Artist: Pusha T
Album: My Name Is My Name
Release Date: Out Now
From playing second fiddle to his brother Malice in the Clipse, to being the rapper in G.O.O.D. Music people were least excited about Pusha (besides Cyhi) leaving him as the underdog. Push began building hype for his solo debut in early 2011, with the release of the “Fear Of God” mixtape. An ep, and another mixtape followed, that earned good reviews but failed to really build any kind of buzz. Despite all the competitive jabbing of your favourite rappers, no one was dying to hear a Pusha T album. So when we tell you “My Name Is My Name” is easily one of, if not the best Hip-Hop album of the year, you take that in good conscience that it’s something no one expected.
The album opens with arguably 2013’s best instrumental. But “King Push” only holds any water with just how potent Push’s performance is on the track. Push has always been a good rapper, but he has rarely put in a performance that lives up to those expectations. Here, he sounds like a different rapper. Every single line is quotable. And the lyricism is so deep, that it’s almost hard to just enjoy the track lest you miss something. It’s king Push for a reason. And you won’t just rate him as a rapper, you’ll fail to think of any other rapper that matters. From one of the best songs of the year, immediately to another: “Numbers On The Boards” is the polar opposite of the opener, but shares one thing in common with “King Push“, the track once again puts Push’s name in the “best rapper” discussion. It’s smoky Motown loop is understated, but has enough bounce to allow Push to run through flows and demonstrate his talent for word play. And if you’re not completely won over before, the Jay-Z sample should do the trick.
The album has a range of guests. But unlike almost every other Hip-Hop album ever released, every guest plays their role to perfection. Shall we start with Chris Brown‘s (roll your eyes back into place thank you!) feature on “Sweet Serenade“. Swizz Beats creates a dark and seductive backdrop for Chris Brown to croon over. However it doesn’t feel like the usual chorus from Breezy. Here the two create a theme of nightmarish elegance. The lyrics are the usual talk of the high life, but Browns delivery brings a moroseness that gives the track a sinister element. Rick Ross puts in probably his best guest verse since “Devil In A Blue Dress“. Rarely has he been so honest:
“Over night I seen a n__ga go get a Carrera/ Two weeks later I had to be that boy pallbearer”
Push has Jeezy, Big Sean and 2 Chainz all turn in incredible verses and Future and Pharrell bring a gravity to their features. And of course there’s the Kendrick Lamar feature. You’ll have to make up your own mind about who had the better verse, but hears Push’s opener:
“20 plus years of selling Johnson & Johnson/ I started out as a baby face monster/ no wonder there’s a diaper rash on my conscience my teething ring was numbed by the nonsense/”
Pusha T sounds like he’s been saving all his best verses for this album. He’s found the best beats, and his command over them will actually remind why you fell in love with Hip-Hop in the first place. The concepts are simple, yet a passion permeates through every word. It’s completely immersive. Even it’s lighter moments are created with a sincerity that alleviates them above “club banger” status. Where most albums take the “all or nothing” approach of either deep lyricism, or mindless club music, “My Name Is My Name” is much more than a good effort for Pusha T, it’s the perfect Hip-Hop album.
9/10
