A gift or a curse Every individual possesses a unique set of skills and qualities that make them who they are. Some of these abilities may be seen as gifts, while others may be seen as curses. What determines whether a particular trait is a gift or a curse is how it is perceived and utilized by the individual. Take intelligence, for example. A high level of intelligence can be considered a gift for some individuals. They are able to easily grasp and understand complex concepts, excel in academic pursuits, and may be sought after for their quick thinking and problem-solving abilities.
a Gift & a Curse
The Atlanta rapper tries to testify to the emotional burdens of the YSL case while staying lighthearted, resulting in an album that both lacks depth and is too absorbed in real-life drama.
Facebook Email PinterestOn his last album DS4Ever, Gunna’s main concerns were what fast car to drive and pair of designer jeans to throw on. Now, he’s got the weight of YSL’s RICO case on his shoulders. Since he was released from jail in December, the generally tiresome social media conversation—driven by salacious Instagram and YouTube rags, plus a few rappers looking for attention—has focused on whether he “snitched.” But Gunna’s priority isn’t really responding to internet jokes. Instead, on his new album a Gift & a Curse, he’s trying to describe the emotional strain of a case that has torn apart brotherhoods and changed his outlook on life. He’s also attempting to keep the fun and lighthearted spirit of his prior music. The result is an album that is too vague to have much depth and too absorbed in real-life drama to have the feel-good vibes he wants to preserve.
Lead single “Bread & Butter” sets the tone, balancing anger at friends who have turned their back on him with wistfulness for the old days when none of this was on his mind. It’s the kind of confessional, melodic pain rap that is popular in the Deep South, but the AutoTune-heavy singing is too monotone and polished for it to be effective; listen to how a crooner like Tampa’s T9ine lilts to make up for not having a big voice. Gunna could also attempt lyrical vulnerability, emulating the blunt poetics of an artist like Jacksonville’s Lil Poppa. But he is mostly still caught up trying to puff out his chest.
I get it. He rose to the top of the Atlanta hip-hop ranks by being cool; it’s hard to dig in when he’s never really had to. Still, it’s frustrating when you can tell that he’s not being entirely real with you. Such is the case on the overly guarded and painfully slow “Paybach,” where he alludes to friends accusing him of betraying Young Thug by taking the Alford plea: “Switching on my brother are you serious?” he coos. I can assume that he’s wounded and confused by that accusation—but I have to assume, because instead of letting us in, he follows up with the flex “Nigga ain’t gon’ touch me and that’s period.” Similarly, “Idk Nomore” avoids all feelings with threats and hollow platitudes. At one point he sings, “Wanna know how Wunna feel? then listen to my music”—as if that isn’t what we are doing.
He’s better off on songs like “Fukumean,” where he goes back-to-the-basics—smoking good weed, thinking about boobs—deploying the explosive, run-on flow he nailed down around Drip Harder. Or on “Ca$h $hit,” where he continues to be nondescript emotionally but exhibits some imagination in the countless ways he describes getting fits off: “I drip like sweat in the sauna” and “Pop out, when I drip it’s a puddle.” The breezy beat of “Ca$h $hit,” with its low-key woodwinds whirling in the background, is one of the rare instrumentals that has any life to it. Notably, both of these songs come in the middle of the 15-track album, smashed in between lots of seriousness. They’ll be solid singles, but here, they really tear you from the moment.
Gunna is yet another rap star struggling with the expectation that if you hit a low point, you have to be prepared to let it all out by the next annual release date. Of all the tracks on a Gift & a Curse, “Rodeo Dr” feels truest to where he’s at right now. The beat is brisk, the flows switch, and luxury goods are still in sight but he airs some frustration: “Fuck this shit, you know I’m still doing it for Jeff and Lil Keed,” he raps, and that “Fuck this shit” is more moving than any part where being moving is the point. Clearly, Gunna isn’t ready or willing to fully pull at his emotions. I’d rather hear the album he wants to make over the one he feels like he’s supposed to. Maybe now that he’s gotten a Gift & a Curse out of the way, he’ll feel free.
With His World Turned Upside Down, Gunna Turns It Up on ‘A Gift & A Curse’
Last year, Atlanta rapper Sergio “Gunna” Kitchens was riding high on the release of his celebratory eighth project, DS4EVER. But in the year and a half since that LP’s January 2022 release, Gunna and YSL label head Young Thug have had their lives and careers upended by RICO charges that have left them and several other YSL artists incarcerated in Georgia. While he was locked up, Gunna also experienced the death of YSL rapper Lil Keed. Following his release in December 2022, a video of Gunna accepting a plea deal for one count of violating the RICO act was leaked, leading many of his former rap colleagues to accuse him of snitching, despite the fact that he never testified against YSL. Amid all of this, A Gift and a Curse is the painful reflection of this tragic period, but it’s also a striking testament to his resilience. Gunna reminds us he’s still Him, despite everything he’s facing.
The overall tone of A Gift & A Curse is a radical shift compared with the relentlessly upbeat DS4EVER: The party is over and he’s sitting in an empty house all alone. There are no features this time around, and the solo approach gives him room to bear the soul like never before, beginning with the sinister “Back at It.” Gunna has no problem sharing the hurt of his YSL peers, especially Young Thug, while also expressing his own struggle: “Ain’t tryna sleep in no damn bunk/I’m ‘posed to be here making anthems,” he raps.
The bulk of A Gift & A Curse finds Gunna clearing his name of “snitching” allegations and proving his YSL loyalty. You can feel his heart breaking on “Paybach” when he raps, “Nigga ain’t gon’ touch me and that’s period (Period)/Only person I fear on this world is God (World is God)/Please do not look for me, I’m going far/I made a few mistakes, but I’m still a star/I hate the government, tryna tear us apart/But I’m-a keep it goin’, that’s what’s in my heart.” On the single “Bread and Butter,” he raps, “Never fucked a nigga, always stayed solid/Kept it real with niggas, never lied and always stay honest.” Musically, it isn’t the strongest track, but it’s an almost legalistically precise defense of his actions.
The Gift and Curse
It has been speculated that the quote, “the meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away,” was penned by Pablo Picasso. Whether he said it or not, the statement is a strong indicator as to how complex and onerous the journey of embarking to finding oneself can be. In this writing, as an identifier, the curse is a parallel to the gift. When your undiscovered, yet, innate gift is continually avoided, it becomes your curse. This activates a push for discovery. Not many demonstrate such courage to walk through the journey unafraid of the unknown until the known is established.
In the beginning stages of self discovery there are times when we become aware of what actually is, however, the pull to slip into habitual safety can distract from pushing further into new territory of your potential. Having a good moral foundation or good enough parents doesn’t guarantee anything when it comes to the tapping into your gift. What does assist in this discovery though, is yourself and the assistance you receive along the way. Acceptance or assistance can be a tricky maleficence if it isn’t in line with uncovering your gift and can actually cause the curse to show face in a more radical way. Looking at the word curse, for most, it holds a negative connotation. Though, when closely examined, the curse can assemble the catalyst for a self-transformative experience. The curse doesn’t walk away unrewarded. Yes, tapping into your gift means understanding the existence of your curse.
The curse is useful and necessary to discover the gift, as it acts as a motivator for discovery. The gift, somehow sees the curse as unnecessary once discovered yet unable to completely eradicate its existence. For good reason, to serve as a reminder for self to not retreat. If retreating does take place, to not backpedal for too long. Freud identifies two drives that both coincide and conflict within the individual and among individuals. Eros is the drive of life, love, creativity, and sexuality, self-satisfaction, and species preservation. Thanatos, from the Greek word for "death" is the drive of aggression, sadism, destruction, violence, and death. At the conclusion of C&D, Freud notes (in 1930-31) that human beings, following Thanatos, have invented the tools to completely exterminate themselves; in turn, Eros is expected to "make an effort to assert himself in the struggle with an equally immortal adversary. But who can foresee with what success and with what result?” The coexistence is inevitable, yet the hopes is for the light to shine in darkness. To come to terms with your gift is to know your curse. It’s a receipt and recipe for the extension of self in the world and the utilization of self.
They are able to easily grasp and understand complex concepts, excel in academic pursuits, and may be sought after for their quick thinking and problem-solving abilities. On the other hand, intelligence can also be seen as a curse. Some intelligent individuals may feel isolated or misunderstood by their peers, and their heightened analytical abilities may lead to overthinking and anxiety.
Similarly, creativity can be both a gift and a curse. Creative individuals often possess a vivid imagination and the ability to think outside the box. They may excel in artistic pursuits, innovative thinking, and problem-solving. However, with creativity may come a tendency towards perfectionism, self-doubt, and a heightened sensitivity to criticism. The constant pursuit of originality and the pressure to constantly create can also become exhausting. Physical beauty is another trait that is often admired but can also be a double-edged sword. Those who are considered physically attractive may be met with admiration, praise, and opportunities that others may not have. However, they may also face challenges such as jealousy, objectification, and unrealistic societal expectations. The pressure to maintain a certain appearance can take a toll on their mental and emotional well-being. Ultimately, whether a trait is seen as a gift or a curse lies in the hands of the individual. It is up to them to embrace their unique qualities and use them to their advantage. It is also important to recognize that every trait, no matter how seemingly positive or negative, has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The key lies in finding a balance and harnessing these traits in a way that brings fulfillment and happiness..
Reviews for "Smartphone Addiction: A Gift or a Curse?"
1. John - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "A Gift or a Curse" based on the description, but I ended up disappointed. The plot felt weak and disjointed, with too many loose ends that were never tied up. The characters were lackluster and underdeveloped, making it hard for me to connect with any of them. Overall, the book lacked depth and failed to deliver on its promises.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "A Gift or a Curse" was a complete letdown. The writing was clunky and amateurish, making it difficult to follow the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the pacing was all over the place. I found myself constantly skipping pages just to get through it. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging read.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "A Gift or a Curse" as much as I thought I would. The concept sounded interesting, but the execution fell flat. The narrative was predictable and lacked any surprises or twists. The author also relied too heavily on clichés and stereotypes, which made the story feel uninspired. Overall, it was a forgettable read that I wouldn't recommend to others.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "A Gift or a Curse," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style was bland and lacked any real emotion or creativity. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to care about their journey. The plot felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving many questions unanswered. Overall, it was a waste of time and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.