Conway The Machine is turning one of the darkest chapters of his life into fuel on his latest release, “2012.”
The Buffalo, New York rapper uses the new track to reflect on the shooting that changed his life more than a decade ago. Released on September 17, 2026, “2012” finds Conway looking back at the physical and emotional aftermath of being shot in the neck while also reflecting on how far he has come since then.
Produced by Wun Two, the song carries the gritty, stripped-down atmosphere that has become closely associated with Conway’s sound. Rather than simply revisiting the trauma, however, Conway approaches the subject from a place of survival and perspective.
In 2012, Conway was shot in the neck, an incident that left him with permanent facial paralysis. The effects of the injury remain part of his everyday life, but the rapper has continued building a respected career despite the challenges.
That resilience is at the heart of “2012.” Conway delivers his familiar, hard-edged flow over Wun Two’s production, balancing painful memories with the confidence of an artist who refused to let his circumstances define his future.
The track also offers a glimpse into Conway’s life during the period surrounding the shooting, touching on relationships, street experiences, and the struggles that shaped him before his rap career reached its current level.
While the subject matter is heavy, “2012” ultimately feels like a statement of endurance. Conway isn’t simply looking backward—he’s acknowledging everything he survived while celebrating the position he’s reached as an established voice in hip-hop.
“2012” is expected to appear on Conway The Machine’s upcoming album, I Heard You Paint Houses Too?!, continuing his long-running tradition of turning real-life experiences into uncompromising rap.
