It’s the eve earlier than Westside Gunn’s closing album, And Then You Pray For Me, and the Griselda commander is half-hour late to the Billboard workplaces — courtesy of yours actually giving him the unsuitable handle. But the self-proclaimed FlyGod seems advantageous: There isn’t any barrage of insults darted my method nor any canceled interviews for my late-game incompetence. Instead, 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 rapidly apologize, however he shrugs off the miscommunication and will get snug.
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Westside and his cohorts partied the earlier night time away at New York’s City 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 night time. The FlyGod remains to be in uncommon kind, as his total $15,000 ensemble stays in pristine situation, regardless of the debauchery from the night time earlier than.
“I realized that everything in life that I need in life, I have,” says Gunn on reaching the next degree of peace. “I don’t gotta go as hot as I used to. I would’ve came in here with seven chains on like a year ago. You wouldn’t even see my neck a year ago. [Now] I got on one joint. I’m chilling.”
That newly acquired degree of peace and confidence arrived at a price, when Westside Gunn misplaced his shut buddy, the visionary creator and dressmaker Virgil Abloh, to most cancers in 2021. Abloh performed an instrumental position in Gunn’s 2020 masterwork Pray 4 Paris, as he invited the Buffalo staple to Fashion Week within the French capital and offered much-needed inspiration for his lauded effort. From designing the album’s cowl artwork to having the rapper sit in on his Louis Vuitton Fashion Show, Abloh rejuvenated Gunn’s artistic juices and sparked his magnum opus. Despite 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, glossy boom-bap manufacturing, and a parting reward from his fallen buddy — the album’s cowl artwork.
“I don’t want to be corny and keep always having to use the Virgil narrative,” relays Gunn. “I want bro to get his shine on this, because he was the inspiration. He did the cover. He was the inspiration from the first one that carried on to the second one. The whole Pray For Paris series, that’s Virgil. He wasn’t here in the physical, but definitely in the spiritual.”
The rewards for Gunn are shining by this time round, as he topped Billboard‘s Emerging Artists chart last week. He also netted a career-best showing on the Billboard 200 with And Then‘s No. 29 debut, powered by 20,000 equivalent album units earned in the set’s opening week, in response to Luminate. It additionally landed at No. 7 on Top Rap Albums and No. 8 on Top 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 in the present day’s hip-hop and extra.
You’ve technically dubbed this your closing album — however you’re nonetheless gonna be placing out music?
Correct. I don’t see myself doing 15-20 music tasks 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 am going to the studio and make two songs in the present day, drop that s–t tomorrow, it’s like, “What am I waiting 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 need to take it again to that. Just sitting there and making an attempt to format it like a whole album, as a result of I do all of the curation — I really feel like I don’t have to try this anymore. My catalog is already what it’s. If I need to stroll away on some Barry Sanders s–t, I may stroll away nonetheless trying good. Not injured. I may reside my life. I might be on some retire after a win a championship sort s–t or certainly one of them n—-s after they change the jersey with Shaq on the Celtics like, “Why is Shaq on the Celtics looking old and s–t?” Like nah, let me go away whereas I’m on high. Even after I’m saying this, it’s no extra strain. I did every little thing I needed to do. Now it’s do after I need to.
Was there strain doing this album after being in Paris with Virgil in 2020 and then having to search out that goal once more whereas going again to Paris however with out him this time?
I used to be nonetheless going to the Fashion Week, nevertheless it was no Virgil. But it was one thing concerning the vitality after I went this time. When I went in January, it felt like the primary time. That’s how you could have, principally, half two. It was the identical actual vitality. Even although Virgil wasn’t right here bodily, he was undoubtedly there spiritually. This is Virgil. He’s right here, belief me. The complete album was carried out abroad. I went from that vibe — I actually went to Paris Fashion Week and didn’t go away Europe. I simply stayed.
I’d come again and do what I acquired to do. I’d see my children, see my infants. Soon as summer season 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 little thing I already skilled. Now I acquired my locations in Athens, I acquired my locations in London, I acquired my locations in Paris, I acquired my locations in Germany. Now I can take them.
Talk 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. When I’m in Europe, it’s loads of 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. When I pull up and I acquired 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.” ‘Cause both times I was surprised. I was shocked. The first time I went to the DR, I’m considering resort-type of s–t. We ‘bout to have fun. 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 give again to the group. I simply felt I may’ve did extra then, however I simply wasn’t ready. The final thing I need to do is go to someone’s hood and stunt on them. That wasn’t my goal to go on the market trying like that and have children coming round, “I haven’t ate in two days.” I wasn’t on that. I didn’t assume like that. I spotted that every little thing in life that I want in life, I’ve. Right now, it’s simply bonus. I don’t gotta go as sizzling 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 acquired on one joint I’m chilling.
Three years in the past for Paris Fashion Week, you have been round Virgil, Pop Smoke and TakeOff. When you went again, figuring out 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 largest 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 positive. It wasn’t on him, it was in him. Some persons are simply completely different. Pop was a distinct sort of man. When I met Pop, I didn’t even know he was like 20. He was a child. When he met me, Brooklyn, man, he seen me with all me s–t on. He trying like, “Godd–n.” He didn’t even perceive the s–t was that heavy. This the true s–t. Like, what the f–ok you bought happening?
Takeoff was a fly particular person. One of the flyest. You may inform he was the man within the group 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 acquired too many obligations to be throwing myself on the market. I don’t take nothing without any consideration. I cherish all these moments. You don’t know if that’s gonna be your final Fashion 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. Even although I’m a bit older … I don’t wanna say I used to be doing younger n—a s–t, nevertheless it’s like, “Why have 10 cars, bro?” That’s the kind of s–t I’m considering now. “You got 10 cars, bro. You got eight chains on your neck. Why the f–k do you gotta have eight chains on you neck?” It don’t even impress me no extra. I’m simply on a distinct sort of time. I don’t gotta have on seven chains. But this outfit $15,000.
You know someone who embodies a humble flex, Post Malone. Post did an interview with Esquire saying y’all did some music collectively.
I’ll let Post 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 Post Malone and Westside Gunn music sound like? What’s the studio vibe being round one another?
Those be the most effective variety. Those be those that’s actually tapped in. They acquired their hearts into it. You can inform it’s real and pure, man. Lots of people don’t need to surrender the flowers as a result of they so frightened about getting it themselves. I like individuals like Post who’re gonna surrender the flowers. I like individuals like [Tyler, The Creator] who’re gonna surrender the flowers.
I don’t like those who act like they will’t give flowers. That s–t bothers me. Everybody get impressed by someone. All of that you just the illest n—a on the earth s–t. I feel I’m the illest n—a on the earth and I nonetheless give everyone flowers. When Dolph was residing, Young Dolph my favourite. I acquired a portray of Dolph. I acquired work of Migos in my home that I had earlier than that Fashion Week. I’m tapped into the tradition for actual. Everybody can go and be like, “Westside been supporting.” I be hitting the younger boys. I would hit up little homies like CEO Trayle like, “I’m f–king with your s–t. Keep s–tting on these n—as. Nudy, keep s–tting on these n—as.”
From Tyler to Kanye to Post, not lots of people may have so many alternative demographics rock with them. Why do you assume they gravitate in the direction of you?
I’m the illest n—a, for actual. I promise you. I acquired the illest resume of all-time. When it’s all set and carried out, shut the books. I don’t care, identify a rapper. Whether it’s the largest names on the earth from the Kendricks to the Hovs to the Nases, I nonetheless have the illest resume. Right now, you’ll be able to most likely identify them doing tasks or songs with 5 or 10 individuals, I’m gonna identify like 50. My checklist too impeccable. To sit right here and be like, “I got songs with DMX…” I’m an Eastside Buffalo n—a. I ought to get like 10 bonus factors for that. Sean Price, Prodigy, MF DOOM, relaxation in peace to all of them. I acquired songs with all 4 of them.
That’s simply the folks that handed. You need take it again to those that impressed the fashion, I acquired songs with Kool G Rap. I acquired songs with Slick Rick. The fly n—as of that period. Then you progress after that to Wu-Tang, The LOX, Mary J. Blige. It might 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, everyone praises the illest.
One of my favourite joints on the brand new album is “Babylon Bis” with Stove God Cooks. You had a line on there the place you stated, “I don’t know why everyone want to hate on West.” Where do you are feeling that vitality comes from?
The pretend followers. Not the true 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 imagine 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 reside their life to allow them to care for their household and reside how they should reside.
10 instances out of 10, it’s a washed-up n—a that was once 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 distinct language. But that’s the identical factor with me. I’m speaking so fly, that when you don’t know what I’m speaking about, this s–t gonna go up to now over your head and you assume I’m trash, since you don’t perceive the language. You can’t simply acquired to Japan and begin speaking French. N—-s gon’ have 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. If 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 avenue identify. If 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. But when you 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 anticipate, “Tell Virgil write ‘Brick’ on my brick” to be this transcendent all these years later?
Yeah, I at all times do s–t like that. I knew it after I did it. N—as gon’ say this s–t perpetually. When we did that WWCD album, I used to be simply in there with Daringer. N—as was simply cooking beats. We made that complete album in like two classes. That album didn’t take longer than 72 hours to make for positive. I don’t even actually assume it was a full 48. Every final beat and music was cooked in 48 hours. No samples. All was cooked. Daringer and Beat Butcha made every little thing 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] Side A/Side B like, “Yo this n—a did a joint with Wayne, did a joint wit 2 Chainz.” It’s like we in actual time, in order that they don’t need to give me the roses now — however 5 years from now, they gonna be I’m the illest n—a of all-time. Because everyone else gonna begin fizzling away. I’m telling you this gon’ occur. Everybody 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 rapidly. Are you extra Razor Ramon or Scott Hall?
Razor Ramon for positive. That was a tricky one. I imply I don’t even need to say that as a result of I’m each, man. That’s me in actual life. You acquired West, everyone name me West for 20 years. Then you bought SuperFly Guy. Them n—as the identical particular person. SuperFly Guy would possibly simply be a bit bit extra bougier. I say each them n—as. Razor Ramon with the chains with the Scarface persona like Tony Montana. Especially at the moment, no person had ever did [that] with the toothpick and the ignorant s–t. Whoop on you and throw you out the way in which. The dangerous man. That was the dangerous man. When he was on his nWo s–t, that’s probably the most legendary s–t of all-time. How can you actually high that?
Nah, I respect all of the outdated fly s–t. Then, n—a, Scott Hall 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 positive. 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. Back 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 yearly is sufficient. I give a motherf–ker a music as soon as a month not less than. 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 everyone else is extra f—king doing every little thing else, I’m nonetheless on this ring.
Are we nonetheless getting that Madlib EP?
Yeah, really that is unique: Nobody is aware of we talked this week a few days in the past. You know, it is a busy week for me. I acquired loads of s–t happening. But we already planning for the longer term. 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.
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