Drumwork Music Group
Pain Provided Profit sees the boys from Buffalo, Conway the Machine and Jae Skeese teaming up, bouncing off each other nicely on a record that serves as a Drumworks mission statement. Opening the album with a snippet of Kobe Bryant’s famous speech during the 2009 NBA finals, Bryant’s words match Conway’s ambition: “Job’s not finished”. This is just the beginning for Drumwork.
Conway had already established a burgeoning reputation within the hip-hop world before founding Drumwork in 2020. After a near-fatal shooting in 2012 left him with facial paralysis, Conway rose to prominence on Griselda Records alongside his half-brother Westside Gunn. In 2017 he signed for Eminem’s Shady Records, but an independent momentum has always driven Conway, and establishing Drumworks was the next step. Buffalo’s rap scene has long been neglected, and Drumwork provides an opportunity for Conway to shine a light on the city’s talent, with Jae Skeese being his first signing.
Skeese’s rise to the top has been slow, but Conway recognised his talent and dedication. Hard work forms a central tenet of Pain Provided Profit. The braggadocious statements that pepper the record have been earnt; it’s the sound of controlling your destiny and seizing your opportunities. Skeese’s hard flow dovetails nicely with Conway’s trademark slow drawl as the duo build upon their 2022 collaborations, where Skeese appeared on Conway’s acclaimed God Don’t Make Mistakes, with Conway returning the favour on Skeese’s mixtape Authenticity Check.
Pain Provided Proft may be a collaborative effort, but the production is trademark Conway; eerie and moody, utilising big, reverbing boom-bap beats. The ominous atmosphere belies the air of optimism that permeates the record, Conway and Skeese bristling with confidence. After Kobe’s introduction, Conway kicks off ‘Cocaine Paste’ with a warning: “Uh, look, we landslidin'”, warning that nobody can halt Drumworks’ momentum. Conway declares himself “Heaven sent/God of the Grimy” on ‘Metallic 5’s‘, while Skeese humorously refers to his own rise: “Tryna go from skirt steak to porterhouse inside my portion size”.
‘Stefon Diggs 2’ has a vintage aesthetic with its woozy horns and slight crackle, the duo reflecting on the hardship they’ve overcome: “My story is the motivation”. ‘Le Chop’ delves into jazzier territory with the gentle sound of the keys in the background. The track is similarly reflective, revealing their motivations; Conway wants to ensure the financial security for his daughters that he never had, and Skeese wants to drape his daughter in diamonds. Conway’s hardships have been previously documented, but Skeese brings a similar level of autobiographical honesty: “I had plans on becomin’ great/To make sure that everyone that’s up inside of my circumference ate”.
Conway takes a back seat on ‘Immaculate Reception’, allowing Skeese to fly solo. Skeese brims with braggadocious intent, a right earnt through his graft: “I put the work in and studied like an undergraduate”. ‘Promise’ has a much brighter sound than the rest of the record and again serves as an ode to hard work, both rapping on the semi-soulful chorus: “I’ve been grinding hard for this paper”. ‘Food’ sees Conway introduce more Drumwork talent, trading verses with 7xvethegenius, Goose, and SK Da King, providing a glimpse into the label’s future.
Pain Provided Profit demonstrates how Skeese has flourished under Conway’s tutelage, showcasing some sharp bars to match his considerable confidence. After Conway’s emotionally weighty God Don’t Make Mistakes, the record feels like something of a pit stop, an aperitif of what’s to come. Conway said he wanted to “start the year off applying pressure”, and if Pain Provided Profit doesn’t entirely blow your socks off, it’s an impressive teaser for the duo’s upcoming solo releases. There could be something special brewing at Drumworks.