
86
Lyrics 9
"My breakdown game brought me 8 Mile fame, selling Eminems to him and them", Another scarface on a microphone, it’s a proven formula that works in Hip Hop and it always has, yet nobody might do it better than Pusha. Vivid wordplay with coke references at a premium, Pusha’s lyrics are pure unfiltered raw if that’s what you’re into.
Delivery 9
"I was dead pop when that powder came for that knot saved in that shoebox, blue tops blue tops, bad bitch in that blue fox." The perfect instrument for his wordplay, Pusha has a slick delivery that brings all his coke chronicles to life. In fact when Pusha raps it feels more like he’s directing a movie, no different than Martin Scorsese directing Goodfellas or Ted Demme directing Blow. Either way content aside his delivery is immaculate, as his flow is one of the most respected in the game.
Structure/Songwriting Ability 7
"We used to steal dirt bikes, dodge rain drops, so close ***** thought we had the same pops, graduated gettin money on the same blocks, but things changed and we ain't end up in the same box." Pusha has some records, but as far as his solo work that’s hardly what he’s known for. While GOOD Music as a collective put out Mercy which hit triple Platinum status, and teaming up with his brother Malice as Clipse produced well received singles Grindin and Mr. Me Too, Pusha has no smash hits of his own - but that’s ok too. Ultimately album cuts Pain, M.F.T.R., and S.N.I.T.C.H. are all respectable records, and his new record Drug Dealer Anonymous falls in line with that as well.
Content/Meaning 8
"Pain is joy when it cries, it's my smile in disguise, it's what makes the story chilling, spare the women and children." Somewhat one dimensional, but at least he does that one thing well. There’s always been a market for stories of a hustler, and Pusha narrates those tales in a way that’s incredibly believable.
Self Made 9
"Here's the GOOD Music poster child, M.A. dollar sign, can't nobody hold me down." Pusha T is certainly well respected in this game, and seemed for the most part to always have been favored as the most talented out of Clipse, therefore his good standing as a solo act is of no surprise. Joining GOOD Music hasn’t hurt him either of course, as his biggest records to date all have the name Kanye West attached to them.
Image/Branding 9
"I drops every blue moon to separate myself from the Kings of the YouTube, I am more U2, I am like Bono with the edge, in Mexico fuck Donald and his pledge." The new CEO of GOOD Music, Pusha has now made himself marketable with a few different demographics. A highly respected MC who always had the streets, is now a media darling attached to the wave of all those who love Kanye, therefore opening the doors to an entirely new hypebeast young fan base that he may not have had before. Then again with Grindin still one of the most celebrated records from the 2000s, he’s been a household name for some time now, and I'm sure he's lovin that McDonalds money either way.
Sales 7
"I sold more dope than I sold records, you ***** sold records, never sold dope." Not his best quality, but somewhat respectable all the same. While it’s unclear what Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude sold, his previous effort My Name Is My Name sold around 200,000 units, which leaves him in pretty good standing in general. It is interesting however that Clipse most celebrated album Lord Willin only went Gold, in spite of the fact the Neptune produced Grindin is one of the most iconic Hip Hop records of all time.
Ability to Rock an Instrumental at a Radio Station 10
"That Balmain, that Phillip Lim, they say I'm dressing like Kanye, I'm everything that my rhymes say,breadwinner, brand owner, play clothes, millionaire, trendsetter, landowner, hope your bitch don't land on him, drink in his hand with the sand on him, you small ***** , you Hyundai's, you couch ***** , we stand on him..." Yes, Pusha is the type of MC who is made for such a moment. Although he’s the type to stay in the cut and not try to work too hard to get your attention, when put to the task Pusha always delivers, with his Sway in the Morning freestyle evident of just that.
Ability to Fuck Up a Rewind Button 9
"Cocaine vandal, I induct scandal, money drive you crazy look at Marbury's handle, Vaseline face, reminiscent of my tires, ice cream paint, something like Breyers, Euro tank top, Dior-inspired, sell it to you hard, no assembly required." He’s super nice so of course he can, although more so off the vibe he gives you, then the actual bars themselves. Yet nonetheless Pusha is a real spitter, so of course he’s no stranger to the rewind button.
Longevity 9
"I was crack in the school zone, two beepers are on me, starter jacket that was two-toned, four different lockers, four different bitches got their mule on, black Ferris Bueller, cutting school with his jewels on." And here he is more than 10 years later so he’s definitely maintained, and honestly flipped a promising career as strictly a recording artist into a full fledged CEO that has a major movement behind it. If he plays his cards right he’ll stay relevant for many years to come, yet it will be interesting to see what long lasting influence he’ll have working with the always unpredictable Kanye West.