As we welcomed a new year, Gunna welcomed his 7th studio album, “DS4EVER” (the DS stands for  Drip Season ) on January 7. The album in its entirety is 20 songs, and just under an hour listen. Gunna has made a name for himself over the last few years for his seamlessly blended melodies and a myriad of rap flows. Well known for his close relationships with Lil Baby and mentorship under Young Thug, it is no surprise that they, along with many others, are featured guests on the album. Although there are some songs that fit the traditional ‘Gunna model’, a catchy chorus mixed with some mediocre bars and flexes, Gunna also takes that opportunity to step out of his comfort zone and appear more vulnerable. He does so by recounting moments when he was at his lowest and saw the people closest to him, as well as himself, deal with severe health issues. Because of his close relationship with YSL Records and his rise in the rap game, DS4EVER has plenty of features: Lil Baby, Young Thug, Drake, Roddy Ricch, Yung Bleu, G Herbo, Kodak Black, 21 Savage, and more. And of course, we can’t look over the fact that Gunna has yet again set a new trend in his creation of “P” (an ambiguous saying that has been defined as many things ranging from “cool” to “loyal”) and its repeated use while both promoting the album and using “P” in many of his songs. 

While Gunna’s third studio album DS4EVER is similar to his past work in some ways, there are key moments that hint at Gunna’s evolution as a person and an artist. Choosing to opt for more meaningful lyrics than the usual hype one-liners and flexing his wealth and fame. My personal favorites off the album include: “pushin P”, “poochie gown”, “mop”, “thought i was playing”, “P power”, “alotta cake”, “livin wild”, “south to the west”, “25k jacket”, and “too easy”. The song “pushin P” introduces the term and teaches the listener what P is and how you should “push” it. “P power” was a late addition that includes a Drake feature that does not disappoint and is uniquely filled with seductive adlibs in the background. Then there are the expected hype hits like “south to the west”, “alotta cake”, and “too easy” with a great feature from Future. However, “livin wild” is when Gunna takes the opportunity to dive deeper into his struggles with substance abuse. During the song, Gunna speaks specifically about his visits to hospitals and doctors and the consequences of his addictions. While “living wild” focuses on the fragility of health, “missing me” covers matters of the heart. Gunna shares his desire to be believed in and seen, reminding himself he’s a star as a coping mechanism for the heartache he feels. “25k jacket” featuring Lil Baby is more recognizable as a song flexing the lavish lives the rappers lead. Many of the songs will have your head bumping, while others allow you to examine the deep emotions and feelings of an artist drowning in a seemingly detrimental lifestyle. 

Although there are some great songs, it seems that the rest are somewhat mediocre and can easily be skipped. “DS4EVER” is not Gunna’s masterpiece, but it is definitely “P” and has some songs worth adding to your playlist. Overall Rating: 6.8/10