Q: For those that may not know, tell them a little about Lee Gunna?
Lee Gunna: Well, I am a very versatile female rap artist and song writer reigning from the “Steel City” Pittsburgh, PA. I can write in almost any genre and challenge myself to do so, which is where versatility comes in to play! Eager to learn the in’s and outs of the music industry in general, I am currently pursuing my Associates Degree in Music Technology and will be graduating by the Fall of 2023!
Q: Who were some mainstream artists that inspired you to pick up that microphone, and do music?
Lee Gunna: Whew! I can definitely name a few! It all started when my parents popped in a vhs tape of a Kriss Kross performance and had another one with TLC waiting. I always knew I wanted to rock the crowd like Kriss Kross, but I wanted the cadence that Left-eye carried! I wanted to be Left-eye! Lol! As I grew, I began to gain inspiration from Michael Jackson, Bone Thugs -n- Harmony, Eve, Lauryn Hill, DMX, and Ciara. I always said I would be the Ciara of Rap being that I love to dance! Ct*u!
Q: At what age did you decide to start taking music seriously?
Lee Gunna: I guess I can say about age 13! I was always musically inclined. I’ve been on stage since I was 4 with me being enrolled in Tap & Jazz. About age 10 I played the Trumpet which taught me to read music and count bars. Around age 13 I was writing my own verses and began recording them at age 15. I started performing locally by age 21 and it’s been an amazing journey since then.
Q: What was the first song that you ever recorded?
Lee Gunna: I started with my first feature at age 14, but the first single I recorded
is “Hustlin 4 Presidents”. It’s still available on SoundCloud along with a few other tracks that aren’t on all platforms. Y’all should check them out!
Q: How did you get the name Lee Gunna?
Lee Gunna: Back when I was about 14, I met another artist named Mic Menace. I
used to chill with him, his girlfriend at the time Shari, and Montez. We recorded almost every day. One day I walked in, and Menace was like “So what you gone go by when it’s time to go on stage?” I ain’t gone lie, I was stuck. I didn’t know! He says “Dats Gunna! No dats LEE Gunna! Cuz the way you be bustin on these tracks?! Yea! Dats Lee Gunna!” I liked it instantly and I stuck with it!
Q: If you had the opportunity to work with any mainstream artist, who would it be, and why?
Lee Gunna: Young Thug is my favorite artist! I would most definitely work with him if given the opportunity! His work ethic, his word play, his cadence when he records. I like everything about his music! When he dropped “Stoner” with the high-pitched ad libs along with his cadence, that was just it for me! I was like a fan over night!
Q: Your single Give Yuh Luv is gaining some exposure. How did you come up with the concept for this single?
Lee Gunna: I wasn’t expecting this question! *Continues laughing* Ok sooo boom! I met a guy while I was in Atlanta. I didn’t know what it was about him, but I was interested. Hence the line “I don’t wanna hold you up or nothing, the way I feel is far beyond me”. We talked a few months and then that ended. A year later, I’m back in Atlanta and meet someone who’s like a mirror image of myself, and we clicked immediately! That’s where the 2nd verse comes in! *Giggling* Now I guess someone will know the entire song wasn’t about them. The 1st guy never know I wrote the song though.
Q: What’s next for Lee Gunna, what can we expect from her in 2023?
Lee Gunna: 2023! I plan on pushing this single “Give Yuh Luv” to the limit! The visuals are almost done so the video I plan on dropping this Spring! I’m eager to see what my management has in store for us! I’ll be dropping snippets and maybe a few covers, but I plan on dropping maybe an EP this coming Summer 2023! More bars! More vibes! I got a little r&b! Get ready for this versatile heat! It’s coming!
