Here's a question pop pickers… you think Kanye West will show at Pusha T (and Fabolous) gig BB Kings, April 26th? I mean he sure could, right? No shocker though the place would go crazy.
Whatever else might happen, Pusha T's West produced new release "Numbers On The Boards" is an attention grabber if nothing else. With a shout out like it broke out of a James Brown live album and a ton of bragging leading to a taste of Jay-Z and all wrapped in a clickety clackety.
The point being, Pusha (geddit) is unlike Biggie, who claimed rap as a way out of slinging rock, Pusha shows no respect for those who make their money rapping. Pusha makes it moving numbers.
Fair enough when it is done this well, a perfect rap pop hook on a great production, certainly one of Pusha's great moments, behind the Kanye masterpiece and the Tyler featuring track. Even Jay-Z is real good here, a small but a powerfil verse that blows away "Open Letter" There is something very unbecoming about a man as powerful and rich as Hova non-stop fucking whining.
What problem can Jay-Z have with getting called out for breaking an embargo? Why should he whinny because people laughed at him selling his 1/15 of 1% of the Nets? A man would take the hit but Jay-Z is indeed the Bob Dylan of rap replete with "Idiot Wind " quote: both of them don't wanna be picked on but hell it comes with the territory. Jay-Z has everything but he always seems hungry to rub our nose in it, to make us understand just how superior he is. When did he become so self-important, so serious, such a serious wretched pain in the ass. He was such a miserable bore at the opening of the Barclay Center last year.
Pusha T is so much better any way. I'll admit to having my usual problem with rap in 2013, it isn't fun enough. King Push should sound a lot happier, upper middle class folks who make more in a year than you'll make in your year should sound a little more, how you say, cheerful. Push, I guess I will wait till I see him on stage in a couple of weeks, but he hits me as minor leaguer except from time to time (like here) when he doesn't.
Pusha T – Numbers On The Boards – B+
Jay-Z – Open Letter – C+