When Westside Gunn released the first edition of #HWH ten years ago, Griselda was still in its infancy stage. Now, GXFR is a global brand and he is the industry’s pre-eminent multi-hyphenate; artist/label owner/creative/curator/fashion icon.
With Griselda’s core, Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and Conway The Machine now established stars, The trendsetting label is regenerating, revitalizing, and re-inventing itself. Westside Gunn has assembled GXFR’s next generation of stars; Stove God Cooks, Armani Caesar, Rome Streetz, Jay Worthy, and his son Flygod JR (all of whom appear on 10).
Every year around this time, as the season’s change and fall announces itself, it’s become a reflex of sorts for fans to begin to clamoring and waiting on a new edition of #HWH. It’s become a tradition and a rite of passage. For as much of a visionary as Westside Gunn is, he is also a devout traditionalist.
Last year at this time, Westside Gunn released HWH8 as a double album in two different installments with Side: A (which topped the iTunes Charts) and Side: B. The editions featured Tyler, The Creator, Lil Wayne, Jadakiss, Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine, Jay Electronica, 2 Chainz, Larry June, Madlib, Stove God Cooks, The Alchemist, Daringer, Sauce Walka, Boldy James, Mach-Hommy, Rome Streetz, AZ, Armani Caesar Jay Worthy, Conductor Williams, Jay Versace, and DJ Green Lantern among others.
Keeping his plans under wraps until the very last moment, Westside Gunn has now released #HWH’s final installment; and to officially memorialize it, he has aptly titled it 10, which not only signifies completion but celebrates what has already been set in motion; and there is no disputing this notorious series will live on and influence for generations.
That influence is readily apparent on 10’s lead single, “Shootout’s In Soho,” which features A$AP Rocky & Stove God Cooks,
“It’s only right that we end here. All special things get a memorial release” Westside Gunn reflects. “The last double album was going to be the final one, but it felt weird leaving off at nine and not 10. I had to celebrate this series which has meant so much to fans. Everything I do sounds nothing like the last thing I did. That’s the creative in me, and I’m always going to push the culture forward. I’m ending this on a really special note with 10.”
Westside Gunn’s 10 features appearances and production from A$AP Rocky, Run The Jewels, Black Star, Ghostface, Raekwon, Busta Rhymes, DJ Drama, Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine, Stove God Cooks, Armani Caesar, Rome Streetz, Jay Worthy, Robby Takac (of the Goo Goo Dolls), RZA, The Alchemist, Swizz Beatz, Pete Rock, Conductor Williams and fresh essence from Flygod JR.
© 2022, Seth "Digital Crates" Barmash. All rights reserved.
