Almost two years after dropping his first full-length album, WUNNA, Gunna returns with DS4EVER. The project is the fourth installment of a series that started with Gunna’s 2016 debut mixtape Drip Season. Drip Season 2 released May 2017, while Drip Season 3 dropped Feb. 2018. On DS4EVER, Gunna stays loyal including some of his past collaborators, such as Young Thug, Nechie, Lil Baby, and Future. Additional features consist of Kodak Black, G Herbo, and Yung Bleu.
From the sound of it, the producers on DS4EVER arguably earn the title for having some of the craziest, bass-heavy hip hop beats in the game right now. Gunna empowers the likes of Wheezy, Metro Boomin, Turbo, Mike WiLL Made-It, Taurus, DJ Cash, Shawn Ferrari, and more, to create a cosmic universe of bangers. When Young Thug said “no city taking over Atlanta,” perhaps his optimism was derived from his insight into Gunna’s superhuman ascension.
Here’s The MouthSoap’s review of the 19-track project:
private island
Gunna kicks off his fourth foray into the Drip Season series with a melancholy acknowledgement to the journey. From the streets to a “private island,” Gunna keeps it solid with a transparent reflection of his small beginnings turned bigger-than-life persona on a Wheezy and Rex Kudo produced track. At one point, it appears he references a secret beau that recently made headlines with him at a sporting event (hint, hint). He raps, “I got some slimes out a beehive, I know they dying ’bout it.” I could be wrong, but it’s highly convenient he went there with it.
For the old heads, Gunna also seems to pay homage to a certain O.G. rapper by using the phrase “better days” in the hook of the song. It could be a coincidence, but back in 2002, a posthumous Tupac compilation album was released titled Better Dayz featuring a song of the same name. In ‘Pac’s version, he was aspiring for better days. Come two decades later, Gunna has the privilege of saying that he made it to see better days. Biblically, it’s as if ‘Pac was Moses, who led the people to the Promised Land but never made it in, and Gunna is Joshua, the one who actually made it in to the Promised Land. Or maybe it’s the truth gummies talking.
“We made a way / Oh, made a way / I knew we would see better days.”
-Gunna, “Private Island”
pushin P
The first featured artists listed on the album includes Young Thug and Future. At first listen, “pushin P” sounds like Atlanta’s Platinum finest went into the studio and freestyled on a Playtime vibe. The song Pretty much consists of Persistent breaks mixed with a hot Potato style of rapping over a Perfected Production. But, after listening to the song about three times, it finally clicked. The trio is literally pushing P — words that start with P. Throughout the song, they rap about Pateks, Presidents, Private suites, Paranoia, Porsches, and that other word that starts with P. It’s clever, laid back, and comedic, all at the same time.
“Pop a P, I’m paranoid / I can’t just sleep / My pockets deep / Got racks on me / Why they watchin’ me? / I’m pushin’ P.”
-Gunna, Young Thug, Future, “PUSHIN P”
poochie gown
This Southside and Metro Boomin produced song is a sleeper burn, a song that perhaps will initially be overlooked by commercial radio but will do well among Gunna fans. Perfect for slab coasting, “poochie gown” comes with a lot of heavy bass and Gunna rummaging through bars like he’s speaking in tongues. This song will garner clout for other reasons, too. Gunna takes time to dig at his enemies, rapping “If we set his trim, hang above the rim. I can’t f— with Freddie Gibbs.”
mop
The experimentation on DS4EVER is next-level. On “mop,” Gunna and Young Thug jump on the track sans autotune, rapping using their “regular” voices. Another impeccable production, the two don’t take themselves too seriously on this uptempo track. “mop” seamlessly gravies into the next track…
thought i was playing
Similar to “mop,” “thought i was playing” stays in the same corner pocket with the addition of added strings and a sped up beat production made by Mike WiLL Made-It and Shawn Ferrari. 21 Savage joins Gunna on the track continuing the same hot potato, back-to-back rapping style as Gunna has done with others featured on previous tracks. The track is reminiscent of a mixture of several genres of rap, yet, at the same time, it’s something that’s fresh and unique. One thing that’s for sure is that it’s a banger!
how you did that
Six tracks into the album and it’s apparent that Gunna has no intentions to let up on his competition. Kodak Black brings his signature imprint of floating flutes and piano work to Gunna’s “how you did that.” Turbo, Playmakers, and Fano worked together for this super duo stint. The “Super Gremlin” rapper effortlessly meshes well with the slatt rhymer. Hopefully, a collaborative album is in the works.
alotta cake
The saga continues as Wunna Gunna plays with his vocal fluidity on “alotta cake.” Metro Boomin comes through again with a ridiculously immaculate beat. Coupled with Gunna’s flawless delivery, “alotta cake” is another song that exemplifies the artist’s exponential growth. Seeing him perform this track live would be something else.
livin wild
On “livin wild,” Gunna slows it down as he offers up serious lyrics over a Turbo beat. The song samples Keith Sweat’s 1991 single “Why Me Baby?” Gunna starts the song rapping about leaving the hospital after receiving news he might need another liver. It’s interesting. Amid Gunna’s uptempo and upbeat contributions on the album, there’s these human moments where he considers his mortality in the most sentimental way. And every once in a while, his relatable frame of mind reminds us why he’s the goat — or slime in this case.
you & me
“you & me” will certainly be one of the standout tracks on the album, simply because rumored beau and singer Chloe Bailey is featured, which bloggers are sure to eat up. Besides that part, “you & me” pays homage to well-known R&B slayers, such as Jon B. using a sample of his infamous 1997 hit “They Don’t Know,” along with another major 1997 hit from Usher titled “Nice & Slow.” The only complaint here is that the Taurus produced song is not long enough.
Watch “They Don’t Know” By Jon B.:
south to west
Midway through DS4EVER, Gunna slowed down for a moment of reflection on “livin wild” and love on “you & me,” but it was straight back to the grind on “south to west.” Gunna teams up with Turbo again on this fast flowing matrix of a song. The rapper takes it back to his origins delivering in his patent protected style that made him famous in the first place. This s— bangs.
25k jacket
It wouldn’t be right if Lil Baby wasn’t featured on this album. Gunna and Lil Baby reunite on the Wheezy-produced “25k jacket” for a sonically pleasing tune that’s sure to be a hit. “25k jacket” particularly stands out for its cinematic quality, where dramatic additives combine for a colorful curation of creativity. Again, the once underestimated rappers hit the nail on the head when it comes to next level hip hop.
too easy
Repeat featured artist Future returns on “too easy.” One of the leading singles off the album, Gunna performed the song at the 2021 BET Awards. Roddy Ricch also jumped on a remix of the song about a month ago, which is included on DS4EVER as the last track of the album. For the most part, Future goes off in more ways than one, while Gunna keeps a calm demeanor through and through.
idk that b—h
The unlikely collaboration between Gunna and G Herbo actually works on “idk that b—h.” A catchy production from Taurus and Turbo sets the perfect foundation for Gunna to run a smooth marathon of bars before he passes the baton to G Herbo, who smokes the track with his grimy Chicago embossment.
“How the hell you love that b—h / You don’t know that b—h / That’s like having set prices on a dummy brick.”
-Gunna, G Herbo, “idk that b—h”
flooded
The Young Twix produced “flooded” is a signature Gunna song that showcases his familiar rhyming style over a consistent beat. A good addition to a nice body of work, “flooded” comes and goes, not disrupting much of the status quo.
life of sin
“life of sin,” featuring Nechie, also makes the impression of being a decent filler track on the album. It doesn’t stretch too far to impress, neither does it underwhelm.
die alone
Another R&B entry, Gunna, Chris Brown, and Yung Bleu place their bid for greatest collaborations on this slow-tempo DJ Cash beat. “die alone” is sure to be on several romantic getaway playlists. Of course, the guys are not too enlightened to not equate sex with love. However, the pleasant melody combined with a hypnotizing hook does well to disguise true intentions. But, it’s whatever. It’s a dope song at the end of the day.
missing me
In “missing me,” Gunna revels in a Wheezy production as he expresses the duality of sorrow amid success. This track might be overlooked for the more glitzy songs, but low-key, “missing me” is a solid and cohesive piece of work.
“I was hoping that you noticed me / I’m in the sky, baby, shine like a star, baby / I know you don’t believe in me / It’s in my heart, baby, I’m going hard, baby / See, I cried, feel like I can’t breathe / You left my heart aching / I’m torn apart, baby / And I know you’re gonna be missing me / Once I’m far, baby / Life a tour, baby.”
-Gunna, “Missing Me”
so far ahead > empire
Gunna continues his delve into a slower pace of songs on “so far ahead > empire.” The rapper implements some storytelling on this track before it transitions midway to an acoustic guitar assisted second half of the song. Beautifully crafted, Gunna accomplishes his goal of soothing the soul on the last original track of the album.
DS4EVER is available now on all streaming platforms, including Apple Music.
