In Pusha T’s new Future-featuring single, “Pain,” the Clipse member stalks a menacing, minimal Kanye West beat while exploring the song’s titular theme. In a particularly poignant moment, he references his crack-cooking past, then credits his illegal ambition with vaulting him past the status of anonymous prey. It’s a classic Scarface-style affirmation of seizing control of one’s own destiny, except the supporting cast includes Florida shooting victim Trayvon Martin and The Wire character Avon Barksdale, a drug kingpin. Take note: “Push, my name is my name / In the kitchen with a cape on, apron / Tre-eight on, coulda been Trayvon / But instead I chose Avon.” Meanwhile, Future doesn’t take chorus duty lightly. Digitized teardops rain down via his Auto-Tuned croon, and West’s lo-bit keys and sparse percussion make for a darkly rustling backdrop. Pusha’s G.O.O.D. Music solo LP is due sometime next year.
They won’t let me title my album: “No Country For You Hoe Niggas”
— PUSHA T (@PUSHA_T) October 9, 2012
