Review: “12”
Above: “12” REVIEW: The cover for rapper Westside Gunn’s newest album “12” is shown. Gunn has been on a roll with releasing music, dropping his latest album “12” only three months after his last album “Still Praying” released on Nov. 1, 2024. “This album had a lot of repetition within songs and doesn’t sound much different from most of Gunn’s music. His style is recognizable and has been curated over a 20-year career,” iliad Managing Editor Victoria Garland wrote. Photo fair use of Spotify
Griselda Records founder and New York-based rapper Westside Gunns’ album “12” was released on Feb. 14, containing eight tracks with almost 44 minutes of rap and hip-hop music for listeners.
Gunn, who has been making music since 2005, is a driven musician who’s prone to “dumping” projects, keeping his fan base fed and his creativity flowing. Gunn’s “12” is the continuation of a musical project he has been curating since 2012, attesting to his dedication and passion.
The album features hip-hop artists Estee Nack and Stove God Cooks and the collaboration between these artists flowed well. Chronologically, “12” follows Gunn’s Extended Play “11” from just October 2024, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
The album opens with the song “MICHELLE WORLD,” which has an oldies sound from the ‘50s-’70s that intrigues listeners and sets up the album’s tone with the phrase, “Who is the GOAT?” being repeated over and over.
The album has a great deal of repetition within its songs and overall doesn’t sound much different from most of Gunn’s music. His style is recognizable, given that it’s been curated over his 20-year career, but some listeners may criticize this steadiness in sound.
Some of the songs on the album were longer, with three songs over five minutes and select tracks ending with a minute or two of dialogue taking away from the pieces themselves.
The length, combined with little variation, might not be to everyone's taste, but there were some stand-out songs that “12” provided. The outro for his fifth song on the album, “055,” has a speaker say, “If we can experience heaven on Earth by listening/ then this is what I wanna hear.” For audiences who enjoy Gunns’ melodic and moving music, this statement tracks in “055.”
Gunn is prone to incorporating angelic beats for his projects and can convey different feelings and emotions. For example, “BOSWELL” had a mysterious sound, making audiences feel villainous, while “DUMP WORLD” felt more homey, and the gospel vocals gave it a poetic feel.
Overall, while the album isn’t Gunn’s best work, “12” is worth a listen for hip-hop and rap enjoyers and is definitely one of the leading works of 2025 so far.
Story by Victoria Garland
Victoria Garland is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and serves as the Managing Editor for the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. Garland’s passionate about sharing students creativity, and hopes to provide more of an outlet through social media. Outside of school Garland is on a competitive cheerleading team, plays piano, and enjoys hanging out with friends.