Gunna a Gift and a Curse Billboard Gunna, the rising hip-hop artist, has recently made headlines with his latest album "Drip or Drown 2" reaching the top of the charts. With his unique style and catchy beats, Gunna has captivated audiences around the world. However, as with any artist who achieves success, there are both positives and negatives that come with fame. On one hand, Gunna's rise to stardom has been a gift for his career. The success of his latest album has earned him recognition and critical acclaim. Many fans and critics alike praise his ability to create infectious melodies and memorable lyrics.
Gunna’s forthcoming shows come on the heels of his No. 2 debut, A Gift and a Curse, on the Billboard 200 last June. Later that month, his fourth-studio effort raced to No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album continues to heat up, courtesy of his top 10 single, “fukumean,” which marked his first as a solo artist. Previously, Gunna found Hot 100 success through his collaborations, most notably “Pushin’ P,” Internet Money’s “Lemonade,” and the Lil Baby-assisted “Drip Too Hard.” Along with “fukumean,” Gunna also released other singles, including “bread & butter” and “back to the moon.”
This month s In Times New Roman will be helped by a series of different-colored vinyl variants, though thus far the album lacks a hit single to match Villains top 10-charting Rock Airplay hit The Way You Used to Do. This month s In Times New Roman will be helped by a series of different-colored vinyl variants, though thus far the album lacks a hit single to match Villains top 10-charting Rock Airplay hit The Way You Used to Do.
Many fans and critics alike praise his ability to create infectious melodies and memorable lyrics. His talent has allowed him to collaborate with some of the biggest names in the industry, further elevating his status as a rising star. Gunna's talent and hard work have certainly paid off, as he continues to dominate the charts and gain a dedicated following.
Gunna for the Top: Will ‘A Gift and a Curse’ Beat Morgan Wallen?
In this week's The Contenders, the Atlanta rapper looks to score his third solo No. 1 album in a row on the Billboard 200.
Andrew Unterberger
- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Pinit
- + additional share options added
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Email
- Print this article
- Share this article on Comment
- Share this article on Tumblr
The Contenders is a midweek column that looks at artists aiming for the top of the Billboard charts, and the strategies behind their efforts. This week (for the upcoming charts dated July 1), a star rapper looks to continue his hot streak, while hard rock veterans and K-poppers also put the top spot in their sights.
Gunna, A Gift and a Curse (YSL/300): Though Gunna has been under attack on social media since last December for his supposed “snitching” in accepting an Alford plea — a formal admission of guilt while also maintaining innocence — for his part in the YSL RICO trial, it appears that he remains a prolific performer on streaming. (He denied any cooperation with the prosecution.) His new album A Gift and a Curse has littered the Spotify and Apple Music real-time charts since its release last Friday (June 16), with the shout-along “fukumean” already seeming like a breakout hit from the set.
Related
Staind's 'Confessions of the Fallen' Bows in Top 10 on Album Sales Chart
06/22/2023The rapper born Sergio Giavanni Kitchens has been a regular visitor to the top spot of the Billboard 200 since his late-’10s rise to stardom. And he’s already been there twice this decade – with his Wunna (2020) and DS4Ever (2022) albums — and a third unofficial time as a co-lead on the YSL showcase compilation Slime Language 2 (2021). DS4Ever, Gunna’s most recent set, was also his most popular, moving 150,000 first-week units and topping even The Weeknd’s new Dawn FM to claim the top spot.
To unseat Morgan Wallen – who returns to No. 1 for a 13th frame with his One Thing at a Time blockbuster this chart week – he’ll need to do it almost entirely with streaming (with help from digital sales), as the album is not yet for sale in any physical format. Wallen posted 115,000 units in its most recent week, so if Gunna can approach his DS4ever debut performance with his new set, he should have a pretty good shot of becoming the latest act to interrupt the country star’s months-long reign.
Ateez, The World Ep.2: Outlaw (KQ/RCA/Legacy): It’s going to be a classic case of sales vs. streams in next week’s competition for top debut on the Billboard 200. Eight-piece Korean boy band Ateez has yet to establish a big stateside presence on streaming services, but like many popular K-pop acts, the act sells physical copies by the truckload – which has already helped their Spin Off: From the Witness set hit No. 7 earlier this year, and their The World Ep.1: Movement EP get all the way to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 last August.
The sequel to that latter EP, The World Ep. 2: Outlaw is also expected to make a pretty big chart splash next week, again thanks to robust physical sales. To maximize that opportunity, the octet has released 21 different collectible CD editions of Outlaw, including some signed variants, all containing branded merchandise and randomized items (action cards, partner cards, photo cards) — as well as a Target-exclusive edition.
Queens of the Stone Age, In Times New Roman… (Matador): Queens of the Stone Age albums are becoming increasingly infrequent – it’s been six years since the band’s Villains – but the veteran hard rock band has historically been a strong performer on the Billboard 200, and it even topped the chart two albums ago with 2013’s …Like Clockwork. This month’s In Times New Roman… will be helped by a series of different-colored vinyl variants, though thus far the album lacks a hit single to match Villains’ top 10-charting Rock Airplay hit “The Way You Used to Do.”
However, this newfound fame also comes with its fair share of challenges, making it somewhat of a curse. As Gunna becomes more popular, he is constantly under the scrutiny of the public eye. Every move he makes, both on and off stage, is analyzed and critiqued. This level of scrutiny can be overwhelming and sometimes unfair. Gunna also faces the pressures of maintaining his success and living up to the expectations set by his fans and the industry. The constant demand for new music and performances can be stressful and exhausting. While Gunna is undoubtedly grateful for his success, he recognizes the challenges that come with it. In a recent interview, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunities he has been given but also emphasized the need for balance and self-care. Gunna understands that maintaining his mental and physical well-being is crucial in order to continue creating music that resonates with his fans. Gunna's rise to fame has been both a gift and a curse. While his talent and hard work have propelled him to the top of the charts, the pressures and scrutiny that come with his success can be challenging. However, Gunna remains focused on his music and is determined to continue delivering his unique style to his fans. As he navigates the complexities of fame, Gunna serves as a reminder that even the brightest stars face their own set of challenges..
Reviews for "Gunna's Journey to the Top of the Billboard Charts: Lessons Learned and Challenges Overcome"
1. Michael - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with Gunna's "Gift and a Curse" billboard. The design was nothing special and didn't catch my attention at all. The color scheme was also very dull and didn't make the billboard stand out from the rest. Overall, it felt quite generic and didn't do justice to Gunna's talent. I expected something more creative and innovative, but it just fell flat for me.
2. Jessica - 3 stars
I wasn't impressed with Gunna's "Gift and a Curse" billboard. While the concept was interesting, the execution could have been much better. The fonts used were difficult to read from a distance, and the overall message of the billboard wasn't clear. I think it lacked a strong visual impact, which is crucial for billboards to attract attention in a crowded cityscape. I expected something more visually striking to reflect Gunna's music, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver.
3. Chris - 2 stars
The "Gift and a Curse" billboard by Gunna was a letdown for me. The message it conveyed was vague, and it didn't capture my interest or make me want to learn more about the album. The typography was messy, making it difficult to read the smaller details. I understand that billboards should be eye-catching, but this one was a miss. It didn't make me curious enough to check out Gunna's album, and overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity to promote his music effectively.