Hitler Wears Hermes 3 (2015) - Westside Gunn

 

“Hitler Wears Hermes 3” is the third installment in Westside Gunn’s influential series, released under the Griselda umbrella. The project is celebrated for its gritty, boom‐bap–inspired production, luxurious yet raw lyrical content, and a cohesive narrative that bridges high fashion with street authenticity. With a robust lineup of guest features—from Kiesha Plum to Benny The Butcher, Conway the Machine, Vast Aire, and the late Sean Price—the album exemplifies the signature Griselda sound while pushing artistic boundaries.

Side A

1. A1: "Einführung" (Intro) – 0:36
   A brief opening that sets the tone with Westside Gunn’s distinctive aesthetic. The short instrumental or spoken-word piece creates a sense of anticipation.

2. A2: "Flyy" (feat. Kiesha Plum) – 02:32
   An energetic opener where Kiesha Plum’s soulful hook complements Gunn’s gritty delivery. The track immediately establishes the album’s blend of street narratives with high-fashion references.

3. A3: "Gourmet (Skit)" – 0:21
   A very short interlude that reinforces the project’s thematic play on luxury and culinary imagery, a recurring motif in Gunn’s work.

4. A4: "Dear Winter Bloody Fiegs" – 05:01
   A centerpiece track featuring cinematic production and vivid storytelling. The title evokes wintry, almost bleak imagery that mirrors the hard-edged realities Gunn often explores.

5. A5: "Freestyle In Ferragamo" (feat. Chase Deniro) – 04:43
   Here, Gunn displays his freestyle prowess over a beat that marries lavish references (Ferragamo being a high-end fashion brand) with raw, street-oriented rhythms. Chase Deniro’s feature adds an extra layer of creative energy.

6. A6: "FUKK (Stan Smiths)" – 02:22
   A track that plays on the intersection of fashion and defiance—Stan Smiths, a classic sneaker, become a symbol of both status and rebellious style.

7. A7: "Bon Jovi" (feat. Benny The Butcher) – 03:50
   One of the album’s standout collaborations, this track juxtaposes pop culture (the reference to Bon Jovi) with gritty lyrical content. Benny The Butcher’s hard-hitting verse deepens the track’s raw energy.

8. A8: "Kingpin Talk" – 00:26
   A brief interlude or skit that encapsulates Gunn’s larger-than-life persona—a moment of swagger that reinforces his street credibility.

9. A9: "Rolack’s" (feat. Skyzoo) – 02:42
   A collaborative effort with Skyzoo that sees both artists melding introspection with the trademark Griselda bravado. The track’s soulful production underscores the lyrical interplay.

Side B

1. B1: "Raisen Bagel" – 02:49
   Likely a playful yet assertive nod to recurring food imagery in Gunn’s oeuvre, “Raisen Bagel” mixes humor with the hustle of street life.

2. B2: "Oil Base" – 03:49
   With a title that suggests raw, unrefined energy, this track leans into the minimalist, dusty production that serves as the backbone of many Griselda projects.

3. B3: "Basquiat Talk" – 00:16
   A very short interlude paying homage to the iconic artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. This nod to high art underscores the project’s blending of creative influences—from street to gallery.

4. B4: "Project Nigguhs" (feat. Durag Dynasty, Hus) – 04:16
   A collaborative cut that unites multiple voices from the underground scene. The track’s expansive beat and layered verses highlight the collective energy of the crew.

5. B5: "Piles Of Money Skit" – 00:30
   Another brief interlude that reinforces the album’s recurring themes of wealth, hustle, and the high life—even if only in imaginative, hyperbolic terms.

6. B6: "John Starks" (feat. Conway) – 03:50
   A nod to the basketball icon John Starks, this track is a powerful collaboration with Conway the Machine. Their chemistry is palpable as they trade hard-hitting verses over a rugged beat.

7. B7: "Rixh Lord Poor" (feat. Vast Aire) – 03:20
   This track marries Westside Gunn’s trademark swagger with Vast Aire’s distinctive lyrical style. The title juxtaposes wealth and poverty, a recurring tension in the album’s narrative.

8. B8: "BLVK TAR" (feat. Sean Price) – 03:23
   Serving as a memorable closing, this track features the late Sean Price. His commanding presence and gritty delivery leave a lasting impact, rounding out the album with a tribute to one of hip-hop’s revered figures.

Throughout “Hitler Wears Hermes 3,” the production is marked by its raw, minimalist beats and soulful samples—a hallmark of the Griselda sound. Producers like Daringer (and collaborators on the project) craft a sonic backdrop that is both opulent and unvarnished, allowing Gunn’s vivid storytelling to shine. The interludes and skits intersperse the full-length tracks, providing thematic punctuation and enhancing the album’s cinematic quality.

Lyrically, Gunn mixes braggadocio with introspective vignettes, frequently referencing high fashion (Hermes, Ferragamo, Stan Smiths) and contrasting it with the harsh realities of street life. Guest features are used not merely as add-ons but as integral parts of the narrative—each collaboration deepens the album’s multifaceted portrayal of urban hustle and opulent excess.

“Hitler Wears Hermes 3” stands as a pivotal moment in Westside Gunn’s career. It not only solidified his reputation for combining highbrow cultural references with raw, uncompromising street narratives but also paved the way for future Griselda projects. The album’s intricate layering of skits, interludes, and full-fledged tracks has influenced a generation of underground hip-hop artists who seek to blend artistry with authenticity.

This detailed breakdown showcases how each element of “Hitler Wears Hermes 3” contributes to its overall impact—melding luxurious aesthetics with the uncompromised reality of street culture, all wrapped in a production style that has become synonymous with Westside Gunn and Griselda Records.