[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWlGXoXBLoE&w=610&h=315]
March 4th, 2017
Shady Records announces today that it has signed an exclusive deal with Buffalo, NY-based hip-hop label Griselda Records for artists Westside Gunn and Conway. Marking this huge success, the rappers — who are also brothers — become the first out of Buffalo to sign a deal with major label distribution. With this deal, Shady Records has agreed to release solo projects from the two MC’s and as well as joint album.
Background: Conway, Westside Gunn, Griselda Records
The pair got their start in the early 2000’s, with Conway steadily earning a reputation as one of the most skilled rappers in the region. During that time, Gunn worked as his manager and eventually began developing his own career as an artist and launching Griselda Records in 2014. Since breaking onto the scene with the label’s independently-released mixtapes and a series of SoundCloud-released music, Gunn and Conway have caught the attention of the media and fans alike, garnering respect from everyone from DJ Premier and Pete Rock, to Anderson.Paak, to Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali. A growing cult following has resulted in Griselda’s vinyl releases and label merchandise selling out in mere minutes, while murals of the two rappers and their album covers have popped up on walls in cities across the United States and in places as far-flung as Australia, France, Romania, and the U.K.
Commented Eminem: “The style and energy of Griselda Records, Gunn and Conway are infectious. We can’t wait to put them on the platform they have earned and deserve.”
“We’re bringing a new sound to the game, but it’s also reminiscent of the grimey 90’s,” said Griselda founder and recording artist Westside Gunn. “Art is in everything we do…it’s the essence. We’re fusing boom-bap/dark sounds with the hipster cool kid lifestyle. A new lane is being carved.” This uniqueness and the blend of old & new are what has given Griselda Records these opportunities, and I look forward to hearing more from them.
Hall n’ Nash
Aside from their solo projects, Gunn and Conway also record together as Hall n’ Nash (paying homage to their favorite WWE tag team The Outsiders). They recently completed a soon-to-be-released project with The Alchemist, and the duo will also be releasing an album under the Shady deal.
Westside Gunn’s last project was the Hitler Wears Hermes 4 mixtape, which was released in October. The 11-track project includes features from Stalley, Conway, Smoke DZA and more. Conway has been steadily releasing tracks for his Devil’s Reject mixtape series and has been heard on Shade 45’s Tony Touch and Statik Selektah shows.
Check out a new song from Hall n’ Nash, “MachineGun Black” produced by Just Blaze, below or HERE.
Check out a documentary on Griselda Records HERE.
About Shady Records:
Shady Records is a record label co-founded in 1999 by Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg as a joint venture with Interscope Records. Since its inception, the label’s releases have generated worldwide sales in excess of 25 million copies, and propelled artists such as 50 Cent, D-12, Yelawolf, and Slaughterhouse to worldwide success. Shady also released the soundtrack for the 2003 film 8 Mile, which included “Lose Yourself,” the first hip-hop song to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Apart from the record label, the company has also made ventures into satellite radio (via its Shade 45 station on SiriuxXM radio), film, and lifestyle brands.
Eric- FestPop Staff Writer