Gunna is back.
The Georgia-born rapper made his big return Thursday night with the release of “Bread & Butter,” his first proper single since he was released from jail in late 2022. It comes with a stark, black-and-white video set in L.A. and directed by Left.
The 29-year-old references his highly publicized legal issues, snitching accusations, and the seven months he spent in jail with lines like, “You bitch ass n***as got me as the topic of the chat/You switched on me when you know you in business with a rat/And the boy, that’s like your brother, ain't nobody speak on that,” as well as “Never gave no statement or agreed to take no stand on ’em/On whatever you n***as on, then trust me I’mma stand on it/Lawyers and that DA did some sneaky shit, I fell for it/On my P’s and Q’s because this time I be prepared for it.”
In the chorus he croons, “I'm right back and I lost mad commas/I had been down bad inside a dark tunnel, yeah/Fuck them boys, I found out who my real partners/And who was only with me 'cause I had dollars.”
Gunna, born Sergio Giavanni Kitchens, teased his musical comeback more than a month ago, when a fan page shared a snippet of an unreleased track and asked the question, “Gunna, where TF are you?”
As pointed out by Uproxx, the MC immediately hopped in the comments section and provided a well-received answer: “I’m OTW,” he wrote.
Though Gunna’s comment was reassuring for fans, it left many wondering when exactly he would drop new music. The anticipation spiked on Tuesday when producer BeldonDidThat posted a clip of another unreleased Gunna joint. Beldon, who worked with the YSL artist on 2018’s “Oh Okay,” captioned the video “new Gunna” and tagged fellow producer BabyWave.
“Homies will take the charge if I gotta cop out/Take a look again, n***a, mine shot out,” Gunna is heard rapping in the clip. “Forgive me for my sins and they mad I got out.”
The lyrics are a clear reference to the YSL’s legal battle, in which Gunna, Young Thug, and more than two dozen YSL associates were named in a sweeping indictment alleging criminal gang activity. The defendants, most of whom were arrested in spring 2022, were accused of conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Gunna was among those who accepted an “Alford plea," which allowed him to accept responsibility for the alleged crimes while maintaining his innocence.
Immediately after he was released from jail, Gunna received mixed reactions. While some congratulated the rapper on his release, many suspected he secured his freedom by cooperating with prosecutors. His attorney Steve Sadow addressed the snitching allegations in an Instagram post, insisting the backlash against his client was based on lies.
“Gunna did not snitch to get out of jail,” Sadow wrote in December. “He has said nothing and is not cooperating. His plea statement cannot be used in court against any other defendant. So please stop spreading lies.”
You can stream "Bread & Butter" now on Apple Music and Spotify. It’s unclear if the track will appear on a full-length Gunna project or if it’s a standalone intended to hold fans over. The rapper’s last album was DS4Ever, which arrived on Jan. 7, 2022.
