Westside Gunn Looks to Diversify Creative Output Before Potential Music Exit

The Griselda Records cofounder is expanding into wrestling and fashion as he plans his next moves.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Westside Gunn, cofounder of the influential Griselda Records label, is approaching 2026 with a renewed creative spirit. He is focused on diversifying his output beyond music, including ventures into professional wrestling and further fashion collaborations, before potentially stepping away from rap. Gunn has bridged the gap between hip-hop and other art forms throughout his career, and is now promoting his wrestling company Fourth Rope through a mixtape series.

Why it matters

Westside Gunn's strategic approach to exiting the music industry on his own terms, while building a legacy across multiple creative disciplines, demonstrates a savvy understanding of brand management and artistic control. His diversification efforts, including the launch of his wrestling promotion, signal a calculated move to ensure his departure from rap is not dictated by industry trends.

The details

Gunn, alongside Benny The Butcher and Conway the Machine, helped put Buffalo, New York on the map as a hub for respected lyricists. He's collaborated with a wide range of artists, from DMX and MF Doom to Travis Scott and Tyler, the Creator. Gunn also revealed he was spending six figures annually to sit in the front row of professional wrestling events, studying the industry. Now, he is co-writing storylines for his Fourth Rope wrestling company with Smoke DZA, aiming to create a unique experience for fans, even those unfamiliar with wrestling.

  • Westside Gunn plans to release his album Awesome God 3 in March 2026.
  • Gunn is also set to embark on his first international tour, beginning with a show at Paris Fashion Week.

The players

Westside Gunn

Cofounder of the influential Griselda Records label, known for his impact on hip-hop and ventures into fashion and professional wrestling.

Benny The Butcher

Griselda Records artist and frequent collaborator with Westside Gunn.

Conway the Machine

Griselda Records artist and frequent collaborator with Westside Gunn.

Smoke DZA

Westside Gunn's collaborator in co-writing storylines for the Fourth Rope wrestling company.

Brother Tom Sos

An artist Westside Gunn hopes to promote within Griselda Records.

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What they’re saying

“Westside Gunn's deliberate approach to exiting the music industry—focused on completing key projects and building a legacy—demonstrates a strategic understanding of brand management and artistic control. This is a calculated move to ensure his departure is on his own terms, rather than dictated by industry trends.”

— Samantha Carter, Editor-in-Chief, Newsy-Today.com (Newsy-Today.com)

What’s next

Westside Gunn plans to release a collaborative project with Stove God Cooks titled Michelle Records in the coming months.

The takeaway

As Westside Gunn diversifies his creative output beyond music, his strategic approach to exiting the rap industry on his own terms demonstrates a savvy understanding of brand management and artistic control. His ventures into fashion, wrestling, and mentoring new talent signal a calculated move to ensure his departure from music is not dictated by industry trends, but rather a deliberate step in building a lasting legacy.