Comparatively speaking, 2024 was one of Westside Gunn’s lighter years output-wise. Having covered his projects in detail since 2022, I’ve tracked his evolution across the various series and his overall rise in depth. For the full context, check my previous writeups on his catalog, but here we’ll pick up in late 2024, when Gunn dropped two projects back-to-back.The bigger one, Still Praying, had been teased all year. The day before that arrived, he surprise-dropped the EP 11, signaling the return of his legendary Hitler Wears Hermes series. Short but potent, it earned praise from fans who treated it like the truest sequel to the originals. While 2024 felt relatively quiet, Gunn charged into 2025 hard, unleashing 12 on Valentine’s Day. Billed as the final chapter in the iconic saga, it kicked off one of his most active years recently, which also included the full Heels Have Eyes trilogy rollout. If the pace of the past year is any preview, Gunn’s fans are in for another feast in 2026 and beyond.ReviewThe album kicks off with “MICHELLE WORLD,” an intro from Mr. Green. Speculation swirls around an AI soul sample, but it nails the vibe right away by crowning Flygod the GOAT.The first proper track, “BOSWELL,” brings back the Peace “Fly” God trio: Westside Gunn, Estee Nack, and Stove God Cooks. All three recur throughout the project in a way reminiscent of Raekwon and Cappadonna’s roles on Ghostface’s Ironman.
The Standouts deliver a triumphant beat that lets them shine. Nack opens aggressively, setting a high bar with sharp bars. Gunn follows with classic grimy lyricism, then Stove closes with a verse full of wild rhyme schemes and flow. It fades into a mellow, luxurious instrumental outro—something that pops up on a few tracks here to give them a refined close.“ADAM PAGE” has Gunn gliding over braggadocious bars with ease. Stove jumps in after a smooth singing intro, flexing his versatility with more boastful rhymes. Denny Laflare’s production complements their energy perfectly, creating a cohesive, high-end sound. The track ends with a sampled monologue from wrestler Hangman Adam Page—fitting Gunn’s aesthetic not just for the wrestling tie-in, but for the relentless “get what I want” mentality it underscores.“VEERT” stood out when the tracklist dropped: it was the only one highlighted in green while others were red. Griselda staple Daringer crafts an eerie, atmospheric beat for the trio. Gunn sticks mostly to the hook, deploying that deep voice we’ve heard on cuts like “Claiborne Kick.” Nack handles the first verse with his signature delivery, fitting the mood seamlessly. Stove’s verse flows effortlessly while packing strong bars. It wraps with an Eastside Flip sample (no rapping from him here—he appears later), adding a perfect tonal close. Not necessarily the album’s peak, but it builds serious momentum with its haunting production, strong performances, and overall atmosphere.“055” might be the project’s biggest standout. Crucial the Guillotine supplies an instantly classic Griselda-ready instrumental. Stove makes his fourth straight appearance, handling the chorus—an immediate earworm that bolsters his rep as one of the best hook artists around. He also takes the first verse, showing off versatility with tough bars. Gunn locks in perfectly, delivering grimy excellence.
AA Rashid closes with reflective wisdom about gratitude.“HEALTH SCIENCE” introduces Brother Tom Sos, the newest Griselda addition. He opens eagerly like a hungry newcomer and sings the hook, displaying real range. Gunn follows, reflecting on his come-up and accomplishments. Cee Gee’s beat backs it all smoothly, and a closing Rick James sample about Buffalo adds extra flavor.“GUMBO YAYA” brings Sos back for consecutive features—he opens again with the verse and chorus, looking back while pushing forward. Gunn layers in luxurious bars that mesh perfectly with Daringer’s production. Eastside Flip delivers an a cappella outro recorded from inside a car, hinting at his untapped potential if he commits fully to rap. Both this and “HEALTH SCIENCE” serve as strong spotlights for Griselda’s rising talent.“EAST MIAMI” features a laid-back yet eerie collab beat from Cee Gee and Denny Laflare, ideal for Gunn’s luxurious/street duality. His verse piles on high-end references alongside gritty reality. Estee Nack returns to cap it with his iconic flow and sharp rhymes.“BURY ME WITH A STOVE,” another Cee Gee/Denny Laflare joint, switches up the vibe with a distinct instrumental. Gunn flows effortlessly—his shorter verse still packs his trademark rapport and fits the beat like a glove. Nack makes his fourth and final appearance, blending impeccable rhymes, aggression, and hard bars for a powerful send-off.“OUTLANDER” is the lone solo cut. Produced by prod.myles (son of Buffalo’s Rick Hyde), it’s a triumphant backdrop for Gunn to declare his supremacy. At just 3:10, it’s pure self-affirmation—“on his own dikk,” as he puts it—and that’s exactly what makes it great.“DUMP WORLD” closes things out, with Conductor Williams and Mario Luciano providing a soulful foundation. Stove God Cooks appears for the fifth and final time, starting with beautiful singing before unleashing a hungry, versatile verse. Elijah Hooks handles the chorus, reinforcing the theme: circumstances change, but he stays the same. Gunn reflects on his journey—what he’s gained and what still looms between death and incarceration. The last two minutes spotlight the arrest of Sly Green, Gunn’s friend serving four life sentences. It’s a poignant, grounded way to end the album—and, if Gunn’s claims hold, the Hitler Wears Hermes series itself.12 is essential for Westside Gunn or Griselda fans. It spotlights his rising artists while delivering everything people love about Gunn: luxury, grit, sharp features, and elite production. With the supposed end of the Hitler Wears Hermes saga, it’ll be fascinating to see where Gunn takes things next.