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Ariana Grande: Redefining Pop Stardom in a Changing Musical Landscape

November 22, 2024

In 2018, Ariana Grande was the sole female artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo act with her hit *“thank u, next.”* While Beyoncé, Camila Cabello, and Cardi B also reached No. 1 that year...

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Gracie Abrams: Redefining Pop Music with Vulnerability and Depth

November 22, 2024

In an era where the music industry often leans toward commercialized hits and polished perfection, Gracie Abrams emerges as a beacon of authenticity. Her unique approach to pop music, rooted in raw...

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Why Every Aspiring Music Creator Should Experience Coachella 2024

January 22, 2024

Coachella isn’t just a festival—it’s a rite of passage for music lovers and creators alike. Each year, it transforms the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, into a world-class stage for global...

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Mike Posner: From Chart-Topping Hits to Personal Transformation

November 20, 2024

Michael Robert Henrion Posner, known professionally as Mike Posner, emerged as a prominent figure in the music industry with his distinctive blend of pop, R&B, and electronic sounds. Born on...

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Ed Sheeran Calls Out Unauthorized Use of His Vocals: A Growing Problem in the Music Industry

November 20, 2024

Ed Sheeran recently revealed that his vocals were used without his permission on a new Band Aid single—a situation he says he would have “respectfully declined” had he been asked. The incident has...

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The Weeknd: Crafting a Unique Artistic Image

November 20, 2024

In the world of contemporary music, The Weeknd stands as an enigmatic figure who has mastered the art of reinvention and authenticity. From his early days of mysterious mixtapes to becoming a...

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Tyler, The Creator: A Transformative Music Journey

November 20, 2024

Tyler, The Creator, born Tyler Gregory Okonma, has become one of the most influential and dynamic artists in the music industry. From his brash, rebellious beginnings to his present-day status as a...

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Bad Bunny: Breaking Language Barriers in Global Music

November 20, 2024

In a world where English often dominates the global music charts, Bad Bunny has emerged as a game-changing force, proving that music transcends language. Born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio in...

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Post Malone: Blending Genres for a Unique Sound

November 20, 2024

In an era where musical boundaries often blur but few truly innovate, Post Malone has carved out a unique space for himself by seamlessly blending rap, rock, and pop. His genre-defying approach has...

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Lorde's *Pure Heroine*: The Album That Revolutionized Pop Music

November 20, 2024

When Lorde’s breakout single “Royals” first hit airwaves, it was clear the pop landscape was about to change. At just 16, Ella Yelich-O’Connor, the New Zealand artist known as Lorde, captivated the...

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Lizzo: Empowerment and Being Unapologetically Yourself

November 18, 2024

Lizzo’s rise to stardom is nothing short of inspiring. With her infectious personality, powerhouse vocals, and bold, body-positive message, she has become a beacon of empowerment in the music...

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SZA: The Rise and Impact of a Modern R&B Trailblazer

November 18, 2024

SZA, born Solána Imani Rowe, is now one of the most vocal and well-known figures in modern R&B. With her distinctive sound and intelligent poetry, SZA’s musical career has been both dynamic and...

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Gunna’s Comeback to the Music Industry Despite Controversy

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Gunna, a mainstream rapper, just released a new album containing a #1 “Billboard Hot 100” hit song called “fukumean” despite the current controversy around his name. Gunna was arrested back in May of 2022 on one count of racketeering, therefore, facing 5 years in prison. He was released later that year after taking the Alford Plea, which allowed him to maintain his innocence while agreeing to the fact that he could still be found guilty during a trial. Leaked footage of Gunna in the courtroom allegedly “snitching” confirming to the judges that the company “YSL”, the label he was signed under at this time, was involved in illegal gang activities. This led the music industry to believe that Gunna is a snitch who had betrayed his own label company and its owner, a fellow rapper, Young Thug. He was instantly labeled as a snitch globally, causing many big rappers and producers to fully cut ties with Gunna. 

As a result, Gunna took a break from creating music for a few months, returning to the industry by dropping an album on June 16th, 2023 titled “ A Gift and a Curse”. This was a 15-song project expressing how all his associates turned their back on him and how he did not know who to trust anymore. 

With reference to this court case, multiple of Young Thug’s songs such as “Anybody”, “Take it To Trial”, “Ski (feat. Gunna)” and “Slatty” were used against him as evidence. As an example, in his song “Slatty” he states “I killed his man in front of his momma, like f*** lil’ bruh, sister and cousin, I shoot out, kill em’ not leaving a trace”. These lyrics were used to help link Young Thug and YSL to a murder case.

HipHopDX article about the lyrics used against Gunna:

Even though Gunna saw these lyrics being used against YSL, he continues to rap about the gang culture and the type of activities they participate in. Often, rappers use such lyrics to display a certain image to the world, whether they actually represent it or not. These peculiar lyrics attract listeners as they are extremely catchy and easy to sing along to. They also engage the listener into feeling like they are living these lyrics, even though their true lifestyle is far removed from it.

Despite Gunna’s experience, one of Gunna’s songs on the album titled “fukumean” is now the #1 song on the “Billboard Hot 100”. This song was streamed a total of 65 million times on Spotify only one month after its release.