Haiku Reviews: Pusha T's "My Name is My Name"
Slava P's name is Slava P. Coltrane.
Pusha T's name is his name. This seems like a trivial thing for a 36 year old man who has been in the rap industry for over a decade to proclaim, but here we are. For the entirety of his career, Pusha has never been an island. He made a name for himself rapping along with his brother and now, after going solo, he's relied on Kanye West to elevate his success and remind the general audience of his rap fortitude. This is probably due to the fact that Terrence is more focused on making money any way he can - namely by selling PlayCloths merchandise and cocaine - than locking himself in a studio and going on a 2Chainz-esque mixtape and guest feature run. Call it a lesson in opportunity cost for the streets. Pusha's need for a supporting cast is out in full force on MNIMN, as ten of twelve of the songs feature a guest - although in T's defense this is due to the fact that he "doesn't sing hooks". The finished project is concise and calculated, but doesn't leave much to get excited about.
Pusha T's persona has always been one dimensional. Albeit, the dimension he's chosen is "hardened drug dealer recounting street parables" and that appeals to a larger-than-average chunk of rap listeners. But for those who aren't intimately familiar with how to make crack cocaine, these stories can get old fast. It leaves you wishing that Pusha would do more character building in his raps instead of just fulfilling crack-rap tropes. For example "S.N.I.T.C.H.," the best song on the album, is carried by a Pharrell hook that forces you to sympathize with the informant. It makes you wish that Pusha extended that theme throughout the verses instead of rapping about how it feels to get snitched ON - something he's covered before. It's not that the raps are bad, it's just that Pusha can't seem to think of any other ways to approach them. Maybe the problem is that he's settled into a groove after being the Captain of Caine for the last twelve years, or he's worried that not playing it safe will cost him his core fans. Or maybe that's the entire point of naming this album My Name Is My Name: this is Pusha T and whether you like him or not, this is what you're going to get.
King Push Militant sounding production mixed with squeals of glee, also terror.
Numbers on the Board Minimalistic production carries boastful drug fueled lyricism
Sweet Serenade feat. Chris Brown Valiant attempt at a radio single that doesn't sell out
Hold On feat. Rick Ross Yeezus primal shouts and a top-level Rick Ross balances it out
Suicide feat. Ab-Liva Top notch rapping makes chess metaphors not sound too nerdy and uncool
40 Acres feat. The Dream Shockingly open lyrics about raw topics. Best Drake song ever.
No Regrets feat. Jeezy New beats but same flows. If it ain't broke don't fix it, but at least switch up.
Let Me Love You feat. Kelly Rowland Radio fodder where Pusha channels Mase just to spite Drake again
Who I Am feat. 2 Chainz & Big Sean Re-introduction to the persona and when GOOD music goes bad
Nosetalgia feat. Kendrick Lamar A song so well rapped nobody notices that it's two verses long
Pain feat. Future If you need to show pain then why not get the most emotive robot
S.N.I.T.C.H. feat. Pharrell Strong concept record tarnished by T's struggle of going left of script.