Gunn's rise to fame began in the early 2000s, as he started to make a name for himself in the underground hip-hop scene. His early work caught the attention of DJ Premier, who would go on to become a frequent collaborator and mentor. Premier's stamp of approval helped Gunn gain recognition within the industry, and he soon found himself working with other notable artists, such as Ghostface Killah and Mobb Deep.
Inside, twenty people sat on folding chairs. Not a congregation in the usual sense. Old ladies with curlers in their hair. Young men with teardrop tattoos, hands folded like altar boys. A girl no older than fourteen rocking a baby, both of them wrapped in a single quilt. They weren't looking at a cross. They were looking at a boombox. westside gunn still prayingzip link
Fly folded the letter back. The room was quiet except for the baby’s soft breathing and the distant wail of a train. Gunn's rise to fame began in the early
. This project serves as the final installment in a thematic trilogy that includes the acclaimed Pray for Paris And Then You Pray for Me The "Zip Link" and Where to Listen Inside, twenty people sat on folding chairs
Throughout the album, Westside Gunn showcases his signature lyrical dexterity, tackling a range of topics, from his personal life to social commentary. Gunn's lyrics are characterized by their vivid storytelling, clever wordplay, and unflinching honesty. He reflects on his experiences, exploring themes of:
The snow on Buffalo’s Westside wasn’t white anymore. It was gray—slush soaked with exhaust, salt, and the memory of better winters. Inside the old bodega on Hampshire Street, Alfonso “Fly” Santana wiped the counter and listened to the hiss of the space heater. On the wall behind him, a faded photograph of a younger man in a crisp Mitchell & Ness jersey, diamond chain resting on a mountain of coke-white cash. That man was his older brother, Gunn.
, serving as the final installment in a thematic trilogy that includes his acclaimed Pray for Paris (2020) and And Then You Pray for Me (2023) .