Fans hoping for new music from Lil Baby and Gunna will have to revisit their past collaborations, as it seems the two rappers are no longer on speaking terms. In an interview with Charlamagne Tha God on his Out Of Context series, shared on December 19, Lil Baby openly addressed the status of his relationship with Gunna. When asked about his connection with the fellow Atlanta rapper, Lil Baby responded directly
“We don’t got no relationship.”
He went on to dispel rumors that his career relies on his past collaborations with Gunna, dismissing online chatter that suggests otherwise. “The internet will say anything,” he stated. “Do you know how many hits I got? So, that don’t even make sense.” Lil Baby’s confident response underscored his belief in his own ability to create chart-topping music without depending on Gunna.
Despite their shared history of successful projects, including the 2018 Drip Harder mixtape and the Diamond-certified single “Drip Too Hard,” Lil Baby made it clear that he has no intention of working with Gunna again, even if Young Thuga mutual friend and collaboratorwere to ask him to. “I don’t see that happening,” he firmly declared.
Lil Baby further elaborated on his perspective during an appearance on Lil Yachty’s A Safe Place Podcast earlier in the week. While he refrained from directly mentioning Gunna, his comments pointed to a newfound selectivity when it comes to collaborations. “I always rapped about that type of stuff,” Lil Baby said, referring to themes of loyalty and integrity in his music. “In my first song, I’m talking about snitching. It’s a permanent thing. Now, it’s just got outrageous with it. Those kind of morals and sh*t are never going to leave. It boils down to what we rapping about. We can’t rap about that if you did that. If I was making Christmas music, then I don’t give a damn what you did.”
Lil Baby also expressed frustration with the current state of Hip-Hop, particularly the way artists glorify criminal activity in their music. “Whether people know it or not, rapping in these songs, talking about murders, and who you killed that sh*t fking up the whole program,” he explained. “It’s not only fking up the Hip-Hop business, it’s f**king up the way of living for rappers.”
The rift between Lil Baby and Gunna comes amidst ongoing controversy surrounding Gunna’s legal troubles. In December 2022, Gunna entered an Alford plea in the YSL RICO case, which allowed him to plead guilty to one charge while maintaining his innocence. The plea deal resulted in Gunna receiving a five-year sentence, with one year served in prison and the remaining four years suspended. As part of the agreement, Gunna was required to complete 500 hours of community service.
Gunna addressed the plea in a written statement, explaining, “I have chosen to end my own RICO case with an Alford plea and end my personal ordeal by publicly acknowledging my association with YSL. An Alford plea in my case is the entry of a guilty plea to the one charge against me, which is in my best interest, while at the same time maintaining my innocence toward the same charge.”
However, Gunna’s decision to take the plea deal sparked widespread rumors that he cooperated with authorities, leading many in the Hip-Hop community to label him a “snitch.” The backlash was swift, with several prominent artists, including Lil Baby and Lil Durk, distancing themselves from him. Gunna’s first record following the legal ordeal, released in June 2023, fueled further speculation as fans interpreted the lyrics as a response to his critics.
For Lil Baby, the issue appears to be rooted in authenticity and loyalty, values he has consistently championed in his music. His decision to sever ties with Gunna not only reflects his personal stance but also highlights a larger conversation within Hip-Hop about the intersection of art, ethics, and accountability.
As for Gunna, his path forward remains uncertain. While his musical talent is undeniable, the lingering stigma of the “snitch” label continues to cast a shadow over his career. Meanwhile, fans of both artists will have to revisit hits like “Drip Too Hard” to relive the magic of their past collaborations, as the possibility of a reunion seems increasingly unlikely.
This situation serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of the music industry, where personal relationships, public perception, and artistic integrity often collide. For now, both Lil Baby and Gunna appear to be charting their own courses, albeit on separate paths.
