griselda records

Why Griselda Is One Of Hip Hop’s Hardest-Working Collectives

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It seems like every era is Griselda’s season. Almost every quarter of the year, we get at least one release from a Griselda artist. The group comprises Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher. Mach-Hommy, who recently reconciled with Westside Gunn, was involved with Griselda early on. The Griselda Records label also consists of skilled rappers, including Armani Caesar, Boldy James, Rome Streetz, Stove God Cooks, and Estee Nack.

Not even midway through the year, Conway The Machine has released his latest album, Won’t He Do It. Westside Gunn also recently announced that he would be executive producing Estee Nack’s latest album, which is out next Friday. Albums from the Griselda roster have also been teased for 2023, including the highly-anticipated second album from Stove God Cooks and sequels to Hall & Nash and WWCD. On top of that, Westside Gunn’s & Then U Pray For Me is slated for a June 23 release, and Benny The Butcher’s next collaboration with Hit-Boy is out in August. With their stacked roster and constant music output, Griselda is one of hip hop’s hardest-working collectives. 

The Family Connection

The core of Griselda’s foundation is that it stems from family. Westside Gunn and Conway are brothers, and Benny The Butcher is their cousin. Though they are now established in their own solo lanes, they continue moving as a group and family. They have a plethora of songs together, including “Brutus,” “George Bondo,” and “The Butcher and the Blade.” As Griselda, they released their group album, 2019’s WWCD on Shady Records. The album’s title stands for What Would Chine Gun Do?, in reference to Benny’s brother and the cousin of Westside and Conway, who went by “Machine Gun Black.” Conway famously rapped about his passing on “The Cow,” widely regarded as his best verse. Griselda’s family connection has led to their impressive chemistry on a track and unity as a group.

Griselda Put Buffalo On The Map

The story of Griselda, coming up in Buffalo is quite remarkable. From Westside and Benny’s time in prison to Conway’s near-death experience that left him with Bell’s Palsy, they put their city on the map. Their success story is well-documented and can be seen in their Buffalo Soldiers documentary with Revolt. Mixtapes like Westside Gunn’s Hitler Wears Hermes 2 and Conway’s Reject 2 helped establish Griselda’s grimy and tough sound.

Daringer’s production was integral to creating the Griselda sound, producing most of their classic songs like “Rex Ryan” and “Eric B.” His production is minimal, with slowed jazz and rock samples over knocking drum breaks. DJ Shay was also important for their rise and was a mentor for Benny The Butcher and Armani Caesar early in their rap careers. Thanks to Griselda, Buffalo now has its signature sound and is seen as a city of talent.

Quality & Consistent Output From Griselda Artists

One of the main reasons Griselda is one of the hardest-working collectives in hip hop is their constant output of quality music. It is rare for a Griselda artist not to release at least every year. Each member even tends to release multiple albums a year. Westside Gunn has a historic run with his studio albums like Flygod and Supreme Blientele. He also has ten installments of his Hitler Wears Hermes series. Won’t He Do It is only Conway’s third official album, but he has several mixtapes and collaborations, including his Everybody Is F.O.O.D. mixtape series. Benny’s catalog consists of four installments of his Tana Talk series and multiple EPs and collaborations. The other Griselda artists on the label are building their discographies. Boldy James and Rome Streetz have extensive catalogs but have only recently started releasing music under Griselda.

Griselda never lacks when it comes to releasing music. What distinguishes them from other artists that release music at such high volumes is that there is rarely any filler. With an absurd amount of quality music arriving consistently, Griselda is easily among the hardest-working collectives.

In addition to music, Griselda built their empire with their merchandise. They released limited quantities of hoodies and t-shirts with unique designs. The high demand for their merchandise also translated to an even higher demand for CDs and vinyl. Early on, Griselda teamed up with Daupe Media to release limited exclusive vinyl, selling out in minutes, never to be repressed again. Griselda built their brand around their unique approach to releasing music and merchandise.

Solo & Group Success

In a Wu-Tang fashion, the artists have dispersed throughout the music industry. Their dominance in the underground hip hop scene permeated into mainstream audiences, signing with major labels and playing large festivals. Gunn, Conway, and Benny were recognized by hip hop legends early on in their careers, passing the torch for them to wave the flag for street rap. In 2017, the group signed with Eminem’s Shady Records and teamed up with JAY-Z’s Roc Nation for management in 2019. Benny The Butcher also signed with Def Jam last year. He earned Griselda Records its first plaque when “Johnny P’s Caddy” achieved gold status. 

Though not every foundational member is still on the label, Griselda still moves as a unit. Westside Gunn and Conway teamed up on Conway’s latest album for “Brucifix.” One of the hardest working collectives, Griselda is still strong as a group and as a label, signing established artists and putting on new talent.

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Conway The Machine Delivers Explosive Freestyle On Hot97

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Conway The Machine has lived up to his rap moniker to the fullest extent. Recently, he revealed he recorded 5-7 albums ahead of his most recent project WON’T HE DO IT. This contests his extreme work ethic along with his Griselda records labelmates. The project WON’T HE DO IT was released on May 5th. while on his press run, he made time to deliver a hot new freestyle.

Earlier this week, Conway The Machine made an appearance on Hot 97 Radio alongside Dj Funk Flex. Making his latest entry, he delivered a powerful freestyle. Additionally, he continuously proves to be a true lyricist. The just over 5-minute freestyle was full of heavy punch lines. noticeably, he freestyles the whole duration without stopping. DJ Funk Flex’s reaction tells all to summarize how the freestyle went. Traditionally, he shouts out his Griselda label with high confidence. To emphasize Griselda’s strong presence, Method Man recently spoke on how the collective reminds him of the Wu-Tang Clan.

Conway The Machine’s Latest Set Of Punchlines

Moreover, Conway has been very transparent about what has happened to him in the past. Last Week, he made an appearance at Hot97 on the Ebro in the Morning show and got candid about being shot in the past. In 2012, Conway was shot in the face and neck. Subsequently, he obtained nerve damage and became paralyzed on the right side of his face. “I had one surgery and that was just to get the bullet out of my neck,” he said. Conway also revealed he recorded at least “two albums” with the bullet still in his neck. He is a living testimony to the common phrase “WON’T HE DO IT.” Subsequently, his new album, WON’T HE DO IT, was perfectly named to describe the tribulations he has faced in life. “If it wasn’t for rap, id be dead or in jail,” he told Ebro.

Furthermore, Conway the machine has proved he is an extreme force to be reckoned with. Despite the paralyzation of his face, his lyrical ability does not obtain any level of disability. Have you heard Conway The Machine’s latest freestyle on Hot97? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.

Westside Gunn Announces New Project “NACKSAW”

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In case you have not noticed, Westside Gunn has dropped over six projects since 2020. The Griselda Records artist lineup has continued to drop hip-hop classics. Earlier this month, Westside Gunn made an appearance on his labelmate, Conway The Machine‘s single “Bricifix”. Additionally, Conway released his album Won’t He Do It on May 6th. Just under a week later, Westside Gunn announced his upcoming project NACKSAW.

On Thursday, Westside Gunn took to Instagram to announce his new project, NACKSAW. He also revealed the project is executive produced by himself, the “Fly God.” Expressing his excitement, he posted the cover art with a long caption. “This is the HARDEST, Dustiest, just RAWEST sh*t on the planet!!! I don’t promote doing any drugs BUT if you do do drugs when u play this shit make sure your on them, this is NEXT level Curation and @esteenack shows why he’s one of the illest in the game, full of charisma,full of dope selling, full of Math, full of LYNN,MA, this is my first Curation of the Year and I’m a show you exactly why I’m the Curator of ALL curators on the planet, I’ve did the unthinkable how many times at this point you just have to believe it next week IM BACK!!!! COÑOOOOOOOOO!!!!!,” he said with several emojis.

Westside Gunn Shares His Latest Creation

Moreover, fans expected a much later return from the New York rapper. Last month, he revealed the cover art for an upcoming project & Then You Pray For Me. The project is seemingly a sequel to the first Pray for Paris which was released in 2020. he also teased the release of the direct sequel Pray For Paris 2 was soon to come. Westside Gunn has continuously paid homage to his late friend, Fashion Designer, Virgil Abloh. Virgil’s design appeared on the first Pray For Paris cover.

Furthermore, fans have a plethora of music to look forward to coming from Westside Gunn. In December, he revealed his plans on retiring from the music industry. He is taking the nontraditional route of retirement by giving fans more than their wishes. NACKSAW is scheduled to release on May 19th.

Method Man Says Griselda Reminds Him Of Wu-Tang Clan

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One of the Wu-Tang Clan’s many legends, Method Man, isn’t too caught up with the current rap sphere, and those are his words. Moreover, during the 2023 Grammys, he said that he doesn’t stay too in tune with what’s going on today. However, he did take the chance to shout out GloRilla, who Mef said is in heavy rotation in his household. Still, it seems like he might have eaten those words on not keeping up in a new interview on Gold Minds with Kevin Hart. During that conversation, Hart asked him who he’s listening to these days. In his answer, the New York MC shouted out fellow spitters from the state, saying that Griselda reminds him a lot of the Wu back in the day.

“I give everybody a chance, really, you know?” Method Man began his breakdown. “I keep my horizons real broad. People that stand out for me… Of course, the Griselda movement. Those dudes remind me so much of us back in the day. This kid Rome Streetz, Shootah, Mickey Diamond. If y’all ain’t up on Mickey, man, love Mickey. But my guy, oh… what’s my guy’s name? Oh, Stove God Cooks. *whistles* And even some of the newer cats. The obvious, of course, you know, Kendrick Lamar– I love ScHoolboy Q. He one of ours, man, like, that’s Mef all day right there.”

Method Man Is Reminded Of The Good Ol’ Wu-Tang Days Through Griselda

Speaking of legends alongside the newer guard, Griselda’s own Benny The Butcher recently reflected on pivotal advice that Jay-Z gave him. “The thing about Hov, man, he is who he say he is,” he told Math Hoffa. “He and Snoop, they remind me of each other. We had a bunch of conversations. He told me things that I didn’t want to hear, he told me things that I did want to hear- just all-around game. He was basically just telling me… basically trying to keep Griselda together.”

Of course, it’s easy to see the artistic parallels between a group like Griselda and one of Wu-Tang Clan’s caliber. However, that’s not to say that they’re merely a reiteration, as they carved out a whole new lane for themselves. With new releases coming pretty often from the camp (as recently as this week), we’re sure the accolades will precede any comparisons. For more news on the Wu-Tang Clan, Griselda, and Method Man, return to HNHH.

Benny The Butcher Reveals Advice From Jay-Z

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Few artists in the hip-hop game have the experience, extracurriculars, and exceptional insight that Jay-Z boasts. While it’s far from the first time this happened, Benny The Butcher recently reflected on some key game that Hov spit during a link-up. Specifically, it had to do with Benny’s Griselda crew, the importance of brotherhood, and separating contracts from community. During a conversation on the My Expert Opinion podcast with Math Hoffa, the Buffalo MC spoke on when he signed a management deal with Roc Nation back in 2019. It’s clear that he has a lot of admiration for the Brooklyn legend, and a lot of appreciation for his wisdom.

“The thing about Hov, man, he is who he say he is,” Benny The Butcher remarked concerning Jay-Z and his indelible counsel. “He and Snoop, they remind me of each other. We had a bunch of conversations. He told me things that I didn’t want to hear, he told me things that I did want to hear- just all-around game. He was basically just telling me… basically trying to keep Griselda together.

Benny The Butcher Reveals Jay-Z’s Expert Opinion On Podcast

“Not saying that we was leaving, but he knew n***as’ contracts was up,” he continued. “And before that, me and him had a three-hour conversation. He was asking me my plans. He was like, ‘Ok, I’ma bust this move and see what we can do.’ He went back, we all kicked it. It just ain’t go that way… But just because I’m not signed to Griselda- I’m Big Griselda. And I explained that to him and he was like, ‘Man, people gonna interpret it different.’” Considering Jay-Z’s experience with Roc Nation, his perspective certainly means a lot.

Meanwhile, Benny The Butcher expressed a desire to take his relationship with Jay-Z to the next level during The Breakfast Club last year. “I’m dying for it,” he expressed. “My s**t is, I need me a Hov verse and I need that Roc-A-Fella chain. I’m auditioning for that Roc-A-Fella chain. I need my s**t.” With his next album coming soon, hopefully we see this partnership grow into something special on wax. Regardless, stick around on HNHH for the latest on these two incredible MCs and more game from the hip-hop world.

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Benny The Butcher Net Worth 2023: What Is The Rapper Worth?

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Hailing from Buffalo, New York, Benny The Butcher has quickly gained fame in the rap world, accumulating an impressive amount of wealth. With a gritty, raw sound and storytelling prowess, Benny has made a name for himself in the music industry. In this article, we’ll dive into the various factors that contributed to Benny The Butcher’s impressive net worth.

Benny The Butcher Net Worth

The rapper has an estimated net worth of $8 million as of 2023, according to CAKnowledge.

Humble Beginnings: The Start Of Benny’s Rap Career

(Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Benny The Butcher, born Jeremie Damon Pennick, started his rap career in the mid-2000s. He founded the Buffalo-based rap group, The Black Soprano Family, which laid the foundation for his career. However, once he joined forces with his cousins Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine to form the Griselda collective, Benny’s career truly took off.

Griselda’s Success: A Game-Changer For Benny

(Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/WireImage)

Griselda, a Buffalo-based hip-hop group, has been making waves in the music industry since its inception. The collective signed a distribution deal with Eminem’s Shady Records, which significantly boosted their popularity and helped Benny establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in the rap world. Albums like Tana Talk 3 and The Plugs I Met further solidified Benny’s position in the industry and contributed to his growing net worth.

Collaborations And Features: Boosting Benny’s Fame and Fortune

(Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for BET)

Throughout his career, Benny The Butcher has collaborated with some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including 50 Cent, Jadakiss, and Rick Ross. These collaborations have not only boosted Benny’s fame but have also contributed to his net worth as they’ve opened up new revenue streams for the rapper.

Merchandise And Branding: Building A Business Empire

(Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images)

Like many successful artists, Benny The Butcher has ventured into merchandise and branding to further increase his wealth. Through Black Soprano Family, Benny sells a variety of apparel and accessories, such as t-shirts, vinyl, hoodies, and hats This venture has proved to be lucrative, adding to his net worth and expanding his brand.

Record Label And Artist Management: Investing in the Future

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 04: Benny the Butcher and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter perform during Roots Picnic 2022 at Mann Center For Performing Arts on June 04, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban)

Recognizing the potential for growth in the music industry, Benny founded his record label, Black Soprano Family Records, in partnership with Entertainment One. This move has allowed him to sign and develop new talent, while also maintaining creative control over his music. As a label owner, Benny not only earns money from his own music but also from the artists he manages, further boosting his net worth.

Conclusion/TLDR

In conclusion, Benny The Butcher’s estimated $8 million net worth in 2023 is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance in the music industry. From his humble beginnings in Buffalo to his rise as a rap star and entrepreneur, Benny has undoubtedly managed to build an impressive fortune through multiple revenue streams. With his relentless work ethic and passion for his craft, there’s no doubt that Benny’s net worth will continue to grow in the coming years.

Benny The Butcher Speaks On Relationship With Griselda

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Buffalo’s biggest names in the game Benny The Butcher addressed the speculation around the relationship between him and his Griselda compatriots. Moreover, there have been rumors of friction between Benny, Conway The Machine, and Westside Gunn. Griselda has always been a “keep it in the family” type of group. In a recent interview with Math Hoffa, Benny The Butcher spoke on the status of his relationship with his older cousins and the Griselda label since the departure of Conway. Furthermore, Benny admitted that he didn’t know where there issues stemmed from.

Not only that, seeing as Conway and West are Benny The Butcher’s older cousins, he felt he wasn’t in position to get at his cousins about their issues. These rumors came to light last year after Conway revealed that he faced financial complications concerning his Griselda contract. Although Benny mentioned he knew the two were talking and having their dispute, he mentioned that’s what brothers do. He told Math Hoffa, “Remind you that these are my cousins. That ain’t the first time, it won’t be the last.” He explained the brotherly nature of the two rappers and that the two have had disputes like this before.

Benny The Butcher Get’s Real About Griselda

Overall, Benny reassured everyone that Conway and Westside Gunn always find ways to work together and iron out all the details regardless of their issues. “Trust me, it’s never nothing where n-ggas ain’t doing business, getting money, ain’t at each other’s crib. It could never be like that,” The Butcher told the outlet. Not only that Tanna Talk rapper mentioned the group was in talks of a follow up to their highly acclaimed record WWCD in 2019. However, they still need to discuss the contractual situation between the three artists since they all have separate record deals.

All in all, despite all the rumors and speculation, Griselda is standing tall and getting ready to put more music out according to Benny. Benny has reassured everyone that Conway and West are brothers who fight (as all brothers do) but ultimately work their issues out at the end of the day. Do you think Griselda is on the outs? Let the HNHH crew know what you think below!

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Westside Gunn Songs: Rapper’s Best Collabs

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Westside Gunn has accumulated a multitude of songs in his discography. The Griselda artist treats each one of his albums as a piece of art. This includes ones he released himself or others he executive produces. He has often spoken of taking pride in bringing artists together. Since he is into visual art, too, it’s only fitting he uses the term “curator” in his list of titles.

Over multiple projects, Westside has gotten features from expected and unexpected artists. Several names make multiple appearances even if years pass between them. Westside has built a reputation for himself and gained respect from multiple names in the rap world from the past and present. We’ve gathered some of the best collaborations across his continuously expanding discography.

“Gorilla Monsoon” feat. MF DOOM (2017)

This is a Westside Gunn song that needs no introduction. MF DOOM is respected, praised, and loved, and his legacy continues to shine despite his passing. Westside Gunn released a two-track pack with him, appropriately named WestsideDOOM. This is the first track in the pack, and Daringer produced it. The title comes from the wrestler of the same name. Any Westside Gunn listener knows he’s been referencing and sampling WWE/WWF his whole career. The eerie string, big loop, and dusty drums allow Westside and DOOM to deliver slower-paced flows. However, this makes their words stick, especially DOOM’s. His flow is even more calculated and delivered almost matter-of-factly. Rhymes are found at the beginning and end of several of his bars. Listeners praised Westside for crafting a verse that pairs well with DOOM’s, making this a universally celebrated track.

“Good Night” feat. Slick Rick (2020)

This Westside Gunn song has a legendary artist on it: Slick Rick. This track comes from Westside’s album, WHO MADE THE SUNSHINE. Additionally, this is Slick Rick’s second feature on the album. In this track, both Westside and Slick Rick are in their storytelling bags. Naturally, this stems from Slick Rick’s classic track “Children’s Story,” which Westside references in the final bar of his verse. The two tell vivid stories filled with imagery and a sequence of events that showcase their pen games. The fact each of their verses is part of the same story makes the track even more special. Producers Beat Butcha and Daringer provide a sparse eerie and grimy beat that enhances the mood of the stories they tell. Listeners were delighted to hear Slick Rick after all these years and they praised Westside for being able to secure a feature from him.

“Free Kutter” feat. Jay Electronica (2021)

This is one of the shorter songs in Westside Gunn’s discography. Though that doesn’t stop its impact on listeners. Jay Electronica is one of the most elusive rappers in the game. His features are rare but have become more common since he finally released his album A Written Testimony in 2020. Jay Versace is on production on this track and samples a xylophone which makes it worth listening to based on that alone. Jay Electronica’s verse not only references other rappers but also pop culture subjects like Star Wars and actors. His delivery is effortless as he drops double entendres and wordplay techniques with smoothness and ease. Listeners have zoned in on the ones that resonate with them most. They also praised Westside for securing a feature from him and how each of their verses truly gave the song a ’90s feel.

“GODS Don’t Bleed” feat. Benny The Butcher & Jadakiss (2018)

This song brings Westside Gunn and his labelmate Benny together with another New York native, Jadakiss. At just under five minutes, it is one of the longest songs on this list but it’s worth the runtime. When this was released in 2018, many hailed it as Benny’s best verse or even the best verse of the year. The way his flow complimented the eerie sample loop from producer Daringer causes listeners to not even realize his verse is around two minutes long.

Additionally, Benny’s verse shares info on his past and present in both the rap and drug games. Jadakiss’ addition is just as cold and straightforward. He even throws in a flow switch in his verse’s final moments without comprising the grime of his delivery and subject matter. Westside’s verse is last on this one which shows him prioritizing his features, something that he is known to do.

“716 Mile” feat. Boldy James (2021)

This is another Westside Gunn song where he lets the featured artist have their time to shine. Boldly’s lyrical content outshines his significantly. He weaves in biblical references and punchlines with his usual coke rap subject matter. This is a testament to his skill as a writer and also shows he either was heavily exposed to the Bible growing up or he still reads it regularly today.

This is easily one of the more unique beats on this list as well. Camoflauge Monk provides a sample loop that’s not exactly melodic but still has percussion. Additionally, the percussion is not even from drums but from what sounds like cymbals clashing. He paired these with some guitar strums and an eerie synth. The fact the two of them could rap over it shows they have mastered the art of unique beat selection and listeners can attest to this.

“Forest Lawn” feat. 2 Chainz and Armani Caesar (2021)

This Westside Gunn song has been praised for two reasons, both of which are the performances from the features. Listeners have praised 2 Chainz for several of his features across the years and cited this one as an example. Listeners also praised Armani Caesar‘s feature and saw it as solidifying her place on the Griselda label. Hers is the unique verse on the track because of a special arrangement. It has background vocalizations on it from Armani herself. Her harmonies playing while she raps is something most listeners have never heard before. Her delivery was in her aggressively confident lane, while 2 Chainz was more energetic with his flows but still impactful. Camoflauge Monk’s looped string sample gives the song a faint eerie feeling.

“Horses on Sunset” feat. Stove God Cooks (2022)

This song comes from one of the more divisive albums in Westside Gunn’s discography. Titled Peace “Fly” God, the album is ten tracks and, according to Westside himself, was made in two days. Despite listeners’ opinions on the whole project, this track stands out for almost everyone. Legendary producer Madlib provided the beat for this one, and that alone is enough for many of them to rate it so highly. His samples all sound like they came from a late-night lounge performance. This contrasts Stove God’s creatively violent hook well, whose energy stays low-key. However, Westside Gunn brings his usual high-volume flow, whose imagery contrasts the subtle mood while aligning with it in other moments. This track is another reason listeners continue to wait for the Madlib and Westside Gunn collab project, GunnLib.

“327” feat. Joey Bada$$, Tyler, The Creator & Billie Essco (2020)

This song introduced Westside Gunn to many. With features from Joey and Tyler, he brought their listeners into his world. This song comes from his album Pray for Paris, whose sequel And Then You Pray For Me releases June 23, 2023. The song’s production comes from his frequent collaborator, Camoflauge Monk. He crafted a moderately paced luxurious track for the four artists to rap over. The keys are spaced out and glisten across the subtle boom-bap drums. Billie Essco’s relaxed hook helps keep the mood calm throughout the track. Each artist brings their own flavor to the track, contrasting in subject matter, delivery, and flow. This makes the track unique because it is still cohesive. After all, one theme remains constant amongst them: luxury. 

“The Cow” feat. Conway The Machine (2016)

This is one of the best songs in Westside Gunn’s discography-and it almost wasn’t even in his. Listeners have praised this verse as the best verse in Conway’s career. The subject is centered around Conway speaking about how he was shot, which led to Bell’s Palsy, losing his cousin MachineGun Black and the things he went through after it. His album, God Don’t Make Mistakes, builds on his speaking on most of these topics. This makes sense, considering he revealed this song was supposed to be the intro track for that album. Considering all of this, many listeners did not like Westside Gunns’ verse on the song. He does not follow Conway’s path and doesn’t deliver a sentimental, heartfelt verse. However, the production delivers these emotions, which listeners rely on to keep the mood intact when listening.

What are some of your favorite Westside Gunn collaborative tracks? Let us know in the comments section.

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