Pusha T – Photo by Ryan Gaines
There’s been little to no news on Pusha T’s upcoming solo album King Push in recent months; you’d have to go all the way back toApril of this year, when it was reported that Kanye Wesyt, Nottz andThe Neptuneswere working onKing Push,to find concrete news.But justlast month,Pusha said he’s aiming for his new album to be the “the album of the year.” The Virginia native saw some great reviews from his first solo LP,My Name Is My Name, whichnow has fansclamoring for his next solo project. But Push is in no rush to put out anything he doesn’t feel is up to par. So while at the 2014 South Beach Invitational,Pusha T gaveXXL the inside scoop on King Push, who’sproducingon the album and why he said he was the “New Hov” on “No Flex Zone (Remix).”
XXL: Tell me about King Push.I think the streets need that.
Pusha T: Im going for album of the year, man, thats it; straight up, lyric-driven of course. I feel like My Name Is My Name was very stripped downon purpose because I just felt like people werent rapping enough for my taste. I didnt want to be in that category and I wanted to show people this is what Im about. I want to infuse more elements of music into King Push; paint the pictures and smash them with the lyrics.
MNIMN was phenomenal, but I remember you announced King Push rather quickly afterward. Did you already have that in mind?
Yeah, it’s been on my mind simply because of the production process. People dont understand how long it really takes to find beats. Sometimes theyre not all the way there but its elements in them I love. Then I get to take them to get chopped up. ‘Ye got to cook over a few of them. Its such a long process, so I was just like, listen, Im just starting now. I got some good fucking music, man.
What can you tell me about it?
I have no features on it as of right now, but Im well into six joints. I dont do extra records. But I am going to try and do a deluxe [album] this time. Simply because I got the time, but it’s just all about finding the records. I dont make records and say, “Oh, that one falls short of the bar.” I cant put anything that falls short of the bar on the album.
Whos the executive producer this time? Kanye?
Yeah.
What other producers you have on it?
I worked with Pharrell, Nottz, Needlz, Dom Solo, Hudson Mohawke, Baauer. Man, its people.
How did you come up with the title to the album?
I felt like I was rhyming better than everybody on MNIMN, so it was just a proclamation of what I feel I am. Like, on a rap level, like man,King Push. Im coming for crowns at this point when it comes to hip-hop.
Now lets talk about the line on “No Flex Zone (Remix)” when you said youre the new Hov.
[Laughs] Ay man, me personally, Im just following that mold. I feel like when it comes to my taste level and my intricacies of rap, Im on par with that. Thats how Im molding my whole everything.Emmanuel C.M.
Previously: Pusha T Wants King Push To Be The Album Of The Year
Pusha T Is Working With Kanye And The Neptunes On His New Album
2 Chainzs Team Atlanta Wins The 2014 South Beach Invitational Presented By BACARDI And EBC
