Westside Gunn is no stranger to complementing great music with extraordinary art. Whether he’s making statements through his clothing or within his music, The Fly God always puts the art at the forefront. Albeit, the Buffalo native plans to retire next year, he still has one last hoorah for the fans. Currently, the Griselda co-founder is working on the follow-up to his wildly acclaimed tape Pray for Paris. Not only that, but he also revealed on Twitter that he was putting out another project called & Then U Pray For Me. Both tapes are set to drop soon. Pray for Paris 2 releasing Friday during Fashion Week and & Then U Pray For Me dropping on June 23rd.
Furthermore, in an interview, Westside Gunn attributes his artistic journey to his relationship with close friend cultural architect Virgil Abloh. The renowned designer passed away on November 28, 2021, proceeding to a private battle with cancer. “Virgil changed my life. He was the turning point for me. I’m going to be honest, and for many reasons,” Westside Gunn told AllHipHop.com. It was Virgil who invited the rapper to Paris. Gunn was hesitant to go overseas due to his history as a hustler. He thought that once he applied for a passport, his checkered past would surface, landing him in prison. “He was like, ‘Yo, come to Paris with me.’ And I was like, I don’t know about all that, man,” The Fly God explained.
Westside Gunn Announces “Pray For Paris 2”
HAPPY BDAY to a MASTERPIECE, this album changed my life forever!!!! I wanna thank the Late Great my brother @virgilabloh for everything he has done for me & continue to do for me, “& THEN U PRAY FOR ME” drops 6/23 and YES this is PRAY FOR PARIS 2 releasing Fri during FASHION WEEK pic.twitter.com/3H4R6HogUQ
Nevertheless, Virgil got Westside Gunn out to Paris and helped him get a passport. Despite only communicating via text, the two met face-to-face for the first time in the City of Light. Later, after their meeting, Abloh went on to design Gunn’s album cover for Pray for Paris using Caravaggio’s David with the Head of Goliath. Once they got to the topic of the sequel the Griselda rhymer gave a few extra details.
“What people don’t know is, quiet as it’s kept, that Virgil was so ahead of his time that he had already designed s### for two to three years ahead of time,” Gunn explained. The Fly God also noted that before the cultural icon left us, he already had collections of stuff already designed. “What people don’t know about me, and Virgil, is he already designed four album covers for me,” detailed the Buffalo native. Additionally, he said, “Pray for Paris was the first one. There’s still more that we got coming.” Westside Gunn’s Pray for Paris 2 is releasing during Fashion Week with one of Virgil’s most iconic designs. Let us know if you’re ready for some new music from The Fly God below!
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.
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.
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.
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.
The road to Conway The Machine’s major label Shady/Interscope Records debut, God Don’t Make Mistakes, was undeniably impactful and incredibly redemptive. Universally hailed by critics and fans alike, the album was also his commercial breakthrough, as God Don’t Make Mistakes rose to the top of DSP charts and was also his highest-charting Billboard project to date.
While God Don’t Make Mistakes was Conway’s de-facto origin story, it will also serve as the bridge to the next phase of his already decorated career; which begins with his next album Won’t He Do It.
After sharing the album’s first single, “Super Bowl,” which featured Sauce Walka and Juicy J, Conway The Machine releases Won’t He Do It’s second single and first visual “Quarters/Brucifix” featuring Westside Gunn. Filmed on location in Paris, the dual single features production from Khrysis on “Quarters,” (which also includes a vocal clip from the late Combat Jack—RIP) along with the Westside Gunn assisted, and Daringer produced “Brucifix.”
In addition to the release of Won’t He Do It’s second single. Conway also announced the Won’t He Do It Spring Tour featuring Sauce Walka and his fellow Drumwork artist Jae Skeese, which will touch down in 18 cities starting on 5-26 in Chicago. You can visit Conway’s digital HQ for all corresponding tour dates.
“I wanted to tap back in with my bro, Khrysis, and give em that feel that my fans know me for providing” Conway commented to Complex. I also wanted to set the tone for my new album.”
Conway The Machine’s new solo album, Won’t He Do It, will be released this spring.
“Quarters”is now available at all DSP’s via Drumwork Music Group/EMPIRE
Grammy-winning Hip-Hop legend Diamond D‘s sixth studio album The Rear Viewserves as an ode to his own legacy and resilience. The official music video for the album’s opener “Life Is What You Make It” is a reflection of the rapper/producer’s ability to enjoy the fruit of his labor over the course of an influential and storied career. Shot over the course of 72 hours between Atlanta, Portugal, and Dubai, the RemoFilm-directed video plays out over scenes of Diamond D’s travels, and just released via YouTube.
“‘Life is what you make it’ symbolizes living the best life you can live knowing that you control your own destiny. The more you grind, the more you’ll be able to do the things you enjoy and travel to the places you want to see so I wrote a song that celebrates that. Tomorrow is never promised, we have a choice…you can sit around and be content with what you have or strive for more for the betterment of yourself and your family.. Either way, life is what you make it.” – Diamond D
For Westside Gunn‘s swan song year, the “Shootouts In Soho” rapper wanted to meet his fans from various parts of the world. Unfortunately, he was forced to cancel the European tour he was set to embark on, noting that logistics for the concert “weren’t handled right.”
Gunn took to Instagram to share the unfortunate news, per HipHopDX.
“It was nothing more I wanted to do than to start seeing my supporters around the world,” he said in the caption of the since-deleted post. “It’s def still a dream and I’m gonna work on it to still make it happen but unfortunately this time things weren’t handled right and that’s too far for me to be gone and something isn’t right and I’m somewhere I’ve never been and sh*t already not right now.
Gunn also revealed that because of the cancellation, he lost a huge chunk of money.
“I haven’t even been giving deposits so don’t even think I took y’all money,” he continued. “[People] out of $40 I’m out 50,000 I spent just on plane tickets!!!”
He ended his post expressing gratitude and remaining hopeful that he will get to perform for his international fans. He also promised he is working to get the dates rescheduled and that he would “make it up to” disappointed fans.
