Pusha T has been a trending topic over the past months for a number of reasons. He was recently named G.O.O.D. Music's president, and with the release of his sophomore solo album coming tomorrow, he's been trickling out new material that has been pure flame emojis. Of course, Pusha is hardly a newcomer to this rap thing. In fact, the Virginia-native has been doin' his thing for over two decades now, whether it's with his brother as Clipse or with his homies under the G.O.O.D. Music umbrella.
King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude is about to go on repeat, but before that we wanted to shine a light on some of the prior tracks King Push has delivered us. From his time with Clipse to his solo material, there's no shortage of goodies comin' from the veteran.
"Grindin"
Lord Willin' was released in 2002, and it stands as a seminal release for multiple reason. For starters, it essentially jumpstarted the career of The Neptunes, the production duo of Pharrell and Chad Hugo. Since then, Pharrell has become one of the biggest names in music, and it's at least partially due to the amazing work he put in on Clipse's definitive release.
"When The Last Time"
The second single off of Lord Willin' began with an unmistakable sample that lets you know what it is and what to do..."Get down!"
One of the illest introductions ever from Skateboard P leads way into some hot verses from Malice and Pusha T. We can't be the only ones that miss the chemistry between these two parties.
Kanye West - "Runaway" ft Pusha T
Pusha T was reincarnated with some help from Yeezus himself. Tracks like "Runaway" helped him to establish an identity away from the Clipse project.
"My God"
Pusha T's major label debut, 2011's Fear of God II: Let Us Pray, played a major role in his climb to prominence as a solo artist. This Hit-Boy-produced cut was one of the few tracks on the album that didn't have a feature, and it was accompanied by some fly visuals that you can peep below.
"Trouble On My Mind" ft Tyler The Creator
When Fear of God II was released, it was Odd Future season. Tyler The Creator, who was hot off a Kanye co-sign, joined the GOOD Music MC for an unlikely collaboration that still proves to be a highlight in both artist's discography.
"Amen" featuring Kanye West & Young Jeezy
The single artwork gives you a hint at the epicness that is "Amen."
PUSHA
KANYE
JEEZY
These three names are a few of the biggest stars of post-2000 rap music, and when they collaborated over monstrous production, the result is absolutely mammoth. All three MCs brought their A-game to the party, and the unlikely Virginia-Chicago-Atlanta connection couldn't have sounded better than it does on this cut.
Kanye West - "Mercy" ft Pusha T, 2 Chainz & Big Sean
This song was a cultural phenomenon, straight up. It helped to redefine trap as dance music, and propelled 2 Chainz into superstardom. It also solidified Pusha T as a worthy companion for a few of modern-day rap's brightest stars.
"Millions" ft Rick Ross
This song was originally intended for My Name Is My Name, but ended up on the Wrath of Caine mixtape instead. With Rick Ross on the feature, and Kanye and Southside on production, the cut is hard as nails. If you're going to hype up a hook, do it like this:
"I restore the feeling of when niggas made a killing
Hiding choppas in the closet, half a million in the ceiling
And them hoes with angel faces, crying loud with ill intentions
Just so I can buy them Christians, have 'em shittin' on all they bitches"
"Blocka" featuring Popcaan
With Popcaan coming up in popularity, "Blocka" makes perfect sense. It connects dancehall and hip hop in a way that has been intriguing to watch over recent years. Pusha took the trip down to Jamaica to record the music video, which is chalk-full of booty and foreign scenes.
"Pain" featuring Future
Pusha recently said that Future will go down as a GOAT. When the two collaborate to create this type of fire, how could he not think of Future as one of the greatest of all time? They locked and unloaded with "Pain."