WESTSIDE GUNN, PEACE “FLY” GOD

Ever since dropping the last opus of the Hitler Wears Hermes saga late last year, it may seem like Westside Gunn had slowed down, allowing others to shine, in order to make a name for themselves, to represent where they're from, and to tell their stories. The truth is, WSG has been in this game for a long time, and whilst people fail to realise his importance on the culture, they also fail to understand that he is the reason Griselda Records is where it is today. A lot of people also fail to realise that he is constantly working, for his family, others, and himself.

His last body of work- Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely, Adolf- was released in 2021, and was comprised of two parts, Side A and Side B, and regrouped heavy calibres to artists ready to demonstrate what they could bring to the highly anticipated HWH project.

Towards New Year's Eve at the end of 2021, Westside Gunn revealed the projects scheduled to be released in 2022 under Griselda Records, and left out himself, which led many to believe he would be solely focused on being the mastermind behind what Griselda should sound like.

This was until the FLYGOD started teasing both Michelle Records and Peace 'Fly' God over the past few months, hinting at more music, and announced that PEACE "FLY" GOD was releasing this Friday, with all 10 songs being performed by Westside Gunn, Stove God Cooks and Estee Nack, and produced by Don Carrera, Conductor Williams, Daringer and legendary Madlib.

"I'm back in the States […] the mixtape is complete; I don't give a f*ck about the mix or the master, I wanna keep it grimy, so I'm dropping Friday […] this is not an album, this is an art piece before MICHELLE RECORDS" via IG.

Peace "Fly" God kicks off with an intro, which shares the same name as the mixtape title, and allows a reminder as to who Westside Gunn, Stove God Cooks, and Estee Nack are all about. The sample was previously teased on social media, as were a few of the other ones that can be heard throughout the mixtape.

The second song of the album is called Jesus Crack, over 8 minutes of pure excellence, the tempo is very soothing, Estee Nack showcasing his skills, over a melodic instrumental. WSG comes in with his trademark vocal range. Stove God with the grittiness and different displays make for a strong start, the only piece missing would be the mixing and mastering. But as WSG explained, the mixtape had to be grimy and he put it out as it was recorded, during 48 hours.

Although 10 tracks long, Peace "Fly" God is produced by Don Carrera, Madlib, Conductor Williams and Daringer.

This is pivotal as it gives a chance to the listener to hear everybody's trademark beat making.

The first four songs are produced by Don Carrera, and on Ritz Barlton, the song simply screams Westside Gunn, the little piano notes over the drums are ominous, and the beat speaks for itself, not many could hop on that instrumental, and Don Carrera deserves more exposure.

Don Carrera once again comes up with heat on Big Ass Bracelet, which was the standout snippet on IG in my opinion. Westside Gunn and Stove God Cooks lay their verses and deliver perfectly, over the soulful sample.

Estee Nack is on Bobby Rhude alone, and completely nails his performance, and his craft. The track is full of bars, hunger and the rapper from Lynne, Massachusetts is letting people know that he is not to be played with.

Madlib's production begins on Derrick Boleman, the homage to Derrick Coleman is breath taking. Westside Gunn and Stove God Cooks have different voices but complement each other ever so well, with their cadences, flows and lyrics.

Horses On Sunset is probably the most versatile and well composed track on the mixtape, how can a song sound so ominous yet so bright and full of luminosity. Stove God Cooks is reminiscent of his appearance on 99 Avirex in his cadence, and approach to the instrumental.

There is a Flygod living amongst mortals. At times, Westside Gunn showcases prime levels, over incredibly beautiful samples, suffocating instrumentals- i.e., Conductor Williams- and artistry excellence.

To think this is only a mixtape before waiting for more Griselda releases, the people have been blessed, and can savour it all, Stove God Cooks and Estee Nack have showed monstrous levels, and each song was produced with grimy and authentic approaches.