Westside Boogie Talks New Album Progress and Playing It for Eminem

In a recent deep dive on the Beyond the Label podcast, Compton’s own Westside Boogie sat down to discuss his evolution from a rising lyricist to a seasoned artist who is finally comfortable in his own skin. The interview opened with the host labeling Boogie a “legend,” a title the rapper greeted with a mix of humility and humor. Throughout the conversation, it became clear that while Boogie’s technical skill remains sharp, his current focus is more on the man he is becoming outside the recording booth than just the bars he puts inside it.

One of the standout moments involved a look back at his breakout hit, “N-gga Needs,” which Boogie noted was recorded in a rented closet in Burbank over a decade ago. He expressed immense pride in the technicality of that verse, despite the video’s unconventional origins—pitched by an Australian filmmaker who approached him at his home. This early success set a high bar for his visual storytelling, though Boogie was quick to credit the creative team behind him rather than taking the credit for himself.

Boogie also touched on the mystery behind his music, specifically the track “Silent Ride“. While fans often look for deeper meanings in his club records, he famously refused to explain the song’s specific inspiration, stating that he prefers to leave the “mystery” to the audience. This protective nature over his art extends to his personal life, where he balances being one of the most vulnerable voices in rap with a desire for privacy.

The interview took a lighter, more personal turn when discussing his daily habits, including his claim to be the best chess-playing rapper in America, allegedly ranking in the top 25. Between four-hour chess sessions and Uber rides—a necessity after his Audi was repossessed following a bizarre incident involving a homeless woman turning it into a “house” downtown—Boogie painted a picture of a life that is grounded, if not a bit chaotic. He joked about his business partner discouraging him from buying a Tesla Cybertruck, citing “little d-ck energy,” and instead focusing his time on taking his kids to Chuck E. Cheese.

When discussing the technical side of his craft, Boogie revealed a surprising fact: he no longer writes his lyrics down. Instead, he memorizes them through repetition and records melodies into voice memos, a method that ensures his music feels more like an instinctive flow than a calculated construction. He cited a diverse range of influences, from Lauryn Hill and church music to Jay-Z and the “metaphor-heavy” era of Lil Wayne, though he admitted he had to “unlearn” the habit of overusing forced metaphors to find his own authentic voice.

Reflecting on the industry, Boogie was candid about the lessons he learned far too late, particularly regarding financial literacy. He laughed about spending astronomical amounts of money on Postmates—specifically Bossa Nova’s chicken lasagna—and the shock of dealing with taxes and label splits after his first major success. He also weighed in on the “content era” of rap, acknowledging that while marketing is now a 50/50 split with talent, he still believes good music will eventually cut through the noise.

Perhaps the most poignant part of the interview focused on therapy and healing. Boogie credited therapy with making him a better man and father, helping him navigate the trauma of losing his grandmother and the complex relationship he had with his mother. He admitted that while he used to use the studio as his sole form of “accountability,” he now realizes that the real work happens outside of the music. He spoke about “trauma searching” for inspiration and how a recent argument with his son’s mother actually sparked a creative streak that led to some of his best new work.

Looking toward the future, Boogie defines success not by a Grammy—though he still wants one—but by the fact that he can provide for his children and keep his rent paid. He confirmed that his new album is nearly finished, with the final step being a trip to Michigan to play the project for Eminem and get the Shady Records founder’s feedback. As he prepares to head back on tour, Boogie seems less concerned with maintaining a “hard” image and more focused on being a kind, present father who just happens to be a “legend” in the making.

When pressed on his all-time favorites, Boogie listed a powerhouse quartet consisting of Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, and Eminem. He admitted to a strong personal bias toward Jay-Z, noting that his admiration goes beyond the music to what the mogul represents as a whole. While he acknowledged other lyrical heavyweights like Lupe Fiasco, Andre 3000, and Jadakiss—specifically praising the latter for his dominant “resurgence” during the Verzuz battle against Dipset—it is the influence of this core group that has shaped his perspective on what makes a rapper truly great. This selection carries extra weight considering Boogie’s own journey, as he mentioned having to “unlearn” his early habit of mimicking Lil Wayne’s metaphor-heavy style to finally discover his own authentic voice.

Eminem Westside Boogie