In an exclusive interview on Rap Radar Podcast with Elliott Wilson and Brian “B. Dot” Miller, debuting through iHeartRadio, Griselda co-founder Westside Gunn explained how being in the middle of the underground Hip-Hop scene and the mainstream has helped his rap career. It’s also given him the chance to uplift the rappers on his New York-based label and display their talents for major artists in his inner circle to see like Eminem, JAY-Z, Drake and others.
“When you’re underground, a lot of eyes and ears aren’t on you. Now like I said, I’m right in that middle. So I know if I curated a project, Drake might listen to it. Travis might listen to it, Tyler might listen to it, Hov might listen to it, Nas might listen to it, Marshall might listen to it. So I do these albums so Hov can hear Rome. So Nas can hear Rome. So Marshall can hear Rome, you feel me?” said Gunn.
Then he added: “Since y’all paying attention to me, let me show you something. That’s what it’s about. It’s spreading the culture. I’m not selfish. I want my guys to shine.”
After the end of 2023, Westside Gunn is also considering retiring from hip-hop scene.
In a series of tweets, the Buffalo rapper began his farewell by saying he has nothing else left to prove. He then started recapping his career, listing out some of his collaborators and producers he’s worked with. The list is pretty legendary from late rappers MF Doom and Prodigy to Jay-Z and Eminem.
Check out the tweets below:
23’ def my last year doing this s–t, I don’t have nothing else 2prove, I put my team on, I put my city on, I worked w/everybody I ever wanted to work with, plus MFs still don’t even understand 1-10, FLYGOD, Awesome GOD, or Pray for Paris(mind u Virgil did the cover) im the 🐐🤷🏽♂️
— WESTSIDEGUNN (@WESTSIDEGUNN) December 30, 2022
I’ve worked with DOOM, PRODIGY, DMX and SEAN PRICE… ALL RIP 🤲🏽🤲🏽
I’ve did deals with Eminem, Jay Z
My beats are Alchemist, Preemo, Pete Rock, Rza, Swizz, Just Blaze, Muggs, Apollo Brown, Knxledge, 9th Wonder
Album mixed by Guru w/ 2 Slick Rick verses
— WESTSIDEGUNN (@WESTSIDEGUNN) December 30, 2022
I’ve worked with WU, Mobb Deep, Run the jewels, Blackstar, Lox, The Roots, Kanye, Lil Wayne, 2Chainz, Durag Dynasty, Combat Jack(RIP) was there when I recorded HWH4, 50cent, Banks, Kool G rap, Royce,Anderson Paak, nominated for a Grammy right now with Mary J Blige and MANY MORE
— WESTSIDEGUNN (@WESTSIDEGUNN) December 30, 2022
I worked with Tyler, Asap Rocky,PB Carti, Wale, my music played at Fashion Shows in Paris, Japan, countless Tattoos, Countless murals, I’ve never taken longer than 10-14days to make ANY project.. not 1x a year either multiple albums a year and I elevated every single time
— WESTSIDEGUNN (@WESTSIDEGUNN) December 30, 2022