Darkest Before Dawn has been on repeat in my car everywhere I go. This is the latest album from my guy Pusha T. The title itself has many meanings to it. This is by far the “darkest” album Pusha has given us to date. This is the album where he held nothing back lyrically. Right out the gate, on the Intro, he raps “Leave your conscious at the door”. Insinuating that his album is gonna take you by storm.
That’s exactly this album feels like, a storm. This album is a must buy for the core rap fans that are fans of lyricism and rap culture. Pusha has never been one to shy away from speaking about the drug game, and this album is no different. Giving perspective from the dealer and the hustler, he brings raw raps to the table. Pusha is like America’s favorite dope boy/drug dealer superhero that turns ounces into flashy whips, chains, and cribs. Not only does he speak about the drug game, he also touches on the topic of how he’s still one of the best rappers in the game.
I had a chance to speak with Pusha last week before the album dropped. He made it very clear that this album was one were he felt he held nothing back. He wanted his core fans to be fed before he released his next album “King Push” which he said is a lot more “broader”.
Darkest Before Dawn comes with 10 new tracks including the Timbaland produced single “Untouchable”. Timbo’ also produced another joint on the album titled “Got Em’ Covered”. Pusha’s writing was paired with production from elites like Kanye, Diddy, Q-Tip, and newcomers like Metro Boomin’.
The album brings features from The Dream, A$AP Rocky, Beanie Sigel, Kehlani, Jill Scott, and of course the G.O.O.D. Music boss Kanye West.
One of my favorite joints from this album is “M.T.F.R.” featuring The Dream. It’s a perfect combination of Pusha’s raw bars and The Dream comes in smoothly lacing the track with the perfect tone. Sonically, it’s a really well together album. Another surprising combination is Pusha and Kehlani. Their collab on the song “Retribution” is another notable song off the album. Crutches, Crosses, Caskets, is undeniable on the album as well.
M.P.A. is a song on the album that speaks on people being focused on the wrong things in life and forgetting about the real perspective of life. Pusha speaks on his own perspective about chasing the wrong women in life and about the quote on quote “real dudes” in the club being in his ear telling him how “real” they are but not really being about that life. The song comes with Kanye and A$AP Rocky layered on the chorus together.
Overall, this is exactly what we all expected from Pusha T. Dark raps, production, and clever lyricism. Pusha keeps finding ways to creatively tell his stories about the dope game but still manages to make it all sound like great rap music. They both go hand in hand. This album is definitely aimed to please the rap fanatics that are all about real raps and culture. The core was definitely fed. Some are saying Pusha T might have the album of the year with this Darkest Before Dawn. I want to know what you think about it. The album is worth the buy in my opinion. 10 solid tracks from Pusha. Go grab the album if you haven’t done so yet. If you have, let me know what your favorite songs on the album are. If you’re a “core” Pusha T fan was this album well done? Let me know. Let’s talk about it.