The popularity of trap music is at an all-time high. This new “culture” is coming straight out of the city of Atlanta, making some of the city’s biggest artists, the most influential in the rap genre. Many believe the hottest out of this group of new-wave rappers is Gunna. He posses one of the most unique voices in the industry today and is signed to YSL (Young Stoner Life) which is led by fellow Atlanta rapper Young Thug. Gunna has captivated audience since his first release in 2016, but he really blew up in 2018 when he popped up with impressive features with Travis Scott (“Yosemite”) and Quality Control signee Lil Baby (“Sold Out Dates”). Baby and Gunna also linked up on a joint project called Drip Harder which featured the likes of Drake, Young Thug, and NAV, as well as their hit single “Drip Too Hard.” After a very eventful and productive 2018, Gunna looks to kick off 2019 on a good note with the highly anticipated release of his album Drip or Drown 2.

Gunna delivers on what is expected from him for the most part on this album. Production value is of high importance for artists like him and on Drip or Drown 2, it doesn’t disappoint. He has enough talent around him to ensure that everything is mixed and mastered well and some of the beats really go above and beyond and are very unique. A great example of this is “Yao Ming.” This song contains an awesome guitar loop and a booming bass, both of which are coupled with signature Gunna flow and lyrics about an extravagant lifestyle. This happens a few more times throughout the rest of the album. Drip or Drown 2 is at its best when the beat hits and Gunna finds a pocket during a song to rap about experiences most normal people could only dream of.

The problem is that there is nothing on the album that we haven't already heard. Nothing on this project rivals some of his best works as a solo artist or as a feature and has failed once again to show a substantial lyrical prowess. One can only hear so much about women, drugs, and money before they want a little more. No one is looking for Gunna to out rap the likes of Kendrick or J. Cole, but at least tell a compelling story or talk about something else. The majority of the album isn't terrible it is simply just boring because it's nothing new.

It would be foolish to write Gunna off as someone without a future in music. He still possesses the potential to be a very successful and influential artist in rap today. This is the first real release of his with all eyes on him and even though this isn't the ideal product, he still has some time to grow and improve. There is much more to him as a human being other than the “drip” persona we are all familiar with, we just need him to express it in his music. That being said if he doesn't want to become a more personal artist then he has to either ensure that he only picks the best beats to rap on, which is impossible to guarantee, or he has to be more adventurous with his flows and experimenting with his voice. People who came before him like Future and Young Thug who create a similar type of music have been able to stay relevant for so long despite limited subject matter because of how they bend genres with their voices and use them almost like instruments. Gunna has this type of potential but it fails to shine through often of Drip or Drown 2.

Best Songs:

Yao Ming

Derrick Fisher (Feat. Lil Baby)

3 Headed Snake (Feat. Young Thug)

Rating: 5

Stream the entire project here:

Drip or Drown 2, an album by Gunna on Spotify

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