Four years have passed since the release of Pusha T’s critically acclaimed album DAYTONA. The project was a seven-track marvel built on pure technical skill laced with venomous malice and a manic Kanye West on the boards. While songs such as “If You Know You Know” and “What Would Meek Do” showcased a hungry King Push asserting his legacy, “Infrared” pushed the album toward classic territory.
Then Pusha T outed Drake for hiding his child from the world, exposed an awkward photo of Drake in blackface and finished off by calling him a deadbeat dad on “The Story of Adidon.” Following Drake’s response, the feud spilled out into an even bigger (and petty) beef between the 6 God and Ye. The pandemic hit, Kanye versus Drake continued, but Pusha T switched gears. He became a husband and parent, focusing on his newborn and the new realms of fatherhood.
Review: Pusha T’s “DAYTONA” Is Predictable But Potent
It’s Almost Dry is the result of a paranoid new dad and quarantining from COVID-19. “I wasn’t going anywhere,” he told Charlamagne Tha God in a recent interview with a twinge of anxiety in his voice. He went on to explain he tapped into his creativity to elevate his pen game.
Push’s writing has only sharpened after 20 years. The storytelling has become more meticulous and wit behind the bars heightened. The way Push flips different terms and definitions surrounding cocaine is almost mastery of the English language. But the content doesn’t reflect the personal growth that pushed him to make the album in the first place. At 44 years old, technical bars about pushing bricks feel like it’s playing it too safe.
Pusha T opens the album with “Brambleton,” a direct response to his former manager, Anthony “Geezy” Gonzales, who addressed his falling out with the rapper in a 2020 interview with VladTV. “Had a million answers, didn’t have a clue/Where Michael kissed Fredo in Godfather II,” he raps, suggesting the VladTV interview was the kiss of death. After dealing with personal loose ends on the opener, Push goes back to business on “Let The Smokers Shine The Coupes.” The looped and chopped synth sounds like the roar of a colosseum at first blood. He glides on the beat, never falling short of reinventing the many ways to rap about moving weight. “The dope game destroyed my youth, now Kim Jones Dior my suits,” he spits before proudly declaring himself “Cocaine’s Dr. Seuss.”
The combination of Pusha T and Kanye operate with success on “Dreamin of the Past,” and the lead single “Diet Coke,” which is co-produced by 88-Keys. Kanye’s chipmunk soul turns the gritty nature of Push’s raps into cocaine-dusted portraits at the Met Gala. The music feels like high-art.
Push also holds his own on “Just So You Remember” delivering critique on new rappers and celebrity culture with the cool demeanor of someone who’s seen the highs and lows of the lifestyle.
It’s Almost Dry’s momentum drops with the radio baiting “Scrape it off the Top,” featuring another robotic performance from Don Toliver and an out-of-place Lil Uzi Vert verse that makes it hard to believe this is a Pusha T album. During his interview with Charlamagne, Push proclaims he’s not a “radio rapper,” which is odd considering this track feels like a cheap attempt for a hit. Unfortunately, the Nigo cut “Hear Me Clearly” follows with abrasive synths that sound too loud and poorly mixed. Push’s rapping isn’t special enough to distract from the horrid production.
The problem with It’s Almost Dry is the lack of variety and evolution in the content. Push has found peace from his rivalry with Drake, but that personal growth doesn’t translate into the music. He claims his songs are a mixture of art, real life and entertainment, which not only devalues the weight of his lyrics, it also comes across as disingenuous. At the age of 48, JAY-Z — who obliterates his verse on “Neck & Wrist”— ditched the cocaine tales for a true reflection of who he is as a person, preaching real estate game and financial literacy on 4:44. That idea of growth isn’t applied here.
As the album stumbles toward its finale, “Call My Bluff” falls flat on its face with a circus accordion while Push lazily raps in a slow, boring slog. While this track is intended to throwback to the grimey ’90s, Push just pumps his chest and blows hot air for the hook. The album closes out with “I Pray For You,” a lukewarm reunion between Push and his brother No Malice that never recovers the lost momentum. On top of the differing puns for ingesting cocaine that feels like a victory lap for his career, the project’s final moments feel like a once brightly burning candle flickering, then fading out.
It’s Almost Dry is a good rap record that delivers a few hard hitting tracks, some great production and bar-for-bar excellence by one of the best rappers in the game, but the album lacks the bite of past releases. Pusha T is great at what he does, but by limiting his talents and choosing to play it safe and stay on brand without an obstacle to hurdle or adversary to take down, he reveals the same hat tricks of the past.
FOH DX this is an excellent album.
All these cats today with their 30-40 min releases, taking 4 years for this shit and still can’t make it 100% dope.
I listened to it once so far, dope record but no masterpiece or something like that. Gotta give it a few more spins.
Yeah it’s a good record, and that’s it. Appreciate this analysis and honesty.
That Lil Uzi Vert joint keeps this album away from being a classic. Push delivers stellar bars through and through and the beat selecting is incredible. My true rating is 4.8.
Appreciate this take. Thanks for reading
Quite a few tracks keep this album from being a great one. It’s a typical Push affair – strong start, a few bangers throughout but also quite a few snoozers and lukewarm joints. And it’s a joke to even throw the word “classic” in there for an album that was released mere hours ago. Also, Pharrell’s side of the production is sooo underwhelming to me. He gave better beats to Nigo tbh.
Yeah, I could have used another word than classic. Thibg is though, you can kinda feel if youre listening to a classic or not when its released. And this album is not it but is still great.
It was only two track tracks that was lukewarm to me. However, the tracks may grow on me later. Jay-Z’s The Blueprint was a classic to me. I wasn’t a fan of every song of the project.
I liked the Lil Uzi Vert track.
Y’all give Push a 3,8 and your darling Coi Leray a 3,3 for that hot garbage of an album? You so desperate to push her talentless ass lol.
So your issue is Push got a significantly higher score than Coi, yet it’s not big enough for you? Ok
No, my issue is that the difference in the rating is not significant enough. I have no problem with Pusha’s 3,8 but that other piece of trash should be rated waaaaay lower then.
Fair enough man. Understand the rating is handled by a collective of people, not just the writer and not just the editor. Some ppl at DX liked the album, some didn’t, but that’s ultimately what was agreed upon. Appreciate you explaining your point of view.
Fair enough man. The rating is issued by a collective of people, not just the writer. Some people liked Coi’s album, some did not. Ultimately, this is the score we came to. I appreciate you explaining your point of view on the matter, hope this offers some context.
Easy 4.5, way better than daytona
You bugn! 5/5. Nothing less
Y’all high asf. This album is dope!
Your articles are garbage and done “elevate”
Great album
This album just dropped last night and I’m sure hasn’t been given enough listens. Bro c’mon. It took y’all a MONTH to rate Nigo’s album and a couple of others but are so quick to rush some artists. Some don’t even get reviews. Smh. At least a week for crying out loud. Y’all are clowns. I’ll give my rating later.
Agreed. This site is a joke when it comes to reviews. Almost completely irrelevant.
We’ve had the album for weeks. Some reviews that are lower priority take longer because writers have other jobs and responsibilities. Push is out because we had an advance we listened to meticulously. Hope this clears things up.
Pusha T is an ant. That’s what big homie Lil J said. And he didn’t do nothing! Fairytale raps the year 2000 is over nos you 48 still an artist. Sad.
Nah dude. I know that’s the easiest thing to say about Pusha T but he’s got stories and a real rep still floating around Portsmouth, Hampton and Norfolk. He’s said he was a player in the game, not that he was the biggest player in it. Album is fire
Don’t bother complaining about how quickly the review comes out and after the album hits, some artists give advance copies if they’re done tinkering with a project. Blogs can get it weeks ahead. It’s not one spin and review, calm down. 35-40 min album lengths are ideal. Old days of hour plus albums full of filler or getting lost in different directions was a waste. Trimming it down to size helps and the audience doesn’t have the attention span to listen to a full album. Looking forward to hearing this over the weekend.
couldnt of said it better myself
Thank you
This album is crazy y’all just lame fake ass drake fans!!
Who is 48?
Horrible review. Album sounds amazing!
5/5
No Skip project????
i luv pusha T but this album sounds like throw away songs from DARKEST BEFORE DAWN & MY NAME IS MY NAME, he may of hit his ceiling with DAYTONA as far as albums are concerned, Id rather hear him on mixtapes where his freedom of expression isnt gated by the label.. majority of the best songs came out before album dropped, but i could be trippin, maybe all this new hiphop has calcified my 3rd eye lol
FAIR REVIEW. I THINK THE ALBUM IS DOPE BUT IT DOESN’T HIT OR TAKE MUSICAL RISKS LIKE PREVIOUS ALBUMS. PUSHA BARS AND FLOWS ARE IN TACT, AND THE BEATS ARE EFFECTIVE. I JUST FEEL THE PRESENTATION FEELS LIKE “ANOTHER PUSHA ALBUM.” EITHER WAY I’M HAPPY TO HAVE SOME NEW PUSHA TO HOLD ME DOWN THIS SUMMER.
Took the album for two more spins. First off, Malice is snapping on that last joint. Which makes me wonder, why isn’t Punch Bowl here when Hear Me Clearly is? Still don’t like Scrape it Off. Beat is solid but the features brings nothing and Push use the “boy” structure again, which he already did better on the opening of Daytona. Open Air got some dope ass bars but still sound like filler. I wish Sociopath didn’t leak years ago because that joint would make this project more diverse. Album Still a banger though!!! But if it was up to me 2 tracks would’ve been cut.
Another great album from Pusha! Never disappoints over ye and pharrell beats
In the course of the last year or so you’ve gone from throwing out lazy 4.5 reviews to now being as gready as Pitchfork.
It is very tough to take this new rating scale seriously.
This is a darn good album with Old Kanye sample beats on it. It is grown up music that bumps.
Easy 4.5
3.8 is a favorable score. We recognized the need to stretch the rating scale further, but 3.8 has always been a favorable and recommended album.
Respect that your standing behind your review and chopping it up in the comments.
Seems the consensus is that your score is low…but to each their own.
I am happy that you folks consciously stretched the scale cause it was getting generous.
Thank you. It’s not my review but I helped edit it. And I’ll always stand by my writers. So, I will take all the smoke. Completely understand the consensus on the site. And, it was expected. Pusha is a great rapper with a big name. We tried to be as detailed and thorough with the critiques as possible. Not everyone will agree, and that’s fine. That’s what keeps reviews interesting and discussion alive. I appreciate your feedback.
This guy is still the biggest drug dealer on raps? This shit is tired. 2 decades in the game and still hasn’t grown as an artist.
this review was hot ass. 3.8?? foh please
this review was very ass.. ONLY A 3.8??? foh please
Hiphop is hilarious…if he switches it up, everybody is gonna cry they want the old Push back. If he gives you the same old Push, we say we want something new. Every Pusha album gets the same review…”it’s dope, but it’s the same old shit”. If it’s dope it’s dope…He drops few and far between. If you allow yourself some pizza once a month, as long as it’s good, do you care if it tastes the same? WTF, how you gonna say its dope but be mad he stayed in his lane? Also in 2022, for you to diminish a decorated rapper for his content while claiming it’s still dope is laughable…Every rapper in the last decade has been talking about the same old shit, except with shitty music as well.
I like it a lot… 4.3- 4.5 range … uzi vert feature ?z
But great… best track # 1 brim!!!
The martin scorsese of rap.
Call my Bluff is fire. This album review is as suspect as the editing on this site lately.
Where are these editors from??? I want to know what city and neighborhoods????!?!?!? Thus album is pureeeeee lyrical and sonically fucking dope????????? This for the grown folk. Not weird west coast people or hating on witty smart down south. Oh well. East coast ?
This is the same shit he’s put out since clips. Album was okay. Definitely not album of the year.
Bruh. That’s what Pusha is. Why everyone criticize the man for staying the same, this what push fans wanted
Bruh. That’s what Pusha is. Why everyone criticize the man for staying the same, this what push fans wanted
The Review in the community has it 4.76!!!! This site is ran by white people and Drake fans. We all know this.
Production is amazing. Pusha T can rap. Overall dope as duck
4.5/5.
Its always around the 4-5 album range into an artists career where critics start grinding them for not switching things up and staying too closely in their lane. Listen, I don’t want my veteran rappers to switch up their style. Especially when its King Push. The bar for bar consistency of this guy is almost comparable to none. I dont need rappers to turn their lyrics around as they age. That’s their choice. I want them to make what they love and not force some personal connection with the audience. Pusha just said in an interview that he’s gona rap about the streets forever and I hope that’s the case. If y’all don’t like it.. fuck off then
Review is accurate. The beats are fire but the coke raps get old over and over in every song for such a hyped up album
Not sure how you can review an album that quickly. It’s no Daytona or Hell Hath No Fury but it’s cool.
Amazing project. Everything is perfect.
Push delivers with various styles and great beats. Great album, fire ? ???. I can only think of the Lox that find so many different ways to recreate saying the same message.
Album is Fire. Production is magnificent. Easily 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
How does the album come out in the morning and then editor have a review by midafternoon? Obviously, you didn’t live with the music for a few days- what you did was hurry through the tracks, read the lyrics online and then quickly write a meaningless review.
Last time I’m gonna say it. We’ve had the album for weeks.
This review is ridiculous. I mean, wow. 4.3-4.7 at least.
Wow so the review is already out but its only been a couple of hours??? How long did we have to wait for Magic review?? A couple of weeks. I hope we don’t wait so long for KD3. Smh
Nice, compact with no skips. Definitely going to be one of the best releases this year
This dude still rapping about the drug game? If nothing else we’ve all learned That there are a million different ways to get money nowadays. Anybody still rapping about being a drug kingpin needs a reality check.
No, I think anyone who thinks that needs a reality check. Push talks about fly overseas fashion, ill whips and being a standup guy. Coke is a common theme but stop half listening. He slaughtered Drake w all drug raps??
Yall have the worst reviews ??
This album is fire as hell. Beats and lyrics are soooo grimey. 4.5 stars no doubt. It is indeed album of the year so far.
Good album I really enjoyed this one! His last few releases have been a let down to me. I still think he should use a few smooth type of r&b type of production to give it some versatility to match the gritty production. Was really happy to hear his brother on there.
Maryvale AZ is in the house.
My man said Maryvale. If you know about Maryvale, the cocaine game is real.
Off one listen, 3.8 seems valid. If I’m a Push fan it’s probably outstanding, but a random person just checking it out I got tired of the coke references
I hate when the reviews miss the nuance and not understand the definition of coke rap and it having its own real estate in hip hop like gangster rap. You guys have to understand what you’re listening to! this album is vicious and cut throat!
What’s vicious about it? Genuinely curious
I agree with the review n ppl grow up..no one listens 2 pusha t unless ur his fan, his music ain’t made like dat. It’s an ok album bt ya i think I’m outgrown the coke raps, so will jst keel listening 2 the other rappers u guys call soft like Kendrick, Cole, Nas who hv more diversity n growth in their music.
Just take a look at the editors photo all 20 something years old of him and his lip ring and ask yourself should this dude who wasn’t even born yet when Clipse first came out be reviewing a Pusha T album or a lil uzi vert or young thug album? The answer is definitely not a Pusha album
B!+ch shUtuP
Rapping about coke at his age. Is like him rapping about his first four years in college. Grow up and move on
I love it, yall trippin’
The man legit says “people criticize me about Coke rap but with this album, I’m gonna show how great I am at this topic” and then this website says “why is he rapping about coke?”
? THE MAN TOLD YOU HE WAS GONNA RAP EXCLUSIVELY ABOUT COKE WITH THIS ALBUM!
Love the white editors who bash black rappers but Eminem can keep rappin the same shitty style
Terrible review. This album goes hard. If it was a Jay-Z album they would give it a 6 out of 5. In fact, think about how much better this cocaine concept album is than American Gangster. Does this go as hard as the classic Clipse albums? In my opinion no but we are talking about some of the greatest albums in rap history. Put some respect on Push. 4.5/5
The Pharrell joints are hard, Kanye beats are trash. Overall I still like the album. And like they say stop with the foolish reviews.
This review is terrible. Click bait. Everyone knows this is a 4.5 album at least. Production is literally top tier. It doesn’t get better. And push destroys the beats. Content aside, this album is amazing.
Album was okay… I don’t think it’ll come close to album of the year after k dot drop his album next month. I wouldn’t call this a classic by any means. 3.8 is where I would die this album a well… people giving this a 5/5 are way out of touch with music and are just dick riders
You haven’t even heard Kendrick Lamar’s album yet and you’re talking about dickriders. CLOWN!!!
Well that’s his opinion bro. Who are you? Pusha has been confidently that his album will be album of the year. No it’s not going to be! It will not be better than KDot. Next time should shut up and just drop his album without saying it’s album of the year because he has never had an album of the year.
I was expecting a great album when he claimed album of the year when we are all expecting Kendrick this year so I was intrigued… unfortunately I think this album falls short especially when he claimed this was his album he was going to share his growth… it was just the same shit, bars about selling cocaine… wow.
Lol it doesn’t elevate? HA
It’s okay, definitely not his best work. I don’t think it will be talked about for long
Got me eatin conch fritters
In an age where we lucky to even hear BEATS that are hard like this, this album should be revered. Tell me.. what hard, or innovative Hiphop have you heard recently that has someone that can actually flow and deliver on it? The pharell beats are dope and refreshing. The Ye beats are eh… ok , I loved Daytona , if ye had been as strong on this as on Daytona this would have scored higher. The content delivered is what Pusha is good at, no one can tell a man at what age he needs to say or do what. Good album and I hope we have more good albums in a time where decent Hip-hop albums are becoming less and less.
In an age where even to hear BEATS that are hard like this, this album should be revered. Tell me.. what hard, or innovative beats have you heard recently that has someone that can actually flow and deliver on it? The pharell beats are hard and refreshing. The Ye beats are eh… ok , I loved Daytona , if ye had been as strong on this as on there this would have scored higher. The content delivered is what Pusha is good at, no one can tell a man at what age he needs to say or do what. Good album and I hope we have more good albums in a time where decent Hip-hop albums are becoming less and less
Im absolutely done with the BS on this site.
You’re not even willing to give this album 4 out of 5 whereas to me it feels like goddamn finally something worth listening to in this boring ass rap game.
I don’t understand what do you expect from push to do? Switch up and drop an album about parenthood? What is this ‘personal growth’ that you talk about? The man literally dropped one of the most bar heavy and effortlessly flowing project in the last decade and you’re not able to appreciate that?
Of course, tastes differ but you’ve been pushing horrendous crazy trying to convince the ppl it’s actually good, it’s NOT.
And don’t even get me started on the production here… its absolutely ridiculous but I guess inadequate for repetitive trap beats enthusiasts.
Thank you. Well said
This is fair. We have been stricter with ratings lately. Only 3 albums this year have received a 4.0 and above. 3.8 is still a high and favorable score. It’s a good album, we just don’t think it has the staying power of his past work and other records. Taste and critique is ultimately subjective. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Pharel shoulda did 85 percent or the whole thing. Ye only needed like 2 records
Pusha t it’s almost dry review
1.Bramelton 4/5
2.Let the smokers shine the coupe 4/5 – the bass on the production ?.
3.Dreamin of the past ft Kanye West 3.5/5 – the sample ok but the lyrics just ok, Kanye’s verse mediocre hook ok. “Award shows the only way they can rob me”
4.Neck & wrist ft Jay X & Pharrell 3.5/5 – production?, verses subpar and mediocre no energy
5.Just so you remember 3.5/5 – production mediocre, some fire bars here and there but the usual coke talk pusha, sample on the hook was good.. “Seen you rappers apply for the stimulus, Livin a lie but die for your images,
it’s guns involved like cowboys and Indians ”
6.Diet Coke 4/5 – production and sample on point, usual pusha topics, nothing new.
7.Rock n roll ft. Kanye West & Kid Cudi 4/5- production and sample on point, Kanye’s vers mediocre and what Cudi was doing at the end wasn’t needed, otherwise good.
8.Call my bluff 4/5 – production fire, 1st verse ok 2nd verse better
9.Scrape it off ft Lil Uzi Vert & Don Tolliver 4/5 – possible single, Nothing great but definitely made for the radio.
10.Hear me clearly 4/5
11.Open air 3.5/5 – Production on point but same ol coke bars nothing new or innovative.
12.I pray for you ft Labrinth & Malice 4/5 – eerie production kinda distracting, Malice killed it.
Overall Score 47/60 76.66% 3.8/5 project, The album lacks cohesion and diversity production was all over the place, solid not great effort almost too dry.
Damn, good job with this. Appreciate you giving your own review!
Every rapper gets to sound so identical for the last 10 years we can’t differentiate, but Push being consistent is a problem? This site is still wearing Pull-Ups.
This bogus review needed to be removed from the front page of this young ass website writing like like they still using training wheels.
Why does this site delete posts so often? Don’t invite discussions if your opinion is so trash you can’t take the criticism.
Your post was not deleted. Sometimes it takes a bit for comments to show up. We are open to discussion as long as people don’t dox or overly attack the writers. You may not agree with what they say, but they work hard and deserve some decency.
Good but not great
Reviewer must be Peter Pan. Not everyone wants to grow up tight wearing fuck boy.
But Whole Lotta Red got a 4.4; make it make sense.
At the risk of being destroyed by the comment section, since I know many readers despise WLR, the argument for it is it’s changed the sound of rap music and ushered in several sub genres. It dictated a style for 2021 yet came out in 2020 and is still a hugely relevant rap record. It’s one of the most polarizing albums that’s dropped in the past few years. Love it or hate it, it’s made a huge impact and will be remembered, for better or worse.
I respectfully disagree. It was more a sign of the times than a trendsetter. And the same criticism of an artist not saying anything new could easily be easily be levied at WLR as well. Because what was Carti saying on that record? If anything you could compliment the production but in terms of the artist himself he mumbled his was through the whole album saying nothing of note.
My favorite recent album after 4 listens. I like his consistency, glad he isn’t chasing trends.
Instant Classic
Album Of The Year
Not a perfect album but definitely closer to a 5 than a 4 and a clear aoty contender
Maybe not an elevation of content, but it is an elevation of style. Call My Bluff that you call lazy, I find his flow light hearted, and verse 2 the best on the album.
definitely disappointed …. and he in my top 5 … smh
This shit is trash…and to think this dude was around all these top tier artist and this is what you came up with. The worse song for me was Neck & Wrist…extremely trash/overrated garbage. Mfers think because you feature a mfer on your song that automatically makes it a hit. BS!!
Masterpiece ?
Love this project. I’m not the biggest fan of drug rap but the production works well with Pusha’s flows. The only song I don’t like alot is “Open Air” but it’s a decent song but it’s hit and miss for me when it comes on.
Daytona better
Yall are tripping, Album of the year
With a name like Pusha T, I’m not expecting him to deviate from his coke bars, and he does it better than most rappers. This album is pretty solid, and the beats knock.”Dreamin of the Past” sounds like “G.O.O.D. Fridays”-era Kanye, which is always welcome.
This shit is ?…
Garbage album, Pusha T sucks, all he can rap about is coke. I dont under anything above a 1/5.
Enjoyed it.
Rap Album Of The Year So Far In My Opinion.