Gunna is pushing back at the “pushin P” controversy.
During his appearance on Uninterrupted’s “The Shop,” the Atlanta rapper once again addressed claims that he stole the slang for his DS4EVER hit from the Bay Area. When music mogul Steve Stoute asked about the accusations, Gunna didn’t seem bothered by the backlash and said the term is universal.
“Come to find out, they just come from player sh*t, too,” he said. “That’s what I took from it, like bro, everybody been player. Your uncles and aunties, they was player.”
He went on to explain that he was introduced to it by the “older dope boys” from the Porters Ridge neighborhood in Georgia where he grew up. “I learned that from them. Got in the game and ran with it,” he said.
Gunna previously credited his father for teaching him his “player” ways. “My 🅿️ops taught me how to be a 🅿️laya long time ago.. Pz are worldwide,” he said in January.
Gunna responds to Bay Area natives saying he stole their slang.. “My 🅿️ops taught me how to be a 🅿️laya long time ago.. Pz are worldwide” pic.twitter.com/C8M3OQuKZb
— SAY CHEESE! 👄🧀 (@SaycheeseDGTL) January 16, 2022
During an interview with Complex, Gunna acknowledged that he didn’t come up with “pushin P,” but he did popularize it and bring it to the masses.
“The world is just now catching on because of the song, but Atlanta and LA people who know me know,” he said. “That’s why it hit hard, too, because I really been kicking P outside of music. So when I bring it to music, it’s like, yeah, that’s really him. He ain’t lying.”
Despite the controversy, there’s no denying Gunna’s influence, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Nike referencing “pushin P.”
We had an internal meeting, and without getting into details, we're pushin 🅿️ all year.
— Nike.com (@nikestore) January 20, 2022
We’re always pushing 🅿️ancakes.
— IHOP (@IHOP) January 19, 2022
As a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of the cultural nuances within the hip-hop community, particularly the evolution of slang and its regional origins, I can confidently provide insights into the Gunna "pushin P" controversy and its broader impact.
In the realm of hip-hop, language and slang play a pivotal role, often serving as a reflection of the artist's background and cultural influences. In the case of Gunna, his use of the term "pushin P" has sparked controversy, with claims that he appropriated the slang from the Bay Area. However, Gunna, during his appearance on Uninterrupted’s “The Shop,” asserted that the term is universal, emphasizing that it originated from a shared culture of "player sh*t."
Gunna's defense centers around the idea that the concept of being a "player" is not exclusive to a particular region but rather a widespread cultural expression. He attributes his introduction to this language to the "older dope boys" in the Porters Ridge neighborhood of Georgia, where he grew up. This nuanced explanation sheds light on the interconnectedness of hip-hop slang, transcending geographical boundaries.
Furthermore, Gunna acknowledges that while he may not have coined the term "pushin P," he played a significant role in popularizing it and bringing it to a global audience through his hit, DS4EVER. In an interview with Complex, he underscores his authenticity by stating that those in Atlanta and LA who know him recognize his long-standing association with the term, reinforcing its legitimacy.
The controversy surrounding Gunna's use of "pushin P" is met with a testament to his influence within the hip-hop community. Notably, the impact extends beyond the music realm, as evidenced by notable mentions from figures such as Kim Kardashian and corporate entities like Nike and IHOP. These references highlight the cultural permeation of Gunna's slang, showcasing its adoption in mainstream discourse.
In conclusion, the Gunna "pushin P" controversy serves as a microcosm of the dynamic nature of hip-hop language, its cultural roots, and the influence of artists in shaping and disseminating these linguistic expressions on a global scale.
