Troubling Trio

10.29.20

Westside Gunn, Eminem, Conway

Would I be wrong in saying that rap groups just do not work anymore? The Migos have not put out a quality project since Culture I, YBN just lost two of the three members, The City Girls cannot catch a break and Earthgang never really stuck. Griselda is a group of three of the rawest hip-hop talents in the industry. However, it seems like the trio themselves are starting to crumble.

Westside Gunn, Conway and Benny the Butcher make up the three members of Griselda. They signed a distribution deal with Shady Records and Eminem back in 2017. Although this seems like the biggest of all moves in the industry, it almost feels like this relationship has been rocky from the start. Griselda has done multiple interviews from the beginning of their signings that have said, they do not need the constant attention and support from their label, but they were happy to be where they are. Most recently, it seems like the crew may be over the Shady relationship. Or at least, one of the members have been quite clear about this.

The latest news, is that Westside Gunn apparently feels some type of way, about Eminem not tweeting his album. Now does this not sound like some Drake and Meek Mill beef in 2015? A fan actually brought this about by commenting on Eminem’s post for sharing The Alchemist’s new project. These guys have had a really strong relationship since the beginning of Eminem’s career, so it is not anything surprising that he would share this project, when his platform is bound to get more streams than one from The Alchemist. Anyways, the fan responded asking why Eminem would share this and not Westside’s album, when he is on Em’s own label. Westside responded to this with some emojis, to allude to his agreement to the message.

Maybe Westside Gunn did feel some type of way that Eminem did not tweet his album. Maybe he wanted the Eminem feature that Conway got a couple features back. Either way, this project was going to get plenty more streams than the Alchemist project. Griselda has been blowing up, and they can do it on their own, just as they had wished. Still, this was not Westside’s first clap at the label. I have a feeling it will not be the last.

Earlier this year, Westside Gunn and Griselda were nominated for Best Rap Group at the BET Awards. It was quite exciting for the trio, but it looks like Shady Records was not celebrating with them. Westside also took to Twitter this night, tweeting directly at Shady Records, questioning whether or not they were aware of the trio’s BET Nomination. I am not sure how the nominations work. If the label is informed by BET, there should have been something nice for the guys. But if they just go directly to the artists, perhaps they should have told their label in excitement, maybe no one did know. BET Awards are several times a year and sometimes sneak up you. Either way, this is a sad series of events.

Throughout Westside’s time shading the label, he has announced his retirement. In several tweets, he has stated that at the end of December 2020, Westside Gunn will be retiring from rap music, and he will be at peace with his decision. Well, is this to get out of his Shady contract? Will he retire, get dropped, then come out on his own? What will then happen to the remainder of Griselda?

The group has been dropping solo projects and joint projects more consistently than most. It would be a true loss to hip-hop to looks Westside, just as the industry are starting appreciate the talent he possesses. It is really unclear if he was just over rap music, said all he needed to say, or if the label had pushed him off of the edge. I was rooting for Griselda and Shady Records for many years now, but I hope that Westside does not put down the mic, even if it means moving him away from the label.

A few months ago, a die-hard Eminem fan, and graphic designer had shared some images that alluded to Shady’s 20th Anniversary. It looked like there was a Shady XX album in the works, just like there was for the 15th. If you do not recall, this release was a two-disc project. Side B was all classic old hits, but Side A was new music, with Slaughterhouse and the current Shady Records members. When word got out about these album covers, we thought we were getting another. Westside Gunn had something to say about this as well, with Boogie, Compton’s own Shady Records member, responding to the message. Paul Rosenberg confirmed that this information was all inaccurate, and that the artwork was for a bundle of old project to celebrate 20 years. Boogie responded, thanking Paul, saying Shady Gang 4 Life, Westside was non responsive.

This is believable, as Eminem is just launching his 20 Year capsule today, about two months late. I honestly could not think about many other artists who sign a record label with another artist, who have blown up to be just a big. Griselda might be the best group to have done so. You do not see Slaughter house walking around anymore, Skylar Grey is just an interesting situation, and Boogie really deserves so much more credit. Gucci Mane has rebuilt 1017 several times already, Kendrick Lamar’s crew is falling apart, Kanye’s people (that are left) all cannot stand him, and Young Thug’s artists will be lucky to make it big outside of Atlanta.

There is just something about taking orders or direction from another person, especially on something so near and dear to you. How are you going to listen to someone rap about what they have experienced in real life, and then tell them to change something up? It is definitely hard, and I would have to assume this gets in the way of working together. Then, when there is a lack of communications, you get the sense that no one cares. This is definitely what has been going on with the crew. Terribly sad indeed, but we will have to wait until 2021 to see if Westside truly puts down the mic for good.