UPDATE: The cover art for Gunna’s highly anticipated new album, The Last Wun, set to release on August 8, has been unveiled, revealing deep symbolic meaning crafted by artist Devon DeJardin. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for both Gunna and DeJardin as they navigate their respective artistic journeys amidst personal challenges.
In a stunning display, DeJardin’s artwork portrays Gunna as a formidable apocalyptic figure, embodying resilience and defiance. “It was about capturing Gunna in his essence,” DeJardin explains, emphasizing themes of struggle and perseverance. Gunna echoed this sentiment, stating that the visuals align perfectly with the album’s vibe of “pressure, pain, progress, and real reflection.”
The artist and rapper’s collaboration began earlier this year when they met through mutual friends in Dubai. DeJardin recalls a casual dinner where Gunna initially left early, but a few weeks later, he received a call to visit Gunna’s studio in North Hollywood. “It was a pivotal moment,” DeJardin shares, describing their late-night studio sessions where they discussed the urgency of Gunna’s music and the emotional weight behind it.
As the album’s lead single, “Won’t Stop,” debuted in June, DeJardin was already conceptualizing the album cover. He crafted a distressed clock sculpture for the single, symbolizing the theme of time standing still. The final album cover showcases Gunna in full form, reflecting his journey of self-development through intricate details like tattoos and signature jewelry.
The artwork is not just a cover; it represents a turning point for Gunna. “Every dent, every edge, it’s a record of what I’ve been through,” he stated, highlighting his journey from legal troubles to artistic rebirth. DeJardin, who has showcased his work in prestigious places like the Space K Museum in Seoul and the Hirschhorn Museum in Washington D.C., now steps into the limelight with this collaboration, which he describes as a dream come true.
In an emotional reflection, DeJardin notes that working with Gunna aligns with his own path of personal growth. “I feel like I am stepping into this new season of life,” he shared, revealing the mutual inspiration they found in each other. Gunna affirmed DeJardin’s impact, stating, “We had real conversations about meaning and presence,” underscoring the depth of their collaboration.
As fans eagerly await The Last Wun, the partnership between Gunna and DeJardin stands as a testament to the power of art and music in overcoming adversity. With anticipation building around the album’s release, the story behind the cover art adds a rich layer to Gunna’s narrative and the artistic journey of Devon DeJardin.
Stay tuned for more updates as the release date approaches, and prepare for an album that promises to encapsulate a profound moment in time for Gunna and his music.
