Released: 2022
Label: Getting Out Our Dreams Inc. (G.O.O.D.) Music / IDJ
Featuring: Kanye West, JAY-Z, Pharrell Williams, Kid Cudi, Lil Uzi Vert, Don Toliver, Nigo, No Malice, Clipse, Labrinth
Pusha T’s album ‘It’s Almost Dry’ is a musical palimpsest – brasen, brutal, and hauntingly beautiful. Drop-kicking onto the scene, Pusha T, born Terrence LeVarr Thornton, joined the fraternity of hip-hop legends with this venture. From the street corners of Virginia to the corner offices of the music industry, the journey of the dual facade rapper is a narrative in which luxury meets gritty street life and desires intersect with danger. The artists featured, including heavyweights like Kanye West, JAY-Z, Pharrell Williams, Kid Cudi, Lil Uzi Vert, and Don Toliver, elevate this musical saga to push boundaries. Pusha T pulls no punches, combining his inimitable lyrical prowess and infectious beats to deliver an album that is as much an exploration of his multifaceted identity as an ode to the genre that raised him. The essence of ‘It’s Almost Dry’ is rooted in the tumultuous yet triumphant journey of one of hip-hop’s most engaging figures. So let’s get into it. From Brambleton to I Pray For You, here we are breaking down the album “It’s Almost Dry” by “Pusha T”.
1 Brambleton
In a hard-hitting recount, Pusha T navigates between his former street life and his current status, underscoring the complex dynamics of loyalty and betrayal. A standout line, “Names they concealed, I don’t make up shit / This that no-witnesses-wrapped-in-duct-tape shit,” showcases his raw, unfiltered storytelling, highlighting the gritty reality of his experiences and the dark underbelly of success that’s often glossed over.
2 Let The Smokers Shine The Coupes
With craftsmanship that turns the streets into poetry, he presents a vivid look at the allure and pitfalls of hustling. A standout line, “Cocaine’s Dr. Seuss,” encapsulates his ability to mix street wisdom with literary finesse, highlighting a life where luxury and danger coexist. This track not only shines with its lyrical depth but also serves as a mirror to Pusha T’s own reflections on the consequences and moral complexities of his past.
3 Dreamin Of The Past
Features: Kanye West
Pusha T artfully navigates through memories of struggle, the intoxicating allure of success, and the unwavering hunger that drives him, all while paying homage to the street hustle that shaped him. Kanye’s intervention, both melancholic and triumphant, binds the track together, offering a reflective lens on legacy, survival, and the price of ambition. A line that encapsulates this ethos: “Walk it down like Brady, gets better with time / Didn’t have to reinvent the wheel, just a better design,” showcases the duo’s ability to evolve without losing essence or authenticity, marking the song as a poignant narrative on growth, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.
4 Neck & Wrist
Features: JAY-Z, Pharrell Williams
With bars that spar with the heavyweights of the drug game and the luxury it affords, this song does more than just tell a story; it cements Pusha T’s place in the pantheon of rap royalty. A standout line, “The phase I’m on, love, I wouldn’t believe it either,” not only mirrors JAY-Z’s skepticism towards his own meteoric rise but also nods to the incredulity of their success, painting a vivid picture of triumph born from the trenches.
5 Just So You Remember
Through potent imagery and relentless delivery, Push draws lines in the sand, separating his authentic experiences from the fabricated tales of his peers. The line “The purest snow we sellin’ white privilege” isn’t just a clever play on words; it encapsulates the dual nature of Pusha T’s narrative – the real versus the idealized, the struggle versus the success. By invoking the visual of “Motion lights surrounded meticulous” and “Architectural Digest my premises”, he contrasts his hard-earned achievements with his turbulent past, all while maintaining an air of undisputed dominance in the drug rap genre. It’s a chilling, no-holds-barred declaration of legacy, demanding respect and ensuring he’s not forgotten or underestimated.
6 Diet Coke
By comparing his competitors’ efforts to ordering Diet Coke—a stark contrast to his cocaíne empire—he emphasizes their inadequacy in a game he dominates. The line, “You ordered Diet Coke, that’s a joke, right?” embodies this sentiment, showcasing Pusha’s lyrical prowess and his confidence in standing alone at the top. His references to luxury and success, juxtaposed with the harsh realities of the streets, illustrate the duality of his experience and serve as a testament to his survival and prowess.
7 Rock N Roll
Features: Kanye West, Kid Cudi
This track magnifies the essence of hip-hop’s resilience, painting vivid pictures of battles won and the rebellious heart at the core of rock ‘n’ roll. What stands out is Pusha T’s audacious line, “Look at me, legally sellin’ dope on all of these stages,” a bold declaration of his transformation from street hustles to stage triumphs, encapsulating the journey from the shadows to the spotlight. It’s a testament to survival and the alchemy of turning strife into gold, resonating deeply within the ethos of hip-hop culture.
8 Call My Bluff
Standing out amidst the vivid storytelling, the line “Everything don’t need to be addressed, The pull-up’s like a FedEx truck” encapsulates the essence of discretion in the game, while subtly flexing the reach and precision of his connections. Pusha blends threats with luxury, a reminder of his dual life, maintaining a chilling aloofness to potential conflict. The track’s unflinching delivery underlines the risks in doubting his resolve, making “Call My Bluff” a testament to Pusha’s unassailable position in the rap game.
9 Scrape It Off
Features: Lil Uzi Vert, Don Toliver
Featuring Lil Uzi Vert and Don Toliver, the track dives deep into the psyche of those entrenched in the grind, where the stakes are high, and the rewards are glittering. A standout line, “I was already sold out of work by ten o’clock,” hits hard, encapsulating the relentless pace and determination that fuel the track’s protagonists. It’s a gritty testament to survival and success in the game, where every move is calculated, and every achievement is hard-won.
10 Hear Me Clearly
Features: Nigo
With vivid imagery that weaves through luxury, loyalty, and the street hustle’s perilous allure, Pusha doesn’t just rap; he sermonizes from the pulpit of experience. A standout line, “This coke speaks to my soul like a medium,” not only underscores his deep connection to his past but also plays cleverly with the idea of communication beyond the ordinary—highlighting his unique position in the rap game as both a storyteller and a participant in the tales he tells. The track is a stark reminder of the reality behind the glitz, demanding respect through raw, unfiltered honesty.
11 Open Air
His vivid storytelling paints a picture of a world where cocaine deals happen with the same openness as any legitimate business transaction, emphasizing his dominance and survival in the game. The line, “In these ten crack commandments, I’m Moses, yeah,” not only showcases Pusha’s lyrical prowess but also positions him as the lawgiver of the streets, drawing a powerful parallel to the biblical figure while underlining the commandments he lives by in the drug trade’s unforgiving environment.
12 I Pray For You
Features: No Malice, Clipse, Labrinth
This track stands out for its intimate prayer for both foes and allies, encapsulating the complexity of human emotion and the duality of strength and vulnerability. A standout line that hits hard is, “Rarely do you see the Phoenix rise from the ashes / Lightning struck twice on four classics.” This line not only highlights the resilience and continued relevance of Pusha T and No Malice in the rap game but also nods to their legacy as Clipse, underlining their ability to constantly reinvent themselves while staying true to their essence.
