Conway the Machine - If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed (Discussion Thread)

[TheDarceKnight]

Well damn, any new Knowledge the Pirate music is good news.
Not much of a fan of Big Ghost production tho, most of it sounds underdeveloped to me. It's lacking something.

solid project but these Griselda cats don't drop bad projects to me, everything is at least slightly above average. This here was alright, some standout tracks (Kill All Rats, Losses to Blessings, Sons of Kings, Forever Ago) but to me the production seems a bit undercooked even lazy, & that affected Con too. He was rhyming like he was going thru the motions. Honestly Big Ghost beats come off like poor imitations of Griselda production. This shoulda been cut down to the best 5-6 tracks. Overall I'd give this 2.5/5 mics

I'm with ya'll on Big Ghost beats. Something about them sounds like a cheaper knockoff version of other producers. It's weird because he does have some stylistic differences than the people he sounds like, but it also sounds unfinished (in a sub-par way). I've really tried to get into his beats but I struggle to.

 

[Nero Christ]

I'm with ya'll on Big Ghost beats. Something about them sounds like a cheaper knockoff version of other producers. It's weird because he does have some stylistic differences than the people he sounds like, but it also sounds unfinished (in a sub-par way). I've really tried to get into his beats but I struggle to.

it might sound silly but to me it's less that he knows what sounds right for these guys, and more he just hears what they usually rhyme on. Like the beats are less about fitting with the rapper and more about being a "Griselda type beat". I also think (at least on this), he was overusing that spanish/latin choir chanting...that ain't helping the beats stand out.

I mean, it just feels like you said, other guys have made better versions or could make better versions of these beats.

 

[Stone]

solid project but these Griselda cats don't drop bad projects to me, everything is at least slightly above average. This here was alright, some standout tracks (Kill All Rats, Losses to Blessings, Sons of Kings, Forever Ago) but to me the production seems a bit undercooked even lazy, & that affected Con too. He was rhyming like he was going thru the motions. Honestly Big Ghost beats come off like poor imitations of Griselda production. This shoulda been cut down to the best 5-6 tracks. Overall I'd give this 2.5/5 mics

I'm with ya'll on Big Ghost beats. Something about them sounds like a cheaper knockoff version of other producers. It's weird because he does have some stylistic differences than the people he sounds like, but it also sounds unfinished (in a sub-par way). I've really tried to get into his beats but I struggle to.

J Batters is the perfect example of what y’all are talking about even though it’s prob my favorite song on here. There’s just another level that these beats aren’t reaching

 

[Heavy_Handz]

Yeah I mean I really kind of wish he hadn’t dropped anything between FKTAG and GDMM. Those were meant to be one big release, and dropping something he recorded in 2 days after such a great 2020 (FKTAG is his best work so far I think) isn’t my favorite play. I’d rather have waited for a steak than get a quick burger.

This project is pretty cool. I would’ve trimmed a couple joints. The intro is goofy and not needed. Highly Praised is boring. He could’ve kept it a tight 6-7 joints. I do think I like this more than the 1st collab project he did with Big Ghost.

Favorites on here are Forever Ago, Son of Kings, Kill All Rats, Red Beams, and Losses to Blessings.

Yea, I completely agree. He can brag that he recorded this in one or two days but it sounds like it I think he’s probably not trying to go so long without another release since GDMM keeps getting pushed back but this one doesn’t impress me any more than his last release with Big Ghost. This release worries me more than anything that GDMM will disappoint. Hate to say.

 

[TheDarceKnight]

it might sound silly but to me it's less that he knows what sounds right for these guys, and more he just hears what they usually rhyme on. Like the beats are less about fitting with the rapper and more about being a "Griselda type beat". I also think (at least on this), he was overusing that spanish/latin choir chanting...that ain't helping the beats stand out.

I mean, it just feels like you said, other guys have made better versions or could make better versions of these beats.

That’s a good description. I was trying to figure out why I think they’re lacking and this is a part of it. Now that you mention it, most of Big Ghost’s beats sound like he’s trying to piggyback off a style more than just being his own producer and bringing the artists into his world. I think that’s a huge factor.

The ironic part is my favorite project he’s produced is the first one he ever did. I’ve listened to 6 or 7 since then and didn’t like any as much as Griselda Ghost.

 

[TheDarceKnight]

J Batters is the perfect example of what y’all are talking about even though it’s prob my favorite song on here. There’s just another level that these beats aren’t reaching

The J Batters to me just reminds me of the same sample but done better IMO on Royce’s joint Something’s Wrong With Him. I love that joint and the J Batters beat is basically identical, but just less dope.

 

[Heavy_Handz]

That’s a good description. I was trying to figure out why I think they’re lacking and this is a part of it. Now that you mention it, most of Big Ghost’s beats sound like he’s trying to piggyback off a style more than just being his own producer and bringing the artists into his world. I think that’s a huge factor.

The ironic part is my favorite project he’s produced is the first one he ever did. I’ve listened to 6 or 7 since then and didn’t like any as much as Griselda Ghost.

Nobody talks about Benny/Smoke DZA Statue Of Limitations project with Pete Rock but that is proof that working with an elite producer is the ultimate key. Those beats bang.

 

[surv2syn]

it might sound silly but to me it's less that he knows what sounds right for these guys, and more he just hears what they usually rhyme on. Like the beats are less about fitting with the rapper and more about being a "Griselda type beat". I also think (at least on this), he was overusing that spanish/latin choir chanting...that ain't helping the beats stand out.

I mean, it just feels like you said, other guys have made better versions or could make better versions of these beats.

you pretty much hit it on the head. Big Ghost isnt bad at all but he isnt great either because of this reason. too much dikkriding or too afraid to take chances. like this isnt Conway from 2 or 3 years ago...he has branched out as far as production as evidenced on FKTG.

 

[TheDarceKnight]

Yea, I completely agree. He can brag that he recorded this in one or two days but it sounds like it I think he’s probably not trying to go so long without another release since GDMM keeps getting pushed back but this one doesn’t impress me any more than his last release with Big Ghost. This release worries me more than anything that GDMM will disappoint. Hate to say.

I wouldn’t stress GDMM breh. I’ve heard more than half of it and if you liked FKTAG it’s on that wave but more songs like Cow, Proud of Me, and Forever Dropping Tears. Half the tracks are pretty heavy and introspective. It’s taking a while but it’s been done for a while. There’s a few last minute things going on with feature clearances, but that’s about it.

It sounds like a slightly darker version of King to a God, but minus the lifeless dull Beat Butcha and Daringer combined beats like we heard on WWCD.

 

[surv2syn]

Nobody talks about Benny/Smoke DZA Statue Of Limitations project with Pete Rock but that is proof that working with an elite producer is the ultimate key. Those beats bang.

project was fire. also Burden. eventually they had to step it up instead of rapping over Alchemist/Daringer all the time. great to throw a couple of those in your projects but variety is best. If I had a wish for Conway right now, it would be to do a full project with Khrysis.

 

[TheDarceKnight]

you pretty much hit it on the head. Big Ghost isnt bad at all but he isnt great either because of this reason. too much dikkriding or too afraid to take chances. like this isnt Conway from 2 or 3 years ago...he has branched out as far as production as evidenced on FKTG.

Exactly. He’s been playing joints from GDMM and other projects with more production from Bink, Hit-Boy, 9th Wonder, Khrysis, AraabMuzik, Primo, Havoc, Erik Sermon, Nottz...he’s expanding his sound without jumping the shark. It’s dope.

Full projects with Big Ghost sound like a downgrade after the all star producer line up we got on FKTAG.

At this point I think when it comes to Conway’s more traditional sound, I just want to hear Daringer (without Beat Butcha) and Alchemist cover those lanes. I’m not that interested in producers trying to mimic those type of beats when he can just get the real deal. And even Lulu was a nice shift from what he usually makes with Alchemist. It sounded more colorful and had livelier drums.

 

[TheDarceKnight]

project was fire. also Burden. eventually they had to step it up instead of rapping over Alchemist/Daringer all the time. great to throw a couple of those in your projects but variety is best. If I had a wish for Conway right now, it would be to do a full project with Khrysis.

That wish for the bolded might not actually be an outlandish wish. There’s a decent chance that happens. They’ve been working. 9th Wonder too.

I like those producers for him. Again, they are in a similar lane but a little different. That beat 9th had on FKTAG was warm and bouncy, and nothing needs to be said about Jesus Khrysis, Proud of Me, and Machine and McQueen.

 

[Heavy_Handz]

That wish for the bolded might not actually be an outlandish wish. There’s a decent chance that happens. They’ve been working. 9th Wonder too.

I like those producers for him. Again, they are in a similar lane but a little different. That beat 9th had on FKTAG was warm and bouncy, and nothing needs to be said about Jesus Khrysis, Proud of Me, and Machine and McQueen.

9th Wonder is probably the most slept on producer ever. I’ve never heard a wack beat from him. Lately he has produced nothing but fire. Def needs a whole project with Conway.

 

[TheDarceKnight]

9th Wonder is probably the most slept on producer ever. I’ve never heard a wack beat from him. Lately he has produced nothing but fire. Def needs a whole project with Conway.

9th is very underrated. He’s one of the best choppers of all time. Dude is extremely underrated when it comes to chopping entirely different parts of a song and putting them together without losing the groove.

 

[Heavy_Handz]

9th is very underrated. He’s one of the best choppers of all time. Dude is extremely underrated when it comes to chopping entirely different parts of a song and putting them together without losing the groove.

Word. Crazy he has maintained such a dope sound for so many years now. It’s him & Alchemist for me when it comes to longevity staying in prime form. Pete Rock too.