From a Gift & a Curse to a New Chapter: Gunna’s Powerful Transformation
Gunna’s had a major comeback since the RICO case tied to YSL. Back in May 2022, he and Young Thug were among 28 people indicted in a sweeping RICO case that accused YSL of being both a music label and a street gang connected to various crimes. Gunna ended up serving about seven months in jail before entering an Alford plea deal in December 2022— he didn’t admit guilt, but acknowledged that the state had enough evidence to convict him. After that, a lot of people on the internet labeled him as a “snitch”.
But during that time behind bars, Gunna started his fitness journey, and that shift sparked both a physical and mental transformation. It makes sense—when you’re locked up, there’s not much else to do, so many prisoners turn to working out, reading, or getting closer to religion. All of that helps their mental, emotional, and physical well-being, turning a negative situation into something positive.
I’ve really admired Gunna’s transformation and began looking deeper into it. Over the past few years, he didn’t just transform his body—he transformed his mind and soul. He protected his aura during that time, despite the internet dragging his name. Instead of feeding into it, he stayed focused, kept working on himself, and prepared for his next chapter.
That next chapter was his album a Gift & a Curse. On it, he directly addressed the narratives surrounding him while reintroducing himself as the new man he was becoming—both to his fans and to the haters. With no features on the project, I think that speaks volumes.
Yea, I’m right back and I lost mad commas
I had been down bad inside a dark tunnel, yea
F*ck them boys, I found out who my real partners
And who was only with me ‘cause I had dollars…
Never f*cked that n*gga, always stayed solid
Kept it real with n*ggas, never lied and always stayed honest
Love my bro so much, I’d never change on him…
You b*tch-ass n*ggas got me as the topic of the chat
You switched on me when you know you in business with a rat…
- Gunna, bread & butter (2023)
Recently, I’ve seen Gunna take his journey even further. He launched the Wunna Run Club and hosted a 5K in New York, encouraging donations to nonprofits supporting underprivileged communities. Beyond fitness, it was about bringing people together in a healthy, positive way.
I love how Gunna completely rebranded his life. Despite everything that happened during and after the YSL RICO trials, he stayed true to himself and kept building for the better. I also feel like jail gave him time to reflect on what led him there in the first place, and that reflection allowed him to turn his life around and create a desire to help others too. That within itself is a blessing—coming out of the darkness.
“You know how you just focused, you locked in, and can’t nobody tell you nothing? I’m at that stage right now. Like, I ain’t saying I ain’t gonna listen but I’m saying as far as my goals, can’t nobody stop me from reaching them.”
– Gunna
All in all, I think everyone can look at Gunna’s transformation as inspiration. His journey shows how you can take a dark moment and turn it into growth, purpose, and resilience. Whether you’re a fan of his music or not, the way he rebuilt himself: physically, mentally, and spiritually, proves that setbacks don’t have to define you. Gunna is a good reminder that no matter what people say, stay focused on yourself and your vision, and that can open doors to a better version of you and your life.
