Gunna made a triumphant return to the stage at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, emerging on a platform several feet above the ground with his face and a large snake depicted as stone-like sculptures beneath him. This marked his first live performance since his release from prison seven months prior, following his agreement to Georgia’s Alford Plea in relation to a 56-count RICO Act indictment filed by Fulton County in May 2022.
Despite facing criticism and accusations of being a “snitch” following his plea deal, Gunna’s career has continued to thrive. His fourth album, “A Gift & A Curse,” released in June this year, debuted at No. 3 on the album charts, marking his fifth top-10 release. The album also produced the hit single “Fukumean,” which has spent two months in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and is the highest-charting single of his career.
During his Barclays performance, Gunna performed tracks from “A Gift & A Curse” as well as his 2022 chart-topping album “DS4EVER.” Despite a brief lull in energy during a section of slower-tempo songs, Gunna managed to re-energize the crowd with a series of tracks featuring his YSL boss, Young Thug.
Gunna’s success in 2023 is marked by irony. Despite many fans and artists cutting ties with him due to his plea deal, he has achieved greater success than ever before. His Barclays Center concert served as a reminder of his status as one of music’s most beloved acts and his ability to captivate a crowd with both his music and fashion sense. Despite the challenges he has faced, Gunna remains at the top of his game.
Source: uproxx.com