Revolution - Intellectual

Reference to both of Pusha T’s appearances on Kanye West’s critically acclaimed album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The songs were entitled “Runaway” and “So Appalled.” .

Prophetic lines for Push.

After linking up with Ye, he was eventually able to realize his vision as a tastemaker for the culture when he was named G.O.O.D. Music president

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy recording sessions took place primarily at Avex Recording Studio in Honolulu, Hawaii.

These were top secret, no twitter, facebook or instagram were allowed. Sessions involved Pusha T, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, and many more.

Hiatus means to have an extended break from something. Push uses it as a homonym;

Implying the musical hiatus between Lord Willin' and Hell Hath No Fury.
Also implying rapping hiatus

He’s only interested in getting money – just to prove the haters wrong!

This chain is reportedly worth around $20,000!

The Clipse got back together in the studio for Til the Casket Drop, meaning Tony was locked up in 2008.

Double entendre on casket drop as this album was the death of the duo’s run.

Or so we thought until their surprise comeback album, Let God Sort ‘em Out was announced in 2024.

Al Davis was a former coach and then owner of the Raiders who was famous for firing coaches.

He was the owner of the Raiders from 1972 until his death in 2011.

This is a continuation from the previous line. Pusha T calls his former manager, Tony Gonzalez, he and Malice’s coach. While the feds are like Al Davis since they took down Pusha’s coach (Tony).

Leading into the line to follow regarding his brother No Malice. Push describes his own situation in the drug game. When Tony and the gang went down for a $10 million drug ring, they were sentenced to serious jail time. He become lost, confused and didn’t know what to do. Rapping probably saved his life.

He and his brother No Malice were raised in Virginia Beach. Born in the Bronx, his family moved into a suburb predominately home to Caucasians. This led them both to the “other side of the tracks”, getting involved with their Uncle in street life. Before these two brothers, no one made it out of their neighbourhood – the majority of the old gang are in jail.

(Left to Right) No Malice and Pusha T (known as Clipse)
Malice, Pusha T’s brother, was saved and became “No Malice.” He is now back in the music industry after taking a hiatus to get closer to God and write the book Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind, and Naked. He brings a different view to the table in order to help others lead a better life before death. .

Malice literally puts himself into a coffin to signify the birth of a new spiritual life and a new alias, No Malice.

http://vimeo.com/38040132

Unlike many rappers, Push has always and always will rap about his drug dealing past. Many rappers claim to have sold cocaine/other drugs but never spit about it. He paved the way for people to start speaking the truth. Note the play on lane/pave. He sells cocaine on the streets.

Reference to Clipse track “Grindin'”, hit track from their unofficial first album Lord Willin'. Produced by Pharrell, who also provided this canvas.

Further note that album went onto sell around a 800,000 copies. Push plays on the entendre of selling a million records to buy a million dollars worth of coke!

Pusha talks to himself in self-doubt as he embarks on his solo career. His Clipse legacy with classic albums and highly regarded mixtapes set expectations very high for him amongst hip-hop heads.

His fears were confirmed for his first few GOOD projects. Solid reviews but nothing to write home about. Plus sales weren’t great.

Had to keep working until Daytona in 2018 to really get respect as a top-notch solo MC and artist.

Nice simile to illustrate how the Feds took down the old gang, including the Clipse manager Tony Gonzales who was sentenced to 32 years in early 2010.

The comparison comes from the Oakland Raiders who are well known for their rushing defence.

He’s back working with long time collaborator and good friend Pharrell. Their works date back to Clipse days with tracks like “Mr. Me Too” and “Grindin.” .

He was dope then and is still dope – hence the full circle.

Also, note the name of the track. Revolution, a word directly linked to circles

Double entendre;

Tony Gonzales, former manager of Clipse was jailed in early 2010, a 32 years for apparently leading a 10 million dollar drug ring. Push is implying the deal fell through and Tony took the fall – saving him and No Malice from certain jail time.
In addition this refers to Tony saving them from Jive records, which was reconstructed after long time CEO Barry Weiss left the label. With their record deal falling through.

Furthermore, he uses simple pause stop flow & added homophones;

Blowing up:

Refers to finally making it big, Push had just got signed to Kanye Wests G.O.O.D Music Label.
Refers to blow, aka cocaine

Tony

Refers to Tony Gonzales. As seen above.
Refers to cocaine aka Tony Montana, which they fell back on when their record deal with Jive fell through.

Clipse has released three studio albums, Lord Will'n, Hell Hath No Fury, and Til The Casket Drops. All three were released on major labels (Arista, Jive, and Columbia, respectively) and all three, especially Hell Hath No Fury, were met with critical acclaim. Judging by the switch of majors, the labels weren’t satisfied as much as the fans.

This line serves as a double entendre:

One meaning of the line is that when a rapper goes into the vault so to speak, it’s to get all those crazy rhymes they’ve been saving for that one project. Push infers they’re for My Name is My Name. With these rhymes killing careers in the process!
Another interpretation is that while Pusha may be going into the vault – so are the rappers who he kills. Vaults are used to lock unneeded objects away for a long time. Corny rappers are no longer required!