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.
INTRO
Pusha T Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drug Dealer? dime
Rap nigga?
You tryna save the culture?
Ay dios mio
You gotta pick one daddy
Leave your conscious at the door
I speak to the trap lords
And niggas wit their hands in the white like blackboards
I done been black balled
And never gave a fuck 'cause I'm Jack Frost
Of sellin' that blast off
I'm on a crash course
Where talent meets timing
Christopher Wallace, Think Big, keep climbing
Reasonable doubt, drug era, keep climbing
I'm my brother's keeper, Lord Willin', keep grindin'
As a God amongst men
Rinsed drug money, I done paid for my sins
Books and the lawyers, I done paid for my friends
Still held back, I done paid with my skin
The only thing missing is a cape on me
You niggas wanna tag a late, great on me
Put the fears in my peers, heard my footsteps coming from the rear
Now it's murder was the case homie
I'm watching this three ring circus
Old lions don't roar, so the clowns ain't nervous
Even you fools serve purpose
Let 'em run amuck until the king resurface
Then it's off with your heads
Wear your little jewels, you could floss when you're dead
They take samples of 'em, I make examples of 'em
It's the thrill of the hunt, I keep my mantle covered
Ask 'Ye who's loyalty more realer
Ask P, who's core's a drug dealer
Me and Tim, it's coming, it's gonna kill 'em
The only great I ain't made better was J. Dilla
Now we breaking new ground
Get ready for the placing of the crown
King Push nigga!
Pusha T's INTRO is an introspective song that asks the listener to consider their choices and motivations. He begins by asking the listener whom they aspire to be, whether it be a drug dealer or a rap artist saving the culture. These two seemingly opposite career paths, amidst other choices we make, are the polarizing factor that separates one decision from another. Pusha also reflects on his path and the dark times that led him to his current success. He mentions the rejection he has faced and the sacrifices he has made, both financial and physical - paying for his sins, paying for his friends, and paying with his skin. Pusha has made a name for himself in the drug world and the rap game, and the song sees him resolve to leave his conscious at the door, doubling down on his desires to make it to the top.
Pusha T's INTRO reflects his experience in the drug game and the hip-hop industry. It paints a hauntingly real picture of the experience of being a drug dealer. The lyrics are raw, brutal, and honest. They illustrate the sacrifices and the toll it takes on a person like Pusha, who had to shed his old self to become the man he is now. He also references several other rap legends - Biggie Smalls, Jay-Z, and Pharell, among others, paying homage to the greats before him. The song is a call to action that encourages listeners to pursue their dreams relentlessly and warns them that they will have to pay a high price to make it.
Line by Line Meaning
Pero ven acá, who you wanna be?
Who do you want to be?
Drug Dealer? dime
A drug dealer? Let me know
Rap nigga?
Do you want to be a rapper?
You tryna save the culture?
Are you trying to save the culture?
Ay dios mio
Oh my God
You gotta pick one daddy
You have to choose one
Leave your conscious at the door
Do not be concerned about ethics
We done hid the monsters in the floor
We have concealed our troubled past
I speak to the trap lords
I talk to those who control illegal drug operations
And niggas wit their hands in the white like blackboards
People who sell drugs like white powder
I done been black balled
I was shunned by the music industry
And never gave a fuck 'cause I'm Jack Frost
I never cared because I'm like the character Jack Frost, cold-hearted
Of sellin' that blast off
Of selling drugs
I'm on a crash course
I'm heading for a collision
Where talent meets timing
I am successful due to the combination of skill and fortunate circumstances
Christopher Wallace, Think Big, keep climbing
Pay homage to Notorious B.I.G.
Reasonable doubt, drug era, keep climbing
Pay homage to Jay-Z's album and era
I'm my brother's keeper, Lord Willin', keep grindin'
I take care of my friends and family, while religiously hoping for good luck and working hard
As a God amongst men
I feel like a superior being
Rinsed drug money, I done paid for my sins
I have cleaned my illegal income and have done what I had to do for redemption
Books and the lawyers, I done paid for my friends
Paid for legal help and also taking care of my inner circle
Still held back, I done paid with my skin
I'm still being held back, but I have endured the physical and emotional pain
The only thing missing is a cape on me
The only thing missing is a cape for me to look like a superhero
You niggas wanna tag a late, great on me
People want to associate me with legends
Put the fears in my peers, heard my footsteps coming from the rear
I intimidate the people around me when they see me coming
Now it's murder was the case homie
Now it is about killing my competition
I'm watching this three ring circus
I am observing this chaotic situation
Old lions don't roar, so the clowns ain't nervous
I am not worried about my competition
Even you fools serve purpose
Even my enemies are useful
Let 'em run amuck until the king resurface
Let my enemies do what they do, I will emerge victorious
Then it's off with your heads
I'll eliminate my competition
Wear your little jewels, you could floss when you're dead
Wear your jewels because you can't take them with you when you die
They take samples of 'em, I make examples of 'em
They just collect jewelry, I use my enemies as examples
It's the thrill of the hunt, I keep my mantle covered
I enjoy hunting my competition, and I maintain my reputation
Ask 'Ye who's loyalty more realer
Ask Kanye West who is truly loyal
Ask P, who's core's a drug dealer
Ask Pharrell who is committed to the drug trade
Me and Tim, it's coming, it's gonna kill 'em
Me and Timbaland are working on music that will outshine our competition
The only great I ain't made better was J. Dilla
I have improved all of the greats in my industry except for J. Dilla
Now we breaking new ground
I am doing something new and innovative
Get ready for the placing of the crown
Get ready for me to be crowned the king of this industry
King Push nigga!
I am King Push, man!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TERRENCE THORNTON, LELAND WAYNE, ROBERT MANDELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind