michael foster-sanders
editor-in-chief
Westside guns major label debut is also a farewell album to his fans.
Who takes care of the man who takes care of himself?
This question sets the tone for Westside Gunn’s major label debut Who Made The Sun Shine on Shady Records.
Gunn makes sure to let everyone know that he takes care of himself.
Gresidla record label as a whole has experienced a breakout year that had the naysayers spewing they’re just an imitation of boombap hip-hop of yesteryear. To now saying they’re restoring that classic hip hop sound and feeling and putting their own ingredients in the mix.
A stark difference in the sonic sound of his last album FlyGod is an Awesome God 2. WMTSS is for his supporters that’s been with him through the grind.
WMTSS puts the listener in the state of mind of being a boss who has done it all, and seen it all being a criminal. Now reflecting on his future and making a way out of no way he knows he can only rely on himself, and provide for his team.
Keeping true with his love for wrestling The Butcher and The Blade has him trading bars with his label mates Benny the Butcher, and Conway. The production is handled by Beat Butcha and Daringer and it sounds like vintage Griselda.
The star here is Benny with rhymes that shows he’s cocky and confident and will not be denied as a force in rap music.
“All Praises “ features new Griselda signee Boldy James, and Jadakiss. All three rappers kill their verses, but it is the hook that makes the song magica that Gunn belts out off key.
“All praises (All praises) To the most high (To the most high). Haven’t been asleep (Brr) I heard shots all through the night (Brr, shots all through the night, brr) Be grateful (Be grateful)”.
The two stand out tracks are Frank Murphy, and 98 Sabers which are both posse cuts which feels like a Royal Rumble wrestling match because the tracks are so action-packed with Emcee’s giving it a 110%.
The rest of the CD is standard Gunn with a bunch of threats, violence which works but gets repetitive and feels like a regression especially if the listener heard Gunns growth with the Pray for Paris album released earlier this year.
This is a solid album, but if Gunn decides not to put out anymore music, He can say he went out on a high note.
