Westside Gunn Prick Meaning and Review

Burner Records
3 days ago
8 min read

Westside Gunn’s “Prick” from Heels Have Eyes 2 is a track that blends raw introspection with cinematic production, creating a slow, emotional atmosphere that immediately sets it apart. The song opens with Brother Tom Sos counting in, his voice layered over a phased, delayed piano that is subtly distorted, giving the instrumental a haunting, almost ghostly quality. This intro does not just lead into the song it sets a reflective mood, inviting listeners to sit with the weight of the lyrics before the full intensity of the track hits. The production mirrors the narrative, creating space for both grief and gratitude to coexist, which becomes central to the track’s emotional pull.

Brother Tom Sos’s Verse

Brother Tom Sos’s verse lays the groundwork with heartfelt honesty, presenting a stark contrast between perception and reality. Lines like “They think my life is perfect… I’m about as empty as a popped bottle” show a vulnerability rarely foregrounded in rap while still maintaining a subtle grit that matches the streetwise sensibilities of Westside Gunn’s world. Sos balances despair with triumph, referencing the pursuit of dreams alongside the pain of loss, effectively framing the song’s reflective tone. The verse does not rush to fill space it lets every line land, allowing listeners to feel the tension between survival, success, and the personal cost of both.

The Chorus

The chorus, shared by Brother Tom Sos and Westside Gunn, acts as the emotional anchor of the song. Its repetition of gratitude against a backdrop of struggle “It could have been me… But it wasn’t, and I’m grateful” creates a meditative moment that resonates deeply. The melody, paired with the delayed piano and subtle vocal layering, amplifies the sense of relief and reflection. It is a chorus that acknowledges pain without letting it dominate, balancing sorrow with resilience. In this way, the song’s hook transcends traditional rap tropes, delivering a universal sentiment that connects the street narrative to a broader human experience.

Westside Gunn’s Verse

Westside Gunn’s verse, placed in the second half of the track, is a masterstroke in pacing and impact. By waiting to appear, Gunn lets the emotional foundation be fully established before delivering his verse with more intensity, ensuring that every bar hits with maximum weight. His lyrical content is a mix of personal history, shout-outs, and reflections on mortality, ambition, and legacy. Lines like “Used to bag up 2.2 pounds / Got my own shoe now” capture his rise from street life to success, while references to lost friends and ongoing struggles root the track in reality. This sequencing shows a maturity in song structure. It is a bold choice to delay the main artist, but it pays off by elevating the narrative and emotional resonance.

Westside Gunn Prick Review

“Prick” is a standout track on Heels Have Eyes 2, blending introspective lyricism with cinematic production and carefully considered pacing. The combination of Brother Tom Sos’s vulnerable delivery and Westside Gunn’s commanding verse creates a dynamic interplay between reflection and assertion, loss and gratitude. The production, with its phased, distorted piano and slow tempo, perfectly complements the lyrical themes, making this song a slow burn that rewards repeated listens. In “Prick,” Westside Gunn does not just tell his story he invites listeners into a space of reflection, survival, and appreciation, resulting in one of the most emotionally resonant tracks in his catalog.

Listen to Westside Gunn Prick

Westside Gunn Prick Lyrics Meaning Explained

The meaning of Prick by Westside Gunn is a meditation on survival, gratitude, and the thin line between life and death in a harsh environment. The song reflects on the struggles of growing up in Buffalo, New York, the losses of friends and peers, and the challenges of navigating both street life and success. Through the interplay of Brother Tom Sos’s vulnerable introspection and Westside Gunn’s assertive reflections, the track examines the duality of hardship and triumph, highlighting how art and creativity can serve as a lifeline. Gratitude emerges as a central theme, with both artists acknowledging that their paths could have ended differently, while celebrating their resilience and accomplishments. At its core, Prick is a reflective and emotional narrative about survival, legacy, and the transformative power of self-expression.

Introduction

The song opens with Brother Tom Sos counting in, “One, two, one, two… Uh, listen,” establishing a rhythmic, meditative pacing. This intro functions almost like a ritual before the storytelling begins, drawing the listener’s attention to the weight of the forthcoming lyrics. It signals that what follows is both reflective and significant.

Brother Tom Sos’s Verse

Brother Tom Sos’s first verse sets the tone with a stark contrast between perception and reality. He begins with, “They think my life is perfect, they think it’s ideal,” emphasizing how outsiders often misinterpret his life. He continues, “They think I got it all inside just like I'm IKEA,” using IKEA as a metaphor for having everything organized and in stock, representing others’ expectations of him. Sos immediately undercuts this, saying, “Truth be told, I'm about as empty as a popped bottle,” comparing himself to a bottle that has already been opened and depleted, symbolizing vulnerability and exhaustion. Lines like “They see I make it look good, America's top model” highlight the performative aspect of success, while “I'm still a top dog, I'm still the big homie” establishes respect and status despite hardship.

Sos reflects on loss and isolation, stating, “Attended too many funerals of my little homies” and “the road that I'm on gets a little lonely.” He critiques transactional relationships with lines such as, “Nobody wanna get it with me, just wanna get it from me,” and “Never, 'How you doing,' always, 'What you have for me?'” Financial strain is expressed in, “I'm assed out, credit card maxed out,” followed by a warning about hypocrisy: “But soon as you say no, throwing rocks at your glass house.” Despite these challenges, he emphasizes perseverance and ambition: “But on the bright side, I'm living my dreams,” and reinforces material and professional success with, “You small fries, I need my cheese, extra gravy like poutine,” and “I been on that winning streak like it's a part of my routine.” Sos closes his verse with a nod to manifestation and destiny: “And I spoke it to existence, all of this shit was foreseen,” concluding with a universal sentiment about dreaming: “And if you ever had a dream, you know exactly what I mean.”

Chorus

The chorus, shared by Brother Tom Sos and Westside Gunn, serves as the emotional anchor of the track. “When I look outside my window, all I see is dope fiends and broken dreams” reflects on societal decay and the harsh realities of his environment. Gratitude emerges in the following lines: “And then I thank God, 'cause it could have been me,” and “If it wasn't for this art, then it would have been me,” suggesting that music saved him from a dangerous path. He pays tribute to deceased friends with, “Rest in peace to all my dogs, man, it should have been me,” emphasizing the narrow escape from fate. The repeated line, “I said it could have been, would have been and should have been,” intensifies this reflection, while the closing sentiment, “But it wasn't, and I'm grateful, so grateful,” reinforces thankfulness for survival and opportunity.

Westside Gunn’s Verse

Westside Gunn’s verse, appearing in the second half of the track, amplifies the personal and street-oriented themes. He opens with neighborhood shout-outs: “Peace to Bum City, peace to Death Alley,” grounding the song in Buffalo, New York. References to travel and success appear in lines like “Alley-way upstate, hit Paris for a [?]” and “Gucci two-piece, Fillmore rocking it was Juneteenth,” juxtaposing luxury with cultural and community events. Gunn reflects on personal history with, “Had to go to Bennett for summer school,” and street roots with, “You knew me, I came from that [?] bitches on my Nautica.” His verse blends status with credibility, as in, “Most popular, hit the Taliban, then chop it up,” and shows awareness of danger: “Seen a watch for [?] and binoculars.”

Gunn pays tribute to peers and friends with lines like, “Peace to Killa Tone and Mayweather, they'll put you in a hospital,” and “Sly got life, but we pray for the impossible,” referencing Donald “Sly” Green, a Buffalo gang leader currently serving multiple life sentences. He acknowledges the unpredictability of life with, “Shay died from COVID, when I gotta go, I gotta go,” leading into gratitude: “That's why I thank God everyday, all day.” Personal comfort is referenced in, “When shit get hot, I sip Libby's Lemonade in the shade,” with Libby’s Lemonade being a small-scale producer from Buffalo, showing pride in hometown culture. He underscores material success with, “Pardon my ways, but my wrist gotta be six figures,” while asserting confidence and mentorship in, “I always knew I'd be this nigga, but it's all about the youth now.” Gunn contrasts past and present with, “Used to bag up 2.2 pounds, got my own shoe now,” followed by a tribute: “Dump, I know you proud, proud.” The verse closes with references to weapons and readiness: “Airholes make the TEC bool down,” highlighting vigilance and survival instincts.

Outro

The final chorus reiterates the themes of gratitude, survival, and reflection, reinforcing the central narrative of the track. By pairing Brother Tom Sos’s vulnerability with Westside Gunn’s assertive reflections, “Prick” blends personal history, street wisdom, and artistic ambition. The song emphasizes the fragility of life, the importance of gratitude, and the transformative power of art as a means of survival, making it one of the most emotionally resonant tracks on Heels Have Eyes 2.

Westside Gunn Prick Lyrics

[Intro: Brother Tom Sos]

One, two, one, two, one, two, one, two

Uh, uh, listen, hmm

[Verse 1: Brother Tom Sos]

They think my life is perfect, they think it's ideal (Woo)

They think I got it all inside just like I'm IKEA (Woo)

Truth be told, I'm 'bout as empty as a popped bottle

They see I make it look good, America's top model

I'm still a top dog, I'm still the big homie

Attended too many funerals of my little homies

And I can't lie, the road that I'm on gets a little lonely

Nobody wanna get it with me, just wanna get it from me

Always a handout, always a sad story

Never, "How you doing?" Always, "What you have for me?"

And I'm assed out (Woo), credit card maxed out (Woo)

But as soon as you say no, throwin' rocks at your glass house (Woo)

But on the bright side, I'm livin' my dreams

You small fries, I need my cheese, extra gravy like poutine

I been on that winnin' streak like it's a part of my routine

And I spoke it to existence, all of this shit was foreseen

And if you ever had a dream, you know exactly what I mean

[Chorus: Brother Tom Sos]

When I look outside my window, all I see is dope fiends and broken dreams

And then I thank God 'cause it could've been me

If it wasn't for this art, then it would've been me

Rest in peace to all my dogs, man, it should've been me

I said it could've been, would've been and should've been

But it wasn't

And I'm grateful

So grateful

Said I'm grateful

So grateful

[Verse 2: Westside Gunn]

Ayo, peace to Bum City (Peace)

Peace to Death Alley (Peace)

Alley-way upstate, hit Paris for a patty (Ah)

Gucci two-piece

Fillmore rockin', it was Juneteenth

Had to go to Bennett for summer school

You knew me, I came from that

Grover Cleveland bitches on my Nautica (Woo)

[Chorus: Brother Tom Sos]

When I look outside my window, all I see is dope fiends and broken dreams

And then I thank God 'cause it could've been me

If it wasn't for this art, then it would've been me

Rest in peace to all my dogs, man, it should've been me

I said it could've been, would've been and should've been

But it wasn't

And I'm grateful

So grateful

Said I'm grateful

So grateful