Honestly, if you’ve been following the Atlanta scene for the last few years, you know the vibe around Gunna has been... complicated. When One of Wun dropped in May 2024, the internet was basically a war zone of snitching allegations and "YSL is over" think pieces. But here’s the thing: while everyone was busy arguing on Twitter (or X, whatever), Gunna was busy turning himself into a fitness-obsessed, luxury-clad fortress.
The album isn't just another 20-track dump for the streaming numbers. It’s actually a very specific statement.
Most people expected him to fold after the A Gift & a Curse era. They thought the hype would die down once the "fukumean" TikTok wave settled. Instead, Gunna doubled down on a sound that’s been described as "yacht-trap"—basically music that sounds like a $50 million boat floating through a sea of liquid mercury. It's smooth. It's monotonous in a way that feels intentional.
The Sound of Someone Who Doesn't Care Anymore
If you listen to the opening track "collage," you hear it immediately. He isn't screaming. He isn't trying to prove he's the hardest guy in the room. He’s just... floating. He mentions dropping $50,000 on a personal trainer. That’s a recurring theme across One of Wun. Gunna is in the best shape of his life, and he wants you to know it.
The production is handled by the usual suspects: Turbo, Kenny Stuntin, and The Playmakers.
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It’s aquatic. It’s expensive.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that this album is "boring" because it doesn't have the high-energy spikes of Drip Season 3. But that’s missing the point entirely. This is "ambient luxury." It’s meant to be played while you’re doing something better than arguing about legal documents. Tracks like "whatsapp (wassam)" and "neck on a yacht" have this weirdly calming, orchestral flare that makes the drama of the real world feel like it's happening a thousand miles away.
Who Actually Showed Up?
For a while, the big question was: who is still willing to work with him? After the Plea Deal, plenty of rappers went quiet. But the features on One of Wun tell an interesting story about who stayed in his corner:
- Offset: Their reunion on "Prada Dem" was a massive middle finger to the noise. They've been working together since the Drip Season 2 days, and the chemistry is still there.
- Normani: She hopped on "$$$," which is easily the most "pop" moment on the record. It’s catchy, sure, but it also shows Gunna still has pull in the mainstream lane.
- Roddy Ricch: Appearing on "let it breathe," Roddy and Gunna basically trade bars about applying pressure while the haters talk.
- Leon Bridges: This was the curveball. "Clear My Rain" is a soul-infused, moody track that proves Gunna is trying to evolve past just "mumble rap" (a term that barely applies to him anymore anyway).
Why the Critics are Half-Right (and Half-Wrong)
Look, 20 songs is a lot. Some reviewers, like the folks over at Pitchfork or HotNewHipHop, pointed out that it can feel a bit repetitive. They aren't totally wrong. If you listen to "treesh" right after "on one tonight," the beats kinda bleed into each other. It’s a 57-minute vibe.
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But for Gunna fans? That's exactly what they wanted.
He’s mastered a very specific pocket. His breath control on "still prevail" is actually some of his best technical rapping to date. He even throws a few subliminals in there, famously rapping about people who "pay for their abs"—which many fans immediately clocked as a shot at certain peers in the industry.
The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, moving about 91,000 units in its first week. That’s huge. It proved that the "blacklisting" people talked about didn't actually work. The fans stayed.
The Transition to The Last Wun
You can't talk about One of Wun without looking at what came next. By the time 2025 rolled around, Gunna was already prepping his exit from the YSL label chapter. His follow-up, The Last Wun, which dropped in August 2025, felt like the closing of a book.
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While One of Wun was about proving he could still thrive in the chaos, the later work felt more about moving on. He’s become a "playlist artist" in the best way possible. You don't necessarily sit down to analyze the lyrics like it's a Kendrick Lamar album. You put it on because you want to feel like you’re winning.
How to Get the Most Out of the Album
If you’re just diving into the project now, don't try to power through all 20 tracks at once. It’s not built for that.
- Listen for the production nuances. Pay attention to the way the bass is mixed on "blackjack." It’s designed for high-end speakers.
- Focus on the "fitness" bars. It sounds silly, but Gunna’s obsession with his health on this record is a fascinating look at how his mindset shifted post-jail.
- Check out the visuals. The "back in the a" and "whatsapp (wassam)" videos are masterclasses in aesthetics.
Basically, the album is a testament to resilience. Whether you believe the rumors or not, you can't deny that the man knows how to craft a mood. He didn't change his style to appease the critics; he just got better at being himself. He is, quite literally, one of wun.
Next Steps for Your Playlist:
Go back and listen to "still prevail" and "hakuna matata" back-to-back. These two tracks represent the "new" Gunna—unbothered, technically sharper, and completely disconnected from the industry drama that tried to sink him. If you're looking for the best way to keep up with his current 2026 tour dates, check his official site for the "Bittersweet" stadium run updates.