Gunna is prepared to make his triumphant return to the Broccoli City Festival stage this weekend in Washington, D.C. When the Atlanta native performed at the festival in 2022, he was seemingly staking his claim atop the world of popular music. His album, DS4Ever, had debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart. His latest singles, “P Power” featuring Drake and “Pushin’ P” with Young Thug and Future, were gaining steam. His label, YSL, was reaching unprecedented heights. Then, it all came crashing down.
Within a week of performing at the 2022 Broccoli City Festival at RFK Festival Grounds in Washington, D.C., Gunna and Young Thug charged in a 56-count RICO Act indictment filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Six months after turning himself, Gunna made a breakthrough. He managed to secure his release after pleading guilty to a single charge and receiving a five-year prison sentence with one year commuted to time served and the other four to be served under probation conditions. Still, Gunna’s release didn’t curry favor with some of his peers or fans on social media. However, Gunna managed to bounce back immediately.
Six months removed from his release, Gunna delivered his fourth studio album, A Gift And A Curse, in June 2023. The project spawned what many considered to be the “Song of the Summer” in 2023 — “fukumean.” Less than a year later, he delivered another album, One of Wun, with Normani, Leon Bridges and Roddy Ricch. While the buzz of DS4Ever is difficult to duplicate, Gunna has seemingly ascended in his career since his last appearance at Broccoli City Festival. He’s no longer a mid-day performer; he’s headlining. In anticipation of his grand return, Def Pen Staff Writer Danielle Germain has put together a list of 15 songs she hopes to hear when Gunna takes the stage this weekend.
“Slide”
Album: Now Or Never
Release Date: August 14, 2020
From Chlöe Bailey to Normani, Gunna has proven time and time again that he’s able to perfectly complement the style, flow and vocal tone of nearly any woman making waves in Rap, Pop and R&B. Nearly lost in the abyss of music that was unloaded in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic of the early 2020s, “Slide” is one of Gunna’s most underrated guest verses. Coi Leray brings Gunna into a world of soft Rap and pseudo R&B that the Atlanta takes full advantage of as he floats over Taz Taylor and mjNichols.
“Pushin’ P”
Album: DS4EVER
Release Date: January 13, 2022
Yes, Gunna did perform “Pushin’ P” at Broccoli City Fest in 2022. However, it was raining and cold outside and still, he garnered a fairly positive reaction. This time around, fans shouldn’t have to worry about catching a cold or being covered in rain as they mouth the words to one of Gunna’s biggest hits. With that in mind, expect a raucous reaction beyond anything we experienced two years ago when the sound of Wheezy’s producer tag hits Audi Field.
“fukumean”
Album: A Gift & A Curse
Release Date: June 16, 2023
Sure, many of Gunna’s biggest hits feature fellow Atlanta natives like Future, Young Thug and Lil’ Baby. With that said, “fukumean” is yet another example that if push comes to shove, he’ll carry a hit record by himself. It would have been great to have Gunna perform the song last summer when it dropped, but it’s better late than never. If “fukumean” comes out of the speakers at Audi Field this weekend, you’ll see fans jumping out of their seats from endzone to endzone.
“Tiffany”
Album: N/A
Release Date: June 1, 2024
There aren’t any Washington, D.C. natives on the lineup for this year’s Broccoli City Festival, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any special surprises. Just last month, IDK linked up with Gunna for the high-octane, Turbo-produced track. The two trade verses as they seamlessly play off of each other’s verses, proving yet again that Gunna can adapt to any artist’s style effortlessly. If Gunna were to bring IDK out during his set to perform the track, it would certainly be one of the biggest moments of the weekend. Fingers crossed.
