Gunna brings his infectious flow to Houston

“I heard we had a sold-out show,” Gunna exclaimed as he walked across the stage at 713 Music Hall. Behind him, the massive, collapsed head of a statue of him, lying on its side, was illuminated by colored lights.

“How many day one fans are there?!”

As the crowd shouted in unison, a jungle pattern projected behind the colossal head, making it appear as if the entire building was slowly drifting through the rainforest. As Gunna walked towards his image, the beat of “Sold Out Dates” began to blare through the room. The bittersweet tour finally landed in Houston.

It’s been an interesting few years for Sergio Giavanni Kitchens. The rapper known as Gunna was part of the 28-person, 56-count RICO indictment filed in Fulton County, where YSL Record label boss Young Thug remains in custody at the start of the trial. Gunna pleaded guilty to a single count of racketeering and was sentenced to five years in prison, which was quickly commuted to time served, probation and release from prison.

The post and the convoluted nature of the case led fans to speculate online that Gunna was a snitch and question his relationship with Young Thug and other members of Hip Hop in general. His plea deal led to artists like Freddie Gibbs, Boosie, Kid Cudi, Lil Duval, Jacquees and many others giving positive and negative views on the College Park MC’s release. The rapper was even mentioned by name in the series of disses between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, with Lamar rapping “We ain’t gotta get personal, it’s a friendly fade, you should keep it that way/I know some shit about n$## because that makes Gunna Wunna look like a saint Gunna simply responded by tweeting “Mannn WASSAM?!!” and continued with her day.

Click to enlarge

The “Drip or Drown” MC brings his Bittersweet Tour to Houston.

Photo by Sean Thomas

Gunna appears to have ignored most of the talk about the affair, instead devoting himself to music. In 2023, facing a lot of skepticism, the rapper comes out A gift and a curse, his fourth studio album which quickly reached number one on the Billboard Hip Hop and Top R&B charts. The album was a surprise release and Gunna stood alone, without guest artists.

The results were chart-topping singles like “Bread & Butter” and the social media sensation “FukUMean.” Continuing to build on Gunna’s success, he returned earlier this month with One of the Wun, another collection of laid-back, catchy and melodic singles that, once again, soared to the top of the Billboard charts. While the album features Offset, Normani, Leon Bridges and Roddy Ricch, the majority of the 20 tracks are solely helmed by Gunna.

Lead single “Whatsapp (Wassam)” brings the Georgia MC back to business as usual with an accompanying video of him connecting with various personalities from the entertainment world via his phone while outfitted for a suit at ‘fashion show. The rapper has become a fixture in the fashion world, appearing on runways in Paris, turning heads at the Met Gala, making riskier sartorial decisions in front of the paparazzi and launching his own clothing brand through online retailer BoohooMAN. It’s safe to say Gunna is confidently back in his zone.

Click to enlarge

Flo Milli takes a selfie with a fan.

Photo by Sean Thomas

It’s this confidence that the MC relies on when he takes the stage at 713 Music Hall. He breathes, whether he’s bouncing in the audience or on stage. The show relies strictly on his charisma as he runs through hits like “South to West,” “Met Gala,” “Drip Too Hard” and “Whatsapp (Wassam),” but his connection is especially evident with the crowd when transitioning from “Top”. Off” to “P Power”. At one point, the MC simply put down the mic and danced in front of the sold-out crowd while rapping his lyrics a cappella.

The Bittersweet Tour is a 16-date North American showcase that features the MC in cities like Miami, Seattle, Chicago and, of course, Houston. The tour features 23-year-old Alabama newcomer Flo Milli, as well as partnering with the Black Music Action Coalition and Live Nation to support Gunna’s nonprofit, Gunna’s Great Giveaway. If his most recent success is any indication, expect to see more of the Georgia MC in the future.

Setlist
01. “Bittersweet”
02. “Whatsapp (Wassam)”
03. “Prada Dém”
04. “Back”
05. “Down”
06. “Cash Shit”
07. “IDK Nomore”
08. “South to West”
09. “Dollaz on my head”
10. “Met Gala”
11. “Yosemite” (cover by Travis Scott)
12. “Pedestrian”
13. “Sold out dates”
14. “Drip too strong”
15. “Complete”
16. “P Power”
17. “Dog Dress”
18. “Nasty Girl/On Camera”
19. “Baby Birkin”
20. “(New Song)”
21. “Bet on me”
22. “Very good”
23. “Bread and Butter”
24. “Return to the Moon”
25. “Paybach”
26. “You turned your back”
27. “Go crazy”
28. “I was just thinking”
29. “Drop or Drown”
30. “(New Song)”
31. “Hot” (Young Thug cover)
32. “Ski” (Young Thug cover)
33. “Oh, okay”
34. “Pushin P”
35. “Fukuméen”
36. “Dr. Rodeo”
37. “Living Wild”
38. “(New Song)”
39. “This Year (Blessings)” (cover by Victor Thompson)