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Manic Monday! Review: Pusha T - "Wrath of Caine" (G.O.O.D. Music x Re-Up Gang)


Pusha T is 1/2 of Clipse, which was basically 2 drug fiends-turned-rappers poetically bragging about their assorted exploits over The Neptunes' glitched out production work. Malice changed his name to No Malice last year, found religion, published a book called "Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind & Naked," and decided to peruse a solo career... Right around the same time that his brother, Pusha T inked a deal with G.O.O.D. Music (2010-11). Under Kanye's frantic direction, he soon released Fear of God [mixtape] and it's re-packaged companion EP, Fear of God II: Let Us Pray. I must admit, while I had a Neptunes phase and really got into Hell Hath No Fury/Til The Casket Drops, I haven't delved too far into Pusha T's solo material. He's also been featured prominently on Kanye's recent projects, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) and label comp. Cruel Summer (2012).


Serving as an audio palate cleanser/teaser for his upcoming debut full-length, My Name Is My Name, Pusha T unleashed Wrath of Caine to The Internet(s) late Monday night. After a few early listens, it sounds like a STELLAR 11-track mixtape; Sound-wise, drawing influence from Reggae-Dancehall, Trap, Prog Rock, Soul, Underground Hip-Hop, G-Funk, etc. Wrath of Caine features previously leaked singles "Blocka," "Millions," and "Only You Can Tell It" as well as guest spots from Rick Ross, Wale, Troy Ave, French Montana Popcaan & Travi$ Scott, Kevin Gates, and Re-Up Gang soldier, Liva. The beats are pulled from a wide variety of mainstream and underground producers: Kanye, The Neptunes, Harry Fraud, !llmind, Young Chop, B!nk, and Jake-One. My Name Is My Name, which I guess gets it's name from The Wire (Season 5), is slated for a rumored March 2013 release.