In September 2010, Pusha T signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music imprint, under the aegis of Def Jam Recordings. Later that year, he was featured on West's single "Runaway," which peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2011, he released his first solo project, the mixtape Fear of God, which was followed up with his debut solo album, My Name Is My Name, released in 2013. In November 2015, West appointed Pusha T to take over his role as president of GOOD Music. Pusha T remained a flagship artist for the label until ending his tenure with the company in 2022.
Pusha T has since then released three solo albums: King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude (2015), Daytona (2018), and It's Almost Dry (2022), all receiving widespread critical acclaim; the latter was Pusha T's first number one debut on the Billboard 200.
Changing of the Guard
Pusha T Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These niggas head's is too light
Put the Fear of God in these niggas Pusha
Its like the changing of the guards
We changing out the frauds
I gave these lions heart like my name ended in oz
Long time coming, Sam Cooking up these bars
Pusha ton, pledge allegiance to the raw
Known dope dealer that escaped without a scar
Yes, I'm Buddy Lee so lucky me, see I'm home
Wish I could jailbreak my team like an iPhone
Squilly told me take this motherfucker by storm
Get the money and they bitches, bring the prize home
So as I embark, this where the begin start
I write my own happy ending, nigga pen sharp
My life's a Kodak moment, I need a frame for it
The Penthouse's big bed needs a crane for it
I'm fuckin' on it, exotic bitch out the rainforest
So many bitches its a blur, I take the blame for it
God in heaven knows what I feel inside
Responsible for all this inner-city genocide
I'll be damned if I lay ? camp is vilify
As I up lift this arch for them ceiling high
I can't identify with your one death
We lose thousands over here, you speakin one breath
Outsiders looking in like using one ref
My zip cam point of view to you is one step
Closer to clarity, not a parody
How cocaine single handedly carried me
Escaped clever through the fox hole narrowly
They kick dirt up on my name until they bury me
I just shake it off, then I shake a leg
A lot of time to make up is what Jacob said
The fans fell for your act, I tell you break a leg
Then guns shots going off that'll awake the dead
Push
In "Changing of the Guards", Pusha T's lyrics reflect his position as a proven rap veteran. He establishes himself as one of the game's top dogs by stating "heavy is the head that wears the crown," while highlighting the lack of credibility within the industry. He alludes to the symbolism of changing of the guards in royal armies as an analogy for his current struggles in the music industry. He knows that the crown he wears is not light nor is it easy to hold with the competition of the rappers who are frauds. By acknowledging his role as a dope dealer, Pusha establishes himself as an artist with street credibility who is only getting stronger, illustrating his ability to rise above despite the odds. He creates his own happy endings to his success story through his penmanship which he identifies as sharp. The lyrics highlight his ambition to become one of the greats in the industry without compromise.
In terms of production, the song features a classic soul sample, a signature sound of Kanye West, who is one of the masterminds behind Pusha T's Clipse progeny, and he continues to collaborate with the rapper. The track's ominous, church-like organs create an ominous atmosphere that is further cemented by the grimy percussion sounds, with long echoes and reverb, all of which makes for a high-energy, cinematic production.
Line by Line Meaning
Heavy is the head that wears the crown
Being in a position of power is a great responsibility.
These niggas head's is too light
These people are not taking their responsibilities seriously.
Put the Fear of God in these niggas Pusha
Pusha T is going to make these people understand the gravity of the situation.
Its like the changing of the guards
Just like the tradition of replacing guards, Pusha T is replacing the fake people around him.
We changing out the frauds
Pusha T is getting rid of the people who are not authentic.
I gave these lions heart like my name ended in oz
Pusha T empowered these strong individuals as if he had a magical power, like in the Wizard of Oz.
Long time coming, Sam Cooking up these bars
It took a while, but Pusha T has been perfecting his skills to create these lines.
Still Eddy Caning see the fiends sunken jaws
Even after a long time, Pusha T still remembers how his drug dealing affected people.
Pusha ton, pledge allegiance to the raw
Pusha T is devoted to the raw and authentic.
Known dope dealer that escaped without a scar
Pusha T was a drug dealer but managed to avoid any severe consequences.
Yes, I'm Buddy Lee so lucky me, see I'm home
Pusha T is fortunate to be successful and back home.
Wish I could jailbreak my team like an iPhone
Pusha T wants his team to be free from jail, like how an iPhone can be freed from restrictions.
Squilly told me take this motherfucker by storm
Pusha T was encouraged to take over the industry.
Get the money and they bitches, bring the prize home
The goal is to earn money and have women, and to achieve the ultimate prize.
So as I embark, this where the begin start
Pusha T is beginning a new journey.
I write my own happy ending, nigga pen sharp
Pusha T controls his own destiny and can create a happy ending.
My life's a Kodak moment, I need a frame for it
Pusha T's life is so picturesque that it deserves to be framed.
The Penthouse's big bed needs a crane for it
The bed in Pusha T's penthouse is so large it would require a crane to move it.
I'm fuckin' on it, exotic bitch out the rainforest
Pusha T has a sexual relationship with an attractive woman from the rainforest.
So many bitches its a blur, I take the blame for it
Pusha T has been with so many women that it's hard to keep track, but he takes responsibility for his actions.
God in heaven knows what I feel inside
Even if no one else understands how Pusha T feels, God does.
Responsible for all this inner-city genocide
Pusha T acknowledges his part in the destruction of the inner city.
I'll be damned if I lay ? camp is vilify
Pusha T will not be blamed for everything wrong in the inner city.
As I up lift this arch for them ceiling high
Pusha T is lifting others up to succeed.
I can't identify with your one death
Pusha T can't relate to people who only experience one death.
We lose thousands over here, you speakin one breath
Pusha T comes from a place where many people die, so to him, one death is insignificant.
Outsiders looking in like using one ref
People who don't understand the situation are trying to make judgments.
My zip cam point of view to you is one step
Pusha T wants to show people his point of view, which is only one step away.
Closer to clarity, not a parody
Pusha T wants people to understand him better, not to ridicule him.
How cocaine single handedly carried me
Pusha T's drug dealing is the reason he was able to succeed.
Escaped clever through the fox hole narrowly
Pusha T narrowly escaped punishment for his illegal activities.
They kick dirt up on my name until they bury me
People will continue to talk badly of Pusha T, even after he dies.
I just shake it off, then I shake a leg
Pusha T doesn't let the negative talk bother him.
A lot of time to make up is what Jacob said
Pusha T wants to make up for lost time.
The fans fell for your act, I tell you break a leg
Pusha T is challenging the competition to do their best.
Then guns shots going off that'll awake the dead
There will be repercussions for anyone who tries to compete with Pusha T.
Push
An expression of pushing harder, striving for more.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICARDO LAMARRE, TERRENCE THORNTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind