Charting Westside Gunn’s Musical Artistry
Last Thursday night, Gunn hosted a listening party at Goldbar — a venue that perfectly matched the theme of the album: luxury. Here, we saw some familiar faces who popped out to support the rapper, such as Tremaine Emory, Benny the Butcher, and more.
office sat down with Gunn to discuss the making of And Then You Pray For Me, his end to studio albums, and what’s next for the Buffalo, New York rapper.
How was the listening party for you, and what’s been the feedback so far?
The listening party was dope because I never have listening parties. I never have parties at all. It was cool to see a lot of my peers, day-one-supporters, and family come out…It was super dope. I want you to hear the album all the way through and pay attention to the art.
Where was the album created?
It was done in Paris, Copenhagen, Denmark, and so many different parts of the world. I went to Athens and Santorini, Greece. I was just in the zone. Paris Fashion Week inspired me in January, like the first time I went in January 2020 with Virgil. I had that same feeling again. It was my first time since Pray for Paris. Not to sound corny, but it was the spirit of Virgil. He wasn’t there physically but spiritually. Let’s finish what we started.
Does scenery give you a lot of inspiration?
For sure. That was one of the top reasons why I did Pray for Paris. Leaving the country and going to a place like Paris is mind-blowing because I’m from East Side Buffalo. A lot of people will never see the Eiffel Tower in their life.
I’m hearing that this is your last album. Is that true?
It’s my last album as far as making over 20 songs, 15 songs of a full-body album. I’m more into making a song today and dropping it tomorrow like the Soundcloud, raw Griselda days. Instead of focusing on an album, only dropping once a year, and putting all of that energy into trying to present one project, I’m like fuck that. I might make a song and drop it tomorrow, even though my album just came out. I finally have people’s attention. Some people love it, some people hate it. They don’t even see the bigger picture, they’re just worried about today.
What does this mean for Griselda?
I’m never going to stop curating. That’s the thing about my team. If I call Conway the machine right now and say, ‘Pack your bags, we’re going to Poland for a month and about to record,’ he’ll be like, ‘Let’s go.’ Griselda is a family. When you sign to Griselda Records, it doesn’t mean you’re signing your life away to Westside Gunn; it means you’re my family.
I want to talk about the album cover of Caravaggio’s The Entombment of Christ. The late Virgil Abloh created it?
As soon as I was done with Pray for Paris, V told me to send a picture of all my chains individually. I laid my chains out, and he started sending me different art pieces with the chains on. At first, I wanted this to be kind of a trilogy series and have Mona Lisa represent the Pray for Paris series. I got the blessing from his family and everyone involved. Unfortunately, he passed. When I was going to do part two, I didn’t have the energy to do it. The time wasn’t right. I felt weird even trying to do it, it wasn’t even a thought. I let it (the covers) breathe for a while and get some air. Like I said, once fashion week came around this time, it felt like the time. He (Abloh) sent me there again.
I think it’s important for Black people to travel the world, especially where they’re least expected.
Especially because nobody’s even seen a motherfucker from East Side Buffalo. We’re a different breed. We never get respected because we’ve always been in no man’s land. I never took offense to it. I’m just going to work harder than everybody I know and put my city on – and I accomplished that.
Because Pray for Paris and And Then You Pray For Me albums are similar, are the albums correlated?
This is the sequel, but I didn’t want to call it Pray for Paris Part II. When I made Hitler Wears Hermes Part II, I made a song with Eric B., and in the song, I say, ‘Pray for Paris, then you pray for me.’ This was a line I said a decade ago.
There is an interlude in the album of Tyler, the Creator, saying you’re one of the reasons he wants to continue rapping. How does that make you feel?
It’s a blessing because that’s what I’m here for. Some people only come into this shit for money and with hidden agendas. I came into this shit so pure, I always did it my way. I’ve never compromised my art. I always stuck to my heart. I basically controlled my own destiny all the way through.
Now that you’re over long studio albums, what’s next for Westside Gunn?
I’m excited to just watch my kids grow. I have a daughter that’s only two and a son that’s four. This is the most I’ve ever been away from home, but they came with me everywhere. I’m not the only one who went to the Pyramids; they rode a camel, too. Now, I’m just gonna have fun. There’s no more pressure on me to do full albums. I can just give you art when I want, how I want, and when I want. I think it’s going to be even better. You’re going to get a better version of Westside Gunn. Long live Michelle, long live Virgil.
