And Then You Pray for Me explained

And Then You Pray for Me
Type:studio
Artist:Westside Gunn
Cover:And Then You Pray for Me.jpg
Genre:
Length:75:17
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:10
Prev Year:2022

And Then You Pray for Me is the fifth studio album by American rapper Westside Gunn, released on October 13, 2023, by Griselda Records and Empire.[1] [2] The album is a sequel to Gunn's 2020 album Pray for Paris.[3]

Background

In April 2023, Westside Gunn announced that the album was to be released on June 23, 2023, but it was later delayed.[4] [5] The album's title refers to a lyric in the song "Eric B" by Westside Gunn, where he raps: "Pray for Paris, then you pray for me."[6] The album's cover was designed by Virgil Abloh using Caravaggio's depiction of The Entombment of Christ.[7] [8]

Critical reception

Writing for Pitchfork, Matthew Strauss described the album as a "symbiosis between the trap and boom-bap genres" and a "broad, loud, and messy exploration of Gunn's vision for rap and art." Philip Cluff of Clash praised the album's themes writing: "It's not just another gangster rap album but essentially a commentary on the psychological fatigue accompanying ruthlessness of the question young black men inherited from Gil Scott Heron; "Who will survive in America?" AllMusic's review described the album as "sometimes overly familiar if still satisfying." HipHopDXs Riley Wallace described the album as a "mixed bag that relies on the listener's ability to go with the flow."

Track listing

Notes

Charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[9] 81

Notes and References

  1. Gee . Andre . 2023-10-09 . Westside Gunn Says This Is His Final Album, But That Doesn't Mean The Music Stops . 2023-11-05 . . en-US.
  2. Web site: Spencer . Tallie . 2023-10-13 . Westside Gunn Shares Final Album "And Then You Pray For Me" . 2023-11-05 . . en.
  3. Web site: Helfand . Raphael . Listen to Westside Gunn's studio "finale" . 2023-11-05 . . en.
  4. Web site: Jones . James . 2023-05-01 . Westside Gunn Hints At New Virgil Artwork For New Album . 2023-11-04 . . en.
  5. Web site: Saponara . Michael . 2023-04-18 . Westside Gunn Dubs 'Pray For Paris 2' A 'Classic' As He Announces Release Date . 2023-11-04 . . en.
  6. Web site: Westlake . Wyatt . 2023-06-24 . Westside Gunn's "And Then You Pray For Me": What We Know . 2023-11-05 . . en.
  7. Web site: Saponara . Michael . 2023-09-22 . Westside Gunn Taps Jeezy, Rick Ross & More For 'And Then You Pray For Me' Album . 2023-11-05 . . en.
  8. Web site: Cornue . Aidan . 2023-11-15 . ALBUM REVIEW Westside Gunn's 'And Then You Pray For Me' . 2023-11-23 . . en.
  9. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 23 October 2023. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1755. 6. October 23, 2023.