Album Review: Guvna B – This Bed I Made
13 May 2026
April brought the release of the 11-track album – This Bed I Made – by British-born Ghanaian rapper Guvna B.
Familiar with success, his accolades precede him having won 3 MOBO awards during his time in the music scene. His extensive discography falls into conscious, faith-based rap as he explores relatable topics through witty, emotive lyricism.
Reflective in tone, this album touches on crucial topics such as addiction, recovery, and the murky in-between. The album artwork features a circular shape mirroring a sobriety coin, tying in with the themes covered in the album whilst serving as a symbol of hope – recovery is possible.
Knocking introduces the album with a slow tempo, blending percussion instruments and drums. Like the title, the artist raps, “this bed I made is where I lay” – which prepares us for the musical journey of which we are about to embark on.
Rest my head stands out as an open acceptance of his present feelings whilst being hopeful for what is to come – “I’m still alive and that’s Christ blessing me.” Produced by Joel Baker and Maths Time Joy, the track incorporates rap as well as choral like background vocals with a flair that leaves you wanting to listen repeatedly.
Guvna B’s wordplay is on display in Stickers on the wall – “this the start of my arc, I ain’t talking floods and boats but still know I need help from the top floor.” Here he speaks to his need for support on his journey by referring to his Christian faith using imagery from Noah’s Ark.
In Healing power featuring AratheJay, the artist draws on his Ghanaian roots sampling Ofori Amponsah’s popular highlife song Otoolege. This track breaks up the album nicely with a shift to a more upbeat, lively tempo and uplifting lyrics, encouraging listeners to “get back up again.”
Breakfast in the sky follows with recorded moments from conversations with his children and words that feel like he is writing a letter to them – “you better know that Daddy got you.” The track slowly fades out with a shared prayer between father and daughter – an emotional ending indeed.
In discussions about addiction, individuals often cite feelings of shame keeping them from speaking out. On the 9th track, Guvna B speaks to himself singing “I wanna be shameless”. Elsewhere on To Be Free he uses prison as a metaphor to allude to the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of addiction – “wasn’t real it’s just a figment.”
As part of the project, Guvna B tapped into another creative medium – film. The artist collaborated with Christoph Davis to produce a cinematic masterpiece of which he is the protagonist. The short film offers a glimpse behind the closed doors of an addicts’ anonymous group as we see Guvna B leaving and entering the room several times – a moving depiction of the rather complex nature of recovery and the pursuit of support.
Overall, this album is certainly worth a listen – the tracks are well produced and appealing to our ears, whilst gently challenging us to consider our biases through moments of reflection. By sharing his story through song, Guvna B sends out a message which can resonate with many, speaking to the power of music.
Words by Bernice A