Octavis Lawson
Staff Writer
MC 301 Contributor
“My Name Is My Name!” a phrase repeatedly uttered throughout Pusha T’s album, served as not only a prelude but a reintroduction for the G.O.O.D. Music artist.
Pusha T, former member of the group Clipse, debuted his new album, “Wrath of Caine,” after a successful 2012 compilation album, “Cruel Summer”, proving that he is now poised and ready to make the world take notice since venturing off as a solo artist.
The creator of the “New God Flow” welcomes us to “MNIMN” as only he could with the braggadocios “King Push”. Pusha quickly lets listeners know that “This is my time, this is my hour, this is my Pain, this is my name, this is my power” as he introduces us to his street tales with his distinct Virginian drawl.
On the Chris Brown assisted single, “Sweet Serenade” Pusha uses his fellow Virginian talents to help him pay ode to the life of a drug dealer while he enlists Rick Ross to help him on “Hold On”, a record with an infectious chorus as an auto-tuned assisted Kanye moans throughout the track. This is not the first time the two have joined forces as Ross joined King Push on the previously released track, “Millions”.
MNIMN does not only serve as Pusha’s memoirs of his once drug dealer lifestyle but also shows his softer side on “Let Me Love You”. The Virginia Beach lyricist undoubtedly borrows ‘90s Harlem rapper Mase’s style as he and former Destiny’s Child star, Kelly Rowland, create an album standout as they beg for their significant others to allow them to spoil them.
“20 plus years of sellin’ Johnson and Johnson, I started out as a baby face monster” the album’s promotional single and most talked about track starts off as California lyricist, Kendrick Lamar, trades verses with Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music recruit on the classic “Nosetalgia”. Pusha is slightly out shined on this track as K.Dot delivers one of the best verses of the year.
All in all, Pusha T brings together a plethora of A-list producers and collaborators to create one of the best rap albums of the year. MNIMN embodies every element that made this year in hip-hop a great one.
From producers Pharrell, Swizz Beats, and Kanye West to artists Big Sean, 2 Chainz, and Future, everyone blended seamlessly together on his solo major label debut.
If MNIMN has any faults it is that it is a relatively short album, clocking in at just under 47 minutes long and it comes across as another group/compilation album with the whopping 12 features it contains.
Even with those flaws, Pusha stays in the lane paved by him and former Clipse member Malice, by telling his street life manifestos. With a bravado that goes unmatched, he makes it clear on “Hold On” to “Just hand me the crown cause I’m active again.”
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