He has the skills. We know that. Well, I know that. Since his Clipse days with brother/co-member/equally talented emcee, Malice (who has since left the industry completely to pursue a "higher calling" spiritually, and more power to him!). Pusha T, who now goes by "King Push", has done everything - on paper - that is required of becoming a popular artist with Top 40 hits and Billboard 200 albums. There's the obvious Neptunes-thru-way-of-Pharell connection - and all the classic material that was (and still!) created due to that musical team-up. Then Kanye came and saw the still-potential that Pusha T had as a solo artist. 'Ye took Pusha under his wing and guided him to a semi-successful career so far - as well as a new role as president of the G.O.O.D. music label. 'My Name Is My Name' was exactly that - semi-successful. It didn't have the album sales of stand-out success, but the Clipse/Pusha T brand name is strong for a certain breed of hip-hop fanbase; and due to that rabid fanbase, Pusha didn't brick either. He had some success on the Top 40 charts with the Chris Brown-assisted 'Sweet Serenade', which had an equally haunting music video. 'Numbers on the Boards' was also turning heads as a street single. It had a minimal beat with a throwback style reminiscent of earlier "boom-bap" style hip-hop. And the minimal sound with hard-hitting drums - and Pusha interpolating that Jigga sound bite! - suited him perfectly.
That doesn't seem to have changed for round 2 on the solo album train for King Push. Except this time, completely based on the new material Push's camp has released thus far, it seems the main strategy is to try to make more 'Numbers on the Boards'-type of tracks. And it makes perfect sense. Pusha T has always been known for being that "super lyrical dude who just so happens to sell crack too" and famous for all the ways and words he used to describe that chosen hustle of his. Due to the minimal sounds in the beat, everyone HAS to focus on his lyrics. Like it used to be. Well, outside the club anyways.
'Untouchable' is Pusha's most recently released single. As I said before, and on this song especially, the King Push camp is really attempting to create another 'Numbers on the Boards'-type track. 'Lunch Money', the other major release from this project (which is now SEPARATE from the 'King Push'-titled album that was supposed to come next originally) - was released almost a YEAR ago. All these beats are going backwards while forwards at the same time - they all use similar old-school techniques but filtered through new-school equipment - it sounds crisp and clear with futuristic-type "beeps and boots" SFX thrown over the boom-bap drums and 90's-emcee-lyric samples.
'My Name Is My Name' was a superb first solo album for Pusha T. And it seems that now, a couple years after it's release, it's due time for that second album. And the hype-train locomotive is just starting to heat-up - what with the GOOD Music President announcement, the recent release of 'Untouchable', and several cameos/track appearances for other artists. I like the direction their heading - but I'm a sucker for old-school, period. I'm already a self-admitted member of the Clipse/Pusha T Stan fan-club. You don't have to convince me about ANYTHING regarding Pusha T - I'm gonna check it out regardless. It's the rest of America that has me worried. Fingers crossed. KING PUSH FTW! - Casper
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