Instant Classic
Westside Gunn
Supreme Blientele
In many ways, rapper Westside Gunn and his Griselda roster are the most consistent team in modern (true school) hip-hop. Everything they release is quality, so saying that Westside Gunn’s newest release stands among his best should be a sign that it’s something special. Officially titled Supreme Blientele — but also sporting the names Chris Benoit and GOD is the Greatest — the 18-song offering is a cohesive masterpiece. With a soundscape crafted by usual suspects like Alchemist, Roc Marciano, and of course Deringer, as well as pleasant surprises like the iconic Pete Rock and 9th Wonder, the album is 1995 New York City, black Champion hoodie and Timberland boots in the winter vibes, mashed up with the aura and sensibility of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Devoid of skippable fluff, it’s a cinematic ride that traverses some of his team’s trademark elements, like drumless soul loops and collaborations with Benny and Conway. However, some of the other guest features provide some of the album’s more magnetic moments — such as Jadakiss’s bars on “GODS Don’t Bleed,” a solid (cocaine-centric) 16 bars by Busta Rhymes on “Brossface Brippler” and Detroit native Elzhi on “The Steiners.” Possibly the most refreshing moment is Anderson .Paak on the undeniable bop of the 9th Wonder-produced “Wrestlemania 20.” Westside Gunn’s storytelling game is on point, and with his unique cadence, he provides yet another piece of hip-hop artwork, with a cover that makes the LP feels like limited edition fine art. If this LP isn’t better than Flygod, it’s undeniably on par. Next stop, his major label debut. (Griselda)
Do you consider this project a classic?
If this would’ve come out back in the day, it would have got that praise that Only Built 4 Cuban Linx received. It’s going to get overlooked because it was made in 2018. Maybe ten years from now, it will get that recognition.
Can fans expect a different experience on Shady?
Conway’s [Shady] LP is 95 percent done — I just need to add my sprinkles. It’s more songs instead of him just dumping, dumping, dumping. Me personally, I haven’t begun recording my project yet, but I’m going to tell you like this: My debut will be like [ Supreme Blientele], just on steroids. I’m going to keep getting better.