It’s the eve earlier than Westside Gunn’s remaining album, And Then You Pray For Me, and the Griselda commander is half-hour late to the Billboard places of work — courtesy of yours really giving him the improper deal with. However the self-proclaimed FlyGod seems superb: There isn’t a barrage of insults darted my manner nor any canceled interviews for my late-game incompetence. As an alternative, Westside, sporting a messy bedhair look, is available in peace and dapping everybody within the room earlier than taking his seat. Bemused by his entrance, I shortly apologize, however he shrugs off the miscommunication and will get snug.
Westside and his cohorts partied the earlier evening away at New York’s Metropolis Gold Bar, celebrating the forthcoming launch of his swan-song LP. The intimate session ran till the wee hours of the morning, leading to Gunn’s upside-down look as he strolls into the workplace in the identical outfit he wore that evening. The FlyGod continues to be in uncommon kind, as his total $15,000 ensemble stays in pristine situation, regardless of the debauchery from the evening earlier than.
“I noticed that every part in life that I want in life, I’ve,” says Gunn on reaching the next degree of peace. “I don’t gotta go as scorching as I used to. I’d’ve got here in right here with seven chains on like a 12 months in the past. You wouldn’t even see my neck a 12 months in the past. [Now] I obtained on one joint. I’m chilling.”
That newly acquired degree of peace and confidence arrived at a value, when Westside Gunn misplaced his shut buddy, the visionary creator and designer Virgil Abloh, to most cancers in 2021. Abloh performed an instrumental function in Gunn’s 2020 masterwork Pray 4 Paris, as he invited the Buffalo staple to Style Week within the French capital and supplied much-needed inspiration for his lauded effort. From designing the album’s cowl artwork to having the rapper sit in on his Louis Vuitton Style Present, Abloh rejuvenated Gunn’s artistic juices and sparked his magnum opus. Regardless of their musical union being curtailed by Abloh’s premature demise, Gunn returned to Paris earlier than recording his newest effort. The journey was value it, as Gunn carved out an indelible sequel set, glazed with luxurious boss raps, smooth boom-bap manufacturing, and a parting present from his fallen buddy — the album’s cowl artwork.
“I don’t wish to be corny and preserve all the time having to make use of the Virgil narrative,” relays Gunn. “I need bro to get his shine on this, as a result of he was the inspiration. He did the quilt. He was the inspiration from the primary one which carried on to the second. The entire Pray For Paris collection, that’s Virgil. He wasn’t right here within the bodily, however undoubtedly within the non secular.”
The rewards for Gunn are shining by means of this time round, as he topped Billboard‘s Rising Artists chart final week. He additionally netted a career-best displaying on the Billboard 200 with And Then‘s No. 29 debut, powered by 20,000 equal album items earned within the set’s opening week, in accordance with Luminate. It additionally landed at No. 7 on Prime Rap Albums and No. 8 on Prime R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Billboard spoke to Westside Gunn about his newest album And Then You Pray for Me, returning again to Paris for inspiration, his affect on at this time’s hip-hop and extra.
You’ve technically dubbed this your remaining album — however you’re nonetheless gonna be placing out music?
Right. I don’t see myself doing 15-20 track initiatives anymore. It’s no want for that. I did that s–t for thus lengthy. It’s like, what for? Now it’s cooking. If I’m going to the studio and make two songs at this time, drop that s–t tomorrow, it’s like, “What am I ready for?” I’m simply gonna flood s–t and do what I do. There’s gonna be lots of people enjoying catch-up.
That’s how I constructed Griselda within the first place — attacking. I simply really feel like I wish to take it again to that. Simply sitting there and making an attempt to format it like an entire album, as a result of I do all of the curation — I really feel like I don’t have to do this anymore. My catalog is already what it’s. If I wish to stroll away on some Barry Sanders s–t, I may stroll away nonetheless wanting good. Not injured. I may stay my life. I may very well be on some retire after a win a championship sort s–t or one in all them n—-s after they swap the jersey with Shaq on the Celtics like, “Why is Shaq on the Celtics wanting outdated and s–t?” Like nah, let me depart whereas I’m on prime. Even after I’m saying this, it’s no extra strain. I did every part I needed to do. Now it’s do after I wish to.
Was there strain doing this album after being in Paris with Virgil in 2020 after which having to seek out that goal once more whereas going again to Paris however with out him this time?
I used to be nonetheless going to the Style Week, however it was no Virgil. However it was one thing concerning the vitality after I went this time. Once I went in January, it felt like the primary time. That’s how you have got, principally, half two. It was the identical precise vitality. Despite the fact that Virgil wasn’t right here bodily, he was undoubtedly there spiritually. That is Virgil. He’s right here, belief me. The entire album was performed abroad. I went from that vibe — I actually went to Paris Style Week and didn’t depart Europe. I simply stayed.
I’d come again and do what I obtained to do. I’d see my youngsters, see my infants. Quickly as summer time trip began, [my daughter’s] ass was in Paris two days later. Now I’ma convey my household out right here. Now I’ma present y’all every part I already skilled. Now I obtained my locations in Athens, I obtained my locations in London, I obtained my locations in Paris, I obtained my locations in Germany. Now I can take them.
Discuss concerning the recording and writing expertise in Paris and London. Is it a heightened expertise for you versus stateside?
Nah, I wouldn’t say that. I been doing the s–t so lengthy. It’s simply vitality. It don’t matter the place I’m at. The vitality actually don’t change like that as a result of I’m nonetheless me. Once I’m in Europe, it’s numerous five-star s–t. It’s Westside Gunn on his bougie s–t. I’m rubbing elbows. They love me.
I heard they don’t love n—as in Paris.
They hate n—as however they love me. Once I pull up and I obtained on all my s–t, I ain’t gonna say I’m a Suge Knight sort, however I’m a Suge Knight sort. I’m an Eastside Buffalo n—a. You gonna have to actually clarify your self, telling me, “No.” I gotta settle for that no.
I learn you have been in Egypt, and had a reflective second seeing individuals struggling on the market. How have these experiences reshaped your view of life?
I do know I’m simply super-blessed, bro. I used to be simply speaking about being in Egypt, or locations like La 42 within the Dominican Republic. It’s locations like that the place it’s identical to, “D–n.” ‘Trigger each occasions I used to be stunned. I used to be shocked. The primary time I went to the DR, I’m considering resort-type of s–t. We ‘bout to have enjoyable. I’m considering BBLs. We gonna get a blowout. I’m going over there on the identical sort of time. Then, the place we shot the movies — man, shout-out to the homies in La 42 — they held it down. It was simply uncooked, tough, dirty and s–t.
I’m simply grateful. I’m planning to return in December and provides again to the group. I simply felt I may’ve did extra then, however I simply wasn’t ready. The very last thing I wish to do is go to any individual’s hood and stunt on them. That wasn’t my goal to go on the market wanting like that and have youngsters coming round, “I haven’t ate in two days.” I wasn’t on that. I didn’t suppose like that. I noticed that every part in life that I want in life, I’ve. Proper now, it’s simply bonus. I don’t gotta go as scorching as I used to. I’d’ve got here in right here with seven chains on like a 12 months in the past. You wouldn’t even see my neck a 12 months in the past. I obtained on one joint I’m chilling.
Three years in the past for Paris Style Week, you have been round Virgil, Pop Smoke and TakeOff. While you went again, realizing all of them handed, did that hit you at any level whereas there?
Hell yeah, as a result of life is brief. You by no means know. Pop Smoke was one of many greatest artists when he handed. He was on the rise to being … who is aware of what Pop Smoke would’ve been proper now. We’d have nonetheless been rocking, for certain. It wasn’t on him, it was in him. Some individuals are simply completely different. Pop was a special form of man. Once I met Pop, I didn’t even know he was like 20. He was a child. When he met me, you understand Brooklyn, man, he seen me with all me s–t on. He wanting like, “Godd–n.” He didn’t even perceive the s–t was that heavy. This the actual s–t. Like, what the f–ok you bought occurring?
Takeoff was a fly particular person. One of many flyest. You would inform he was the man within the staff being low-key and swaggy. I’m a low-key, swaggy sort of man. I pop my s–t too, however I’m a low-key dude. I can come out doing press, but when I’m not doing this, I’m low-key. You don’t hear an excessive amount of about me. I’ma lay-low dude. I obtained too many obligations to be throwing myself on the market. I don’t take nothing as a right. I cherish all these moments. You don’t know if that’s gonna be your final Style Week. I don’t know if that is gonna be my final album, so I’ma deal with it like my final album. I’m on that sort of time.
Life completely different as you get older. You notice various things that don’t make sense. Despite the fact that I’m somewhat older … I don’t wanna say I used to be doing younger n—a s–t, however it’s like, “Why have 10 automobiles, bro?” That’s the kind of s–t I’m considering now. “You bought 10 automobiles, bro. You bought eight chains in your neck. Why the f–ok do you gotta have eight chains on you neck?” It don’t even impress me no extra. I’m simply on a special sort of time. I don’t gotta have on seven chains. However this outfit $15,000.
any individual who embodies a humble flex, Submit Malone. Submit did an interview with Esquire saying y’all did some music collectively.
I’ll let Submit deal with all that speaking. I ain’t ’bout to speak an excessive amount of, man. Me and Posty about to f–ok s–t up.
What would Submit Malone and Westside Gunn track sound like? What’s the studio vibe being round one another?
These be the very best variety. These be those that’s actually tapped in. They obtained their hearts into it. You may inform it’s real and pure, man. Lots of people don’t wish to hand over the flowers as a result of they so nervous about getting it themselves. I like individuals like Submit who’re gonna hand over the flowers. I like individuals like [Tyler, The Creator] who’re gonna hand over the flowers.
I don’t like those who act like they’ll’t give flowers. That s–t bothers me. Everyone get impressed by any individual. All of that you just the illest n—a on the planet s–t. I believe I’m the illest n—a on the planet and I nonetheless give all people flowers. When Dolph was dwelling, Younger Dolph my favourite. I obtained a portray of Dolph. I obtained work of Migos in my home that I had earlier than that Style Week. I’m tapped into the tradition for actual. Everyone can go and be like, “Westside been supporting.” I be hitting the younger boys. I’d hit up little homies like CEO Trayle like, “I’m f–king along with your s–t. Preserve s–tting on these n—as. Nudy, preserve s–tting on these n—as.”
From Tyler to Kanye to Submit, not lots of people may have so many alternative demographics rock with them. Why do you suppose they gravitate in direction of you?
I’m the illest n—a, for actual. I promise you. I obtained the illest resume of all-time. When it’s all set and performed, shut the books. I don’t care, identify a rapper. Whether or not it’s the most important names on the planet from the Kendricks to the Hovs to the Nases, I nonetheless have the illest resume. Proper now, you may in all probability identify them doing initiatives or songs with 5 or 10 individuals, I’m gonna identify like 50. My checklist too impeccable. To take a seat right here and be like, “I obtained songs with DMX…” I’m an Eastside Buffalo n—a. I ought to get like 10 bonus factors for that. Sean Value, Prodigy, MF DOOM, relaxation in peace to all of them. I obtained songs with all 4 of them.
That’s simply the people who handed. You need take it again to those that impressed the type, I obtained songs with Kool G Rap. I obtained songs with Slick Rick. The fly n—as of that period. Then you definately transfer after that to Wu-Tang, The LOX, Mary J. Blige. It may very well be a Free Nationals album, I’m nominated for a Grammy with Free Nationals and nominated for a Grammy with Royce [Da 5’9]. I did songs with Black Star. Killer Mike too. From the A$APs to the Tylers, all people praises the illest.
One in every of my favourite joints on the brand new album is “Babylon Bis” with Range God Cooks. You had a line on there the place you mentioned, “I don’t know why everybody wish to hate on West.” The place do you are feeling that vitality comes from?
The pretend followers. Not the actual ones. I’m speaking concerning the greater you get, the extra trolls you get. Hating as a result of they don’t perceive it. I hate a n—a who hate as a result of he don’t perceive. N—a you don’t perceive it, you don’t perceive it. That’s why I by no means consider when the older heads s–t on the youthful heads. N—a you 45, you not 17, so preserve your mouth shut. If something, give them n—as props and inform them to do their factor. Give them your blessings and allow them to stay their life to allow them to handle their household and stay how they should stay.
10 occasions out of 10, it’s a washed-up n—a that was popping. Now you hating on a younger n—a that’s getting a brand new bag. You not within the golf equipment, partying, so that you not gonna perceive it. How may you perceive what these younger boys are doing? You ain’t gang-banging and drilling. It’s a special language. However that’s the identical factor with me. I’m speaking so fly, that if you happen to don’t know what I’m speaking about, this s–t gonna go thus far over your head and also you suppose I’m trash, since you don’t perceive the language. You may’t simply obtained to Japan and begin speaking French. N—-s gon’ take a look at you such as you silly. They don’t get it.
That’s the identical factor with me. I’m speaking jail slang. In the event you haven’t been to jail, you not gonna know what I’m speaking about. It is likely to be some gang lingo or a road identify. In the event you haven’t been to Buffalo, the way you gonna know what I’m speaking about? I do know what I’m speaking about on this subsequent degree. I may inform you who, what, when, the place, why in my language. However if you happen to don’t know my language it’s simply gibberish. The n—as that talk my language are like, “This n—a’s a God.”
On “DR. BIRDS,” did you count on, “Inform Virgil write ‘Brick’ on my brick” to be this transcendent all these years later?
Yeah, I all the time do s–t like that. I knew it after I did it. N—as gon’ say this s–t perpetually. After we did that WWCD album, I used to be simply in there with Daringer. N—as was simply cooking beats. We made that entire album in like two periods. That album didn’t take longer than 72 hours to make for certain. I don’t even actually suppose it was a full 48. Each final beat and track was cooked in 48 hours. No samples. All was cooked. Daringer and Beat Butcha made every part from scratch.
WWCD — 5 years from now, they gon’ return to that outdated Griselda s–t like, “We slept on that.” Like my album I did with Shady, Who Made the Sunshine, I assure 5 years from now n—as will return to it. All my s–t age like fine-wine. You play Pray For Paris proper now, you be like, “Yo.” You play [Hitler Wears Hermes 8] Facet A/Facet B like, “Yo this n—a did a joint with Wayne, did a joint wit 2 Chainz.” It’s like we in actual time, so that they don’t wish to give me the roses now — however 5 years from now, they gonna be I’m the illest n—a of all-time. As a result of all people else gonna begin fizzling away. I’m telling you this gon’ occur. Everyone gonna return to dropping that one album each three years. I’ll be proper there providing you with the illest s–t you ever heard, making my strikes and n—as can’t sustain.
Let’s speaking wrestling shortly. Are you extra Razor Ramon or Scott Corridor?
Razor Ramon for certain. That was a tricky one. I imply I don’t even wish to say that as a result of I’m each, man. That’s me in actual life. You bought West, all people name me West for 20 years. Then you definately obtained SuperFly Man. Them n—as the identical individual. SuperFly Man would possibly simply be somewhat bit extra bougier. I say each them n—as. Razor Ramon with the chains with the Scarface persona like Tony Montana. Particularly at the moment, no one had ever did [that] with the toothpick and the ignorant s–t. Whoop on you and throw you out the best way. The unhealthy man. That was the unhealthy man. When he was on his nWo s–t, that’s probably the most legendary s–t of all-time. How are you going to actually prime that?
Nah, I respect all of the outdated fly s–t. Then, n—a, Scott Corridor in nWo? That n—a was the illest. That’s my favourite wrestler of all-time. That don’t take from the opposite n—a with the chains and the toothpick. I’m actually each. It’s like me in actual life.
You began a wrestling promotion. Now that you just’re not naming albums full-time, are you gonna commit extra time to that?
For certain. That’s why I additionally did this album like this. So I may take the strain off me feeling like I needed to make an album. Again within the day, it was the flood s–t. Now you solely hear me after I do an album or a characteristic. It’s such as you actually solely hear me after I do an album now. I don’t really feel like every year is sufficient. I give a motherf–ker a track as soon as a month at the least. Why not? These motherf–kers are getting lazy. N—as is forgetting the place the f–ok they arrive from. We forgot what we right here for. When all people else is extra f—king doing every part else, I’m nonetheless on this ring.
Are we nonetheless getting that Madlib EP?
Yeah, truly that is unique: No one is aware of we talked this week a few days in the past. , it is a busy week for me. I obtained numerous s–t occurring. However we already planning for the long run. Me and Madlib imagined to go to Japan subsequent month. I need someplace new to prepare dinner. We imagined to go to Japan and prepare dinner Gunlib.