has released". The Breeze. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  13. ^ "Gunna Arrested on RICO Charges 2 Days After Young Thug". TMZ. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  14. ^ Aswad, Jem (May 11, 2022). "Rapper Gunna Jailed in Atlanta on Racketeering Charge With Young Thug". Variety. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  15. ^ "Gunna Is Officially a Free Man Thanks to a Plea Deal". GQ. December 14, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Gunna Releases New Album 'a Gift & a Curse': Listen". Stereogum. June 16, 2023. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  17. ^ Grant, Shawn (July 12, 2023). "Gunna's 'Fukumean' Cracks Top 10 on BIllboard Hot 100 - The Source". Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Lee, Christina (October 22, 2018). "Gunna Speaks His Success Into Existence". XXL. Archived from the original on March 21, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  19. ^ a b Coe, Kairi (February 16, 2018). "The Break Presents: Gunna". XXL. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  20. ^ Hussein, Wandera (February 14, 2018). "Buzzing Atlanta Rapper Gunna Talks 'Drip Season 3,' Working With Young Thug & Meeting Wyclef Jean". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  21. ^ a b c Peisner, David (December 12, 2018). "Chartbreaker: How Gunna Went From 'Only Knowing Struggle' to Having Nine Hot 100 Hits". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  22. ^ Minsker, Evan (December 12, 2017). "Frank Ocean Launches "Grand Theft Auto" Radio Station: JAY-Z, Panda Bear, Aphex Twin, More". Pitchfork.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  23. ^ Kochhar, Nazuk (June 1, 2017). "Gunna rules, and here's the proof". The Fader. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  24. ^ "Gunna & Wheezy's "Drip Or Drown" EP Has Arrived". HotNewHipHop. November 30, 2017. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  25. ^ Renshaw, David (February 2, 2018). "Listen to Gunna's Drip Season 3 project". The Fader. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  26. ^ Saponara, Michael. "Gunna Announces 'Drip or Drown II' Release Date". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  27. ^ "Young Thug". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 15, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  28. ^ "Watch Gunna's Balloon Voyage Video for New Song "Skybox"". Pitchfork. March 6, 2020. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  29. ^ "'Wunna' Wins: Gunna Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. May 31, 2020. Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  30. ^ Caulfield, Keith (May 31, 2020). "'Wunna' Wins: Gunna Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  31. ^ "Young Thug announces release date for 'Slime Language 2'". NME. April 13, 2021. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  32. ^ "Gunna shares Drip Season 4 tracklist and features". The Fader. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  33. ^ Williams, Kyann-Sian (June 7, 2023). "Gunna addresses RICO trial and snitching allegations in 'Bread & Butter'". NME. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  34. ^ Denis, Kyle (June 15, 2023). "Gunna Announces 'A Gift & A Curse' Project — and It's Arriving Really Soon". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  35. ^ Aniftos, Rania (February 2, 2022). "Gunna Opens Free Grocery Store in Former Atlanta Middle School". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  36. ^ Shifferaw, Byabel. "Young Thug and Gunna Arrested Amid 56-Count Indictment for 28 YSL Members Involving RICO Charges (Update)". Complex. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  37. ^ Henni, Janine. "Rapper Gunna Booked on Charge of Conspiracy to Violate RICO Act After Young Thug's Arrest". People. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  38. ^ Gunna Asserts His Innocence in First Public Statement Since RICO Act Indictment Archived October 5, 2022, at the Wayback Machine JON BLISTEIN, Rolling Stone, JUNE 14, 2022
  39. ^ "Gunna Denied Release From Jail Once Again, Despite Protests From Lawyers". Billboard. October 13, 2022. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  40. ^ Papp, Jozsef; Abusaid, Shaddi. "Gunna and alleged gang co-founder negotiate guilty pleas in YSL RICO case". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  41. ^ "Gunna". Grammy Awards. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.

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