Heds and Dreds: Pusha T, G.O.O.D. Music’s Top Shotta

Words by Jesse Serwer—

Lately, G.O.O.D. Music rapper Pusha T has been quoting torrents of dancehall lyrics on Twitter (from Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel to Chan Dizzy and Demarco) during what he calls “Dancehall Sundays.” Few notable rappers these days are up to di time with their bashment tunes, but the Virginia MC has been repping the culture from his early days in Clipse through to his G.O.O.D. tenure, from the “Selector Remix” of Clipse’s classic “Grindin” to this year’s soundbwoy-dusting smash, “Mercy.”

Which brings us to Pusha’s just released “Pain,” the first single from his upcoming G.O.O.D. debut. Produced by Kanye West‘s ghost producers and featuring Future, the track’s beat is based around a Nyabinghi drum pattern. We can’t quite pinpoint what the sample is, or if it’s even a sample, but it’s definitely a ‘Binghi ting. Take a listen:

Scroll through below to hear some more of Pusha’s yard link-ups, dancehall quotes and more.

Clipse—”Grindin’ (Selector Remix)”

One of the best rap songs of the early 2000s, “Grindin” also had one of the best reggae/hip-hop remixes in years in the “Selector Remix” featuring Sean Paul, Kardinal Offishall and the little known Bless, who pretty much slays everybody.

Clipse-“Mr. Me Too”

On Clipse’s 2006 single “Mr. Me Too, Pusha larges up one of our favorite ’90’s deejays, Nardo Ranks, rhyming Gallardo with Nardo before singing the “Woman if you love me, please let me know” line from Mr. Ranks’ classic “Burrup.” If you’re not familiar with Nardo, brush up in our two-part exclusive interview, here and here.

Vybz Kartel feat. Pusha T, “Half on a Baby”

Vybz Kartel’s 2011 single “Half on a Baby” got a second wind when Pusha T hopped on a remix following Di Werl’ Boss incarceration last year. The Dre Skull-produced track has become the anthem for the dance craze known as the Bronx Wine.

Clipse, “There Was a Murder”

Pusha and his brother Malice colored Clipse’s 2009 Til the Casket Drops cut “There Was a Murder” with Jamaican inflection and stay patois, over a hard, reggae-inflected beat from DJ Khalil.

Clipse “Grindin'”(Live in Puerto Rico)

Have you seen this video of Clipse rocking with Super Cat, Kardinal Offishall, Pharrell and Timbaland in Puerto Rico? Maaaaddddd.

Pusha T, “Dearly Beloved”

“Dearly Beloved,” a freestyle over Dirty Money’s “Angels” beat (which is really Jay-Z’s “Where I’m From” beat), is  something of an ode to now-deposed West Kingston don Christopher “Dudus” Coke. After wondering about “First God, then Dudus,” Pusha ends the song with a “rest in Peace” to Vivian Blake, and shouts out the Shower Posse.

Kanye West, “Mercy”

If you listen to radio in the U.S. or go out to places where they play hip-hop, the Jamaican voice you’ve heard most frequently this year is probably now-deceased dubplate don, Fuzzy Jones. His Bible-inspired part on Super Beagle’s “Dust A Sound Bwoy” is the soul of Kanye West’s “Mercy,” featuring Pusha, Big Sean and 2 Chainz. Read the story behind the classic record Kanye sampled for one of rap’s biggest hits this year, here.