Conway the Machine
Conway the Machine, whose real name is Demond Price, is an American rapper born on February 16, 1982, in Buffalo, New York.[1] He is best known for his gritty, methodical delivery and contributions to underground hip-hop as a solo artist and a key member of the Griselda Records collective, which he co-founded with his half-brother Westside Gunn and Mach-Hommy, alongside his cousin Benny the Butcher.[2][3] In 2012, Price survived a near-fatal shooting to the head, neck, and shoulder that resulted in Bell's palsy and partial paralysis of the right side of his face, an event that has influenced his distinctive slurred vocal style and resilience narrative in his music.[4][5][1] Emerging in the 2010s, Conway the Machine drew acclaim for reviving the raw, street-oriented sound of 1990s East Coast rap through projects like the collaborative mixtape Hall & Nash (2016) with Westside Gunn and early Griselda releases such as Don't Make Me Do It (2017).[2] His solo debut album, From King to a God (2020), marked his breakthrough, featuring production from Daringer and The Alchemist and earning praise for its dense lyricism and cinematic beats.[6] Subsequent releases, including God Don't Make Mistakes (2022), Won't He Do It (2023), and Slant Face Killah (2024), solidified his reputation for prolific output and collaborations with artists like Eminem, Jadakiss, and Lil Wayne, while addressing themes of survival, mental health, and Buffalo's hardships.[6][7][1] As of 2025, he continues to release music independently via his Drumwork Music Group imprint, maintaining Griselda's influence in modern hip-hop.[3]Early life
Family and upbringing
Conway the Machine, born Demond Price on February 16, 1982, in Buffalo, New York, grew up in the city's East Side, specifically the Central Park neighborhood, a working-class area plagued by poverty and high crime rates.[1][8] Buffalo's East Side faced severe socioeconomic challenges, including a poverty rate exceeding 30 percent—more than double the national average—and an unemployment rate over 20 percent, with Black families earning roughly half the income of white households in the region.[9] These conditions fostered a environment where drug trafficking and gang activity were prevalent survival mechanisms, shaping the early lives of many residents, including Price.[8] Price was raised alongside his half-brother, Alvin Lamar Worthy (professionally known as Westside Gunn), born just months later on July 27, 1982; the two shared the same father but had different mothers, growing up in a close-knit, extended family household that included uncles and aunts.[8] The brothers were inseparable during their childhood, often sharing clothes, sleeping arrangements, and daily experiences in their multi-generational home, which provided some stability amid the surrounding instability of Buffalo's declining industrial landscape—marked by population loss from 580,000 in 1950 to under half today due to automation and economic neglect.[8] This familial bond, forged in a neighborhood notorious for drug-related violence and ranking among the U.S.'s highest in child poverty and murder rates, instilled a sense of resilience and mutual support that influenced their later pursuits.[8][9] Price's formal education was limited; he dropped out of high school, forgoing further schooling in favor of involvement in street activities, as reflected in his own lyrics describing choosing "a brick and a pistol instead of a cap and a gown."[10] This decision was emblematic of the broader challenges faced by youth in his community, where economic pressures often pulled individuals away from academia toward informal, high-risk hustles. During adolescence, these experiences began intersecting with emerging cultural influences, including hip-hop, which would later become central to his path.[9]Initial exposure to hip-hop
Conway the Machine, born Demond Price in 1982, first encountered hip-hop during his childhood in Buffalo, New York, primarily through cassette tapes and albums shared by his maternal uncle, who introduced him to foundational artists from both coasts. This early immersion included West Coast pioneers like N.W.A., MC Eiht, Spice 1, Ice Cube, Scarface, and the Geto Boys, as well as East Coast acts such as Kool G Rap, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest.[11][12] By the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, as New York's gritty rap scene dominated airwaves and local discussions in Buffalo, Conway's influences shifted toward East Coast icons like the Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and Raekwon, whose raw, narrative-driven lyrics about street life and survival resonated deeply with the harsh realities of his environment. These artists' emphasis on vivid storytelling and unfiltered depictions of urban struggle profoundly shaped his perspective, fostering an appreciation for hip-hop as a medium for authentic expression amid Buffalo's economic decline and limited opportunities.[11][13] As a teenager in the early 2000s, Conway transitioned from avid listener to active participant, experimenting with freestyles alongside friends and family in informal settings, though he produced no recorded material at the time. Around age 18 to 20, he honed his skills in Buffalo's nascent underground hip-hop community, gaining notoriety as a battle rapper who held his own against older competitors on the city's streets, often drawing from the same East Coast influences that fueled his growing ambition. His brother Westside Gunn offered early encouragement in these pursuits, reinforcing music as a viable path forward.[11]Career
Formation of Griselda and early releases (2012–2018)
In 2012, Westside Gunn launched Griselda as a clothing brand, which evolved into a record label the following year, co-founded by Gunn, his half-brother Conway the Machine, cousin Benny the Butcher, and associate El Camino.[14][15] The collective drew inspiration from the gritty, cinematic aesthetics of 1990s mafioso rap acts like Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, emphasizing raw storytelling rooted in Buffalo's street culture.[15] Following Conway's survival of a 2012 shooting that left him partially paralyzed, the group channeled his recovery as a motivator to prioritize music production and build an independent outlet for their sound.[15] Conway's early contributions to Griselda centered on a series of mixtapes that showcased his dense, aggressive lyricism over sparse, ominous beats. His debut under the label, The Devil's Reject, arrived in April 2015, followed shortly by the sequel Reject 2 in October of that year, both featuring collaborations with Griselda affiliates and producers like Daringer, whose dusty, soul-sampled instrumentals amplified the tracks' themes of resilience and urban struggle.[16][17] In 2017, Conway released G.O.A.T. (Grimiest of All Time), a nine-track project largely produced by Daringer with a guest beat from Alchemist, including standout appearances from Raekwon, Styles P, and the late Prodigy, further honing the raw, street-oriented style that defined his output.[18] These releases, distributed primarily through digital platforms and limited physical runs, established Conway as Griselda's most prolific solo voice during this period. The group's underground momentum built through Conway's features on Westside Gunn's projects, such as the collaborative Hall & Nash EP in 2016, produced by Daringer and The Alchemist, which highlighted their sibling chemistry and gritty narratives.[14] Exposure intensified in 2017 when Griselda inked a distribution deal with Shady Records, leading to their appearance in the label's BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher alongside Boogie and Benny, where Conway's verse on tracks like "Digital Cypher" introduced their sound to a broader audience via limited mainstream channels.[19] This buzz, sustained by word-of-mouth in hip-hop circles and online streaming, solidified Griselda's reputation as a gritty alternative to mainstream rap without compromising their independent ethos.[14]Shady Records era and debut album (2019–2021)
In 2019, Conway the Machine's affiliation with Shady Records, established through Griselda's 2017 distribution deal, began yielding major releases, building on the acclaim from his earlier mixtapes such as Reject 2 (2015), which had showcased his raw lyricism and helped elevate Griselda's underground profile.[20][21] The pivotal moment came with the July 19 release of the single "Bang," featuring Eminem, produced by Beat Butcha and Daringer, which highlighted Conway's gritty storytelling over booming beats and marked a high-profile Shady collaboration. This track preceded Griselda's Shady debut compilation WWCD, released on November 29, 2019, where Conway contributed key verses alongside Westside Gunn and Benny the Butcher, solidifying the collective's major-label breakthrough with its raw, cinematic production.[22] Conway's solo prominence peaked with his debut studio album, From King to a God, released on September 11, 2020, via Griselda and Shady Records/Interscope. The 15-track project, largely produced by frequent collaborator Daringer alongside contributions from Beat Butcha, The Alchemist, and Havoc, delved into dark, introspective themes of survival, street life, and personal demons, reflecting Conway's post-shooting resilience. Standout tracks included "Lemon" featuring Method Man, blending nostalgic boom-bap with sharp wordplay, and "Juvenile Hell" with Flee Lord, Havoc, and Lloyd Banks, evoking gritty Queensbridge influences. Critics praised the album's atmospheric depth and Conway's commanding delivery, with Pitchfork noting its "solid effort" in capturing Buffalo's hardcore ethos, though some felt it didn't fully transcend Griselda's formula.[23][24] The album debuted at No. 126 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Heatseekers Albums chart, underscoring its commercial impact amid mainstream hip-hop trends. During this period, Conway expanded his reach through notable features, including "Margins" on Benny the Butcher's Burden of Proof (October 16, 2020), where he traded intricate bars with J. Cole over DJ Premier's soulful production, earning acclaim for elevating Griselda's collaborative synergy. In 2021, he continued solidifying his Shady ties with the release of La Maquina on April 16, distributed via Griselda and EMPIRE, a 11-track project featuring guests like Ludacris and Musiq Soulchild, which balanced grimy narratives with more polished introspection. Pitchfork lauded it as a "statement of reinvention," highlighting tracks like "Drumwork" for their blend of luxury motifs and street authenticity. Additionally, Conway contributed to Griselda efforts, including verses on Westside Gunn's The Spark (2020, with lingering 2021 promo) and ongoing compilations, reinforcing his role in the label's Shady-backed momentum before transitioning toward independence.[25]Independent label and recent albums (2022–present)
In February 2022, following the fulfillment of his contractual obligations, Conway the Machine announced his departure from Griselda Records and Shady Records/Interscope, transitioning to full independence as a free agent.[26][27] This shift enabled him to prioritize his self-owned imprint, Drumwork Music Group, which he had founded in 2020 as an independent hip-hop label based in Buffalo, New York.[28] Serving as CEO, Conway expanded Drumwork's operations, securing distribution through EMPIRE and building an artist roster that includes early signings like Jae Skeese and 7xvethegenius, alongside later additions such as Goosebytheway and Lucky 7.[29][28] Although released under his prior major-label deal on February 25, 2022, via Drumwork, Griselda, Shady, and Interscope, God Don't Make Mistakes marked a pivotal moment in Conway's independent trajectory, earning acclaim for its raw exploration of personal trauma, addiction, and vulnerability stemming from his life experiences.[30][31] In 2023, he released his third studio album Won't He Do It on May 5 via Drumwork and EMPIRE, featuring collaborations with Benny the Butcher, Juicy J, and Lil Wayne, and praised for its blend of introspective lyrics and hard-hitting production.) Building on this, Conway issued the collaborative album Chaos Is My Ladder 2 with Ransom on September 6, 2024, through Drumwork, continuing their series with gritty narratives over soulful beats.[32] Conway's fully independent solo output continued with Slant Face Killah on May 10, 2024, distributed exclusively through Drumwork and EMPIRE; the album showcased his signature gritty lyricism across 14 tracks, bolstered by guest appearances from frequent collaborator Stove God Cooks, as well as Larry June, Flee Lord, Method Man, and Joey Badass.[33][34] Conway maintained a rigorous release schedule into 2025, beginning with the collaborative EP The Pre-Game on February 21, a two-track project alongside Benny the Butcher and producer ILL Tone Beats under the Black Soprano Family banner, highlighting their shared Buffalo roots and street narratives.[35] Later that year, on August 22, he dropped the solo album You Can't Kill God With Bullets via Drumwork and EMPIRE, a thematically cohesive work centered on resilience and survival—drawing directly from his own history of surviving a near-fatal shooting—with introspective tracks like the lead single "Se7enteen5ive" underscoring themes of enduring adversity.[36][37] Capping the year's output, Conway announced LULU 2, a sequel to his 2020 collaborative EP with The Alchemist, scheduled for release on December 7 through Drumwork.[38] Drumwork's expansion under Conway's leadership has included strategic distribution partnerships with EMPIRE to amplify reach, while the label's growing roster has fostered a network of Buffalo-centric talent, emphasizing gritty, sample-heavy production styles.[29] To promote these projects, Conway embarked on extensive touring post-2022, including the 2023 "Won't He Do It" headline run across North American venues and international dates in Europe, often featuring Drumwork affiliates like Stove God Cooks to spotlight the label's collective output and live energy.[39]Artistry
Lyrical style and themes
Conway the Machine's lyrical style is defined by a signature gritty, monotone flow reminiscent of 1990s boom-bap rap, which enables dense, vivid storytelling centered on street violence, survival struggles, and the stark contrasts between hardship and luxury. This delivery, often delivered with a laconic intensity, transforms even elegant production into hard-hitting narratives, as heard in tracks like "Brooklyn Chop House" where he effortlessly adapts to diverse beats while maintaining raw edge.[40] Recurring themes in his work revolve around the lasting trauma from his 2012 shooting—which left him partially paralyzed on one side of his face—his unyielding pride in Buffalo, New York, roots, a staunch anti-commercialism that prioritizes artistic integrity over mainstream appeal, and paths to spiritual redemption. In the album God Don't Make Mistakes (2022), for instance, he delves into personal redemption and faith as countermeasures to life's obstacles, peeling back layers of his psyche in songs like "Stressed" to convey vulnerability amid ongoing street perils. His adoption of the "Machine" moniker further embodies resilience, turning personal adversity into a symbol of unbreakable drive across his discography.[31][41] Over time, Conway's lyricism has evolved from the raw aggression of his early Griselda mixtapes (2012–2018), marked by unrelenting boasts and confrontational bars, to greater introspective depth in his 2020s solo albums, where he balances battle-ready punchlines with reflective explorations of mortality and growth. This progression is evident in From King to a GOD (2020), blending hardcore lyricism with mesmerizing metaphors that reveal his humanity beyond the bravado, and continued in later works like Slant Face Killah (2024), where critics have lauded this authenticity, particularly in tracks like "Scared to Death," for its unflinching honesty and motivational storytelling that grounds his tales in lived experience.[42][41] His style often finds enhancement through strategic collaborations that amplify his thematic motifs without diluting his core voice.[40]Collaborations and production approach
Conway the Machine has built much of his catalog around a core group of producers who define the gritty, sample-driven aesthetic of Griselda Records. Daringer serves as his primary collaborator, providing the backbone of the Griselda sound with lo-fi, 1990s-inspired beats characterized by subdued loops and raw sampling techniques that evoke East Coast hip-hop's golden era.[43][14] Conductor Williams and Beat Butcha are also key partners, contributing to recent projects with hard-hitting drums and soulful flips that maintain the label's signature intensity while allowing for subtle evolution. For instance, on the 2020 album From King to a God, Daringer and Beat Butcha handled multiple tracks, including "Lemon" featuring Method Man, blending orchestral samples with booming percussion to underscore Conway's dense lyricism.[44][45] His notable collaborations extend beyond production to high-profile features that amplify his reach. In 2019, Conway linked with Eminem on "Bang," a track from Griselda's compilation WWCD that showcased aggressive flows over explosive beats, marking a pivotal Shady Records crossover.[46] He has also teamed with Rick Ross on "Tear Gas" from God Don't Make Mistakes (2022), where Ross's commanding presence complemented Conway's street narratives amid layered, cinematic production. Group efforts with Griselda members like Westside Gunn and Benny the Butcher on WWCD further solidified their collective sound, emphasizing raw camaraderie and shared thematic grit.[47][48] Discussions of a potential Nas feature have circulated since 2022, and as of 2025, Conway has expressed hesitation in pursuing it despite ongoing aspirations, though it remains unrealized.[49][50] Conway's production philosophy prioritizes authenticity over contemporary trends, favoring sample-heavy, lo-fi arrangements that avoid glossy trap elements in favor of dusty, era-specific vibes reminiscent of 1990s boom bap. This approach, rooted in Griselda's ethos, ensures beats serve as stark backdrops for his vivid storytelling, as seen in Daringer's selective curation of material that only advances the project's quality.[51] Post-2022, following his Shady Records obligations, Conway shifted to his independent Drumwork Music Group label, where in-house production emphasizes soulful samples and hard-hitting rhythms to nurture emerging Buffalo talent on compilations like Drumwork: The Album (2023) and solo projects such as Slant Face Killah (2024), which features contributions from producers including Daringer, Swizz Beatz, and Camoflauge Monk, alongside collaborations with Method Man, Joey Bada$$, and Tech N9ne.[52][53] These partnerships have profoundly impacted Conway's career trajectory, with the 2017 Shady Cypher—featuring Griselda alongside Boogie—serving as a breakout moment that linked Buffalo's underground scene to Eminem's platform, boosting visibility and leading to major distribution deals.[54] Tracks like those on From King to a God exemplify how this collaborative framework elevates his profile, blending in-house grit with star power to cement his status in hip-hop.[11]Personal life
Shooting incident and recovery
In 2012, during a street altercation in Buffalo, New York, Conway the Machine was shot multiple times in the back of the head, neck, and shoulder by an unknown assailant who fired indiscriminately at a local party.[55] The attack caused extensive nerve damage, resulting in Bell's Palsy and partial paralysis on the right side of his face, along with initial loss of sensation and mobility in his arms and legs.[4] Doctors delivered a grim initial prognosis, warning that he could face permanent paralysis from the neck down due to the severity of the injuries.[56] Following the shooting, Conway underwent emergency surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his neck and was hospitalized for approximately two weeks before being discharged early due to insurance limitations and hospital capacity constraints.[57] He later required readmission for further treatment, but the premature release meant he lived with residual bullet fragments for about 1.5 years, exacerbating his physical challenges; he progressed from a wheelchair to a walker and eventually a cane as part of his rehabilitation.[57] The incident marked the end of his prior involvement in street life, as the near-death experience shifted his focus entirely to music, which he described as a therapeutic outlet for processing the trauma and rebuilding his determination.[58] Over the ensuing years, Conway's recovery enabled key milestones, including regaining sufficient mobility to perform live by 2015, when he released his breakout project The Devil's Reject.[55] The visible effects of the facial paralysis, including a characteristic slur in his speech, became integral to his "Machine" persona, symbolizing his resilience and unyielding drive in hip-hop.[56]Family and health updates
Conway the Machine shares a deep familial bond with his half-brother Westside Gunn, rooted in their collaborative beginnings in the music industry and mutual support through personal challenges. Despite navigating professional tensions, such as contract disputes at Griselda Records, Westside Gunn has emphasized their unbreakable sibling connection, stating, "Family sometimes have disagreements," while affirming Conway's autonomy in pursuing his own path. This relationship extends to joint family support during Conway's recovery periods, reinforcing their shared commitment to resilience and creative endeavors.[59] As a father, Conway prioritizes his children's well-being, viewing family as a core motivator for his lyrical themes of protection and perseverance. He has a son and has openly reflected on the profound grief following the loss of another child, which deepened his introspection and appeared in tracks like "Stressed," where he grapples with depression and familial legacy. These experiences underscore how fatherhood shapes his drive to provide stability amid life's adversities, though he shares specifics sparingly to protect his family's privacy.[41][60] Following the 2012 shooting that originated his health challenges, Conway has managed Bell's palsy-like symptoms through consistent physical therapy, reporting gradual improvements by 2023. In interviews, he has discussed the ongoing impact on his daily life and mental health, including therapy for trauma, which has fostered greater emotional openness. In May 2023, he suffered a severe leg injury, fracturing his right tibia and dislocating his kneecap, which required surgery and led to temporary use of a wheelchair while postponing his tour; he has since recovered and resumed activities.[41][4][61][62] Conway adopts a stance of privacy on personal relationships, limiting public disclosures to focus on how his health journey bolsters his professional output and mentorship. This discretion allows him to channel experiences into motivational guidance for Drumwork signees, emphasizing discipline forged from adversity.[41]Discography
Studio albums
Conway the Machine's studio albums mark his transition from mixtape dominance to major-label releases, emphasizing raw storytelling, East Coast boom-bap production, and high-profile features. His discography as of November 2025 includes five solo full-length projects, collectively amassing over 500 million streams on Spotify across his catalog.[63] His debut studio album, From King to a God, arrived on September 11, 2020, via Drumwork/Griselda/EMPIRE, featuring 14 tracks produced by beatsmiths like Daringer and Havoc. It debuted at No. 126 on the Billboard 200 and received praise for its cinematic aggression and recovery-themed introspection following Conway's 2012 shooting. Standout tracks include "Lemon" with Method Man, blending mafioso rap with soul samples, and "Juvenile Hell," a gritty reflection on street life.[64][65][66] God Don't Make Mistakes, released February 25, 2022, on Shady Records/Interscope, consists of 12 tracks and peaked at No. 175 on the Billboard 200. The project, Conway's major-label bow under Eminem's imprint, delves into personal resilience and faith, earning acclaim for its vulnerable narratives amid polished production from Cool & Dre and Hit-Boy. Highlights feature "Tear Gas" with Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, a bombastic posse cut, and the introspective title track.[67][68] The 2023 release Won't He Do It, dropped May 5 via Drumwork Music Group/EMPIRE, spans 14 tracks on its "Side A" edition and focuses on triumphant independence post-Shady. It peaked at No. 7 on the Heatseekers Albums chart and garnered positive reviews for its relentless flow and Buffalo-centric ethos, with features from Benny the Butcher and Juicy J boosting its replay value, though it did not chart on the Billboard 200. Key cuts like "Brucifix" with Westside Gunn and "Quarters" exemplify Conway's signature menace over sparse, sample-heavy beats.[7][69] Slant Face Killah, issued May 10, 2024, through Drumwork/EMPIRE, contains 14 tracks and highlights Conway's unfiltered grit, drawing from his facial injury nickname. It peaked at No. 16 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. Critically lauded for its no-frills authenticity—Pitchfork noted its "unyielding street poetry"—the album features production from Conductor Williams and appearances by Stove God Cooks and Larry June, but missed the Billboard 200. Notable tracks include "Mutty" with Stove God Cooks, a tense trap-infused banger, and "Kin Xpress" with Larry June, showcasing laid-back menace.[70][71] In 2025, Conway released the collaborative EP The Pre-Game on February 21 as a joint effort with Benny the Butcher and ILL Tone Beats via Black Soprano Family, comprising two tracks that preview harder-edged content; it serves as a bridge to his solo work without major chart impact. His latest solo effort, You Can't Kill God With Bullets, launched August 22 independently, features 13 tracks emphasizing spiritual defiance and survival themes, with lead single "Se7enteen5ive" produced by The Alchemist. Early reviews highlight its raw intensity, though specific chart data remains pending as of November 2025; the project has already surpassed 10 million Spotify streams.[72][73][74]Mixtapes and EPs
Conway the Machine began releasing independent mixtapes in the late 2000s, establishing his raw, street-oriented style rooted in Buffalo's hip-hop scene. His earliest projects, such as T2: The Machine (2008) and The Worst of Conway (2010), featured gritty lyricism over boom-bap beats, reflecting his experiences with incarceration and local hustling, though they garnered limited attention outside regional circles. By 2012, Amerikan Greed showcased a more polished production approach, signaling his growing ambition amid personal challenges, including a near-fatal shooting that temporarily halted his momentum.[75][76] Following his recovery, Conway aligned with his half-brother Westside Gunn's Griselda Records imprint, marking a pivotal shift toward higher-profile releases. Physikal Therapy (2014) served as an introductory tape post-injury, but Hall & Nash (2016), a collaborative EP with Westside Gunn, introduced their signature cinematic sound inspired by 1990s East Coast rap, blending sparse, haunting samples with vivid narratives of survival and crime. The solo The Devil's Reject (2015) and its sequel Reject 2 (also 2015) propelled him to wider recognition; the latter, produced largely by Daringer, is often cited as Griselda's first official release and a cornerstone of their aesthetic, with tracks like "Rex Ryan" earning praise for Conway's intricate wordplay and unflinching depiction of trauma from his 2012 shooting. Reject 2 received user acclaim for its concise 10 tracks and gritty authenticity, solidifying Conway's reputation as a formidable lyricist.[75][15] The mid-2010s saw a flurry of EPs and mixtapes that expanded Griselda's catalog, often featuring collaborations and thematic series. Griselda Ghost (2015), another EP with Westside Gunn produced by Big Ghost Ltd., is hailed as an early masterpiece for its lush, orchestral beats and brotherly chemistry, evoking Wu-Tang Clan's shadowy vibe while exploring legacy and street lore. Subsequent works like Hell Still On Earth (2016) and Bullet (2016) delved into darker, introspective territory, with the former's soul-sampled production complementing Conway's reflections on mortality. In 2017, the Steroids series—Reject on Steroids and More Steroids (with DJ Green Lantern)—amped up the aggression, boasting high user scores for their relentless flows and mafioso themes. G.O.A.T. (2017) further demonstrated versatility, earning strong fan approval (81/100 user score) for its confident bravado.[75][77][75] By 2018, Conway's output intensified with projects like BLAKK TAPE (user score 73), Untitled Drums (72), and Death by Misadventure (60), the latter standing out for its narrative-driven tracks on peril and resilience. The Everybody Is F.O.O.D. trilogy—starting with the 2018 original (76 user score), followed by Everybody Is F.O.O.D. 2: Eat What U Kill (74) and Everybody Is F.O.O.D. 3 (67) in 2019—formed a conceptual arc on predation and survival, with production from Griselda affiliates like Conductor Williams emphasizing stark, piano-led minimalism. Look What I Became (2019) capped this era, receiving critical nods (73/100) for its evolved flows post-Shady Records signing. These releases collectively built Conway's underground buzz, prioritizing conceptual depth over commercial polish.[75][78] In the 2020s, Conway's mixtapes and EPs leaned into high-profile collaborations, blending his core style with diverse producers. Clean the Whole Room Out (2020) and LULU (2020, with The Alchemist) marked a refined phase; the latter's five tracks, lauded for their subtle, filmic beats and Conway's nuanced delivery on survival themes, earned an 80/100 critic score and was described as an "ode to grim survival" evoking Griselda's ethos. The Missing Bricks (2021) and La Maquina (2021, 71/100 critic score) maintained momentum, with the former highlighting raw introspection. Greetings Earthlings (2022, 67 user score) experimented with atmospheric production, while CONDUCTOR MACHINE (2023, with Conductor Williams) delivered a tight seven-track set of soulful boom-bap, praised for its funky basslines and menacing bars on tracks like "Believe Me," closing the year on a high note with confident lyricism. These later works underscore Conway's adaptability, sustaining his impact through selective, impactful releases.[75][79][80][81]| Title | Type | Release Year | Key Collaborators | Notable Aspects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reject 2 | Mixtape | 2015 | Daringer | Breakthrough Griselda release; gritty lyricism on trauma. |
| Griselda Ghost | EP | 2015 | Westside Gunn, Big Ghost Ltd. | Orchestral beats; brotherly Wu-Tang-inspired chemistry. |
| LULU | EP | 2020 | The Alchemist | Subtle production; themes of survival (80/100 critic score). |
| CONDUCTOR MACHINE | EP | 2023 | Conductor Williams | Soulful boom-bap; funky, menacing tracks. |