Photo: Todd Owyoung / NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
  /  05.26.2018

Let’s get this out of the way early: Pusha-T is the last rap superhero, and on his album Daytona, which is out now and super-produced entirely by Kanye West, he marks his best solo work yet. Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s take a quick trip back to 2015.

During his promotional run for 2015’s King Push — Darkest Before Dawn: The Prequel, Push sat with Rolling Stone and Billboard for separate interviews, where he was asked about the attitude going into the recording process. Giving each the same answer, he replied, “I feel like I’m the last rap superhero.”

“When you look at just the state of rap [now], I feel like it’s a lot of complaining and vulnerability, and rappers being victimized,” he told Billboard. “That’s not the attitude that my favorites had.” As far as those “favorites” go, that special tier includes the likes of Biggie, JAY-Z, and Raekwon, all influential orators cut from the cloth of rap’s glorious mafioso era. “These guys were really like superheroes to me… I thought they owned the world. I look at rappers now and it’s like, man, it’s just a sad case of poor business and the artistry is being questioned.” Unsurprisingly, P’s statement drew debate amongst rap fans, since it arrived in a year when rap’s big three —Kendrick Lamar, Drake and J. Cole — dominated with championship-level material. Yet and still, he had a point.

Ever since Clipse whispered adieu in 2009, thus leading him to step out solo in 2010, Neighborhood P, through his brand of painstakingly-constructed bird-eyed views (double-entendre!), has established himself as this era’s incarnate to Pain In Da Ass’ classic affirmation on JAY-Z’s Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life intro: “The last of the real hustlers.”

In an era in which the rap stars are glorified junkies, boasting and bragging about their prescription expenditures, Pusha-T is an anomaly. He doesn’t mumble nor does he fit the “lit” bill, when it comes to trendy turn up music. His level of storytelling requires a certain level of experience to fully comprehend. For every rhyme stuck between a rock and hard place (double-entrendre 2x!), Push unveils the make up of the man behind the drug dealer dichotomy. His rhymes, like landmines, detonate the dopeboy blues and hues that only a true nosetalgist can and require close attention. Where his predecessors like JAY-Z, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, among others, laid the blueprint and diagrams in-rhyme for their pyrex pot reflections, P remains the last of that cloth to yield similar results as he endlessly narrates the duality of the triple-beam thrill, through brutally honest accounts. Those “accounts,” of course, are responsible for pioneering the sub-genre known as “coke-rap.” Point blank, no one is rapping like him in this era. And the cloth in which he comes from, only further extends that gap. On Daytona, all of the aforementioned are maximized in high definition.

Walking down razor’s edge with a cape (“They tweet about the length I made ’em wait/ What the fuck you expect when a nigga got a cape and he’s great”), pyrex visions (“The only rapper sold more dope than me was Eazy-E”), and war stories (“Bricklayers in ballshorts”), P personifies his “King Push” moniker in all facets. At seven tracks, capping at a mere 21-minutes, he hits the paint running, leaving no room for excess to cave in on his parade. “I don’t tap dance for them crackas and sing mammy/’Cause I’m supposed to juggle these flows and nose candy,” he sneers on”Infrared” (As you listen closely, the record snaps a few subliminal lines at Drake —”How could you ever right these wrongs when you don’t even write your songs?”— Birdman and Lil Wayne).

These bars are all spilled over bare and sometimes skeletal drums that are fleshed out by MPC-jabbing samples, courtesy of Mr. West. Kanye West’s gorgeous production provides P the cape to do what does. The collection sonically scream “oh god,” as Kanye returns to his “chop up the soul Kanye” roots, providing the blue flame to P’s Pyrex pot — and, yes, “this fire burns hot as Hell’s Kitchen.” He flips Mighty Hannibal’s 1973 jam “The Truth Shall Make You” for “Come Back Baby,” chops up Air’s “Twelve O’Clock Satanial” for “If You Know You Know” and revitalizes 24 Carat Black’s “I Want to Make Up” for “Infrared.” Altogether, these sounds accentuate P’s rhymes weight on a scale. “This my Purple Tape, saved up for the Rainy Dayz,” he raps on “The Games We Play.”

Elsewhere, in the closing minutes of “If You Know You Know,” he recalls “Where were you when Big Meech brought the tigers in?” in reference to a time when the Detroit native rented exotic animals, such as a tiger and elephant, for a jungle-themed party. “I was busy earning stripes like a tiger’s skin.” On “Hard Piano” he draws a line in the sand between himself and “all of this pink hair” era or SoundCloud rappers. He’s just a short “stone’s throw away” from the streets on “Santeria,” and hails himself “longest running trapper of the year” on “Come Back Baby.” All these accounts strike a chord.

To that end, Daytona speaks more to Pusha’s second act than his previous efforts. His rebirth after the demise of Clipse’s former manager, who pled guilty to drug charges, and the permanent hiatus of the group is a scenario that very few, who’ve been in similar situations, can say they’ve outlived or enjoyed. Like the superhero he proclaims himself to be, Push has risen through that concrete. As stated on his first album, his name is his name — and so is his story. Your past either makes you or breaks you, and it’s how you wear those scars and stripes that determine your navigation. For Push, that dirty résumé has been a benefit of the doubt. “Can’t escape the scale if I tried,” he raps on “Come Back Baby.”

In never keeping shy of this journey, he’s maintained a firm footing in a rap game, where his career mirrors the answer to what Marlo Stanfield could have done after the final scene in The Wire series. No rain on this hustler’s parade. If you know, you know.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

9 top rap albums of 2022

  /  12.21.2022
View More

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

9 top rap albums of 2022

  /  12.21.2022
View More

Trending

Walmart has everything you need for the tech enthusiast on your shopping list

Check out our gift guide that highlights some of our favorite Walmart finds in time for Black Friday.

  /  11.10.2023

5 things you need to know about the 2023 Billboard Music Awards

“REVOLT Black News” correspondent Kennedy Rue counts down the top five moments from the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, including surprising wins, historic firsts, and dope performances. Sponsored by Amazon.

  /  11.20.2023

Walmart's HBCU Black and Unlimited Tour kicks off at Central State University

On Oct. 10, Walmart unveiled a brand new, state of the art creative studio on the campus of Central State University.

  /  11.14.2023

The Walmart HBCU Black & Unlimited Tour visited Mississippi Valley State University

The Walmart HBCU Black & Unlimited Tour made its final stop at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) and left a lasting impact on students and alumni alike.

  /  11.22.2023

Walmart has the home essentials for everyone on your holiday shopping list

Below, our gift guide highlights some of our favorite Walmart finds for anyone in need of a home refresh.

  /  11.24.2023

Walmart continues HBCU Black & Unlimited Tour during lively Virginia State University stop

After unveiling their state of the art creative studio on the campus of Central State University, Walmart brought the HBCU Black & Unlimited Tour to Virginia State University (VSU) on Oct. 13.

  /  11.14.2023

Walmart HBCU Black & Unlimited Tour brings attention and wisdom to North Carolina Central University

On Oct. 17, Walmart brought the third stop of the HBCU Black & Unlimited Tour to North Carolina Central University (NCCU).

  /  11.15.2023

Groovey Lew on hip hop style, Johnell Young's industry secrets, BGS salon's wig mastery and more | 'Black Girl Stuff'

Fashion King Groovey Lew on masterminding hip-hop’s most iconic looks. Actor Johnell Young reveals the secret to breaking into the entertainment industry. Celebrity hairstylist Dontay Savoy and got2B ambassador Tokyo Stylez are in the BGS Salon with the perfect wig install. Plus, comedian Lauren Knight performs.

  /  11.15.2023

Pheelz talks expressing himself through music & his biggest inspirations | 'On In 5'

On this all-new episode of “On In 5,” multitalented Nigerian artist Pheelz opens up about waiting for his opportunity to fully express himself through music, his inspirations and emotions, and the musical icons he grew up admiring. Watch!

  /  07.11.2023

Kareem Cook talks growing up in The Bronx, studying at Duke & networking | 'The Blackprint with Detavio Samuels'

On this all-new episode of “The Blackprint with Detavio Samuels,” the host and REVOLT CEO sits down with Kareem Cook. Throughout the introspective episode, Cook talks growing up in The Bronx, studying at Duke and being nervous to be in the South at the time, network vs. education, taking advantage of your opportunities, and connecting with Debbie Allen. Watch!

  /  07.10.2023

Tiffany Haddish on therapy, wild fan interactions & the upcoming 'Haunted Mansion' movie | 'The Jason Lee Show'

On this all-new episode of “The Jason Lee Show,” the one and only Tiffany Haddish sits for a must-watch conversation about wild interactions with fans, her new movie ‘Haunted Mansion,’ bringing her therapist on dates, and being present. Watch the hilarious interview here.

  /  07.12.2023

BNXN talks leaving IT for music, linking with Wizkid, going viral & new album | 'On In 5'

For this all-new episode of “On In 5,” singer-songwriter BNXN discusses his journey from IT to music, finding his voice and originality, linking up with Wizkid for their hits “Mood” and “Many Ways,” and what fans can expect from him this year — including a new album. Watch the full episode here!

  /  08.08.2023

From city lots to lush gardens: The power of urban farming with Karen Washington

This is the inspiring story of Karen Washington, a pioneering urban farmer who has been revolutionizing urban spaces by transforming them into vibrant community gardens and educational hubs. Sponsored by State Farm.

  /  11.17.2023

Investing in stocks in a recession | 'Maconomics'

Host Ross Mac provides useful advice for preparing your personal finances in the event of a recession. He emphasizes the importance of budgeting properly, building an emergency fund, and maintaining discipline when investing.

  /  11.21.2023

Madam DA Fani Willis proclaims, “A lie has been told on African American men”

“Every time I’m in trouble, it’s been Black men that have come to my aid,” Madam DA Fani Willis said at REVOLT WORLD while speaking on the stereotype that they are not dependable or worth dating.

  /  10.11.2023

Lauren London sparks conversation on how Black parents unintentionally give kids negative outlook on money

At the live taping of “Assets Over Liabilities” at REVOLT WORLD, Lauren London opened up about how witnessing the financial decisions adults made during her childhood fueled her outlook on money. 

  /  10.26.2023

Black media leaders stress the space's importance because we're always antagonists in mainstream's storytelling

“I definitely feel those ‘heavier is the crown’ moments. But I also believe that Black entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to be successful in the future,” Detavio Samuels said at AfroTech.

  /  11.03.2023

Halftime Report | Professional athletes who've dropped rap albums

From Master P to Chris Webber, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Deion Sanders, Damian Lillard and more, these athletes got bars. Check out our list here!

  /  11.01.2023

Machel Montano opens up about life as a child star, new music, and exciting business moves

In an exclusive interview with REVOLT, Machel Montano dove into his musical journey, childhood stardom, and an exciting new chapter in business.

  /  11.03.2023

Lauren London says Nipsey Hussle inspired her eldest son’s interest in finances

“I have those conversations with my son about abundance,” Lauren London said at REVOLT WORLD. 

  /  11.06.2023
View More
Revolt - New Episodes