There is no group in recent memory who have injected fanfare in traditional lyricism to the degree that Buffalo NY’s Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher, the starting line-up of the mighty Griselda Records.
After an incredible run of solo projects this year, all of which exist outside of the Shady umbrella, and some pretty epic brand development orchestrated by Gunn himself, their highly-anticipated WWCD (What Would Chinegun Do) — a tribute to the late ‘Chine Gun, Benny’s biological brother — is here. No surprise to anyone whose been waiting for it, it’s harder than concrete wrapped in iron.
Sitting at 13 songs, which includes coke rap czar Raekwon blessing the album in the intro and Bro A.A. Rashid (who also closed out Westside Gunn’s Flygod) on the outro, the album is overflowing with sinister bars, hard drums and eerie soundscapes.
Raekwon’s appearance is especially significant, given the early career comparisons of Westside Gunn and Conway to Rae and Ghostface Killah during the Only Built For Cuban Linx era.
Matter of fact, WWCD is arguably this generation’s 36 Chambers — a blueprint that a new era of hard rappers can now rever as a holy grail of modern street Hip Hop. Aside from the smaller group size, it can be said they’ve operated in reverse of Wu-Tang Clan. They’ve slowly opened themselves up to fans across robust solo catalogs while strengthening the collective brand en route to their most sonically solid body of work to date.
After repeated listens, longtime fans may notice a lack of depth. Gunn, Benny and Con trade bars at 110 percent full octane; you can almost hear them pushing each other on beats that Daringer and Beat Butcha keep so dark they should come with a flashlight. However, the wall-to-wall bars, though complex and full of gems, never fully stop to explore or expand on anything too far outside of the pocket — especially with the songs broken into thirds (and fourths).
For reference, note the emotional charge of “The Cow” from Hitler 4, “Be Proud Of Me” off Everybody Is F.O.O.D. 2: Eat What U Kill or just the overall vibe emanating from “Babs” off Tana Talk 3. However, those are character breaks that the guys give fans on their respective solo projects — when they have more hectares to burn on their own. WWCD is different, and it’s far from a bad thing.
The production is one of the more notable elements of the LP. Griselda has become synonymous with an aesthetic crafted by Daringer, and — rather than invite the host producers who have come to find themselves part of the circle — they’ve allowed him, along with Beat Butcha, to take full reigns.
With the out-of-place Eminem feature (as well as the 50 Cent feature) feeling more like subtle flexes than necessity, the bulk of the guests are kept at bay. Griselda stalwart Keisha Plum drops a savage poem on “May Store,” and singer Tiona Deniece croons a beast mode “blow your fucking face off” alongside WSG on the “Kennedy” interlude.
Ultimately, their Shady debut makes their brand of Hip Hop slightly more palatable. Their trademarked drumless deep cuts are nowhere to be found — outside of the intro and outro. Additionally, WWCD serves as the perfect gateway drug for curious fans to discover the revered solo discographies.
For new fans, it’s a beacon for that rawness you’ve been searching for, and for the rest of us die-hard Griselda heads, it’s a thank you — and even more so, a reason to stay cheering for the Buffalo Kids.
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Tell Virgil write Brick on my brick.
I loved it. Still though my favorite songs by these guys are over more light piano-driven beats. There’s something about their grimey bars over classy production that is so perfect. This production on here was more to match the darkness of the lyrics. It worked, I’m just already back listening to HWH6. Bars-wise though, they all took it up a level for this one, especially Conway.
I’m gonna have to give it a second listen. Some albums are like sometimes – where it doesn’t resonate with you on the first listen because i swear to god bro, it didn’t move me at all lbvs
Maybe Im missing something and gotta peep this album again because i just wasn’t feelin it at all with them same slow boring ass beats lmao I could be buggin tho I dunno
Why these guys drop non stop? Nobody buys or listen. They need to focus on quality more. Drop music non stop when your hot and people listen and buy your shit.
This is the major label debut dummy
Its a distrubution deal, chill.
Fire album from the Griselda crew. The eminem feature was not needed because it did not fit the scheme of the album but it’s his label.
I have listened to all projects of these guys over the last few months, loved some hated some, I am loving this one as my best, Eminem feature ok don’t like that he closes the album tho, Benny should have had last verse.
This album was absolute dumb fire from start to finish. GX/FR!
Whiny, slow flow crap. They’re a product of promotion, not talent. This album is proof of that.
Whoever makes the wannabe gun fire sounds on every song that sounds more like a child doing a drum roll with their mouth ruined the entire album.
Westside gunn and yes that shit got fuckin annnnoying
If you get annoyed by the BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR then THIS SHIT ISN’T FOR YOUR STUPID ASS! Go fire up some Kanye West and sitcho ass down somewhere.
This really sound stripped down to the essence. I’ll admit I also really didn’t care for the EM verse and I fuck with EM heavy, but that didn’t really take away from my enjoyment of the album. There’s no stadium anthems, no pop hooks, nothing just grimy coke rap at it’s absolute best.
This album is dope, they really come together well as a group. Daringer is probably my favorite producer at the moment, his beats are consistently on point and unique. I’ve always been a fan of the more grimey, slow beats that sound like a horror scene. Tana Talk 3 is still my favorite of the year, though. Em’s verse is fine, it just sounds out of place but doesn’t ruin the track. 50 idk, sounds like he lost his edge. That Keisha Plum verse was super hard though, best track for me.
Absolute fire. One of the best albums this year.
THE 36 CHAMBERS VS the wwcd…..ENOUGH SAID. PROTECT YA NECK NIGGA! 2020 THE SAGA CONTINUES. 0/5 rating
the 50 cent ft was fire sometimes yall be hating on this site foreal lol
It’s not sometimes it’s literally EVERY comment thread on every post. It doesn’t matter who it is or what it’s about, Mumble, lyrical, old, new. The vast majority of most threads are “this dude sucks” or some stupid ass joke.
Most of the comments here are trolls. Since it’s very easy to comment here anonymous with no consequences people put stupid shit all the time.
What consequences would you have for ppl stating their opinions? It could be that you’re the troll who wants “consequences” for ppl whose opinion goes against your own
Lmaooo and they won’t even outsell rich the kidd hahaha
50 WENT KANAN ON THAT FEATURE!
“”Brrrrrrrrr”, “Ah”, “”boh boh boh”, “scrtttttttttt” What is that? Couldn’t make it to end
Griselda is the future! fire from beginning to end.
The album is definitely dope and street level music. Bars on top of bars! I didn’t like it after my first listen. Then I heard Conway spit some ill shit on a couple tracks and then listened to the album with more attention. All three bring something unique in terms of bars and they compliment each other perfectly. In 2020 I’m redefining my top 10 list over the last 20 years. I’m sure Griselda members will make the cut. I will consider bars and/or impact on the culture…ghostwritten or not! If ghostwriters want credit then they better say something lol.
This album was fire! The only thing I did not like was the Eminem feature he kind of ruined that song. But overall a 5/5 for me
Cant give the album more than a 3 because westside gunn ruined every song. Without him it’s a 4 to 4.5. I cant listen to the album in sequence because of that dude, I need to mix it in with other shit. That’s not what you want from an album. I’m happy that he was happy making those noises, but he ruined the experience for so many people.
I agree 1000000%. Conway and Benny are 2 of the illest in recent memory but WSG is just not good and annoying. Respect his hustle/leadership/merch but from an MC perspective he’s simply not good!
Em spits the best verse on the album and that’s the blemish on the album…….. the trolls aren’t even good anymore
It’s not that Em doesn’t spit fire on the track. He does, but the feature is out of place on this album and I don’t think he should’ve closed out the album either
Eminem sounded out of place. Would’ve been better without him and with less Westside Gunn honestly. He’s the weakest rapper out of the three and his adlib sound effects are too much on this project. Benny the best of em for sure.
wack
Clearly im missing something here. I thought the album was trash. The beats almost sound the same, same tempo and sound uninspired. I love to hear Benny rap but the production these guys use. Boring. I would love to hear Preemo handle all theIr production. He smoked that Gangstarr album
Only good rapper on Griselda is Benny.
These guys are such a niche group. The music is one dimensional. The production sounds like someone trying to replicate 90s grime but still dont know what their doing. They only appeal to a small cult following. I dont understand why they are even on a major. No ones going to buy their albums because they only appeal to such a small percentage of people.
This is some payola bs for sure. 4.5 my ass. cmon. If this were not a jay backed eminem shady affiliated paycheck there would not even be an article on here about it much less a high rating. You gut some idiots buying this as if it’s authentic. Plenty of hard dirty albums that are far better go unnoticed unmentioned or poorly rated here. Little funny how you all of a sudden respect supposed underground stuff out of nowhere.
Besides. Nothing new or great here to see or hear anyway. This some trash. Heard it all before done better. Beats are gross and not even good on a lo fi level. Wanna be minimalist but really a lack of talent. Rhymes are totally forgettable unoriginal.
The production is absent throughout and performances subpar. Doing it to do it and wishing they could. Lazy mess. Heard little kids produce better shit out of their closets.
semu strangers on youtube
The fix is in. Games album was better.
Amazing album. ????? Even though, Eminem didn’t fit, his verse wasn’t bad. Just corny.
Ive not listened yet but why the ugly ass cover ? It’s not fun if u like an album but have to keep seeing an ugly ass peice of sh#t artwork like that. Also I’m doubting the music can b so gud web they are so lacking creativity for the visuals. Looks lazy n half assed.
The cover actually has a cool backstory if u know their culture in buffalo
You’re clearly not a fan of griselda, so take your uneducated opinions and go listen to some more mumble rap you clown !!
Not feeling this one. Too repetitive. Same substance.
Yeah, I hate cohesive albums too! Derp.
At least Em’s shit verse is the last on the album so you can just press stop and pretend it isn’t even there lol
A 4.5 really? So better than Nas’ album? Better than Skyzoo and Pete Rocks album? This is trash that this site has been paid to promote. I hear some guy making gun shots and then terrible rapping, that’s it.
Boom Boom Boom Boom!!!! I cant take it anymore. That guy is trash
Calling it trash is going a bit too far. If this is the definition of trash I’d GLADLY listen to trash all day.
All the the nerd Eminem fans are on here calling it trash. (Just like Jamar and conway said) these Lames will nvr understand hip hop. Go listen to Eminem’s if I was gay instead
I dont understand… When Conway dropped the eminem track, this website gave it the praise that it deserves… months later, same song but new verses from the rest of the camp and now the Eminem feature is “out of place” ? That makes 0 sense
context.
For real ppl just like to hate Eminem cause he the goat lol
Eminem is not THE goat. Rakim , nas, black thought Lupe fiasco jay electronica, Royce 5’9 and Crooked I are better rappers. Eminem always raps like he’s trying to get a record deal. I’m sure the rappers above that I mentioned could rap like that if they chose to. But it’s kinda corny.He made the last track sound weak rapping like he’s trying to get a record deal
Eminem feature was out of place also some months ago, but I guess whoever praised his feature back then was just an Eminmem fanboy
The production is raw and grimy. I want the instrumental version so I don’t have to hear constant gunshot adlibs it almost ruins the whole project. This album isn’t in the same ballpark as 36 Chambers, you gotta be kidding… Em’s feature is cringy, calling it “out of place” is generous. Benny is by far Griselda’s best. The lyrical content is the same as every project they’ve released.
Calling Em’s bar cringy is just pure hate for the sake of hatin him. While Conway was talking about things related to drug and actual blood, em talked about lyrical murder, since he is not from the hood. Lyrics are on point.
Can u quote those “cringy” lyrics ??
To be fair I didn’t listen through…however, from the snippets there is no fucking way you’re gonna convince me you really think this is a 4.5 album. Laughable Man
lol you a bum who prob thinks Drake the goat
Why he gotta be a bum and
a Drake fan just because he not feeling this boring ass slow flow, same piano loop piece of garbage ass album?
Superfacts
This album brought tears to my eyes I didn’t think niggas still made rap like this ??? thank the heavens for the Griselda boys doot doot door dooooot btw Cruiser Weight Coke is the hardest song I’ve heard in years
This is it right here
nobody is better then benny at rapping this yr
Lmaoo stop it bruh. Nobody outside of dusty buffalo knows who he even is, lame
Eatin all that dick huh pussyboy u dye ya hair paint ya nails pop pills and wear tight ass girl cloths wit a purse wit no money in it too don’t u wit a face full of tattoos a emotional ass crack baby who still lives wit ya moms or ya bm on housing too don’t you talkin bout dusty ass Buffalo you a whole bitch out here
this is to OLD HEAD HATER NOT PLEX …..
Diceman from the Legion is flowing and spitting harder than Benny this year.
Is Eminem allergic to hard beats? Bad enough his verse was out of place but they just had to water down the beat for him. Good thing his feature is at the end, easy to skip. But solid album from Griselda, the Old Groove a highlight.
Worst Griselda project I have heard thus far. Very disappointing album. every beat and flow sounds the same.
4.5 for this album?? Smh.. This album is a dud. I expected much better.
everyone saying its classic, and reminscent of Wu tang…. im kind of lossed and in search. but the beats r pretty grungy but
nothing stand out
This album marks the beginning of the end for Griselda. No substance at all, Generic throw away beats and lyrics.
m/
When I play this album and I am not listening to what they say it’s 4/5 the beats and the overall atmosphere reminds me of Onyx All We Got iz Us record and that’s one of my favourite records like ever. But when you listen to what they sayin… I’m just gonna leave it at that, I understand the gangsta theme and all that, it’s all entertainment but come on. Not one song stands out of that. How old are they 17? Come on. Brrrrrrr 2/5
OK I take it all back. I’m listening to the album all the time since I wrote that comment. I need to get into some of their other work next cause this album is the first thing I hear from those guys. They cool I announce my previous comment as invalid. Brrr
You’re a bozo my nigga lol
Hardest shit out here. Daringer and Beat Butcha are crazy on the beats and WSG, BTB and CTM didnt disappoint me at all, killed every track.
The 36 chambers comparison is way off. Even if they usher in a new era of grimy rap, Griselda boys lack substance of any kind. Also, the gun noises, c’mon man….we get it, you’re hard.
the substance gonna come IMO, they establishing themselves right now. WestSide Gunn is the one who does that annoying ass gun ad-lib
their solo music has substance this album is not meant to tell their life story and the gun noises are awesome if you dont like it dont listen and theyre already established they have literally over 50 projects released dont listen to only one and claim they have no substance
Sick..and I thought 50 brought it.
No denying these guys can rap….and they have their own identity……the album is aight at best. These beats are mad boring…
Their 2019 solo projects (FIAAG, HWH7, TPIM, EIF3, and LWIB) hit a little harder than this (in my personal opinion), but this is not a bad project by any means.
The beats and overall flow of this project is on point. This is going into rotation. The eminem rap is so out of place it’s jarring. Not sure about the second coming of 36 chambers, that’s a stretch.
These guys are releasing heat that everyone loves, but why is Hip Hop so unforgettable these days? There are albums that will get you through times for ages, and you’d even re-purchase that album if you lose it over the years. These albums, including this, is only for 1 listen. It’s hot, but what’s next? I hate this shit man. But I don’t condone these guys, they’re making money, and keeping up the pace that is set in the industry, without watering down their sound.
NOT A CLASSIC
I feel like it’s simply because hip-hop and music in general is so oversaturated in this internet age we’re living in and there’s such a surplus and an abundance of accessible content whether trash, mediocre or fire that we’ve just become conditioned, jaded, half-complacent and kind of desensitized to the appeal/appreciation of the craft and culture that comprises an artists work no matter how talented they are or how “good” and deliciously palatable their content may be. No denying shit’s hella hard, it’s genius art, it’s a marble carved marvel of pure uncut work, subjectively hot as tar solidified by red-hot iron bars but unfortunately where we are in history the hardwork, artwork and their creators we’re subjected to hearing are all too often misunderstood, taken for granted, vastly overlooked and lastly underrated even by many fans or any mans listening.. just my opinion, and I ain’t shit so don’t even pay me no attention.
Hate it or love it this album is fire to me. Take off the singing from oh dude novel, that poem from shorty, and Eminem verse this would have been perfect.
Fire album Griselda never miss this like the 9th project they dropped in the last 12 months Griselda dropped the best music the last 4-5 years this crew>>>>tde,dreamville,mmg any crew right now
ACID SHIT
Definitely in the top 5 albums of 2019.. no question. cap not..
The author of this review sounds like a cornball. This is not 36 Chambers.
Ciao! This is not a classic.. It is garbage
Same generic production same subject matter same lazy flow not like it 2/5