Still Praying
Westside Gunn just dropped his latest album, STILL PRAYING, and I gotta say, it’s refreshing to hear him back in his element. This album follows AND THEN YOU PRAY FOR ME, which itself was a sequel to Pray For Paris. For me, Pray For Paris is the peak of his discography—it’s gritty, raw, and embodies everything that makes Griselda what it is. Seriously, it’s not just one of his best; it’s easily one of the top two Griselda albums ever. The combination of hard-hitting beats and chill flows about street life and hustling is just unmatched, plus you can't ignore how Gunn confidently asserts he’s the flyest in the game.
Now, I’ll be honest—I wasn't really feeling his last album. Those trap beats just didn’t vibe with me, and it felt like a departure from his signature style. But going into STILL PRAYING, I was hopeful that he’d return to what we know and love. And thankfully, he did!
Right off the bat, you can tell Gunn is back with his usual formula. The album is filled with fire chopped samples from producers like Daringer and Conductor Williams, both of whom really know how to capture that classic Griselda sound. And of course, there’s Gunn’s distinct, almost theatrical delivery, where he boasts about his style and status. It’s all there—just like we expect.
While the production on this album feels a bit more subdued compared to some of his past work, and it doesn’t feature as many guest artists as some of his previous projects, that doesn’t take away from the overall quality. It’s not about flashy collaborations or over-the-top beats; it’s about the essence of what makes Westside Gunn great. I might’ve hoped he’d shoot for something bigger, maybe even more climactic, but honestly, I’m just glad he’s back to doing his thing.
In a world where artists often stray too far from their roots, STILL PRAYING feels like a much-needed return to form for Westside Gunn. It’s a solid listen from start to finish and definitely reminds us why he’s such a pivotal figure in the hip-hop scene right now.
WESTSIDE GUNN - STILL PRAYING
RATING - 8.3/10
FAVORITE TRACK - N/A
GENRE - Hip-Hop, Rap