Pusha T returns in a big way with his third studio album ‘Daytona’, despite the fact that the set is comprised of just seven tracks and runs only 21 minutes long. 

“The wait is ova!” Pusha T is back with his third studio album, Daytona (his fourth solo project overall for those keeping count).  The wait for the 21-minute album was definitely longer expected – understatement.  That said, the reward is awesome as Daytona easily earns a spot among the elite albums of 2018.  From start to finish – “from the rooter to the tooter” – the hustling-centric MC is on-point.  As for his producer, a certain crazed, egomaniac better known as Kanye West, he proves his true gifts are music as opposed to dabbling in controversy or worse, politics.

“If You Know You Know” 

“‘Cause this boy been throwin’ that D like Rich Boy.” From the opening tip of “If You Know You Know,” Pusha T drops some serious bars.  His flow is agile, natural, and everything ‘feels right.’ Following the electrifying introduction, “If You Know You Know” only gets more profound, signaled by the recurrence of the titular line, distinct production, and confident, druggy rhymes from T.  “I predict snow, Al Roker.”  The centerpiece is the hook, which is probably far catchier than it should be.

“Bricklayers in ball shorts

Coaching from the side of the ball court (If you know you know)

One stop like a Walmart

We got the tennis balls for the wrong sport (If you know you know) …”

“The Games We Play” follows up with soulful, old-school, minor-key production by West and Andrew Dawson.  A notable feature are the horns, which only fuel the fire of Pusha T.  Beginning once more with an intro, T proceeds to ‘dig right in.’ “This ain’t a wave or phase, ‘cause all that shit fades,” he asserts on the first verse.  Poetically, he later goes on to say, “This is for my bodybuilding clients moving weight / Just add water, stir it like a shake.”  While the rapper adds nothing we haven’t heard in the past, he continues to be articulate and compelling with his drug tales.

“Hard Piano” 

“Hard Piano” featuring Rick Ross is driven by the piano in its production work.  Of course, “Hard Piano” is certainly “not that innocent”, sigh.  The cocaine references are abundant – there’s no escaping the bricks here.  That said, Pusha T also references prominent men accused of sexual abuse (Harvey Weinstein and Matt Lauer) and art (“The Warhols on my wall paint a war story”).  Rick Ross contributes to the brick-talk, asserting, “Chillin’ in a condo full of ready rock,” later spitting, “All these K-9 units still sniffin’ me.”

“Come Back Baby” begins epically with an intro about drug addicts (heroin specifically) that samples The Mighty Hannibal.  As expected, Kanye West shows his knack for brilliantly tying in samples – that’s refreshing.  Speaking of samples, the chorus later samples George Jackson:

“Never have I been locked up in a world of misery

I need you darling to set me free

Come back baby, try me one more time

Ooh, baby, I’m ‘bout to go out of my mind…”

Beginning with the first verse, the main, minimalist production kicks in, signaled by Pusha T asserting, “Dope just touched down, I’m so grateful / Numbers so low, bitch, be thankful.”  The modus operandi is the same – drugs, drugs, drugs. “Cocaine concierge, longest running trapper of the year.”

“Santeria”

The transition from “Come Back Baby” to “Santeria” is feels seamless, even if it’s not truly a segue.  Pusha T raps over light, smooth, and soulful production on the first verse.  There’s a production switch-up on the refrain, which is in Spanish.  For his second verse, T matches the change in the tone of the production, successfully unifying lyrics and music.

Moving beyond his work on the boards, Kanye West appears on “What Would Meek Do?” One can’t help but giggle at West’s response as Pusha asks, “N***as talkin’ shit, ‘Ye, how do you respond?” ‘Ye being ‘Ye responds “Poop, scoop! / Whoop! Whoopty-whoop!” Ugh.  Beyond referencing the utterly ridiculous “Lift Yourself”, he actually drops bars, closing out the brief two-and-a-half-minute record. This of course is Pusha T’s record, and he continues to deliver the goods.

“The game’s fucked up… The lyric pennin’ equal the Trumps winnin’…” Whoa! Speaking of delivering the goods, Pusha T is fiery on the closing cut, “Infared.” He gives high praise to rappers who are on-point, including himself: “Believe in myself and the Coles and Kendricks / Let the sock puppets play in their roles and gimmicks, shit.” Meanwhile, he disses others (“Remember Will Smith won the first Grammy?”), including Drake (“It Was Written like Nas, but it came from Quentin”) and Baby (“Oh, now it’s okay to kill Baby”). “Infared,” much like “If You Know You Know” began Daytona, closes out with a bang.

Final Thoughts 

Yes, Daytona is just 21 minutes long and comprised of only seven songs, but, Pusha T knows how to make brevity work in his favor.  The drugs have been part of his script throughout his career, but once again, he compels with a grimy, gritty, unapologetic brand of coke rap.  Furthermore, he has brilliant production work from Kanye West, not to mention comedy relief when West returns with “Poop, scoop!” Daytona is among the best albums of 2018. 

Gems: “If You Know You Know,” “The Games We Play,” “Come Back Baby” & “Infared”

Pusha T • Daytona • Def Jam • Release: 5.25.18

Photo Credit: Def Jam