Pusha T & Malice...so be it 💨
this is culturally inappropriate.
THE BEAT DROP 🥁
A pulse of the culture.
If you’re reading this it’s another weekend at the crib, and I am still over here deciphering Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out track “So Be It.” Nevertheless, this week has been eventful. My favorite part was Megan Thee Stallion making an appearance on Love Island and Kai Cenat getting on stream with LeBron James.
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST 💿
The most important news items of the week.
Clipse dropped “So Be It” with some war of words for Travis Scott and Pusha T explained why.
Megan Thee Stallion entered the villa on Love Island USA looking like a bombshell in her Hot Girl Swim collection and hosted a twerk contest. Everybody say, THANK YOU MEGAN.
Kai Cenat got on stream with the goat LeBron James and broke down in tears.
Drake reportedly loss a whopping $8M on a sports bet. Seemingly, a trend.
On Juneteenth, Rick Ross got a street named after him in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Jim Jones claimed that he has more hits than Nas, therefore more relevant.
In a $20M lawsuit, Fat Joe was accused of putting a bounty on 50 Cent’s head. 50 responded and essentially called the suit a “stick up.”
That Mexican OT declared that he has the right to say the n-word because…wtf are you going to do about it? Newsflash: he does not.
Joey Badass and Serayah welcomed their new child. Congratulations to the new parents!
Rihanna was awarded the Icon Award at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.
BARS OF THE WEEK 🎤
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“You cried in front of me, you died in front of me / Calabasas took your bitch and your pride in front of me.” — Pusha T on “So Be It” airing out Travis Scott.
“HE’S A WHORE.” — King Push further expanding on his issues with La Flame via GQ.
“It’s unnecessary” — Bad Bunny on why he doesn’t need to activate a tour in the United States.
“Sleeping and dreaming talking to the rocket / He told me go up, I told him that I got em.” — Offset on “Bodies” paying homage to Takeoff.
“I’m here to feed the streets, bon appetit!” — Lola Brooke on her latest release “Bon Appétit”
“I keep hearing these voices / Buy more jewelry, buy five new Porsches” — Gucci Mane on “Voices.”
CHART TOPPERS 📈
Notable top-performing rap and R&B tracks on streaming platforms and charts.
Lil Tecca’s DOPAMINE is expected to debut at #3 on the Billboard 200, SZA’s SOS at #4, Kendrick Lamar at #8, Drake and PND’s $$$4U at #10 and Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter VI at #15.
On YouTube, seven songs off Tha Carter VI impacted the US Top Songs, including “Hip Hop” featuring Big X Tha Plug.
SOUND WATCH 🎧
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
“So Be It” is the latest release from Clipse which takes aim at Travis Scott — although it’s not available on streaming, there is a music video for it.
Cardi B climbed out of retirement and delivered her new single “Outside.”
At the same time, Offset dropped “Bodies” featuring JID.
midwxst shared his album called ARCHANGEL.
Wale released a goodie called “Where To Start.”
Roddy Ricch released “Underdog,” off the F1 Soundtrack.
Rapsody dropped a two-piece called MadRaps with Madlib, exclusively on her website. (Now, that’s what I’m talking ‘bout!)
The Alchemist and Erykah Badu shared the innovative “Next To You.”
Memphis Bleek offered a new project in the form of Apt 3D, 11 songs deep.
AzSwaye released the follow-up to “RAP CAP” with the jazzy “GET OFF.”
Pluto released her Both Ways EP featuring the summer hit “Whim Whammie” with YK Niece.
Amaarae shared the cover art for her new album BLACK STAR, which will be out August 8.
Lola Brooke released her song "Bon Appétit."
JayDon offered his new single "Boujee Baby," featuring Zeddy Will.
Halle Bailey offered her surprise release “Braveface.”
Che Noir delivered The Color Chocolate 2.
Central Cee tapped in with Sexyy Red for the vibey "Guilt Trippin."
Rob49 offered a remix to "WTHelly" with G Herbo.
Samara Cyn shared the backroads EP.
Dave East linked with Young Chris for Fine Dining.
YTB Fatt delivered Da Foxprint project with a feature from Moneybagg Yo.
Lazer Dim 700 came through with “Kill Switch.”
Hardrock tapped in with “Biggest Soldier.”
Gucci Mane delivered a banger with “Voices.”
Anycia and Quavo tapped in for “Put Up.”
Kevin Gates dropped off “Stutter.”
Pinkpanthress shared a new one called “Close to you.”
Fred Again, Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax shared the danceable “Victory Lap.”
Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon linked for the collaborative album Come As You Are.
Teddy Swims released “All Gas No Brakes” featuring BigXthaPlug.
The Kid LAROI shared his moody single “HOW DOES IT FEEL.”
ScarLip unleashed her EP Scarred B4 Fame and it contains a Lil Wayne feature.
BEHIND THE MUSIC 🎵
Industry news.
Create Music Group formed a new joint venture with The Neptune’s Star Trak Entertainment.
STEAK REPORT 🥩
Feuds, diss tracks and social media spats.
Pusha T called out Travis Scott on “So Be It” for being a hoe. And if you know Push, he absolutely DEPLORES hoetivities. Apparently, Travis interrupted a session Clipse and Pharrell were having to play some music — including “Meltdown” — sans Drake verse. Mind you, the song alluded to melting down Pharrell’s jewelry. King Push aint like that! So, what’s next? Bun B said we should expect a response from Trav. He better make it worth our Spotify subscriptions.
Karrahbooo dropped her short-lived beef with Lil Yachty. She said that she can’t deal with the negative energy — and honestly I felt that.
TOUR BUS 🚌
Concert and festival announcements, tour updates and live performance highlights.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Grand National Tour” wrapped in the states this week and is set to continue overseas, July through early August.
Molly Santana announced the July kick off of her Molly and Her Week of Wonders Tour.
Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter Tour” concluded its six-night run at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, welcoming over 275k fans and grossing over $61M. Next stop? Paris for three nights and then back to the states to perform in her hometown of Houston, followed by DC, Atlanta and then wrapping up in Las Vegas by the end of July.
FREESTYLE 🎙️
Memes and viral moments.
Lucky I ain't TMZ it, so be it, so be it.
RAP HILL ⚖️
Legal matters affecting the music industry.
A judge ruled that production duo Kemika1956 can proceed to sue Cardi B over allegedly stealing the beat for her 2024 song “Enough (Miami).” The suit is for a whopping $50M.
Polo G settled with Dutch booking agency J. Noah B.V. over his canceled 2023 European tour.
OUTSIDE 📸
Sightings and appearances.
Lil Uzi Vert popped out at Fanatics Fest taking place the 40/40 Club with blonde plats and DJ Khaled popped out for a Raising Canes food thingy. JAY-Z, OG Juan Perez, and Desiree were there too along with other attendees such as Meek Mill, Quavo, Kai Cenat and more.
Lizzo and SZA were spotted in the studio and teased a snippet of a new song. Maybe we’ll get it, maybe we won’t.
Pluto was spotted at the studio with Young Thug. And no, not that Pluto.
The Hollywood Unlocked Award ceremony took place this weekend hosted by Tiffany Haddish and celebrated honorees Don Lemon, Fantasia, Keke Palmer, Lemuel Plummer, Niecy Nash Betts, Vic Mensa and Warren G for their contributions to the culture.
BIRTHDAYS 🎉
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
Kendrick Lamar, Gunna, Takeoff, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, Tripple Redd, Lionel Richie, Julio Foolio
OUTRO ✌🏽
A final thought.
At first I was like why is everyone (Clipse, Pusha T, Malice, etc.) SO SERIOUS? Then I ran back “MELTDOWN” off Travis Scott’s Utopia and I was like “Oooh.” I knew there was a slight jab towards Push on there but the song is so good, I kind of forgot. I mean it starts off tauntingly with “T time, T time.” BUT…to play this for Clipse and Pharrell without Drake on it was hella messy. The view through Pusha T’s lens has made this a very intriguing, ongoing rap war. Should Trav respond? Probably not. But the boys will be boys and I’m tuned in.
xx
i just read your rundown of the biggest moments of the week, and you really hit the nail on the head. i like how you articulated and focused on the impact of push’s last verse on so be it. i wrote about that topic as well, and i believe our articles are cousins in a way. lmk what you think of this, if you get the chance!
https://open.substack.com/pub/deundrae/p/pusha-t-and-the-pushback-against?r=5vy7ic&utm_medium=ios