Westside Gunn is a pivotal figure in the resurgence of gritty, 1990s-inspired East Coast hip-hop. His music is characterized by raw, boom-bap production, vivid street narratives, and a distinctive high-pitched delivery. As a co-founder of Griselda Records, alongside Conway the Machine and Benny the Butcher, Gunn has been instrumental in bringing underground rap back to the forefront. His discography, including albums like Flygod (2016), Supreme Blientele (2018), and Pray for Paris (2020), showcases collaborations with producers such as The Alchemist and Daringer, and features that blend gritty street tales with high-fashion references. In 2023, he released And Then You Pray for Me, which he described as a sequel to Pray for Paris, further cementing his influence in the hip-hop landscape.

Born Alvin Lamar Worthy on July 27, 1982, in Buffalo, New York, Westside Gunn began his musical journey in the mid-2000s. After a hiatus, he returned to the scene in 2012, co-founding Griselda Records with his half-brother Conway the Machine and cousin Benny the Butcher. The label became a cornerstone for underground hip-hop, known for its raw sound and authentic storytelling. Gunn's debut studio album, Flygod, released in 2016, received critical acclaim and set the tone for his subsequent projects. Beyond music, he has ventured into fashion, launching the brand Fashion Rebels, and has expressed a deep passion for professional wrestling, often incorporating wrestling themes into his work. In 2021, he made a cameo in the film Conflicted, showcasing his versatility as an artist. Despite announcing plans to retire from rap after 2023, Gunn continues to influence the genre, with his latest endeavors including the formation of a hardcore punk band named Dissension in early 2025.