Is Godfather a good place to start with Wiley?

Yes, Godfather is recommended as a starting point for new Wiley listeners. A vibrant fusion of classic grime beats with contemporary UK garage influences, showcasing Wiley's lyrical dexterity and cultural commentary. Released on January 13, 2017, 'Godfather' marked Wiley's first studio album in four years, following the experimental project 'Snakes & Ladders'. At this point in his career, Wiley was returning to his roots in grime after exploring various musical styles, positioning himself once again as a pivotal figure in the genre he helped pioneer.

Who is Godfather for?

Godfather works well if you're into steady pacing with varied energy, lyrical sharpness for detail-oriented listeners and session-friendly for casual listening.

How many songs are on Godfather?

Godfather has 17 tracks, running approximately 57 minutes.

Godfather

Wiley · 2017

57 min · 17 tracks · drum and bass

A vibrant fusion of classic grime beats with contemporary UK garage influences, showcasing Wiley's lyrical dexterity and cultural commentary.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Holy Grime — This track encapsulates Wiley's deep connection to grime culture while simultaneously critiquing the shifts within it, blending nostalgia with contemporary flair.
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Birds n Bars / Bring Them All Start here — Opening with an infectious energy, this track showcases Wiley's signature flow and lyrical prowess, setting the tone for the album's exploration of identity and legacy.
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Joe Bloggs — Here, Wiley employs vivid storytelling to reflect on his personal experiences and challenges within the music industry, making it a standout moment of introspection on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The album blends classic grime with modern influences, showcasing Wiley's lyrical skill but lacks strong cohesion across its length.

What we noticed

Wiley employs varied vocal delivery styles, including rapid-fire verses and melodic hooks, which showcase his lyrical versatility.
Several tracks incorporate samples from classic grime and UK garage, blending nostalgic elements with contemporary production techniques.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing with varied energy
lyrical sharpness for detail-oriented listeners
session-friendly for casual listening
captivating flow for focused moments
engaging beats for social settings

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
dislike lyrical complexity and depth

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Solidified Wiley's status in grime, gaining wider recognition upon release.
Themes: grime culture critique· personal industry struggles· nostalgic legacy
Career context: Released on January 13, 2017, 'Godfather' marked Wiley's first studio album in four years, following the experimental project 'Snakes & Ladders'. At this point in his career, Wiley was returning to his roots in grime after exploring various musical styles, positioning himself once again as a pivotal figure in the genre he helped pioneer.
Stylistic neighbors: Skepta· Jme· Stormzy