Westside Gunn Makes It Clear On Eminem Promoting The Alchemist’s New Album

[Cloud McFly]

With respect, you do know that Westside Gunn and Conway signed distribution deals...right? I assume you are aware of what a distribution deal is...correct?

I think it’s great what has Roc Nation done for Westside Gunn...but what have they done lately that has translated to album sales? The same limited posts on the Shady Instagram account about Westside Gunn’s album release are the same limited posts I saw on the Roc nation Instagram account ....

Same thing with Benny the butcher regarding Roc Nation, but fortunately with him, he doesn’t appear to be dependent on getting co-signed, but rather letting his music speak for itself without complaining...


In addition, Westside Gunn and Conway making slick comments on social media about Eminem and his fans isn’t helping the situation either...

Roc Nation makes sure all their releases are front and center on TIDAL, like other major releases.

As stated before, Roc Nation opens them up to collaborating with other big artists who are signed to them in one way or another. Benny’s album is produced entirely by Hit Boy who is on fire, who is a Roc Nation artist/producer. Big Sean is also Roc Nation, and appears on the album. Hov himself got Freddie Gibbs (non Roc Nation artist) to appear on one of the best (if not best) songs on the album.

There’s a reason you never hear them complain about them.

 

[Mike the Executioner]

If they had talked to anyone they wouldn't have signed to Shady. A lot of people would have told them this. Hell, maybe Hov told them after the fact (once they signed to Roc Nation). I don't think Em is a bad guy. He's a good guy, in fact. He's a smart guy. All my interactions with him were cool. But the problem is that he lives in a bubble similar to Michael Jackson and other uber successful people who lose touch with reality. He has no idea how to run a label, no idea where music is going (or why), and is just straight up aloof.

Alch has released a lot of records in the last couple years that didn't get any Em love or promo. So why this one, mere weeks after Gunn's album dropped? What's special about it? Alch been releasing merch, vinyl etc etc so that's not new...he's just getting better at selling the shyt. So why now? That's what I want to know.

They should have either stayed independent and found another distribution opportunity, or stayed 100% independent and signed to Roc Nation for promo/management only.

You've met Eminem multiple times?

Next time you see him, ask him why he thought Relapse 2 was a bad idea but Revival wasn't.

 

[Starburst]

Roc Nation makes sure all their releases are front and center on TIDAL, like other major releases.

As stated before, Roc Nation opens them up to collaborating with other big artists who are signed to them in one way or another. Benny’s album is produced entirely by Hit Boy who is on fire, who is a Roc Nation artist/producer. Big Sean is also Roc Nation, and appears on the album. Hov himself got Freddie Gibbs (non Roc Nation artist) to appear on one of the best (if not best) songs on the album.

There’s a reason you never hear them complain about them.

That is great, but respectfully, how is that translating to album sales? Only Westside Gunn and Benny are signed to Rocnation, and collectively, with respect both their recent albums have not placed anywhere near the top ten on billboards, or sold near 50k. With such a dominant management team placing them front and center why is that?

In addition, I honestly don’t think they would be vocal if they are upset with Roc Nation because according to y’all , Jay-Z can do no wrong..when historically, his run as a label head leaves a lot to be desired...

 

[ArchStanton]

I don't understand the issue--Eminem retweeted the Shady Records tweet announcing the release. I suppose he could've added a personal touch, but my understanding is he doesn't even run his Twitter account.

https://twitter.com/Eminem

 

[Cloud McFly]

That is great, but respectfully, how is that translating to album sales? Only Westside Gunn and Benny are signed to Rocnation, and collectively, with respect both their recent albums have not placed anywhere near the top ten on billboards, or sold near 50k. With such a dominant management team placing them front and center why is that?

In addition, I honestly don’t think they would be vocal if they are upset with Roc Nation because according to y’all , Jay-Z can do no wrong..when historically, his run as a label head leaves a lot to be desired...

Benny just had the biggest 1st week sales Griselda has ever seen, so it’s building. I never really expect them to do crazy numbers, because their music will never be Pop.

I think they would shyt on Roc Nation if they weren’t handling business, but they see Hov genuinely supports their movement, so it’s nothing but love.

 

[TheDarceKnight]

It’s like what did he expect? Like many others have said, signing with Em was a huge mistake. Benny did the right thing

Still you’d think Em could put in the effort for a simple tweet.

 

[Piff Perkins]

- those Jimmy Fallon appearances etc
- they started getting upgrades on their features and who was appearing on their albums (not to say this has made their music any better)
-advertising is way better with one example being all three of them apearing in times square on billboards at the same time etc...



you think that's shadys doing?

Plus it's not an association...they manage them

Yup you right this is Roc Nation, not Shady/Interscope. They signed a distribution deal. Granted a distribution deal with Interscope works different than a normal one...you're still apart of "The Machine" and they can indeed push the button for you. But overall promo is gonna be handled by the Roc.

You've met Eminem multiple times?

Next time you see him, ask him why he thought Relapse 2 was a bad idea but Revival wasn't.

Used to work at Interscope. I'm not Em's friend or something lol.

Signing to Shady is a death sentence. You get an initial wave of press, then you spend months in the studio creating music with limited guidance. Then when it's time to release you got ten suits in the room telling you "well, you need a single" or "I like this track, let's add Marshall to it and release a remix." That's...not how you build a fanbase or create an album.

Same shyt Aftermath did, resulting in nearly all their artists failing.

 

[kdslittlebro]

Wait the Shady deal is distribution? What exactly are they distributing because the albums are all Digital Only releases. I tried to find their shyt to cop and its impossible.

Would you look at that Eminem must be buying more servers

 

[Mike the Executioner]

Yup you right this is Roc Nation, not Shady/Interscope. They signed a distribution deal. Granted a distribution deal with Interscope works different than a normal one...you're still apart of "The Machine" and they can indeed push the button for you. But overall promo is gonna be handled by the Roc.


Used to work at Interscope. I'm not Em's friend or something lol.

Signing to Shady is a death sentence. You get an initial wave of press, then you spend months in the studio creating music with limited guidance. Then when it's time to release you got ten suits in the room telling you "well, you need a single" or "I like this track, let's add Marshall to it and release a remix." That's...not how you build a fanbase or create an album.

Same shyt Aftermath did, resulting in nearly all their artists failing.

We all should have learned from Stat Quo.

Around what time did you work there? Because I'm 100% sure that Eminem didn't want to make songs like "Love the Way You Lie" and "Space Bound" but Interscope was getting in his ear.

 

[SleezyBigSlim]

Sign to a cac brehs.

 

[360dagod]

Yup you right this is Roc Nation, not Shady/Interscope. They signed a distribution deal. Granted a distribution deal with Interscope works different than a normal one...you're still apart of "The Machine" and they can indeed push the button for you. But overall promo is gonna be handled by the Roc.


Used to work at Interscope. I'm not Em's friend or something lol.

Signing to Shady is a death sentence. You get an initial wave of press, then you spend months in the studio creating music with limited guidance. Then when it's time to release you got ten suits in the room telling you "well, you need a single" or "I like this track, let's add Marshall to it and release a remix." That's...not how you build a fanbase or create an album.

Same shyt Aftermath did, resulting in nearly all their artists failing.

So basically they kidnap em out his house for press releases

Aftermath is weird because I can imagine sending 40 tracks to dr dre and that nikka nitpicking your shyt to death...

 

[Starburst]

Yup you right this is Roc Nation, not Shady/Interscope. They signed a distribution deal. Granted a distribution deal with Interscope works different than a normal one...you're still apart of "The Machine" and they can indeed push the button for you. But overall promo is gonna be handled by the Roc.


Used to work at Interscope. I'm not Em's friend or something lol.

Signing to Shady is a death sentence. You get an initial wave of press, then you spend months in the studio creating music with limited guidance. Then when it's time to release you got ten suits in the room telling you "well, you need a single" or "I like this track, let's add Marshall to it and release a remix." That's...not how you build a fanbase or create an album.

Same shyt Aftermath did, resulting in nearly all their artists failing.

Interesting, if you don’t mind me asking, in what department?

With respect, you are speaking in regards to artists who sign a regular deal with Shady, not a distribution deal where the artist is responsible for their own promotion and marketing...just like Conway and Westside Gunn already do..

Would be interesting to know the percentage that Benny and Westside Gunn pay to roc nation for front and center on tidal, and a billboard...

 

[Starburst]

Benny just had the biggest 1st week sales Griselda has ever seen, so it’s building. I never really expect them to do crazy numbers, because their music will never be Pop.

I think they would shyt on Roc Nation if they weren’t handling business, but they see Hov genuinely supports their movement, so it’s nothing but love.

So does Eminem and that’s why he signed a deal with Gunn and Conway where they are allowed to continue releasing music independently of their Shady deal. What other label will allow that?

In my opinion Benny’s first week sales are due to his hard work, and using his platform to promote himself...

 

[Cloud McFly]

So does Eminem and that’s why he signed a deal with Gunn and Conway where they are allowed to continue releasing music independently of their Shady deal. What other label will allow that?

In my opinion Benny’s first week sales are due to his hard work, and using his platform to promote himself...

Definitely Benny deserves the majority of the credit, but having that Roc Nation push is the icing on the cake.

 

[Squirrel from Meteor Man]

They’ll be off Shady soon enough. Paul Rosenberg is a POS.