Westside Gunn — Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely Adolf — Mixtape Review
Hip-Hop | Rap
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely Adolf is the tenth mixtape by Buffalo, new York rap artist Westside Gunn. And while this would serve as the first project from the artist I’ve reviewed, it wouldn’t have been the first that I had heard.
My first proper introduction to Westside Gunn, would be the 2020 album Pray For Paris. That album stood as one of those projects that I was very close to turning into a review. But for one reason or another, it ended up not being a reality.
Since the release of Pray For Paris, especially in the year of 2021, I had managed to enjoy Gunn’s unique flow and delivery, through various features on the likes of IDK’s USEE4YOURSELF, and more recently Kanye West’s Donda. That being said, I feel that a review of Westside Gunn’s work is long overdue.
One thing that Westside Gunn clearly knows how to do well (which is apparent from both Pray For Paris and Hitler Wears Hermes 8) is reflecting a convincing sense of luxury through his musical work. Along with the highly classical jazzy production, Hitler Wears Hermes 8 throws in designer reference after designer reference. It does perfectly well to let listeners know that Westside Gunn has gone a long way, and really reflects the celebrity lifestyle in a luxuriously positive light.
Of course though, one could argue that Hitler Wears Hermes 8 takes this aesthetic to the point where it can be a little polarising, and thus, detracts from the sense of connection that this album could’ve had with its listeners. After all, most of us listeners wouldn’t be able to afford Richard Mille watches just yet.
It is clear that this mixtape is designed to be another show-offy kind of project. And while this is quite an overplayed narrative in the hip-hop community, it feels especially convincing in respect to Westside Gunn, to give the rapper some credit.
While I have already touched upon the production that Westside Gunn seems to carry through in many of his projects, including this one, that jazzy feel is taken to a whole other level, and fully capitalised upon. It especially seems to be the case with Hitler Wears Hermes 8, and compliments the lyrical focuses quite well.
For the most part, the samples used seem quite untampered with, in regards to adding more hip-hop-esque musical elements to them. And while this gives the album a very regal and high-society aesthetic, the lack of more puchy rhythms does make this mixtape a bit of a slippery listen, in regards to having a gripping sense of memorability.
That being said, however, the best tracks this mixtape has to offer do great to bring out the more positive qualities of the project as a whole.
It should go without saying, that I do indeed still enjoy Westside Gunn and his very unique style of rap. And I would honestly be lying if I said that Hitler Wears Hermes 8 didn’t have a big part to play in that. It is still a very solid project, that I would highly recommend to anyone in need of a musical experience to kick back and relax to.
Favourite Tracks: Peri Peri | RIGHT NOW | 716 Mile
Least Favourite Track: Draymond
Griselda Records | EMPIRE
Enjoyment: 8/10 | Memorability: 7/10 | Atmosphere: 8/10
Uniqueness: 8/10 | Satisfaction: 6/10 | Narrative: 6/10
