Gunna Releases Album ‘A Gift & A Curse’

Gunna released his latest project, A Gift & A Curse, on Friday (June 16). This is the rapper's first full-length project since his December 2022 release from a Georgia jail. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) back in May 2022. Just like his first single leading up to this project titled "Bread and Butter," he addressed snitch allegations. Some fans suspect that he told on Young Thug, who is still incarcerated, in order to get out.

The 15-track album is a solo effort, as Gunna is not assisted by any other artists on the project. The Georgia native got vulnerable on this album. He opened up about how he would never betray Young Thug. He also called out people to stop believing in these "lies" being spread about him.

"That’s four walls talkin’ to you, tellin’ you you gone/ Only I done criеd, ’cause this feelin’ for my bro (King Slime)/ And you know my mind, you done watched that n---- grow/ I know you hear the lies, it’s your lil’ brother, my folk/ Yeah, I had popped out, but don’t let ’em say I told," he raps on "I Was Just Thinking."

According to Hip Hop By The Numbers, Gunna addresses the allegations 33 times, with 43.3 percent of his lyrics aimed toward people who doubted him. 25.1 percent of his lyrics allegedly speak about his vulnerability.

A Gift & A Curse will follow Gunna's No. 1 album DS4Ever which was released last year. The album spawned popular songs by Gunna. "Pushin P" was a hit, as well as "P Power" featuring Drake, and "too easy" featuring Future which was previously released prior to the album. While incarcerated, Gunna was nominated for two 2023 Grammy Awards.  "Pushin P" was nominated for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.

The summer is here and many of the top artists in hip-hop and R&B are putting their bid in for "song of the summer." Over the course of May, we got drops from Beyoncé, J. Cole, Summer Walker, Kendrick Lamar, and several more.

Take a look at some of the best songs in hip-hop and R&B, ranked:

For DaBaby's May 2023 release, he takes inspiration from Jersey Club for his latest single "Shake Sumn." The firey twerk anthem is found on his three-song EP titled CALL DA FIREMAN.

H.E.R.'s "The Journey" is for anyone needing a song to lift their spirits going through a tough time. H.E.R. showcases her silky vocals with powerful lyrics on her newest release.

"All the times you thought you'd never make it through/Felt just like the world just turned its back on you/Didn't stop you/All the times you could've given in and given up/Times you didn't know if you were strong enough/Still you got through," she sings.

The City Girls, Diddy, and Fabolous are trying to have everyone "Act Bad" this summer. The flirty yet broadcaious record finds the four rappers campaigning for a summer of good times with no stress.

Toosie scored his first No. 1 with "Favorite Song" on Billboard's Hot Rap Chart in May. The original was released in February but the melodic rap hit got a second wind with the Khalid-assisted remix.

Janelle Monáe has been making headlines lately for her celebrating her sexier new image. Monáe's flirty summery single "Lipstick Lover" is just the start of her reign. Her LP The Age Of Pleasure is set to arrive 6/9.

Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem teamed up for "The Hillbillies." In the cousin duo's music video, they even got a cameo from Tyler, The Creator who confirmed that his Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival after a three-year hiatus.

"Pelle Coat" is the second track from Lil Durk's latest album Almost Healed. For the project, the Chicago native tapped in guest appearances from Alicia Keys, J. Cole, Future, Kodak Black, 21 Savage, Chief Wuk, Rob49, Morgan Wallen, and the late Juice WRLD.

Summer Walker dropped her EP Clear 2: Soft Life and one of the fan favorites from the project was "Pull Up." On release day, Summer also released the music video to the song, which features her rumored boyfriend actor Lil Meech.

From Summer Walker's EP Clear 2: Soft Life, J. Cole made a guest appearance on the opening track "To Summer From Cole (audio hug)." On the record, Cole applauds Summer's hard work ethic and congratulates her on her newborn twins. The North Carolina rapper also teases that he is working on an album himself titled The Fall Off.

Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar have teamed up once again. The "America Has A Probem" remix was a surprise drop from the artists. The two have previously collabed on "Freedom" from Beyoncé's Lemonade and "Nile" from The Lion King: The Gift.

Lil Durk enlisted J. Cole for the lead single "All My Life" off his latest project Almost Healed. Durk admitted that Cole bodied him on the song, which is a rarity with his features.

"He smoked my a-- on that one, for one — barely," Smurk said when asked about his experience working with the Dreamville boss, per Complex. "That barely happens. But shout out to J. Cole, shout out to [Dr.] Luke, we made it happen."