For the last two years a group of rappers out of Buffalo, New York have been taking the rap game by storm. Griselda composed of Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher are easily my favorite rappers right now. The group brings that authentic New York Boom Bap and Mafioso vibe that is similar to that of Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. With classics under their belt as solo artists the group released their debut album WWCD last year. So to put people on game I decided to make a list of the Top 10 Griselda songs as a group.
10. Nitro
This track off Westside Gunn’s album “Hitler Wears Hermès 4”, shows all three members using more of a slower flow than normal but the grimy guitar rift beat brings it together. Benny is my favorite out of the group but each member held their own on this track. I liked Conway’s bar about ripping out people’s throats.
9. Headlines featuring Dj Premier
Premo still has it after all these years, a legend and pioneer of Hip Hop Dj Premier lays down a lush boom bap track for the trio to just drop bombs over. For me Westside sounds the best over more lush production, but Benny always leaves me with the most quotable lines.
8. Chef Dreads
The first real track of their group album WWCD, Chef Dreads is just a barrage of bars from all three members. Usually when all three members are on a track they don’t use a hook, which for me works because at the end of the day I go to them for dope beats and even doper bars.
7. Dr.Birds
The first single off the WWCD album, Dr.Birds has that Wu Tang vibe with a more slowed down beat. What I like most about this song is just how much each of them flex’s on the track. In some cases like Chef Dreads the group mostly talks about selling drugs and beating up people, but I also dig when they get into that braggadocio style like flexing about how much shit they have. Plus the line “ Tell Virgil write “Brick” on my Brick” will forever be classic.
6. May Store feat. Keisha Plum
Anytime Keisha Plum on a track you know her spoked word section will but the whole track in perspective, painting a picture over the grim production. Daringer and Beat Butcha really put their foot in this whole project but especially on this beat. The piano sample in the background next to those hard hitting boom bap drums. Benny’s line “ I really beat white, I’m Mr. T from Rocky 3” is one of the coldest lines.
5. Moselle
This song is the closet the group comes to capturing that Wu Tang sound. The glistening piano beat sounds like water hitting glass. This is definitely my favorite track off the “WWCD”. I think Conway had it on this one.
4. Tito’s Back
Had this track on repeat as soon as I heard it. Conway and Benny go bar for bar, in the way Styles P and Jadakiss would flow together on a track. The piano beat is just so simple and menacing. Westside doesn’t have a verse on the track, but him talking shit on the end of it is all I really needed.
3. George Bondo
One of the newest tracks from the crew off Westside’s “Pray For Paris” album, this track is one of the hardest songs I’ve ever heard. I think each time I hear it I have a new fav but Benny’s hockey reference on his verse sold it for me. Once again all you need is a menacing piano sample over some hard hitting drums to make a great track.
2. Brutus
I love when the group uses wrestling references or samples in their songs. I jumped once I heard the old Monday Night Raw siren go off at the beginning of “Brutus”. I think Westside had the best verse but Benny hits you in the face right away with his. The distorted glitzy production on this track is what makes “Supreme Blientele” a classic album to me.
1. Allah Sent Me
This track was sent by Allah for sure. Ever since I heard this banger it’s been my favorite track of the year. I listen to it at least three times a day. Conway slides on this one but Benny’s verse about building a statue up from the gravel might be one of my favorite lines of the year. If you don’t listen to any of the songs on this list at least check this one to get what Griselda is putting down. Flygod is an awesome god.