One of the most impressive things the Griselda squad has proven these past 365 days is the power of commodifying music —— by making it more difficult to get. This calculated process weeds out the casual fans and once again putting a value on the music reaching its intended audience outside of the streaming bubble.
We saw this with Westside Gunn’s last release, which dropped initially as physical only. Now, to end the year with a bang, Conway The Machine’s latest release EIF 2: Eat What U Kill (the follow up to Everybody is F.O.O.D) is available for digital download and physical (for those lucky enough to have been online to grab it before it sold out).
The formula hasn’t been diluted, as Conway delivers the 10-song-effort, orchestrated by the likes of Graymatter, Ral Duke, Mephux, DJ Skizz, DJ Shay, Khrysis and Alchemist.
While it’s difficult to point listeners towards a wack verse in the Buffalo MC’s catalog, there are are some that do stray from his more prominent thematic vices, and open him up beyond top-tier level tough-talk that’s made him so famous.
It’s in these moments, like the Khrysis-produced “Be Proud Of Me,” that we get to see new dimensions of his character. In this case, Con reflects on those closest to him that didn’t have his back on the way up. Specifically, a woman in his life that said he should find a real job as opposed to continuing the rap dream in his 30s — to which he notes, “I wanted to quit rapping, but instead I went harder.”
There’s also a soulful dedication to Machine Gun Black with the DJ Shay-constructed “Piece Of My Heart.” He died before Griselda’s potential fully blossomed and is very often referenced and saluted across the roster’s back catalog — like on the aptly titled “Machine Gun Black” and on Conway’s ultra emotionally charged verse on “The Cow.”
The LP does include some really dope stylistic variation, such as the drumless flow on Alchemist’s “Overdose” or the slightly off-filtered bounce of the Mephux-produced “Cocaine Paid” which provide enough sonic range to keep you from getting too comfortable.
With a Shady Records debut yet to drop — which according to Westside was 90 percent done as of this past summer — the label has done a great job of setting the stage for greatness.
For diehard fans of Conway, EIF 2 is yet another must-listen appetizer to the main event.
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Benny and Conway two of my faves right now.TEAM GRISELDA
Fire!!!
The Griselda movement is the best thing that has happened to hip hop in a very long time. Conway, Westside Gunn, Conway, Benny the Butcher and Co. are revitalizing that real, authentic New York sound, they’re the lineal heirs to the Wu dynasty in my opinion. Everything I’ve heard by any of them is straight flames. This one is no exception. Fuck mumble rap, fuck trap, this is the real deal. 5/5.
Bout fucking time we got some real ones doing this shit. If you grew up on 90s shit – Wu Tang , Mobb , CNN, Jay Z, Nas, AZ, Cornega, G Rap, Pun, Fat Joe , Big L then this is what you been waiting for. Along with Roc Marciano , Meyhem Lauren and few others finally we have that vintage NY grimy boom bap sound back with real rappers. Conway , WestsideGunn and Benny are going to take over 2019. Enough of the trap crap and mumble shit , skinny jeans green and purple hair and homo behavioure. Enough of the Lil’s and Young’s. Real rappers are back.
Everything these cats drop is absolute fire Eminem has done nothing for their buzz it’s been all their hard work music/merch/bars/art/limited edition numbered vinyls – and everyone is copying they style from underground rappers to fucking Drake using they scorpion logo as a album title cover smfh .Conway, Westside Gunn and Benny dropped at least 7 albums last year and they was all at least 4/5 Benny Tana Talk 3 was album of the year in my opinion twice as long as Pusha T’s and A+ cocaine talk all thru it perfect bars lol.Salute Conway for keeping it grimey Everybody is Food 1 was just as hard too.Dunno bout this Shady album Eminem fucked up slaughterhouse 1st album jesus it was bad and emiem ear for beats aint been good for a long time unless he gives Conway all the Relapse horrorcore spooky sounding beats he has lying about i could fuck with that but Griselda doing a marshall type ballad guitars singer corny video would be fucked up.But i doubt the album will ever come out they too underground shady records dont know how to promote market anyone but eminem which aint hard cause hes fucking slim shady.Anyway im high go listen to some Griselda and try cop some cd’s or vinyl if you got the bread it was Wu-Tang then Mobb Deep -M.O.P- Ruff Ryders -Rocafella- LOX/D-Block -Dipset- G-Unit……AS.A.P Mob?…….-now its Griselda GxFR Westside Gunn Conway and Benny (salute to El Camino too) and Daringer for the ill production
Had me nodding agreement the whole time until ASAP. Not close to the level of anyone else imo. Left out way iller ppl like Elzhi, Black Thought, Pharoahe Monch, Royce, Crooked, Droog, Brother Ali, Masta Ace, Eminem/Nas/Jay on A game, Locksmith, Tonedeff, Diabolic, KA, Roc Marci, Slug, Juice, One Be Lo, Apathy, Aesop Rock, Shad, 2000s Louis Logic, Big L, Big Pun,
G-Rap, Treach, Jada, Styles P, Grafh, ILLmac, Loaded Lux, Tay Rock, BiggK, A game Kendrick/Cole/Logic, R.A. The Rugged Man, Jean Grae, Invincible, Alyssa Marie, Rhyme Asylum (Possessed especially), Jon Connor, MosDef, Common, Sly Boogie, Charli2na, PerceeP, Andre3000, Gift of Gab, Ras Kass, Redman, Method Man, GZA, INS, GFK, Rae, Rakim, LL, Kane, 98-99 DMX, prime Cam, Cambatta, Nino Bless
@Superdopehiphop JacobDoehrman on FB & IG