Album Review- “It’s Almost Dry” by Pusha-T
Competition is a funny thing. Once the competition finishes, the only thing remaining is bragging rights and the energy treasured by the participating audience. Competition is a form of one-upping your opposition. Whether a friend or enemy, your goal is to bring the best version of you and hope it's better than your opponent.
“It’s Almost Dry.” the album by Pusha-T, is a story of competition. Not between artists but between producers Ye’ (FKA Kanye West) and Pharrell. The competition is to answer which producer brings out the best in Pusha-T. This story is beyond beats and 808s as both have the right to stake their claim of calling Pusha their artist.
Pharrell is the artist responsible for introducing the world to The Clips, which consists of Pusha-T alongside his brother Malice. Pharrell is responsible for crafting Pusha-T's greatest hits, molding the bold, lyrical master villain that we've come to love. Pusha-T currently has four studio albums, and Pharrell has produced the majority of three of those albums.
The argument of Ye’ is to acknowledge that it’s not where you began but where you finished. Ye’ is solely responsible for producing “Daytona.” An album most consider being an undeniable classic. However, Ye’s impact is beyond the scope of bars, as he provided Pusha-T with one of the grandest titles within music, “President of G.O.O.D Music.” A record label built by Ye’ from the ground-up. Ye essentially handed Pusha-T the keys to this kingdom, allowing him to guide the ship how he deemed fit.
Which producer you believe has a claim to Pusha-T is up to your point of view. While one argues one way or another, one thing is evident. This album is Pusha's best work of art within his already cemented career. Pusha-T, within his heart, is a rapper. One that will never shy away from your local cypher and has bars for the sake of random lyricist-lounge appearances. His skills as an emcee are battle-tested and world-approved, and throughout this album, he proves to be at the peak of his powers, delivering his magnum opus.
In terms of album content, it’s a delivery of premium artistry. Each bar incorporates annunciation-heaven, vocally sharp, to the point of ensuring no rhyme goes missed, and providing a style of songwriting that hammers home the potency of his trademark style of coke-rap. He explores sounds that most rappers wouldn’t imagine to explore and he executes each scheme with a marksman’s ability.
Songs such as 'Dreamin' of the Past,' which is built around an exquisite Donny Hathaway sample, drive the sonic pleasantries that treat the listener for the remainder of the album. Pusha-T takes each bar, whether tricky lines such as “I been gettin' at these coins as I'm breakin' down the brick/ Make the jump to each level, Super Mario exists” or his trademark “Yuchuk” The craftsmanship which takes place throughout this album should be appreciated by anyone willing to listen.
