Released: 2018
Label: Getting Out Our Dreams, Inc./Def Jam Recordings
Featuring: Rick Ross, Kanye West
Pusha T’s 2018 studio album, “DAYTONA,” released through the Getting Out Our Dreams, Inc./Def Jam Recordings label, is a stark journey through the highs and lows of the rap game. This seven-track gem is not just an album—it’s an audacious manifesto. From the gritty narratives of drug dealing in “If You Know You Know” and “The Games We Play”, to introspective tracks like “Santeria” and “Infrared”, “Daytona” paints a vivid picture of the hustle and the grind and the relentless pursuit for success in world where morality is murky. With features from Rick Ross on “Hard Piano” and Kanye West on “What Would Meek Do?”, the album fuses street wisdom, spiritual introspection, and raw truths. From triumph to resilience, introspection to betrayal, “DAYTONA” is a testament to Pusha T’s artistic prowess and his place in hip-hop royalty. So let’s get into it. From “If You Know You Know” to “Infrared,” here we are breaking down the album “DAYTONA” by “Pusha T”.
1 If You Know You Know
Through the mesmerizing beat and vivid wordplay, Pusha crafts a narrative that celebrates triumph over the landscape of drug dealing and the transformation into hip-hop royalty. Standout lines like “This thing of ours, oh, this thing of ours / A fraternity of drug dealers ringin’ off” and “A rapper turned trapper can’t morph into us / But a trapper turned rapper can morph into Puff” not only underscore the complexities of this transition but also spell out the respect and acknowledgment for those who truly understand the journey. It’s this blend of bravado and reflection that encapsulates the essence of “If you know, you know,” making it a cult anthem for the streets and beyond.
2 The Games We Play
With lines like “This is for my bodybuildin’ clients movin’ weight, Just add water, stir it like a shake,” Pusha mixes the luxurious with the lethal, a masterclass in storytelling that lays bare the essence of his craft. It’s a declaration of permanence in an ephemeral world, “This lifestyle’s forever when you made.” This track isn’t just music; it’s a manifesto for those who live at the intersection of wealth and danger, with Pusha standing as the guiding light, “To all of my young niggas, I am your Ghost and your Rae.” It’s a nod to his roots, a homage to hip-hop’s storied past, and a claim of his place in its future.
3 Hard Piano
Features: Rick Ross
Pusha T’s disdain for those who find love through superficial means and his refusal to let others tarnish his ambitions set a tone of resilience and authenticity. Ross complements this with his reflection on overcoming adversity to achieve success. A standout line, “I’m dyin’ to find a way to get a Grammy from it,” encapsulates their relentless pursuit of recognition in an industry fraught with challenges and superficial judgments.
4 Come Back Baby
With a chilling frankness, he raps, “Blew through thousands / We made millions / Cocaine soldiers / Once civilians,” boldly highlighting the transformation from ordinary existence to a life ensconced in the opulence and danger of drug trafficking. The brilliance of Pusha’s storytelling lies not just in the acknowledgment of the wealth and power drugs can bring, but in the stark, unvarnished acknowledgment of its cost, to individuals and communities alike. This track stands as a stark reminder of the highs and lows, the moral complexities, and the human toll of the game.
5 Santeria
A compelling blend of street wisdom and spiritual introspection, this track weaves a narrative that’s both personal and universal. With lines like “The Lord is my shepherd, I am not sheep,” Pusha sets a tone of defiance and resilience. The song dives deep into themes of betrayal, vengeance, and the complexities of moral judgment, juxtaposed against a backdrop of raw, unapologetic truth. “Santeria” stands as a testament to the battles fought in the shadows, where the lines between right and wrong blur, compelling listeners to reflect on their own inner demons and redemption.
6 What Would Meek Do?
Features: Kanye West
A standout line, “Angel on my shoulder, ‘What should we do?’ (we do) / Devil on the other, ‘What would Meek do?'” encapsulates the internal conflict of making decisions in a world that’s constantly watching and judging. The track merges the gritty realities of street life with the philosophical, questioning the consequences of actions while highlighting the pressures of fame and success. Kanye’s verses contribute a raw, unfiltered perspective on public perception, adding depth to this complex narrative of survival and legacy in the rap game.
7 Infrared
Pusha doesn’t shy away from political commentary either, drawing parallels between deceit in hip-hop and the wider world, ultimately calling for a return to genuine lyricism and self-belief akin to that of J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar.
