Gunna

Sergio Giavanni Kitchens, known professionally as Gunna, is an influential American rapper, singer, and songwriter born on June 14, 1993, in College Park, Georgia. Raised by his mother alongside four older brothers, Gunna’s musical journey began at the age of fifteen. He grew up influenced by artists like Cam’ron, Chingy, and Outkast. Gunna attended several schools, including North Springs Charter School of Arts and Sciences, Langston Hughes High School, and Creekside High School, where he crossed paths with fellow rapper Playboi Carti. In 2013, he released his first mixtape, Hard Body, under the name Yung Serg.

Gunna’s career took a significant turn in 2016 when he signed with Young Thug’s YSL Records, an imprint of 300 Entertainment. He gained initial recognition through his collaborations with Young Thug, notably featuring on the track “Floyd Mayweather” from Thug’s mixtape Jeffery. His debut mixtape, Drip Season, was released the same year, featuring artists from the YSL roster. This was followed by Drip Season 2 in 2017, which included appearances from prominent Atlanta artists like Playboi Carti and Offset.

In 2018, Gunna released Drip Season 3, which marked his breakthrough. The mixtape featured guest appearances from artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, and Lil Baby. The single “Sold Out Dates,” featuring Lil Baby, became a mainstream hit. Gunna’s collaboration with Lil Baby continued to flourish, culminating in their joint mixtape, Drip Harder. The lead single “Drip Too Hard” peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, earning a diamond certification and a Grammy nomination.

Gunna’s debut studio album, Drip or Drown 2, was released in 2019 and peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. The album’s success was followed by numerous collaborations, including a feature on Young Thug’s hit single “Hot”. In 2020, Gunna released his second studio album, Wunna, which debuted atop the Billboard 200. The album featured collaborations with artists like Travis Scott, Lil Baby, and Roddy Ricch. The deluxe edition added more tracks and guest appearances, further cementing Gunna’s status in the rap industry.

The collaborative project Slime Language 2, released in 2021 with Young Thug and the YSL collective, showcased Gunna’s versatility and appeal. In 2022, he released his third studio album, DS4Ever, the final installment in his Drip Season series. The album featured an array of guest artists, including Future, Drake, and Chlöe, and became his second consecutive number-one album.

Despite his rising fame, Gunna faced legal challenges. On May 11, 2022, he was arrested in connection with a RICO indictment against YSL. He was released from prison in December 2022 after taking a plea deal. Following his release, Gunna addressed his arrest and the subsequent allegations in his music, particularly in the track “Bread & Butter”.

In 2023, Gunna released his fourth album, A Gift & a Curse, which included the top ten single “FukUMean”. In 2024, he announced his fifth studio album, One of Wun, featuring artists like Offset and Normani. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, highlighting Gunna’s enduring impact on the music scene. His collaboration with South African singer Tyla on the song “Jump” further showcased his international appeal. Gunna’s journey from a young artist in Georgia to a global rap sensation is marked by his distinctive style, resilience, and continuous evolution in the music industry.