Westside Gunn’s ‘HEELS HAVE EYES 2‘ is a gritty, artful statement filled with haunting production, sharp storytelling, and carefully chosen features.
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TOP 5
HONORABLE MENTION. GLOWREALAH
One thing we can’t argue about “GLOWREALAH” is that the song has a sick-ass title.
It makes zero sense to smile while listening to “GLOWREALAH.” The track is harder than trying to get Michael Penix Jr. to take off his durag. The track’s beat has an extra dark tone, with dusty drums that Bishop from Juice would probably love, setitng the tone for darkness. Westside Gunn comfortably talks his s**t over it with his signature animated but dismissive tone, bringing up his love for talking s**t on Twitter, going on borderline suicide street missions, claiming chicks he didn’t smash yet as his,
HONORABLE MENTION. MANDELA
Bill Cosby killed this s**t.
Big kudos to Conductor Williams for crafting the beat behind “MANDELA.” It’s got this vintage, crafty character to it, and the old man on the chorus completely steals the spotlight. Westside Gunn snaps here too, but what really stands out is the urgency in his delivery — he raps like he’s on a mission, dishing out lyrical ass-whippings with such speed and precision it almost feels surgical. S**t is amazing.
5. PRICK (Ft. Brother Tom Sos)
If you ignore the gunshot noises, the cursing, and the slight talking about drug dealing, “PRICK” is a heavenly track.
Do you know what frustrates me? If a bigger name delivered the performance Brother Tom Sos gives on “PRICK,” they’d get every MVP award imaginable. He absolutely shines here, dropping a poignant verse about emptiness and the struggles he’s endured, while pairing it with a serene, ultra-chill chorus. The relaxed yet impactful production only elevates his performance. Westside Gunn adds his signature touch, paying homage and reflecting on his personal growth. Altogether, it’s a powerful, deep, and memorable track.
4. POWER HOUSE HOBBS (Ft. Benny The Butcher)
Westside Gunn is a madman that sounds like a madman. Benny The Butcher is a madman that sounds like a black banker.
I’ll be real with you: the main reason this track cracked my top 5 is Benny The Butcher’s verse. He kicks things off with an old-school flow that feels like something JAY Z would’ve bodied back in the day, then smoothly switches into his signature cadence — breaking down his ties with plugs and the meticulous process of keeping product clean. Westside Gunn, on the other hand, comes across unhinged in the best way possible: calling out fake internet beef, flexing designer fits, and stoking real-life tension. Both rappers sound unique as hell over the menacing, bee-swarm evil of the beat, making the whole track feel dangerous as s**t.
3. AUNT GINA
Random thought: What if Martin was a drug dealer and Gina stashed drugs in her coochie?
“AUNT GINA” opens with a chill yet lively beat, giving the track a refreshing hip-hop vibe. Skyzoo sets the tone with a steady, cool verse, dropping clever sports references while showcasing his resilience in both the drug game and rap. Westside Gunn takes over seamlessly, riding the beat with confidence as he raps about fine dining, expensive shopping, and paying homage to those who’ve faced harsh street realities. The back-and-forth between Gunn and Skyzoo keeps the energy flowing, blending chill vibes with heartfelt tributes and Gunn’s signature playful s**t-talking. Overall, it’s a standout track full of personality and skill.
2. AMIRA KITCHEN (Ft. Brother Tom Sos)
There’s something euphoric about hearing Westside Gunn deliver wild bars over smooth beats.
AMIRA KITCHEN” rides a glimmering instrumental with an upbeat tempo, layered with just enough grit in the drums to keep it gutter. In true Westside Gunn fashion, he completely disregards what the beat wants and goes off the rails, unloading bars about buying bricks and having a crazier rap sheet than OJ. Meanwhile, Brother Tom Sos steps in with an André 3000–like performance, delivering a soothing hook and a sharp, traditional rap verse that meshes seamlessly with the track. The result is a well-balanced, easy-on-the-ears listen.
1. BRIKOLAI VOLKOFF (Ft. Stove God Cooks)
I’m convinced that Stove God Cooks has some screws loose.
“BRIKOLAI VOLKOFF” is like “luther” on crack—an absolute unhinged experience. The track opens with a gentle, piano-driven beat that feels primed for refined vocals, but Stove God Cooks flips the script with a wildly animated verse, blending raw singing with vivid storytelling of drug-dealing exploits as if he’s both user and seller. Westside Gunn matches the energy, kicking off his verse with “call me God for short” and detailing his extravagant, over-the-top lifestyle. The result is pure chaos in the best way—a track that’s equal parts daring, unchained, and brilliantly entertaining.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
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Check out the individual track ratings we gave—these are what we used to calculate the overall score!
RGM RATING
(79%)
Someone once said Westside Gunn might be the GOAT when it comes to picking beats — HEELS HAVE EYES 2 pretty much seals that with super glue and/or gorilla glue. The production feels like a gallery of moods: creepy, elegant, gritty, raw, authentically old-school hip-hop, and downright artistic. But what’s striking is that Gunn himself is commanding more attention than ever. His ad-libs — the infamous grunts and gunshot noises — remain iconic, but it’s his vivid street storytelling and occasional sentimental reflections that hit harder than before. Tracks like “AUNT GINA” showcase just how well he can ride a beat, proving he might have leveled up right under our noses.
Another refreshing element of this project is that Gunn isn’t leaning on star-studded features anymore. Instead, he lets his circle and carefully chosen collaborators shine. While longtime allies like Benny The Butcher and Stove God Cooks deliver standout verses, Gunn also includes lesser-known names like Brother Tom Sos, who injects soulfulness and variety into the project.
Benny keeps it cool with razor-sharp bars, Stove God once again delivers eccentric brilliance, and Skyzoo adds a touch of rap traditionalism. But at its core, HEELS HAVE EYES 2 feels like Gunn’s most self-assured statement in years — an album that forces you to lock in with his unorthodox, art-forward style.
It’s rare to hear an artist grow more comfortable in their own skin after a long run, but Westside Gunn is doing exactly that — curating beats like a museum and painting over them with his unique brand of chaos and beauty.
This is another good Westside Gunn project. No complaints here.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
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