Don’t you just love how Westside Gunn lives in his own universe? One filled with wrestling references, abstract setups, luxury fashion, and yes—a whole lot of gun noises. Somehow, it all works, and somehow, we keep coming back for more.
On his latest project, “HEELS HAVE EYES,” Westside Gunn invites us back into his unmistakable world—a place where the lines between street tales, high art, and WWE theatrics blur into a gritty, glamorous blend of chaos.
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TOP 3
3. DAVEY BOY SMITH
Do you know who made the beat for “DAVEY BOY SMITH?” Linus from Charlie Brown off some percs.
No, but seriously—the piano-driven instrumental on this track is smooth as hell. It’s laid-back, soulful, and low-key hypnotic. Westside Gunn delivers a solid verse, but what stood out to me more was the talking at the end. Maybe it’s just me being on this outro kick lately, but there’s something about the way he closes the track that hits different.
At the end of the day, though, it’s really that beat that stole the show. It’s the kind of instrumental that sticks with you long after the song ends.
2. EGYPT
“EGYPT” has one of those beats that makes me wonder “what the hell is Westside Gunn on?” I can see the track being played while watching Muhammed Ali warm up videos with him throwing 100 haymakers at a boxing bag. Appropiately, Westside Gunn throws lyrical body blows at the beat, rapping with a fiery flow and Costco-sized confidence. The icing on the cake is the old man in the background, sounding like he’s either crying because of pain or crying because he’s been dancing and his back hurts. To make a long story short, I think Gunn’s best rap performance from this project is featured here.
1. EINSTEIN KITCHEN
My favorite beat on this album is found on “EINSTEIN KITCHEN.” It’s gritty as hell, featuring these cold piano notes, a nice tempo, and some very dark vibes. Honestly, if you gave Method Man, DMX, or Hard Knock Life Jay this beat, s**t would’ve been murdered. That said, I do think Westside Gunn is fantastic on the track, somehow keeping up with it while delivering impactful bars that pay homage to Mac Miller in the most violent way, that has him shopping for drug appliances in Target, and living five-star lifestyle. Overall, this s**t is flames.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
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OVERALL RATING
(B-) (80%)
For everyone who swore Westside Gunn couldn’t carry a project solo—go ahead and eat crow. With HEELS HAVE EYES, the Buffalo native proves he doesn’t need a single feature to deliver a body of work that’s absolutely chef’s kiss.
Gunn’s raps are as entertaining as ever—grungy, flashy, animated, violent, and soaked in street-life imagery. But let’s talk about the real star of the show: the production. These beats are next-level. You get old-school textures, cinematic drama, elegant moments, and plenty of hard-hitting grit that knocks just right.
Yes, the project is short—but it’s also a powerful reminder that Westside Gunn is damn nice on the mic and behind the vision.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
