What do “Scarface” character Tony Montana and Pusha T have in common? Easy: everything. However, Montana sold drugs on the silver screen and Pusha has sold them in real life, or least thats what he would like for you to think.
In his debut solo album, “My Name is My Name”, rapper Pusha T gives the impression that his lyrics may in fact be reality as he brags that he “sold more dope more than I sold records.” in “Hold on,” featuring Rick Ross, which is the best song off the album, Pusha T proves he belongs in the order of hip-hop’s most talented lyricists and his first attempt holds true to his effort.
The Virginia native and one half the early 2000’s super group, “The Clipse,” has a 12 track album with features from Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Kelly Rowland, Future, Young Jezzy, The Dream, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar. These cameos tend to drown out Pusha T’s strong lyrical ability because he’s able to hold his own without all the features from A-list artist.
The G.O.O.D. music artist and his producer, Kanye West, work together heavily through out “M.N.I.M.N.” West produced seven tracks and other super producers such as his hometown friend, Pharrell Williams, also Swizz Beatz, The Dream, and No I.D. put their input into this dope album.
On “Nosetalgia” featuring Kendrick Lamar where they the two artist trade stories about the drug game. Pusha story-tells about him selling dope half his life and Lamar is telling how he grew up watching his father sniff it. In the album opener titled “King Push,” he starts off the song with a proclamation: “This is my time, this is my hour/ This is my pain, this is my pain, this is my power/ If its my reign, then its my shower.” Pusha feels that his time is now and no one can get in his way. Pharrel Williams brings back at “Clipse” feel in a track called “Suicide.” Pusha T pays homage to 90’s rap legend, Ma$e in “Let Me Love You” featuring Kelly Rowland, where his lyrical content and sound is identical to the Harlem native.
Overall Pusha T puts up a valiant effort for his first solo go-around. His body of work is very enjoyable and ranks high on the hip hop album of the year chart. Hail King Push.
