Westisde Gunn - Supreme Blientele (Album Review)

“Rosboro pullovers, I’m rapping like two HOVA’s” proudly exclaims Buffalo rapper Westside Gunn on the track Dean Malenko, the third track off of his latest full length album, Supreme Blientele. The line serves as a nod of respect to rap legend Jay-Z and an indication of Gunn’s confidence in his rap ability, which shows all over his lates album, serving as an ode to two main components of his upbringing: drugs and wrestling. 

Supreme Blientele is Westside Gunn’s guide to the street life, dressed with intense yet soulful production, and outlined with a unique appreciation for wrestling culture. While these two things may seem that they don’t have a clear connection, drug use was prominent throughout wrestling in the 70’s and 80’s. Whether Westside intended for that to be the connection or not, it’s a parallel one could make by listening to the album in full. Westside blends sound bites from several ring legends which lead into an array of street anthems, highlighted by Gunn’s uniquely high pitched voice and colorful “boom boom!” ad-libs. 

Tracks like Gods Don’t Bleed (which features fellow Griselda Records member Benny alongside rap legend Jadakiss), Rvd, Brossface Brippler and Stefflon Don showcase a darker side of production along with some of the album’s grittiest lines and most blatant cocaine references. The beats often put you in that mindset whether you’ve spent a second in that life or not, which is a credit to Westside Gunn’s versatility and substance to not make every song sound the same despite the consistent subject matter.

With that said, while those songs may give the most hard hitting moments of the album, it’s the soulful tracks and production that may very well be the highlight of the project. Whether it’s the harmony filled Amherst Station, the jazzy and bragaciodos Elizabeth, or the Roc Marciano assisted Ric Martel, one would find it difficult to find a better group of tracks to drive around or relax to. But there is one more song that deserves its own praise. The 16th track titled Wrestlemania 20 is a special listen all on its own. From Westside’s witty and aggressive flow, to the amazing  production by 9th Wonder, to the soulful vocals laid down by R&B/Soul superstar Anderson .Paak, the song makes a legitimate case for best song of 2018, period.

Supreme Blientele managed to be a standout project in a special year for rap music. 2018 has seen artists both well known as well as rising, deliver quality music that can satisfy a particular hip hop audience and even gain fans from other areas of the genre. Westside Gunn’s album gives the most original and thorough concept on the dangers and mindset of the cocaine dealer’s lifestyle rap music has seen in years; As a result, we have a potential classic in the making and easily one of the best albums of 2018.

Top 5 songs:

1. Wrestlemania 20

2. Gods Don’t Bleed

3. Elizabeth

4. Dean Malenko

5. Rvd