Westside Gunn

DJ Muggs Releases ‘Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley’ LP Feat. Ghostface, Westside Gunn, Freddie Gibbs, Boldy James, Ice Cube And More

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DJ Muggs is an undisputed legend. Over the course of his distinguished and diverse career, he has conquered music in not only multiple genres but multiple languages.  As the creator and producer of Cypress Hill, the multiple-time Grammy Award nominee has overseen the production of four platinum and three gold albums, traveled the world many times over, with Cypress Hill as headliner, a major festival regular, and performed in front of millions of fans.  Longtime Cypress Hill documentarian Estevan Oriol masterfully captured Cypress’ musical/cultural influence and legacy with his 2022 Showtime Film Insane In The Brain.

While Cypress Hill is a full-time + undertaking, Muggs also remains extremely active as a solo artist.  Not only has he produced hits for Cypress Hill, but he’s also responsible for indelible classics like House Of Pain’s “Jump Around,” and Ice Cube’s “Check Yourself,” was tapped to remix for U2, Janet Jackson and Depeche Mode and produced gems with MF Doom, Westside Gunn, GZA, Action Bronson, Conway The Machine and many, many more.

In the last few years, Muggs has been more active than ever.  Releasing collaborative projects with Mach-Hommy, Roc Marciano, Yelawolf, Rome Streetz, Jay Worthy, and most recently Champagne For Breakfast with Meyhem Lauren and Madlib.  

Yet, his Soul Assassins albums have always held a special place in the hearts of fans.  Muggs Presents: The Soul Assassins Chapter 1 (1997) was his first solo studio album and featured collaborations with Dr. Dre, B-Real, RZA, GZA, Mobb Deep, Goodie Mob, KRS-One, MC Eiht & Wyclef Jean.  He returned to form with Soul Assassins II (2000) which featured collaborations with Xzibit, Cypress Hill, GZA, Goodie Mob, Kool G Rap, Dilated Peoples, Kurupt, Ras Kass and Everlast.  The third installment in the Soul Assassins series, Intermission, was released in 2009 and proved to be aptly-titled; until now.  

Now, DJ Muggs has released the first new Soul Assassins album in 14 years with Soul Assassins 3, Death Valley, which is now available.

DJ Muggs Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley features guest appearances from Freddie Gibbs, Ghostface Killah, Westside Gunn, Ice Cube, Method Man, Boldy James, MC Ren, CeeLo Green, B-Real, Scarface, Roc Marciano, Devin The Dude, Evidence, Meyhem Lauren, Jay Worthy, Rome Streetz and Slick Rick among others.  

“You know you cannot escape death, but immortality can be attained” states DJ Muggs.  

You can now purchase, stream, add, and favorite Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley at your preferred DSP: https://sym.ffm.to/deathvalley 

Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley TRACKLISTING:

The Time Has Come

It’s On FEAT Boldy James

Check In FEAT Jay Worthy & Spanto 

Sicilian Gold FEAT Ghostface Killah & Westside Gunn

67 Keys FEAT Roc Marciano, Meyhem Lauren & Rome Streetz

Mister Cartoon Interlude

Jokers Wild FEAT CeeLo Green

Shell Casings FEAT T.F.

Street Made FEAT Freddie Gibbs & Scarface

Where We At FEAT Boldy James

We Ain’t Playin’ FEAT Devin The Dude, Jay Worthy, T.F. & 2 Eleven

Burn The Playbook FEAT Evidence & Domo Genesis

Majik

Crazy Horse FEAT Roc Marciano & Crimeapple

Metropolis FEAT Method Man & Slick Rick

We Coming For The Safe FEAT Boldy James

Skeleton Bones FEAT Rome Streetz

Dump On Em’ FEAT Ice Cube, B-Real & MC Ren

DJ Muggs Outro FEAT Estevan Oriol & Spanto

***All Songs Produced by DJ Muggs

The post DJ Muggs Releases ‘Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley’ LP Feat. Ghostface, Westside Gunn, Freddie Gibbs, Boldy James, Ice Cube And More first appeared on The Source.

The post DJ Muggs Releases ‘Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley’ LP Feat. Ghostface, Westside Gunn, Freddie Gibbs, Boldy James, Ice Cube And More appeared first on The Source.

Babyface Ray’s ‘Summer’s Mine’ Tracklist Recruits Help From Westside Gunn, Vory, And Veeze

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Babyface Ray’s grind never stops and his consistent releases are proof of that. At the end of the week, the Detroit rapper will have released his third album in two years with Summer’s Mine. The upcoming project follows Face, which was released at the top of 2022, and Mob which dropped in December. Babyface Ray kicked off the campaign for Summer’s Mine with his “All Star Team” and “Donda Bag” singles, and now we have the album’s tracklist.

Summer’s Mine checks in with 16 songs including the previously released “All Star Team” and “Donda Bag.” The project also presents features from Veeze, Los And Nutty, Vory, King Hendrick$, and Westside Gunn.

Babyface Ray’s Summer’s Mine arrives after he appeared on 03 Greedo’s Halfway There album. It also followed his Courtesy Of The Mob Tour with fellow Detroit rapper Veeze.

You can check out the full tracklist for Summer’s Mine below.

1. “Scarface”
2. “Donda Bag”
3. “Bosses Linking With Bosses” Feat. Veeze
4. “Leaving London”
5. “All Star Team”
6. “Luh Tyler Flow” Feat. Los And Nutty
7. “i75”
8. “Racks N”
9. “Skateland”
10. “Life Full Of Lies”
11. “I Can’t Rap Foreva”
12. “Dancing With The Devil pt2” Feat. Vory
13. “Big Meech Holiday” Feat. King Hendrick$
14. “Jackboys”
15. “Fly Gods” Feat. Westside Gunn
16. “My Thoughts 4”

Summer’s Mine is out 7/21 via Wavy Gang and EMPIRE. Find out more information here.

Rappers Like Benny The Butcher: Freddie Gibbs, Roc Marciano, Pusha T & More

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The rap scene has been graced with the profound lyricism and raw delivery of Benny The Butcher. A member of the music collective Griselda, Benny’s intense wordplay and gritty depictions of life in Buffalo, New York, have earned him a dedicated fanbase. But what if you’ve exhausted Benny’s discography and sought artists with a similar style? Here are some rappers that might whet your appetite for more.

Freddie Gibbs

Freddie Gibbs’s rise in the industry mirrors Benny’s journey. Both started from humble beginnings and have since crafted a niche in hardcore hip hop. Freddie, like Benny, paints vivid pictures of his life and experiences in Gary, Indiana, through his lyrics. His music is a blend of raw emotion, street knowledge, and complex narratives that fans of Benny will undoubtedly appreciate.

Roc Marciano

Roc Marciano’s minimalist production and intricate storytelling echo Benny’s work. A veteran of the New York hip hop scene, Marciano’s music is gritty, grimy, and thoroughly authentic, much like Benny’s. His dense lyricism and use of subtlety to convey profound messages will resonate with fans who appreciate Benny’s lyrical prowess.

Pusha T

When discussing drug-related and street-centric narratives in rap, one cannot overlook Pusha T. As one half of the rap duo Clipse and a solo artist, Pusha T’s lyrical dexterity and vivid storytelling mirror Benny’s gritty tales. Fans of Benny will appreciate Pusha’s intricate rhymes about his experiences and reflections on the drug trade and street life.

Conway The Machine

Sharing the spotlight with Benny in the Griselda collective, Conway The Machine’s music bears striking similarities to Benny’s. His unfiltered lyrics about the harsh realities of street life, combined with his unique flow and delivery, make Conway a must-listen for any Benny fan. The two are long collaborators and can often be heard assisting one another on songs.

Westside Gunn

Another member of the Griselda collective, Westside Gunn’s style and lyrical content align closely with Benny’s. Gunn’s distinctive high-pitched delivery and vivid descriptions of street life offer a captivating experience similar to listening to Benny.

While these artists share similarities with Benny, they each bring a unique flavor to the table. Their music provides a similar sense of gritty realism and hard-hitting lyricism that fans of Benny will undoubtedly enjoy. Furthermore, exploring their discographies opens up a wealth of music that broadens the listener’s understanding of the genre. Much like Benny’s music, these artists’ work reflects their experiences, offering listeners a deep dive into different perspectives of life on the street.

In conclusion, rap is vast and diverse, with many talented artists who echo Benny The Butcher’s style and content. Whether it’s Freddie Gibbs’ raw emotion, Roc Marciano’s subtle storytelling, Pusha T’s vivid narratives, or the unique deliveries of Conway The Machine and Westside Gunn, there’s plenty to explore and enjoy. So if you’re a fan of Benny and are looking for more, these artists are sure to quench your thirst for gritty, authentic rap music.

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Westside Gunn’s “And Then You Pray For Me”: What We Know

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Westside Gunn’s next album, And Then You Pray For Me, is slated to be released this coming Friday, June 23. He announced the album’s release date back in April on the third anniversary of his 2020 studio album, Pray For Paris. In that announcement, he referred to And Then You Pray For Me as a sequel to Pray For Paris. He paid tribute to the late Virgil Abloh in that same post, who designed the album’s cover. 

The album’s title refers to a lyric on Westside’s song, “Eric B.” where he raps, “Pray for Paris, then you pray for me.” Since Pray For Paris, Westside Gunn has not exactly slowed down in releasing music. In 2020, he also released the Flygod Is An Awesome God II project and his major label debut for Shady Records, Who Made the Sunshine. Additionally, he released the two-part Hitler Wears Hermes 8 album and, most recently, 10 at the end of last year. 

Additionally, Westside Gunn is releasing And Then You Pray For Me just in time for Paris Fashion Week. This is on-brand for him as he is heavily immersed in the fashion world. Currently, there is limited information available about the details of the album, including the artwork and tracklist. Let’s take a look at what we know about Westside Gunn’s forthcoming album.

Westside Gunn Sets The Bar High For Himself

Pray For Paris featured a stacked tracklist, including features from Joey Bada$$, Tyler, The Creator, Wale, Freddie Gibbs, and Roc Marciano. Of course, the album included Griselda family members Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher. The list of producers on the album was also quite impressive. DJ Muggs, Daringer, Beat Butcha, DJ Premier, The Alchemist, Tyler, The Creator, and more lent their talents. Upon its release, the album was critically acclaimed, and fans held it in high regard among his best albums like Flygod and Supreme Blientele. 

Westside Gunn announced the new album in the Pray For Paris anniversary post. He wrote that his upcoming release will be “a different kind of art piece.” Although he has continued to tease And Then You Pray For Me since the initial announcement, he has a tendency not to stick to album release dates. However, the fact that he consistently promotes the album is a good sign.

Westside Gunn Shared A Snippet

This month, Westside Gunn shared a snippet of an unreleased song from And Then You Pray For Me. The song features his distinctive nasal tone and plenty of adlibs, all backed by a signature Griselda boom-bap beat produced by Jr Swiftz. In the song, Westside Gunn mentions being on the top floor of a penthouse, where he’s recording the video from, and talks about his deals with Roc Nation and Shady Records. He assured fans in the caption that And Then You Pray For Me is “dropping very soon.” If this snippet reflects the sound of the new album, Westside Gunn fans are sure to be satisfied.

A Possible Hall & Nash Song

The most recent update from Westside Gunn about his new album was a post of him and his brother, Conway The Machine. He is pictured posing with Conway, who recently broke his leg. The post’s caption fuels excitement for a Hall & Nash collaboration between Westside Gunn and Conway on the new album. The two often feature each other on their albums along with Benny The Butcher, but a Hall & Nash song often sees the two trading bars back and forth, like on their 2015 collaborative mixtape titled Hall & Nash. Conway The Machine’s latest album, Won’t He Do It, featured Gunn on the song “Brucifix.” Gunn also wrote in his caption that And Then You Pray For Me will continue Griselda’s dominance.

And Then You Pray For Me: One Of Many Announced Albums

Griselda often churns out multiple albums in a single year between all three members and the artists on their label. Last year, Westside Gunn announced many other upcoming projects that remain unreleased. These include the Michelle Records compilation, which he promoted throughout last year, along with Flygod is an Awesome God 3.

He had also been teasing multiple collaborative albums, including WWCD 2 with Griselda, the Madlib-produced Gunnlib project, a full-length sequel to Hall & Nash, and a Griselda album by Just Blaze. Although many of these previously announced albums most likely won’t see the light of day, the imminent release of Westside Gunn’s next album is exciting for fans. Hopefully, And Then You Pray For Me lives up to expectations as a sequel to Pray For Paris.

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Westside Gunn’s “Supreme Blientele” Turns 5

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This year marks the 5th anniversary of Westside Gunn’s second studio album, Supreme Blientele. The album was released on June 22, 2018, via Griselda Records and EMPIRE Distribution. Named after Ghostface Killah’s classic Supreme Clientele album, Westside’s album also received vinyl releases under two other titles: Chris Benoit and God is the Greatest. The alternative titles alluded to Westside’s affinity for wrestling and his Muslim faith. 

Supreme Blientele was the official follow-up to Westside Gunn’s groundbreaking debut album, 2016’s Flygod, despite releasing multiple projects since. Flygod has its cult following, gaining Westside and the Griselda Records label a loyal fanbase that propelled the group to the top. They quickly became one of hip hop’s hardest-working collectives. Westside Gunn had continued to build the Griselda brand, teaming up with Eminem’s Shady Records and starting to play major festivals. Supreme Blientele was the culmination of the growing success of Griselda, showcasing the group’s talent and Westside’s knack for curation. It is widely ranked high among the expansive Griselda catalog by diehard fans. We’re looking back at Westside Gunn’s Supreme Blientele for its 5th anniversary.

An All-Star Tracklist

Since the release of Flygod, Westside Gunn did not hold back from releasing music and merch to help build the Griselda brand and fanbase. He released a compilation mixtape, an EP, and multiple installments of his Hitler Wears Hermes series. All of his releases helped build a name for Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher, who had only just become a part of the label not long before Supreme Blientele. Before mixtapes had become almost obsolete, there was a clear difference between Westside Gunn’s mixtapes and his albums. The mixtapes were often mastered in a lo-fi quality, consisting of dusty Daringer loops, songs without hooks, and features from the Griselda inner circle. Flygod on the other hand, had a central theme, included a variety of producers, and features from Griselda members and well-known artists alike.

Supreme Blientele followed the standard set by Flygod, featuring an all-star tracklist of talented artists and producers. Daringer, Pete Rock, The Alchemist, Sadhu Gold, Harry Fraud, and 9th Wonder contributed beats to the album. Supreme Blientele contained features from Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, Crimeapple, Elzhi, and Roc Marciano. Anderson .Paak’s feature on “Wrestlemania 20” was a one-of-a-kind moment for Griselda, making for a show-stopping soulful rap closer. It is not a Westside Gunn album without a killer verse from Conway The Machine or a poem from Keisha Plum. Benny The Butcher’s three guest features built him an even greater buzz than his “Shower Shoe Lords” verse did two years prior. Supreme Blientele is also a quintessentially Westside Gunn album, as it puts his passion for wrestling on full display.

A Rap & Wrestling Fan’s Dream Album

Westside Gunn was not the first rapper to embrace wrestling, but he made it a part of his brand. Supreme Blientele was also not the first time Westside incorporated wrestling into his music, naming many of his biggest songs after wrestlers. Previously, he had made wrestling-inspired songs such as “Dudley Boyz,” “Bob Backlund,” “Summerslam ‘88,” and “RIP Bobby.” Additionally, his duo name with Conway is Hall & Nash, named after the wrestlers Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. 

Out of all of Westside Gunn’s albums, Supreme Blientele is the one most closely associated with wrestling, including many of the songs named after wrestlers, skits from wrestling matches, and the album’s Chris Benoit alternative title. Supreme Blientele makes multiple references to wrestling, with tracks like “Elizabeth,” “Mean Gene,” “Sabu,” “Ric Martel,” and “Brossface Brippler.” There is also an album highlight “The Steiners,” which sees Elzhi and Westside Gunn spitting over a Pete Rock beat. With many quality songs and collaborations that allude to wrestling, the album was made for rap and wrestling fans alike.

The Album That Launched Griselda Into Mainstream Success

By 2018, Griselda had already built a cult following and put Buffalo on the map. They had collaborated with notable names, played sold-out shows, and signed a major label contract with Shady Records. Supreme Blientele was released independently, but the album still gave Westside Gunn and Griselda mainstream recognition. The album’s features and the group’s cosigns helped immensely. The guest verses from Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher also created avenues for their solo careers, especially the latter, who would drop his debut album, Tana Talk 3, later that year. 

Because of Supreme Blientele, 2018 was one of Griselda’s most prolific years and led to their takeovers of 2019 and 2020, where each member released multiple critically acclaimed projects. Supreme Blientele was the ultimate album for Griselda’s core fanbase, meeting the standards set by Flygod. It combined all of the unique elements of Westside Gunn’s style for a worthy follow-up and highlighted what made him unique, setting him and Griselda Records apart from the rest.

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Westside Gunn Argues With Producer On Twitter

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Westside Gunn found himself engaged in a Twitter dispute with a producer over a payment disagreement. The exchange started with a tweet from Ewonee, a beatmaker. He inquired about where to send his invoice for a song by Griselda artist Estee Nack. The beatmaker’s tweet came in response to a post claiming that Westside Gunn pays his producers well. Gunn took offense to Ewonee’s tweet. The rapper accused him of burning bridges by publicly calling him out and saying that Estee Nack had given the impression that the beat had been cleared.

Furthermore, Gunn expressed his disappointment. He went on to highlight his support for artists and emphasize the importance of communication. He mentioned his preference for working only with his team. This is due to what he perceived as a lack of vision and disrespect from others. Gunn concluded by stating that he would no longer accept beats unless he personally reached out to the producers. That is an unfortunate development for other beatmakers who may have wished to work with Westside Gunn.

Westside Gunn Had Time Today

Unfortunately for both Westside Gunn and Ewonee, that was not the end of the discussion. Ewonee responded to Gunn’s tweet. He stated that he was unaware his beat was used on Estee Nack’s album and that he didn’t receive credit. Gunn then assured him that he would remove the song from the project. He further advised him to privately address any future complaints about his work. In a separate tweet, Ewonee emphasized the need to recognize those who speak up and revealed that this was not the first time he had experienced issues regarding credit.

Gunn later reflected on the situation, expressing his frustration at always being portrayed as the “bad guy” despite his efforts to take care of his family, spread art and love, and positively influence others. He saw the backlash as a consequence of his success and acknowledged reaching a new level in his career, expressing gratitude to God. The Twitter spat highlighted a payment dispute between Westside Gunn and a producer, but it is hardly an isolated incident. Many producers complain of the same treatment. However, it does bring up the question of professionalism. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

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Westside Gunn Pays Funeral Costs For Beloved Buffalo Native, “Claire”

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A beloved Buffalo woman named Claire, who tragically lost her life in a car chase and crash on May 25, has received a heartfelt gesture of support from rapper Westside Gunn. The Griselda rapper has paid over $10,000 towards her funeral expenses. This act of kindness honors Claire’s memory and highlights the rapper’s dedication to […]

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

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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.