PAUSE MEETS:
Gunna
Talks personal style, championing authenticity & legacy.
Photographer: Ollie Ali // @mrollieali
Stylist: Bobby Wesley // @bobbywesley
Producer: Johnson Gold // @johnson_gold
Interview/Words: Amal AlTauqi // @altxuqi
Videographer: Kobe Boateng // @kobeboateng
Stylist Assistants: Iryielle Barret // @iryielle // Marquis Barnes // @marquisbarnes_
Artist: Gunna // @gunna
Publicist: Janelle Gibbs // @screamboss
Location: Los Angeles, California
“I Don’t Follow Trends, I Set Them.”
Gunna means business – far beyond the conventional realms of wealth and influence within hip-hop. In fact, his true impact is found in his actions, rooted in an unshakable authenticity and a singular vision that sets him apart in a world that thrives on imitation.
Just minutes into our conversation, where we’re working to set the world straight, we begin to discuss trends and inspiration, to which Gunna dives into a clarity that commands attention. “I don’t follow trends — I set them,” he declares. And in that moment, I realise our interview may have reached its zenith. That wasn’t just a bold statement; it is a glimpse into the mind of someone who’s always a step ahead, moving with intention and purpose.
The phrase “One of Wun” transcends mere lyrical bravado or the title of his latest album; it’s a philosophy, a reflection of navigating life’s challenges while staying true to his roots. Fresh off the release of this transformative album, Gunna’s influence reaches past the music. He doesn’t just represent Atlanta; he gives back to it, elevating the community that shaped him with the same relentless drive that has defined his rise to fame. “I’m Atlanta. That’s my home, that’s my influence.”
For anyone who’s only just tuning in, Gunna isn’t just setting trends – he’s setting a standard. With a steady stream of artistic brilliance, fashion releases, and creative ventures on the horizon, PAUSE Magazine presents their September issue with the one and only Gunna, reshaping the very essence of artistry one groundbreaking step at a time.
Gunna, when was the last time you felt you were creatively pushed outside your comfort zone?
I think I’m always trying to be comfortable with anything I’m doing. If I am outside of my comfort zone, I don’t know, maybe it was made like that, but [for me], I try to be comfortable when I do something. If I’m feeling uncomfortable about something, I’ll always wait until I feel comfortable.
Four years ago, marked the beginning of the WUNNA (2020) era. Now, we find ourselves in the One of Wun (2024) era. How have you seen the role of storytelling evolve within your own sound?
I would say it has evolved just from me making songs from the timing and space I’ve been in. If I’m in a space where I’m travelling to different countries, and seeing different places, I resonate with that and with my music. As my life transitions, that grows with my music too because you can hear it.
Your album One of Wun emphasises themes of authenticity and staying true to oneself. In an industry that often pressures artists to conform to certain trends or images, how do you navigate maintaining your authenticity both in your music and in your public persona?
Just doing me. My style, what I wear, how I feel, it’s me. Just doing me is how I stay in tune to myself, because I don’t follow the trends, I set the trends.
That basically concluded the interview, that’s it, I’m done. You don’t follow trends, you set the trends.
Right? Haha.
Do you feel as if the album and tour has been received in the ways you anticipated? The tour seemed to be popping too.
The tour was great, my fans are great. They came out and the energy was 10. My energy was 10. Creatively, I am evolving more and I just want to keep it coming, especially when I head out back on the road soon. I want to give people a creative show that I like and they love.
Many of the tracks on One of Wun delve into deeper, more introspective themes compared to some of your earlier work. What motivated this shift towards exploring more personal and emotional subjects?
Just life situations, you know? Anything that I’m going through, I put it in my music. That’s where you get different songs with different emotions when you listen to my album. It’s real life and experiences.
I do think that’s such an important role in music, particularly as a fan, the fact that I am able to connect to the artist.
Yeah, like… my fans connect and follow everything that I do publicly, so they definitely understand what they’re hearing through the music.
Beyond music, album covers are often a tangible expression of the creative process – even before we begin to listen, we can already gain a sense of understanding through the visuals. Can you share how you navigate this creative process?
[I feel like] album covers are just as important as the song. Everything is aligned and everything in alignment is what I like. I like things that go together aesthetically and I want everything to make sense, down to the cover and the songs and the words. I’m big on doing the covers, and even down to the back art-work cover that you don’t even see unless you’re posted on my page, that’s what people are intrigued about too. It’s all about what we are able to physically show within an art space too, you know?
You worked with PAPER Frank on the last album cover, and Daniel Arshman on DS4EVER (2022). Where did the inspiration come from for this album?
This album was more aligned with its title. It’s One of Wun. It’s different creatively. We made a bunch with Calvin Clausell Jr. – an artist my manager had shown me. I feel like I was able to bring my world to his world and because I had already liked his work, it made me more interested to collaborate. His vibe is cool, he’s young and he’s black and we brought our worlds together. The cover represents my face covered in the flowers that I’m giving myself.
Jacket & Pants – 3.PARADIS, Top – Eton, Tie – Pierre Blanc, Shoes – VIRON, Sunglasses – Prada.
I think that’s the epitome of creative people connecting with one another on different levels.
Yeah, I mean he did another piece for me, beyond my art cover, that he actually painted for me.
Oh, wow. Is that in your house? He’s locked in.
Yeah. He’s locked in for sure.
Speaking of which, throughout life, we are surrounded by many forms of expression. As an artist, what do you enjoy most about expressing yourself through art, fashion, and music?
I think the biggest thing I enjoy the most is hearing my music back. Hearing my songs back after making it late at night, and hearing the responses from my closest people, it’s nice to enjoy the music first before I release it to the world.
Isn’t that such an amazing moment? The fact that you’re essentially gatekeeping your art until you’re ready to share it to the big wide world? In fact, it reminds me of a quote I had read recently. “I don’t care if you don’t like my music – I like my music and that’s all that matters.”
Right? Ha. I agree. You should like the music you put out and if they don’t like it, they’re probably not on the same type of time.
Fashion is something that defines Gunna both stylistically and literally. How do your personal style and music identity intersect?
Oh, they go together. You’re not really going to see Gunna without some style and drip, right? And you’re gonna hear it in my music as well. It resonates with me.
We already know, as you cut em’ dead, that you set trends and don’t follow them. Perhaps we should just scrap this interview and have that sentence there. Done. But, from creating collaborations and merchandise to becoming an influential figure in the fashion world?
P Star to the world. That’s the new brand that I’m pushing.
Yes, I saw this. I was super gassed to see this.
That’s what’s up. We’ve got to get you some of that P Star. I got you.
What other creative narratives do you hope to explore in the future?
Ah, man. So much more to come.
Cardigan & Pants – AMIRI, Shoes – VIRON, Sunglasses – Elisa Johnson.
I bet your mind is about to explode with all these creative ideas. Are you a late night worker? The crazy hours in the night type idea?
You know, right now I’m an all day worker. I wake up, I’m working… I’ve got an office too. I head to the studio. My day and night time is scheduled.
24/7.
Well, I do have to sleep a little bit.
Beauty sleep helps. So, Atlanta’s hip-hop scene has characterised the state as one of music’s most fertile breeding grounds. This fusion of Southern funk, soul, and rap has captivated audiences worldwide for decades. How do you think growing up in Atlanta and being a part of its vibrant music scene has influenced your music and artistic journey?
Maybe like 99%. I’m Atlanta. That’s my home, that’s my influence – from my sound, to my creativity.
What does it feel like to know you are someone that continues to shape history for the newer generation?
It makes me feel like I’m doing something right, and I have to keep doing it. Lead the new-school.
How do you envision your legacy as an artist? What do you want your fans and future generations to take away from your music and your journey?
I want them to dissect it and live through me if they could. This sh*t don’t stop, just keep going. You’ve got to keep going. Whatever we have going on.
I saw recently there is an initiative for you to provide 30 Georgia-based families with guaranteed income through a new program. If there were more people like you in this world, it would be a beautiful place. Can you tell us more about that and where you wish to take it.
Thank you, I appreciate it. I just want to give back to the community in the best way I can as I have been doing. If you can do something, you should do it, you know what I’m saying? It’s showing the young ones that it can be done. Because I was there. This is southside. This is where I was raised. I’ve seen opportunities from my older homies that had situations and they said “you can do this, and you can take from that,” and I’m just trying to be that person too. I want people to see “well, Gunna came back to the south and did that so we can do this too.”
It is evident in your lifestyle that discipline fosters a sense of power, especially when it comes to personal growth and fulfillment. I recently read about the ‘six-month-runs’ you did when coming up – do you still do those?
Man, I’m starting to do those. I had stopped for a while, I’m going to be honest, but my process for the last two years has been those six-month-runs.
What’s next for you? Do you have a bucket-list of things you hope to achieve one day?
More life, for sure. More music. More things that I’m already into… even like the Gunna’s Great Giveaway Foundation. More and more and more of what I’m doing already. That’s all I can really say. That’s the pocket that I’m in. Oh, and sooner rather than later.
I appreciate your time so much and I hope you enjoyed our interview. The whole cover is amazing and hopefully one day I’ll be there in the flesh to see it.
No problem, this was cool. This is coming out with PAUSE Magazine and I can’t wait to see it. Catch you in the next one.
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