Westside Gunn Talks ‘Heelmatic,’ WWE, 4th Rope & Status of Griselda: ‘I’m a Legend Now’
The Buffalo rapper decided to go back on his word of not making another album, because he was inspired by Mass Appeal's "Legend Has It" Series.
Westside Gunn, the Buffalo rapper and founder of Griselda Records, has released his first official studio album since 2023's And Then Pray for Me. The album, titled Heelmatic, was inspired by Mass Appeal's "Legend Has It" series, which features seven different legends releasing seven albums. Westside reached out to Nas and pitched the idea for the album, and Nas agreed.
The title is a play on Nas' Illmatic and the heel, the bad guy, in wrestling. Heelmatic is also tied to Gunn's independent pro wrestling promotion, 4th Rope. Gunn explains that his music career is winding down, and he needs new energy to stay in the industry. He is focused on the future of 4th Rope and A&R'ing and curating new artists.
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