Curating Consistently Remarkable Raps: “Peace ‘Fly’ God” by Westside Gunn reviewed

 
 

by Luke Modugno

The role of a curator is that of immense importance. They are tasked with manifesting a feeling, manufacturing a profound message and fashioning a space, project or exhibition to radiate a specific cognitive sensation. 

Westside Gunn embodies what it means to be a distinguished curator of rap music, something that was made palpably clear on his latest record Peace “Fly” God. 

The Griselda boss’ rapid output has slowed to halt in 2022, with the majority of his focus likely on his forthcoming studio album Michelle Records, set to be released at some point this year. Before the arrival of Michelle Records, Gunn has decided to bless fans by digging into the vault to unleash some loosies. 

Peace “Fly” God is a classic Westside Gunn experience. A star-studded lineup of producers assisting him in locating his signature grimey, rugged sonic palette, grandiose raps that are personified by esoteric luxury and streetwear brand flexes, and who can forget the famed Westside Gunn adlibs?

Juxtaposing flipping packs on the corner with now “looking like a Margiela model at the Guggenheim,” perhaps the track “Big Ass Bracelet” is the quintessential model of a flawless Gunn record. Pushed along by a dusty 70’s soul sample that suits his eccentric delivery, wordplay and adlibs swimmingly, “Big Ass Bracelet” is a clear standout on Peace “Fly” God. The song is also vastly benefited by its guests, Keisha Plum and Griselda newcomer Stove God Cooks. 

Appearing on four of the ten tracks, Stove God continually shows throughout Peace “Fly” God that he is undoubtedly destined for underground stardom. On the Madlib-produced “Horses on Sunset,” Stove God’s menacing, drably delivered hook drapes smoothly over the gloomy piano and drum loop. His tone injects energy on “Derrick Boleman,” sprucing up Madlib’s drumless, contorted violin loop. Stove and Gunn have evidently formed a chemistry, as their pairing across this record produces excellence. In some instances, Stove God completely steals the show (“Horses on Sunset”). Along with Peace “Fly” God being a thrilling preview for Michelle Records, it simultaneously acts as yet another reason to keep your eye on Stove God Cooks. 

With Peace “Fly” God, it seems that Gunn has found a fortuitous balance of experimentation and consistency. While he’s keeping his foot on the pedal, moving the needle in terms of molding the sound of the underground on tracks like “Danhausen,” Gunn also understands and plays to his strong suits on songs like “Big Ass Bracelet.” 

Perhaps the only two reasons to be a detractor of Peace “Fly” God comes with the project’s opening tracks. “Jesus Crack” is a bloated mess made worse by a subpar feature from Estee Nack that spans three minutes. “Ritz Barlton’s” stumbling piano sample paired with Nack’s off-beat delivery fits like a square peg in a round hole, creating a nearly unlistenable song.

Additionally, in favor of fast-tracking the release of the project, Gunn elected to forgo mixing and mastering Peace “Fly” God. While this is abundantly clear during the forever-humorous Cussing Pastor’s outro on “Derrick Boleman'' and “Flip V. Phil,”  Gunn doesn’t sacrifice much here by skipping that part of the process. After all, Griselda has built an empire on that same trademarked jagged-edged sound. 

For now, Westside Gunn has presented yet another quality body of opulent coke rap music with Peace “Fly” God. Defined by its peaks and valleys that ultimately restrain it from being considered among elite Gunn projects, if Peace “Fly” God, is constructed of the throw-aways of Michelle Records, we are in for a treat when Gunn chooses to drop it.

favorite tracks:

Big Ass Bracelet (feat. Keisha Plum & Stove God Cooks)

Horses on Sunset (feat. Stove God Cooks)

Derrick Boleman (feat. Stove God Cooks)


Luke Modugno is the editor-in-chief.


Thanks for reading! Make sure to follow us on Instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest music news!

New Music Friday Reactions: Blxst, Giveon, Brent Faiyaz, & Benny The Butcher

Welcome to New Music Friday Reactions, a segment where Spencer and Miles react to the hottest singles that come out every week. This week the duo listens to Blxst’s new EP and new singles from Brent Faiyaz, Giveon, & Benny The Butcher!

Thanks for watching! Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on social media:

Gallery Block
This is an example. To display your Instagram posts, double-click here to add an account or select an existing connected account. Learn more

Our Top 50 Albums of 2020

Top 50 Albums Cover.jpg

2020 was rough on all fronts, but perhaps unsurprisingly, its saving grace was the new music released over the past year. Though the industry was hit hard, and most live music has been suspended indefinitely, many artists and their teams overcame this new adversity. Together they worked to release records to tide fans over in tough times, and we couldn’t be more appreciative. Our team at StereoVision listened to a lot of music this year, and lately we’ve been hard at work compiling a year-end list showcasing our favorite projects of 2020. Well this list is mostly comprised of albums and mixtapes, some EPs were so damn good we just couldn’t leave them off (See God Bless the Child). Projects released between December 13th, 2019 and December 11th, 2020 were eligible for selection meaning that well some bold claims were certainly made about Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red in the StereoVision group chat, it was not considered for this list. Without further ado, please enjoy StereoVision’s top 50 albums of 2020:


Father.jpg

50. Father: Come Outside We Not Gone Jump You

Spotlight Track: Backbreaker


Meet the Woo.jpg

49. Pop Smoke: Meet the Woo 2

Spotlight Track: Element


24Corine.jpg

48. TiaCorine: 34TiaCorine

Spotlight Track: Lotto


God Bless The Child.jpg

47. Nick Grant & Tae Beast: God Bless the Child

Spotlight Track: FEDS


Crashed My Car.jpg

46. Hook: Crashed My Car

Spotlight Track: Fell in Luh


Dark Lane Demo Tapes.jpg

45. Drake: Dark Lane Demo Tapes

Spotlight Track: Chicago Freestyle (Feat. Giveon)


Kick i.jpg

44. Arca: KiCk i

Spotlight Track: KLK (Feat. ROSALIA)


Is It Selfish.jpg

43. Kacy Hill: Is It Selfish If we Talk about me again

Spotlight Track: Unkind


The Goat.jpg

42. Polo G: The Goat

Spotlight Track: Martin & Gina


Nightmare Vacation.jpg

41. Rico Nasty: Nightmare Vacation

Spotlight Track: OHFR?


Cruise USA.jpg

40. Larry June & Cardo: Cruise USA

Spotlight Track: Meet Me In Frisco


Heaven To A Tortured Mind.jpg

39. Yves Tumor: Heaven to a tortured Mind

Spotlight Track: Kerosene!


No Pressure.png

38. Logic: No Pressure

Spotlight Track: man i is


Slime & B.jpg

37. Young Thug & Chris Brown: Slime & B

Spotlight Track: Go Crazy


The Price of Tea in China.jpeg

36. Boldy James & The Alchemist: The Price of Tea in China

Spotlight Track: Surf & Turf (Feat. Vince Staples)


Artist 2.0.png

35. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie: Artist 2.0

Spotlight Track: Numbers (Feat. London On Da Track, Gunna, & Roddy Ricch)


Spilligion.png

34. Spillage Village: Spilligion

Spotlight Track: Mecca


Last Year Was Weird.jpg

33. tkay maidza: Last Year was weird, vol. 2

Spotlight Track: Shook


Pluto x Baby Pluto.png

32. Future & Lil Uzi Vert: Pluto x Baby Pluto

Spotlight Track: Drankin N Smokin


Take Tiem.jpg

31. Giveon: Take Time

Spotlight Track: The Beach


Savage Mode 2.png

30. 21 Savage & Metro Boomin: Savage Mode 2

Spotlight Track: Many Men


Ungodly Hour.jpeg

29. chloe x halle: Ungodly Hour

Spotlight Track: Do It


PTSD Deluxe.png

28. G herbo: ptsd (Deluxe)

Spotlight Track: In a Minute


Wunna.jpg

27. Gunna: Wunna

Spotlight Track: Nasty Girl


PTSD.jpg

26. g herbo: ptsd

Spotlight Track: Intro


Anniversary.png

25. bryson tiller: anniversary

Spotlight Track: Things Change

Bryson Tiller’s third studio album ANNIVERSARY shows a Tiller consumed with his use of time. Although its level of impact does not match his debut album, TRAPSOUL (2015), ANNIVERSARY is an ode to the classic because of Tiller’s raw emotion and undeniable relatability throughout the approximately thirty-minute project. My favorite song “Things Change” victoriously demonstrates an exchange between Tiller and an ex-lover who is obsessed with closure. -Amaya Lorick


Everything.jpg

24. kota the friend: Everything

Spotlight Track: Long Beach (Feat. Hello O’Shay & Alex Banin)

EVERYTHING is a brilliant compilation of varying perspectives that discuss the purpose of life. Although Kota the Friend’s 2020 album was under appreciated because of the width of his fanbase, its May release was essential during a time where many felt uncertain about their livelihood dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. With a descriptor as the saddest song on the project, the introductory track “Summerhouse” epitomizes coming to terms with unwanted realities and recognizing life’s beauty. 2020 prompted many to engage in self-reflection and EVERYTHING poses two arguably abstract questions: “What means everything to you?” and “What does it mean to have everything?” -Amaya Lorick


Outside.png

23. bino rideaux: Outside

Spotlight Track: Brand New (Feat. Blxst)

On Bino Rideaux’s Def Jam debut, OUTSIDE, the 27-year-old delivers his best music to date while simultaneously making a legitimate case for the hottest rapper in Los Angeles. The 15-track record has something for everyone ranging from trunk-rattling, west coast bangers like “BET” and “BREAKFAST” to more emotional chill cuts such as “COLD FEET” and “FUCCWITCHU”. Over the course of the 28-minute run time, Bino is assisted by fellow LA natives Ty Dolla $ign, BlueBucksClan, and most notably, Blxst on the album’s fantastic climax “BRAND NEW”. With the release of OUTSIDE it’s clear that Bino Rideaux is more than just Nipsey Hussle protege; he’s a budding superstar whose stock will continue to rise as the rest of the country catches wind of his hypnotic flows and the enthralling landscapes he’s able to craft and communicate, three short minutes at a time. -Spencer Lobdell


RTJ4.png

22. run the jewels: rtj4

Spotlight Track: goonies vs. E.T.

If there’s one word I could use to describe Killer Mike and El-P’s return to their critically-acclaimed Run The Jewels series, it’s “massive” as everything about this project seems to have upped the stakes from their last installment. The duo’s verses hit harder, are more aggressive, and eager to call out the vast injustices that the United States has grown complacent with over the past few years. El-P and Killer Mike call out Pseudo-Christians failing to condemn the injustices caused by the Trump administration, the racism ingrained in our nation’s police forces, and a wealth disparity that grows larger every day, among other subjects. Meanwhile, El-P’s production serves as some of the strangest from the duo’s entire discography; the melodies are sparse, the ambiances are overbearing, and the bass slams against the top of the mix from start to finish. With plenty of strange samples and unfiltered performances, this project is often as difficult and complex as it is invigorating, and I believe its message is only emphasized by the endless chaos that we lived through this year. -Owen Tait


It Is What It IS.jpg

21. Thundercat: It is what it is

Spotlight Track: Funny Thing

It is fascinating how an artist can work on a project for months, maybe even years before they plan to release it to the public and yet once it drops, it speaks to zeitgeist as if it was written yesterday. This is the case with Thundercat’s fourth studio album It Is What It Is. Released less than a month into many of our state sanctioned lockdowns, It Is What Is was the breath of fresh air we all needed during such an uncertain time. On the album, Thundercat explores themes of melconchony, loss, and directionlessness in tandem with tongue and cheek humor for an album that can either make you laugh or cry depending on what you need to express during each listen. Complimented by Thundercat’s immaculate instrumentation that has made him a mainstay in the industry for two decades, It It What It Is is a poignant reminder to have fun, let go of fear, and trust the process no matter how difficult things may get. -Kaila Cherry


Detroit 2.png

20. Big Sean: Detroit 2

Spotlight Track: Deep Reverence (Feat. Nipsey Hussle)

When Detroit 2 was released, you could immediately tell Big Sean was on a mission. In an era of short length albums, Sean decided to release a whopping 21-track project. There were many Detroit-themed bangers on this album, and what stood out to me was that he even included stories from talents like Dave Chappelle and Erykah Badhu. This was the first time in a while where I felt the essence of a true “album experience.” There is a lot of depth to this record and every time I play it through I find a new favorite song. And I mean, who doesn’t enjoy listening to Sean’s swagger filled wordplay? -Colson O’Connor


Untitled-1.jpg

19. Childish Gambino: 3.15.20

Spotlight Track: 12.38 (Feat. 21 Savage, Ink, & Kadhja Bonet)

Of all the projects to come out this year, the latest album from Childish Gambino might have been the most surprising. From the rollout to how sonically all over the place it is, 3.15.20 almost seems like a random release from Childish. This led to the project being one of his more slept on pieces of work, but it is also some of the best music of 2020. Gambino captures a sound that is futuristic, yet also has moments that would impress most people’s parents and grandparents. Gambino uses a different vocal inflection on almost every track and manages not to miss once. While doing all of this there is still a track like 12.38 that could be one of the biggest hits on the radio if it got the play it deserved. In a time where he could have rested on his previous success, he continues to challenge himself and the listener to take a deeper look at what music can be. -Miles Hagan


Eternal Atake.jpg

18. lil uzi vert: eternal atake

Spotlight Track: Prices

Lil Uzi Vert had a very busy 2020. He dropped not one, not two, but three full-length albums this year after not releasing new music since 2017. The project that kicked off this trio of drops was Eternal Atake which came out in early March. With the reality of the pandemic causing this album to fall to the wayside for some time, as the year comes to an end and we are reflecting on the music we were met with, Eternal Atake is coming back into the spotlight. A concept album about Uzi’s abduction by aliens and subsequent travels through space, Eternal Atake is without a doubt one of the most unique projects to come out of 2020. Not only is it a concept album, but it also is broken up into three sections that reflect Uzi’s three artistic personas: Baby Pluto, Renji, then finally, Lil Uzi Vert. Like the rest of Uzi’s discography, Eternal Atake is a well-produced, fantastical, and fun project that will make you want to type like a scene kid from 2008 with no remorse. -Kaila Cherry


LUV vs the World.jpg

17. Lil Uzi Vert: LUV vs. the world 2

Spotlight Track: Strawberry Peels (Feat. Young Thug & Gunna)

Though there seems to be some debate on who started the ‘surprise-deluxe-double-album’ trend, it is hard to deny that Lil Uzi Vert mastered it earlier this year. LUV vs. The World 2, which released as a sister record to the long-awaited Eternal Atake, is a nonstop rollercoaster that arrived just a week later. While EA’s only featured artist was Syd, this record is the polar opposite - collaboration heavy and decorated with features from artists like Young Thug, Chief Keef, 21 Savage, and Future. EA helped solidify Uzi as a talented lyricist and rapper, and this project returned to a more exciting and light-hearted register where Uzi simply sounded like he was having a great time - and I had a great time listening to it. Though some of the tracks had leaked beforehand, LUV vs. The World 2 managed to fulfill the high expectations set after the popularity of the first LUV vs. The World, and it isn’t hard to see why. -Carter Fife


My Turn.png

16. Lil BAby: My Turn

Spotlight Track: Emotionally Scarred

Lil Baby did not disappoint with the drop of his second studio album, My Turn. Lil Baby displays versatility in his sound, giving us songs to blast in the car like “Sum 2 Prove,” and even songs to vibe to like “Catch The Sun”. He manages to deliver trap hits such as “Forget That” and “Woah”  as well as highlighting lyrical depth, as he opens up on songs like “Emotionally Scarred”, with narratives of his past and personal rap journey. As if his graceful flow wasn’t enough, Lil Baby teamed up with artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Wayne, and Future to offer even more heat. -Chloe Clark


Prey for Paris.jpeg

15. westside gunn: Prey for paris

Spotlight Track: $500 Ounces (Feat. Freddie Gibbs & Roc Marciano)

Griselda was locked in this year. From Boldy James' stunning collaborative project with The Alchemist The Price of Tea in China, to Benny the Butcher’s LP Burden of Proof, it’s safe to say Griselda did not miss in 2020, including label head-honcho Westside Gunn. With Pray for Paris, Westside Gunn delivers exactly what you'd expect: hard coke bars, production defined by dusty drum loops, and the iconic Westside Gunn ad-libs. Although Gunn may be infamously known for valuing quantity over quality in terms of album releases, Pray for Paris is easily his most concise and focused work to date. With guest appearances from Tyler, The Creator, Joey Bada$$, Freddie Gibbs, The Alchemist, Wale, and the rest of the Griselda crew, Pray for Paris put the rap game on notice. -Luke Modugno


How I'm Feeling Now.jpeg

14. Charli xcx: how I’m feeling now

Spotlight Track: enemy

Following the seamless blend of pop and experimental aesthetics that appeared on her 2019 outing Charli, fans were definitely eager to see where UK pop artist Charli XCX’s sound would venture next. Trapped in self-isolation, she took the time to reflect on her relationships with her significant other, her friends, and herself—a process that resulted in her most intimate and innovative project to date. On how i’m feeling now, Charli pushes further into the strange than ever before, as the majority of the tracklist is saturated with glitchy percussion, distortion, noise, and busy synths that perfectly compliment Charli’s heavily-manipulated vocal delivery. Additionally, Charli manages to bring one powerful performance after another to the table, delving into a variety of introspective topics such as her love life, friendships, and mental health. If you’re searching for the future of pop music, look no further than how I’m feeling now, a one-of-a-kind sugar rush that I would deem pop record of the year. -Owen Tait


No Love Lost.jpg

13. blxst: no love lost

Spotlight Track: No Love Lost

No new artist burst onto the scene in 2020 with half as much confidence, momentum, and poise as Blxst. The LA native’s breakout year was largely due to an incredible debut solo project, No Love Lost, an addicting 8-song album jam-packed with beautiful hooks and exceptionally polished writing that had me smashing repeat for months. This tape is the definition of “no skips” and I can confidently say that any of the eight songs could’ve been the spotlight track. Over the course of the quick 18-minute listen, Blxst tells vivid stories of the fast life in the city of angels while captivating listeners with mesmerizing melodies and a slew of slick bars that leads me to believe Blxst could out-rap half of my favorite emcees. No Love Lost is a damn-near perfect project in my eyes making it my personal favorite release of 2020. -Spencer Lobdell


12. Future: High off life

Spotlight Track: Accepting My Flaws

With Future’s release of High Off Life he gave another hour of pure heat. With his signature sound, we received bangers like “Hitek Tek” as well as more mellow cuts like “Outer Space Bih”. Lyrically, narratives of trapping display Future well in his element, but in “Accepting My Flaws”, he takes on a different route. In this song, he speaks of asking for forgiveness, as he fights against demons and acknowledges his struggles.  Much like other hits on the album, the booming beat carries the song. Along with production, features are another element that elevates the album as Future feeds off great appearances from artists including Young Thug, Travis Scott, and NBA Youngboy. -Chloe Clark


Fuck The World.jpg

11. brent faiyaz: fuck the world

Spotlight Track: Fuck the World (Summer in London)

Brent Faiyaz solidified his spot in the R&B scene with the release of his album Fuck the World. In this album, Faiyaz touches on the themes of love, lust, and loss. Lyrically, Faiyaz invites the listener in on an intimate experience as we listen and relate to similar heartfelt emotions. His angelic vocals, paired seamlessly with the smooth beats, offer nothing but chill vibes. Specifically on the song, “Let Me Know”, Brent sings over a repeated instrumental and piano keys, while elaborating on self love and reflection.  With only 10 songs on the album, it is a true testament to quality over quantity. -Chloe Clark


Man on the Moon 3.png

10. kid cudi: man on the moon III

Spotlight Track: Tequila Shots

Kid Cudi delivers on MOTM III, rapping harder than we’ve ever seen him rap before, bringing together an unstoppable and classic team of producers like Plain Pat and Dot Da Genius to start the decade off right. The first and innovative act of the album sounds like it could have been written with Travis Scott last year, and the second act sounds like the classic 2009-era Cudi that many of us grew up with. MOTM III’s final act sounds like something entirely new itself, which is rare for an artist to do in the third decade of their career. I would have enjoyed more guests on the record to celebrate the trilogy’s conclusion, but it is hard to complain when the guests we got include Skepta, Phoebe Bridgers, and even a posthumous Pop Smoke hook. Though fans can expect a whopping four more records from the Philly rapper in the future - WZRD 2, Entergalactic, KSG 2, and an untitled project with Travis Scott - hopefully MOTM III will tide us over until then. -Carter Fife


She Already Decided.jpg

9. smino: she already decided

Spotlight Track: 2Much Fronto

Smino is one of the most unique acts in music today and She Already Decided is the project that shows how close he is to greatness. From a vocal standpoint, he flips between slick bars and constant flow changes to melodies that make you question if he should even be considered a rapper. He combines classic R&B sounds with some of today’s biggest hits from the past year to create a sound that feels necessary in 2020. The album is upbeat and engaging, while also still feeling relevant and in the moment. Smino is able to ease the listeners’ mind for a little while he focuses on the few things we can control and enjoy in a time like this. -Miles Hagan


Chilombo.jpg

8. jhené aiko: chilombo

Spotlight Tracks: Triggered (Freestyle)

Grammy-nominated Chilombo has been a top contender for album of the year since its release. The use of alchemy crystal singing bowls within every song indicates Jhené Aiko’s intention to not only entertain but provide her listeners with tools for healing. The Los Angeles native’s initial single “Triggered” was packed with painful lyrics describing relationship strains but also includes the first and sixth chakras to promote clarity and stability. It is clear when a project is strategically constructed beyond the order of its tracklist. From the sequencing of the selected singles to their implementation onto the album, it’s clear that Chilombo is destined for success throughout the rest of this decade. -Amaya Lorick


Limbo.jpg

7. aminé: limbo

Spotlight Track: Roots (Feat. JID & Charlie Wilson)

Limbo, Aminé’s 14-track masterpiece, surpassed all of my expectations by miles. From the very first track Limbo feels bigger and more important than anything Aminé has released to date. The beat selections, the few but well-placed features, and the versatility of Aminé’s sound are among the many reasons why Limbo will go down as one of the most impressive albums of 2020. -Colson O’Connor


Circles.jpeg

6. mac miller: circles

Spotlight Track: Right

In his posthumous record Circles, Mac delivers a love-letter to his fans and a completion of a generation-defining artistic evolution. Transforming and refining himself from awkward frat rapper to musical genius, Mac leaves his legacy with his most sonically elegant project to date. Narratively, sonically and lyrically, Circles accompanies Miller's magnum-opus Swimming, building on the jazzy, lo-fi soundscape and mental-health centered lyrical content. Circles is a truly beautiful work of art and is well-deserving of its top 10 spot on this list. -Luke Modugno


A Written Testimony.jpg

5. Jay electronica: A written testimony

Spotlight Track: A.P.I.D.T.A

In my review earlier this year I touched on the mythos surrounding this record, though months later, all you really need to know is that A Written Testimony is a big deal. Jay Electronica and Jay-Z go head-to-head throughout just about every song on this project, showing a versatility previously unseen from the Louisiana Rapper. One moment, he’s trading bars about success and expectations with Travis Scott over a beat from Hit-Boy - the next he and Jay Z are lamenting the loss of loved ones over a Khruangbin instrumental. Though the two Jay’s do not invite too many artists to share their spotlight (The-Dream is the only other guest), there are so many styles and sounds at work that anyone can find something to enjoy here. This was my favorite record of the year for most of 2020, though it’s hard to name what makes this record so special. Perhaps it’s the almost prophetic lyricism, or the confident cadence of the two rappers, or maybe it’s just the fact that many of us have been ravenous for more Electronica music for close to a decade. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but I’m hoping we get another Electronica record before the end of the 2020’s. -Carter Fife


Afte Hours.jpg

4. the weeknd: After hours

Spotlight Track: Faith

Selling 444,000 units first week and having two platinum singles, After Hours was one of 2020’s biggest, and best releases. The album was an artistic reinvention for The Weeknd, taking inspiration from 80’s pop music. Much like Tyler the Creator’s “IGOR” The Weeknd created an entire new identity for this album, which made the rollout and the listening experience one of the most memorable moments in music this year. -Courtney Fields


Shoot for the Stars.jpg

3. pop smoke: shoot for the stars aim for the moon

Spotlight Track: Got It On Me

One of the most anticipated albums of the year that delivered far beyond the public’s expectations. Pop Smoke’s posthumous album proved that he was no one-trick pony. While he did popularize himself off of one particular sound, this project showed us that Pop was an artist who was destined for stardom. Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon is one of the most addicting albums of the year and because of Pop’s unique artistry all signs point towards this album getting even better with time. -Courtney Fields


Burden of Proof.jpg

2. benny the butcher: burden of proof

Spotlight Track: Where Would I Go (Feat. Rick Ross)

Griselda's own Benny the Butcher has been quietly crafting a compelling niche within the Buffalo collective. With projects under his belt like The Plugs I Met and Tana Talk 3; Benny has what it takes to be one of the elite rappers in the world. Burden of Proof sees Benny realize his full potential, as the project is chalk-full of reasons why Benny has a legitimate claim to being the best rapper in Griselda and in turn, one of the best in the game. Executively produced by the legendary Hit-Boy, Benny kills each and every one of the beats laid down for him. Burden of Proof is one of few projects this year I can legitimately say has no skips. -Luke Modugno


Alfredo.jpg

1. freddie gibbs & The alchemist: Alfredo

Spotlight Track:

In a year full of inconsistency and turmoil, Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist came through and delivered in every way possible. With the incredible release of Bandana in 2019 many fans of the rapper were left wondering where he would go next, after seemingly conquering the drug rap game. Freddie responded by linking up with one of the most creative and dynamic producers of the last decade in The Alchemist, and they created the cinematic masterpiece that was Alfredo. From the merchandise, to the vinyl, to every cut throat bar Freddie delivers, this drop felt like it was aiming to be some of their best work. Alchemist provided Freddie with a blank canvas for him to paint a picture on. Alfredo was a coke rap kingpin reflecting on his incredible rise to power and asking himself, “who can stop me besides me.” -Miles Hagan


Thanks for reading! Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to never miss a post: