Hall N Nash 2 Review
Art is beautiful especially when you craft it the right way, WestSide Gunn is much need in our culture because he knows how to curate good art. With the rap game changing where people rather use uptempo instrumentals; Griselda Records has always used soul samples along with lo fi drums and hi hats to deliver the grim tales of Buffalo. WestSide Gunn with his wrestling heel persona along with Conway The Machine; Someone who destroys instrumentals with his rugged voice and delivery.
WestSide Gunn has made his vision come true and that was to make Buffalo a landmark with their signature sound. Truth be told, this album was not supposed to be released. Alchemist took the liberty into releasing this himself because to him; this is an instant classic. According to HotNewHipHop.Com (2023), “ Griselda Records & Alchemist had a hand full of songs meant for Hall N Nash 2 but some of those songs were on other projects. The OG version of the album was never releaseed because around the time they were finishing the project; Griselda Records signed their deal with Shady Records”, (Bras Nevares, 2023). From those sources, it makes me wonder how long ago did they do this and how come we didn’t get this album any sooner? Better late than never and this is another art piece that is valuable.
On December 29, Hall N Nash 2 finally dropped 3 days before the New Year. True underground Hip Hop fans were immersed by this unnanounced release. Many people do not understand that sometimes scrapped work can look like gold. Thank God Alchemist talked to WestSide Gunn about keeping the OG version because this is pure classic.
Hall N Nash is one of the best duos in a long time. These two artist can rap of each other finishing each others bars without any problem. With WestSide Gunn’s obnoxious flow to Conway’s murderous wordplay; Hall N Nash is a force to be reckon with. As I dig track by track, There will be key points and meaning as I explain why this album is needed for our culture.
- Introduction- Conway The Machine does not seem to disappoint along with WestSide Gunn’s voice blessing the intro with his obnoxious behavior on songs. Conway coming in with his gun bars like” I dont think a vest would’ve stopped it/ I will never sell again, I’m Collecting the profit”, ( Conway The Machine, 2023) meaning he is the plug, no longer the foot soldier.
- Ray Mysterio- A clever coke anthem referencing the legend “Rey Mysterio”. WestSide Gunn has always been infactuated with wrestling culture to the point he draws inspiration from his own hobbies.
- Fork In the Pot Feat. Schoolboy Q- Conway starts off well delivering dangerous bars. Coming from the cold streets of Buffalo; Conway raps “To come back to my hood/ You need a pass” (Conway, 2023) declaring Conway is the man of Bluff City. Schoolboy Q raps with confidence. Delivering gun bars like a URL battle rap league. Q Spits bars like “ Guns in the addict, fiends got me in the palace/ But its hard to keep your balance when this K automatic”, (SchoolBoy Q, 2023). Conway steals the show when he flips bars like “ I creep through heats in the dash, I keep two stashed/ Fuck the police too, I was speeding through the Ave”, ( Conway The Machine, 2023). WestSide Gunn clever hook brings the luxury into rap.
- Michaelangelo- Westside Gunn is so obnoxious. He is a modern day Jimmy Hart. WestSide Gunn choice into making luxurious braggadocious music fits him perfect. Cocaine bars like “ Hard over the grams yo, yo I’m dancing over pots/ Remix like Jermaine Dupri, we keep it in the family”, (Westside Gunn, 2024). WestSide Gunn has a way with how to juggle dope bars. Conway makes bars that put goosebumps in you;re skin. Con gives life lessons like “ Trust me, it get ugly in these streets/ If your hustle ain’t discreet, get gun butted in your sleep”, (Conway The Machine, 2023), The two call themselves Hall N Nash for a reason. They both tag team on beats and body slam the track.
- 94 Ghost Shit- Alchemist produced vintage Al from Mobb Deep Murda Muzik days. Grimey rap at it’s finest. He (Conway) rapping gangster bars like “ Tell you once, leave my name of your records/ Like nino, I will walk you through the jects, pump to your chin while you naked”, (Conway The Machine, 2023). Conway is the king of this rap game right now and Con will rob for his respect.
- Pete V.S Andre- Jada and styles, Meth and Red; No, its Conway and WestSide Gunn. The chemistry they have on these beats. This art form of rap is complex because when you are doing things like these guys; Cadence, delivery, and annunciation is needed. Bar for bar, WestSide Gunn killing it with the lavish talk but Conway murders each verb every time it was his turn.
- Fuck and Get High- Classy and luxurious; Griselda records never disappoints. He reminisces like “I remember, top off the Porsche in December/ Robbed these ninjas for the starters, we was lil ninjas”, (WestSide Gunn, 2023). This reminds you how young WestSide Gunn was when he first started doing the grimey stuff he raps about in his music.
- Judas- Another wrestling reference towards Chris Jericho and his signature move, “The Judas Effect”. Griselda Records, The Almighty. WestSide Gunn stole the whole show with his dexterous flow. WestSide comes in like “ Don’t get embarrased by the merits/ Murals of Paris, I ain’t never been to Paris. Murals of Phoenix, I ain’t never been to Phoenix/ And Tom Ford suits on Bobby “The Brain” Heenan”, (WestSide Gunn, 2023). Conway’s rebuttal is A+.
- Hall N Nash 2- I love listening to Hall N Nash because of how they do the back and forth flow. WestSide Gunn kept the energy going while Conway syre delivers killer citation to his music. Conway has a line to all the rappers to stay out of his way. Con raps “Real talk, I don’t fuck with none of y’all rappers/ Street Sweeper hit you, make you summersault backwards”, (Conway The Machine, 2023). Battle rap version of Conway delivers the best piece of art work anybody can own.
Overall
Before the Shady signing, I wish Hall N Nash would of dropped this sooner. Late is better than never in this case. Griselda impacted a culture to where Hip Hop has it’s story telling of drugs, guns, and violence. Checking the Hall N Nash biography, this duo did a great job and I am still puzzled to why WestSide Gunn did not want to drop this album. Thank God Uncle Al is around to keep the CD.
If it wasn’t for Alchemist, we would of never gotten this work. These situations happen when an artist is pessimistic about the work they put in or put out. These situations are tough and sometimes art can make you hard on yourself. Take Hall N Nash for example. True two artist who are very meticulous with their craft. Understanding art and it’s concept; Hall N Nash is a culture push for Hip Hop to encourage the youth to take their hobbies and be creative. Although Hall N Nash 2 dropped in late 2023, This album is an opener for a new year.
Live from the Stove Top,
Andrew Kenekham AKA Druski Dru
Reference
Bras Nevares, G. (2023) The Alchemist announces “Hall N Nash 2” with WestSide Gunn & Conway The Machine Retrieved from hotnewhiphop.com/748041-alchemist-westside-gunn-conway-machine-hall-nash-2-hip-hop-news
