As the late DJ Shay notes on one of his sobering interludes from Conway The Machine’s latest release From King To A GOD, there is always a quotable to be found Conway verse. His lyricism has been established over a laundry list of projects, earning the Griselda rhymer a legion of devout fans. From that perspective, it’s almost mind-boggling that this is his first actual studio LP (and everything up to this point can now be called a warm-up).
For those just getting acquainted following the imprint’s WWCD breakthrough, this LP is an exceptionally well-rounded introduction to who Conway is — and what he’s truly capable of doing.
Furthermore, for long time fans, and even detractors that pigeon-hole him, the 14-song project is his most fully fleshed out and universally approachable to date. While broadening his sound, it still plays up his core strength: serving upper echelon joints that are peak “Griselda-esque” (a term he coins on the crew cut “Spurs 3“). On that track, in particular, he dissects the depth of Griselda’s influence on an entire wave of new artists.
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“Griselda, bitch, we the inspiration, you can see me and Gunn influencing’ all the music these niggas making,” he raps.
Conway is known to push his features to bring A-game performances on all fronts, including production. One example here is the grimy Beat Butcha and Daringer produced collaboration with Method Man, “Lemon.” He pulls an incredible 16 bars out of the Wu-Tang Clan founding member.
Another case and point: Alchemist gets in his bag with the split song “Dough & Damani.” The first half is so reminiscent of the Murda Muzik-era Mobb Deep sound you almost expect to hear the late Queensbridge MC Prodigy pop up at any moment. The same can be said for the standout “Juvenile Hell” featuring Flee Lord, Lloyd Banks and Havoc (who also produced the song). Here, Havoc’s signature gritty drums create the perfect canvas for the three MCs to connect like Voltron, with Banks sounding especially fresh (much to Rick Ross’ delight, no doubt).
One specific bar on “Dough & Damani” has Con reacting to top lyricist snubs from major publications. “Every single verse is a verse of the year contender, guess it’s ’cause I only rap ’bout the work I put in the blender,” he spits.
It’s not unusual for Griselda detractors to write the crew off as sonically one-dimensional. It is a semi-fair criticism, as they have tended to stay in a comfortable pocket at times. That’s partially why any variation from their usual sound causes a stir.
That’s what makes his collaboration with DeJ Loaf on the Hit Boy-produced “Fear Of God” so interesting — pitting him with an unlikely collaborator on a soundscape we’re not used to hearing him rock. Better yet, the Armani Caesar featured “Anza” produced by Murda Beatz, that sees him bodying both Drake and Tekashi 6ix9ine flows on the first verse without sounding too out of place — adapting to an audience who generally doesn’t acknowledge him.
Thankfully he doesn’t dwell too long on this particular sound. While it works, the glitzy, mainstream vibe of Murda’s production walks a line that could alienate some listeners in heavier doses. The juxtaposition between “Anza” and the menacing tone of the song before it, “Front Lines” (where he comments on 6ix9ine snitching and police brutality), is slightly jarring.
Elsewhere, the album delivers a lot of heavy-hearted tributes — relinquishing his tough-as-nails aura to share the emotional stress of dealing with grief. There is this sense that his victories are a nod to the ever-present memory of those lost and incarcerated along the way.
One of the album’s most significant moments is the second verse of the Erick Sermon and Rockwilder-produced “Forever Dropping Tears” when he speaks on the loss of DJ Shay and the enormous influence the late producer/affiliate had on his life. Most powerfully, he notes that he wrote the verse while getting dressed for Shay’s funeral.
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In hyping up his eventual Shady Records debut (about two years in the making), Gunn has long lauded the amount of sonic diversity Conway was displaying. We’re finally getting to hear it play out in real-time. From King To A GOD is a brilliant amalgamation of all the promise he has shown over the years. He doesn’t so much drop his usual schtick as much as he paints a broader and more removed retrospective from his past life — and overt embrace of both his successes and current career trajectory.
At this point, leaving Conway off of any list is a sign of willful ignorance, and he’s just getting started. If his discography to this point was the regular season, From King To A GOD could be a sign that play-off Maquina is going to be a problem.
Instant classic!
Where’s Craig g the fragile ego review?
This is his Supreme Clientele to me!
Sickness in the 805 gonna be banging this 4 the rest of the year unless some artists put out hear 4 us milenials…
Gets better each listen!!
His best work … production is fire
Agree with the article. The only part of the album that I didn’t like is that song produced by Murda Beatz. Not hating but it seemed like a pop song in the middle of an extremely grimey, boom bap album. No skips beyond that tho.
from a king to a god eh.
Excellence. Lloyd Banks Bodied Juvenile Hell. He needs to sign to Griselda ASAP.
?
Stick to the grime.
I’ll stick to yo moms nigga
Heard of getting out of your comfort zone before? Cuz that’s what Conway did.
Yeaaaaaaaah
Conway stepped up with this project. Juvenile Hell, Lemon, Front Lines, Spurs 3, too many great tracks to list! Wish Freddie Gibbs tune was more gritty and grimy, do like the song but Alfredo joint was deep too wanna hear them together over some Daringer shit
Let me tell you the beat to Fear of God is the best I heard this year. Multiple sound layers, the drums, Dr. Dre level of mastering and that sword sound damn. Hit-Boy should get an award for that… album overall is mad nice, Conway is The Machine, features are all good, beats are all good, Dough & Damani is on another level of Bishop dark souls shit. Haters only making Conway Messi. Fear of God, Lemon, Dough & Damani, Juvenile Hell, Spurs 3, Jesus Khrysis best sings 100% brrrrrrrrrrr but every song dope dududu
Mal and joe are right Conway is a machine so incredibly talented 5/5
Strong contender for album of the year
Listening to this and the Bizzy album should keep my stereo jammin for a while.
Facts Bizzy has some bangers on there.
Dope album from Conway again one of his best to date he’s got a lot of bangers
Conway a beast, the mainstream plays here were meh, but gotta give him a 5 so he gets his flowers. Also, the great songs on this album are HARD.
Absolutely a break out effort for the man. Spurs 3 is probably the most disgusting beat I’ve ever heard in my life. Whoever made that shit need to be locked up. If it was ANYONE else on that joint it would’ve sucked ass but Griselda made it work.
straight fire.
Wack. Now I go back to my MURS, billy woods and Homeboy Sandman.
You missing out playing in that cornfield bro
?
Conway delivered an incredible piece of work from beginning to end. It is one of the best albums i’ve heard this year.
Damn. Griselda fell off.
They never took off though.
u the type of guy to pull down his pants and run backwards thru a cornfield..whats the matter no auto tune?
We needed this album
The machina
Straight up fire
This album is just okay for me. I’ll give it a 4/5 just because….but I’d say it’s probably 3.5
Method man’s lyricism was slaw on here
This album is fire I’m giving it a five out of five lyrics are finally back home Griselda camp I love it I hope they can perform in my hometown one day Asbury Park New Jersey
5 for me
Early lead for album of the decade
let me say, this is a masterpiece. not throwing that word around lightly. i lived through ALL the other lyrical masterpieces when they first dropped. not going back and listening to what someone said is a classic. yeah im old. lol. this has the vibe and weight of an illmatic, reasonable doubt, supreme clientele, war report, hell on earth, cuban linx, capital punishment.
Supreme clientele comes to mind for me bro
Pretty dope album…..not a classic or a masterpiece, but overall dope. More diversity in subject matter would be nice, however this is the most divers of any Griselda project.
Hit me up if you have a Bbc ill pay you i run a web cam show online (412)628-8664
This album is dope as hell. Crazy to think that this is Conway’s debut album. It’s in the album of year discussion 100% and that track with Lloyd banks is ????. I wanna say more varied subject matter would be nice to hear but I think this might be the most varied subject matter anyone from Griselda has released.
Fire.
This album is the mutts nuts. Always looking forward to a Machine verse
This album is trash, it going to sell anything, just street talk and empty threats.
Incredible, Conways rawest, most vulnerable effort thus far.
I already GOT ITTTTTTTT.
Lemon Squeeeeeeze, lemon squeeeeeeeze
Album of the year!
Fire ? ablum wating for more Griselda the future ya’ll heard!!!
I thought this album was perfect. After a few spins I only pass on 1 or 2 tracks. Super dope
Album is really Dope. This is what the game was missing. True Hip Hop