Conway has returned with a strong new album that demonstrates why he's an industry favourite right now. Make sure to keep an eye open for whatever he has coming next!
It took me a long while to get into Griselda records, but once I did there was no going back. All the grimy, dirty beats, the arrogant coke raps, the lyrical bars, and the amazing album curation have created a Griselda records obsession for me. After a string of mixtapes from Conway between 2015 and 2019, he opened 2020 with his collaboration EP with The Alchemist. While it was very short, at only 23 minutes, the beat selection from The Alchemist and Conway's unstoppable bars made for a very strong first project of the year. He then went on to release his collaboration with Big Ghost Ltd, which for me was slightly underwhelming, before releasing his debut album 'From King to a God'. 'From King to a God' was a mammoth album, containing 14 tracks (before releasing 5 more tracks in the deluxe edition), a strong list of features and no fillers. Conway is now back with his sophomore album 'La Maquina'.
Bruiser Brody
The album opens with 'Bruiser Brody's eery beat and classic Griselda boast raps. Conway's flow is spot on, and his rhyming is very strong, as is now expected from the rap veteran. He even touches on fans perceiving Drumwork as a rival to Westside Gunn and Griselda Records, which Conway explains is not the case. The track closes with a very strange hook that Conway spits in a way that reminds me of a child rapping for the first time:
I think they prayin' on my downfall Rather see me dead or locked up in a cage That's why I never come around y'all Or maybe I'm just too stuck in my ways I swear they prayin' on my downfall I think they prayin' on my downfall They rather see me dead or locked up in cage Oh no-no, oh no-no
Despite being child-like, I do feel it adds a lot to track stylistically, so don't be put off by this.
6:30 Tip Off
The second track opens with quite a grand beat, creating a sense of what's to come. Conway flows very well over the beat once again, continuing the same boast raps he's so well-known for:
I'm grindin' like my work is never finished, I'll never give in Boy, I'm jumpin' over all of my obstacles, even with a torn patellar tendon
Blood Roses
'Blood Roses' was the first single released for the album and features Jae Skeese from Conway's label Drumwork. Conway flows really well again, and picks up pace in the middle of the first verse where he raps:
You should see they face when they find out I didn't wrote it Oops, I mean "didn't write it", excuse me, I just get excited I'ma shoot mines if a n**** try it, I'ma do time if I get indicted
Jae Skeese offers up a very strong hook, but no verse:
I'm thankful that God never blessed me with basic views So those perspectives that I'm projectin', they can't confuse They played the fool, but I paid the piper and paid the dues This is god level, but I came to prove I came improved
Clarity
'Clarity' offers up more of a trap style beat, which Conway sounds great over but I don't feel hits as hard as the other tracks on the album.
KD
In 'KD', Conway replicates the flow of Kodak Black's 'No Flockin'', and subsequently Cardi B's 'Bodak Yellow' where she replicated Kodak's original flow.
The style of the song isn't what Conway usually goes for. However, Conway continues to rhyme really well, and creates a super-interesting hook:
Ayy, I don't give a fuck what a f**k n**** said If that s**t ain't said to me Give a f**k 'bout your opinion If you ain't got as much bread as me I ain't f****n' with that ho no more That p***y is dead to me I only been here for maybe five years They already speak on my legacy
200 Pies
'200 Pies' opens with a really nice vocal sample. The track is slower than those before it, making for a smooth change of pace. Conway delivers more high caliber lyricism, covering topics like his business ventures, and gaining so much respect that both bloods and crips respect his body of work simultaneously. 2 Chainz compliments the track with a great verse, before Conway takes over the mic again to close the song, which fades out with more of the same smooth vocal sample.
Sister Abigail
This track offers up a very interesting, quirky beat, with piano keys scattered across the it. Jae Skeese opens the track with a very solid verse, before 7xvethegenius takes over. 7xvethegenius starts her verse with a choppy flow which I feel undecided about, neither liking nor disliking it. However, she moves into a smoother flow making her sound more comfortable on the beat, adding to a very strong feature. Conway hits the song last, and again drops a great verse.
Grace
Grace seemed like a strange tracklist choice to me. It's the third appearance from Jae Skeese, which I'm not disappointed by but it does come across as quite repetitive. Jae Skeese raps a nice hook, and a solid verse, but it doesn't land the same as his previous features. Conways input on the track is by no means not good, but it doesn't stand out to me, and after so many strong releases from Conway over the past 5 years he's forced us to expect more from him.
Scatter Brain
'Scatter Brain' is comfortably my favourite song on the album. The opening sample is really interesting, and sounds like school-kids chanting, creating an eery, creepy vibe. The bass thuds coming from the beat are frequent and hard, with faint strings fluttering over the it. Conway's opening verse is brilliant. JID is on fire when he follows Conway, which comes as no surprise. Is there a beat JID won't crush? Conway comes back after JID's verse continuing to rap as brilliantly as before. Ludacris then closes the track with a greatly entertaining verse, including:
Bow down to rap's dignitary 'Cause Luda always been a visionary I always knew you was a b***h So I just read your obituary, n****
If nothing else, I beg everyone who reads this album review to give 'Scatter Brain' a listen, I don't see how you could be disappointed.
Had to Hustle
ElCamino opens this song with a decent verse, before providing a solid hook for the song.
Nobody gave me nothin', I struggled, I had to hustle I got my shit out the mud And they ain't show me no love
Conway raps the second verse, covering topics like the US prisons, legally funding his recordings, and keeping an eye-out for rats.
Prisons got inhumane conditions, COs wildin' on us Yeah, it's different now These new n****s have you thinkin' they gangsters, but really proud informants
Shots then raps the third verse and raps well over the beat.
S.E. Gang
The album closes with a Griselda cut featuring both Westside Gunn and Benny the Butcher. As expected, all three artists rap very well over the track which features an insane guitar riff. I found the guitar very exciting to hear on the track as it's a new sound for Griselda to jump on.
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