Lil Baby has addressed his strained relationship with Gunna, making it clear that although the two Atlanta rappers are no longer on good terms, he has no interest in turning their personal differences into a public feud.
The rapper, whose real name is Dominique Jones, discussed the situation during an appearance on The New York Times Popcast as he prepares to release his upcoming studio album, Fresh, on November 6.
Speaking about the tension between himself and his former collaborator, Lil Baby acknowledged that their relationship has changed but suggested they can maintain a level of public respect despite their personal differences.
“Whether I like them or they like me, it’s like we all gonna be on that personal vibe,” he said.
“We can not like each other but we gonna play it cool for y’all, you know what I’m saying? It’s like an unspoken thing.”
How the Lil Baby and Gunna Rift Started
The tension between the two artists became a major talking point in hip-hop following Gunna’s release from jail in December 2022.
Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens, entered an Alford plea in the YSL RICO case involving Young Thug. His plea and subsequent release sparked debate within the hip-hop community, with some artists and fans questioning his position in the case.
Lil Baby appeared to distance himself from Gunna, adding to speculation that their once-close relationship had broken down.
The two artists previously enjoyed major success together, particularly through their 2018 collaborative project Drip Harder, which featured the hit song Drip Too Hard.
Their chemistry helped establish them as one of Atlanta’s most recognisable rap partnerships.
Lil Baby Doesn’t Want a Public War With Gunna
Despite the ongoing tension, Lil Baby said he would rather handle any disagreements privately than exchange insults through social media or diss tracks.
He also pointed to the influence both artists have in Atlanta, suggesting that a public confrontation would not benefit either of their reputations.
“I’d rather have that beef or problem personally because we’re… really like the ones who hold it down for the town,” he explained.
His comments suggest that, while reconciliation has not been announced, he is not interested in using their disagreement to generate online attention.
Lil Baby Prepares to Release ‘Fresh’
The interview comes just days before the scheduled release of Fresh, Lil Baby’s upcoming 17-track studio album.
The project is expected to feature Future, Young Thug, Rylo Rodriguez, Bally Baby and Fatt Smaxx.
For fans who have followed Lil Baby and Gunna since Drip Harder, his latest comments offer a clearer picture of where things stand between the former collaborators.
They may not be making music together anytime soon, but Lil Baby appears determined to keep their differences away from the public spotlight.
