Griselda

Westside Gunn Says Eminem, JAY-Z, & Kanye West Showed Him How “Ill” He Is

by

Westside Gunn says that connecting with Eminem, JAY-Z, and Kanye West made him realize how “ill” he is. He spoke on his relationship with the hip-hop legends during an interview on SiriusXM‘s Hip Hop Nation radio show with Torae.

At one point in the conversation, Torae mentioned Westside connecting with the likes of Eminem, JAY-Z, and Kanye West and asked what he’s taken away from their meetings. “Not to sound cr*zy — I learned how ill I am,” Westside responded. “You heard the names that you just named. They don’t get no bigger.

Read More: Westside Gunn’s Griselda & Eminem’s Shady Records: A Complete History

Westside Gunn Attends “And Then You Pray For Me” Release Party

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 11: Westside Gunn attends the “And Then You Pray For Me” Album. Release on October 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

He went on to reveal that JAY-Z was the inspiration for his song, “Steve & Jony.” “And these is guys that’s my friends, my family,” he said. “I could call them and ask them for anything. […] So, that’s how you have Virgil [Abloh] on the cover [of Gunn’s albums Pray for Paris and And Then You Pray for Me]. The ‘Steve & Jony’ record that’s on the album? That idea came from Hov. […] He called me and him that. […] We was just talking about this album, and he was like, ‘Yo, you should name one of them songs that.’” Check out Westside Gunn’s full comments below.

Westside Gunn Discusses Inspiration From Hip-Hop Legends

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Torae (@torae)

The interview comes on the heels of the announcement that Westside will be teaming up with Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher for a sequel to their 2019 release What Would Chine Gun Do (WWCD). Appearing on The Complex Sneakers Show on Friday, he teased: “’24 is gonna be probably one of the biggest years for Griselda. For the last couple years, Conway been doing his thing and he has a label, Drum Work, that he’s pushing, he’s the boss of; and Benny has BSF and he’s the the boss of his label. But we are family. There’s nothing stronger than us three together. We gotta come together and give people What Would Chine Gun Do 2 — we have to for the culture.”

Read More: Kanye West, Havoc, Westside Gunn, & More Pose In Wyoming

[Via]

The post Westside Gunn Says Eminem, JAY-Z, & Kanye West Showed Him How “Ill” He Is appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Westside Gunn Remains Unfazed By Album Criticism

by

Westside Gunn just dropped of a new album last Friday, And Then You Pray For Me, and it’s been met with a positive response! However, Gunn says that his latest project was met with a lot of hate. Something that he said he’s experiencing for the first time in his career. In an IG video, he reposted a clip from the Joe Budden Podcast where co-host Ice was praising the album. “On the first listen, this is top 3 rap album this year for me,” Ice proudly said. “This album is crazy. It sounds like he made an album for me… I’m like, wait, this is an Ice album!” However, Gunn took to IG to comment and address the haters.

“Everybody won’t get it and that’s fine, bc the same ppl that I THOUGHT knew me and what I stood for is the main ones leaving hate comments,” he wrote. “I’ve experienced for the first time in my career where it’s literally bots that was sent to put negative attn on my album in the comments. And I still smile with every VVS Diamond tooth in my mouth showing bc whether u get it or not I’m still the [goat emoji] AND I FORGIVE YOU [goat emoji].” Westside Gunn’s decision to share this positive feedback on his social media platform was a testament to his confidence in his work. By sharing the endorsement from Ice, he aimed to highlight that his music had resonated deeply with a prominent figure in the hip-hop community. This gesture was a strategic move to counterbalance any negative feedback that might have surfaced.

Read More: Westside Gunn Reveals “AND THEN YOU PRAY FOR ME” Will Be His Last Album

Westside Gunn Shares Feedback From “Joe Budden Podcast”

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by FLYGOD (@westsidegunn)

As an artist and label head, Westside Gunn’s poise in the face of criticism demonstrates his commitment to his craft. And the ability to handle both praise and critique with grace. By amplifying positive reviews, he emphasizes that his artistry speaks to the hearts of fans and critics alike. Some people in the comments did have different opinions. “cant be mad that core fans prefer the old sound. doesn’t mean you’re obligated to make it anymore but they’re not obligated to like the new shit either,” one person wrote. “The album is a definite grower. What I love is how you’re not afraid to try something new. Some of the songs are absolutely insane,” another person said.

In the competitive realm of hip-hop, where opinions and judgments are abundant, Westside Gunn’s approach serves as a reminder that artists have the agency to define their narrative and validate their artistic vision through strategic communication and promotion. Furthermore, in the comment section of that post, people had nothing but praise for And Then You Pray For Me. “They’ll get it in a year or 2 no worries,” someone commented. Let us know your thoughts on this project!

Read More: Offset & Westside Gunn Bring Heavy Hitters To Our New “Fire Emoji” Playlist Update

The post Westside Gunn Remains Unfazed By Album Criticism appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Benny The Butcher Discusses What Big Daddy Kane Cosign Means To Him

by

A few weeks ago during an interview on Drink Champs, Big Daddy Kane talked about some of his favorite rappers out right now. “J. Cole is my favorite MC of this era. Shoutout to Conway The Machine — I love him to death — Benny The Butcher,” the rap legend said. He’s not alone either as all three artists have received their fair share of critical acclaim. Now Benny himself dropped by the Dope As Usual podcast himself to express how the cosign made him feel.

“I’m still humble. I didn’t even know Kane knew who the f*ck I was, y’feel what I’m sayin? So it’s like, when he was doing his sh*t, he was considered that guy, so it’s like he’s comparing me to those guys — Conway is that guy for sure, J. Cole is definitely that guy, y’know what I’m sayin?,” Benny The Butcher responded. The cosign didn’t just serve as praise for Benny, it also let him know he really is one of the best. “To be compared with those guys — that let me know I’m a top lyricist when it comes from guys who were top lyricists,” he concluded.

Read More: Benny The Butcher Confuses Fans With Tweets About Buying A Farm

Benny The Butcher Knows He’s One Of The Top Lyricists

Benny The Butcher and J. Cole have actually crossed paths before. The two collaborated on the song “Johnny P’s Caddy” from Benny’s 2022 album Tana Talk 4. Earlier this year the song was certified gold and Benny celebrated by showing off his gold plaque in an Instagram post.

Benny The Butcher was supposed to release his new album back in August. It was delayed past its original release date but Benny has continued teasing particular tracks regardless. One song fans can’t wait to hear is a crossover between Benny and Lil Wayne that’s expected to appear on the album. What do you think of Benny The Butcher’s response to his cosign from Big Daddy Kane? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: 38 Spesh Recruits Benny The Butcher And Conway The Machine For “Goodfellas”

[Via]

The post Benny The Butcher Discusses What Big Daddy Kane Cosign Means To Him appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Doja Cat Reveals “Balut” Is About Twitter Stans, Griselda Collab Demands Continue

by

Earlier this week, Doja Cat dropped off another new single, “Balut.” The release comes ahead of her new LP Scarlet, which is slated for release on September 22. Fans are loving her latest track, and are making their opinions known on social media. They were quick to compare it to the likes of Griselda, the indie label out of Buffalo founded by Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine in 2012. The laid-back, atmospheric track is serving mafia realness, reminiscent of some of the label’s OGs. So much so, in fact, that listeners are now calling for a collab.

“@DojaCat on a Griselda project would be tough highkey,” one Twitter user writes. Another says, “I honestly wouldn’t mind hearing Griselda hop on an official remix of some kind for ‘Balut,’ I think that’d be pretty cool.” One fan even claims that Westside Gunn would fit perfectly on “Attention,” noting that the pair-up would be “hilarious.”

Read More: Doja Cat Shatters Spotify Record With This New Achievement

Fans Think Doja Cat Should Join Griselda After Hearing “Balut”

Though some see the idea of a Griselda x Doja collab as far-fetched, it may not be completely off the table. Earlier in the summer, Westside Gunn took to Twitter to shoot his shot at the hitmaker. “I’m not gonna hold u I wanna steal @DojaCat from that weird looking gamer dude they be saying racist [crying face emoji],” the rapper wrote. “And take her to the hood so she can wear all that krazy Sh*t.”

Amid the success of her new single, Doja Cat also hopped on her Instagram Story, giving fans some insight on why she chose its title. “[I]t signifies a bird being eaten alive,” she wrote. “It’s a metaphor for twitter stans and the death of twitter toxicity. The beginning of ‘X’ and the end of ‘tweets.’” What do you think of Doja Cat’s new song? Do you think she should join Griselda? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on Doja Cat.

Read More: Doja Cat Channels Her Inner Griselda On New Single “Balut”

[Via][Via]

The post Doja Cat Reveals “Balut” Is About Twitter Stans, Griselda Collab Demands Continue appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Westside Gunn’s ‘RIP Claire’ Tweet For The Woman From Griselda’s ‘WWCD’ Cover Caused Confusion On Twitter

by
Westside Gunn
Getty Image

The Buffalo woman featured on the cover of Griselda’s album WWCD has died, prompting an outbreak of #RIPClaire tweets that have caused confusion among users. According to Syracuse.com, Westside Gunn offered a heartfelt salute to Claire Melendez, aka “Claire Mel,” on Twitter, calling the well-known homeless hometown figure “My fav Buffalo kid. You’ll be Loved Forever.” Such was the group’s appreciation for the woman, they even named their 2022 tour after her.

He included the hashtag #RIPClaire, which was picked up by Griselda fans and trended on Twitter, prompting some users to express their confusion.

One Cosby Show fan seemed to think that the tweets were referring to Phylicia Rashad, who played the family’s matriarch, Claire Huxtable.

Others appeared to believe that the tweets might refer to actress Claire Danes, who as of this writing appears to be fine.

Tragically, still others associated the tweets with a 95-year-old Australian woman, Clare Nowland, who was tased to death by police.

However, Buffalo residents who knew the actual Melendez have been sharing some of their favorite memories, calling her “a Buffalo icon.” “Will never forget when all 4 wheels got stolen off of my car and I had to take the bus to work, Claire finessed 5 dollars out of me while I was waiting for the bus over on Elmwood then she cussed me out after I gave it to her,” remembered one Buffalo native.

As for Westside Gunn and the rest of his Griselda compatriots, they continue to truck along despite a few setbacks, although Gunn does have plans to retire at the end of 2023.