‘Daytona’ by Pusha T: Retrospective Review

While we have little information on it at the moment, Pusha T confirms that he has an album coming in 2021.  Six songs will be produced by the Neptunes and the other six will be produced by Kanye West.  While Kanye has been producing for Push throughout the 2010’s, their last product together, Daytona, remains one of the most recent landmarks in Hip-Hop.

Kanye’s 2018 Wyoming sessions are a legend of their own, with Ye producing a series of less than 10 track albums for himself, Kids See Ghosts, Nas, and Teyana Taylor.  While each is great, some even fantastic, it’s Pusha T’s release that not only kicked it off, but has arguably remained the strongest since.

Catalog picture of all five albums from the Wyoming sessions

Daytona is an absolute summer album.  Given that it’s Pusha T, it’s inescapably all about selling coke, but that doesn’t hold Kanye back from bringing some of the most fresh and original production in years.  Everything about Daytona is deliberate and precise; a study of focus and a masterful marriage between rapper and producer.  As soon as the opening track sets off, one thing is clear: we haven’t heard anything like this before.

“Too legit, they still lookin’ at me with one eye”

‘If You Know You Know‘ serves as the opener, a trunk rattling heater exhibiting Push’s charmingly arrogant knowledge, experience, and confidence.  Through his usual simple flow, his wordplay is complex, yet understandable as ever. He excitedly paints pictures of hustling in the park, flexing a shady past, and living it all the way up with a “skybox right next to RiRi’s.”

Pusha T in the ‘If You Know You Know’ video

Excellently juxtaposing the raging opener, the second track, ‘The Games We Play,’ is the most patient song on the album, and all the better for it.  Claimed by Push to be the best Hip-Hop song of 2018, it’s no secret how much work he put into writing it. It serves as his establishment that he’s on top for awhile and will be for awhile longer.

Push brags about how he doesn’t need to rush to make an album; he can wait a couple of years and then Ye will hit him up to make one.  The thesis of the song comes in the form of “to all of my young n*****s, I am your Ghost and Rae, this is my purple tape.”  Referencing the granddaddy of coke rap albums, Push confidently asserts that Daytona will do for the future what Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… did for him and his era.  He also shouts out the likes of the Ruff Ryder label and N.W.A., each of which assisted in blazing the trail for him.

“Exactly what the game’s been missin’, this fire burns hot as Hell’s kitchen “

Push and Rick Ross in the video for Push’s ‘Millions’

‘Hard Piano‘ is another one-of-a-kind track.  With Ye’s evocative instrumental and hook from The World Famous Tony Williams, Push and Rick Ross each bring forth masterful bars about the ups and downs of their success. Push disdains the materialistic while brilliantly acknowledging that he’s “the pot calling the kettle black.”  After all, he did name this album after his favorite watch.  As for Rick Ross, at this point you know he’s not gonna miss on a feature.

‘Come Back Baby‘ might serve the least thematic magnitude in the project, but is significant for contributing the most summer appeal.  Push maintains top form, effortlessly exercising all sorts of coke bars, equally playful and tough.  Known for his diction and delivery more than any other aspect of his rapping, you won’t find much better than what he brings here.  Also, the George Jackson sample at the hook, pure genius.

Things really get interesting with ‘Santeria.’  Taking a break from the brick talk, Push reflects on the murder of his tour manager, De’Von Pickett.  His bars here are the toughest on the album, almost all about revenge.  ‘Santeria’ also boasts the best production on the album.  The beat mixed with 070 Shake’s chorus are absolutely HAUNTING.  The dramatic drums as the beat switches for the third verse usher in the album’s final act, the attack on Drake.

Illustration by Bendik Kaltenborn

“I’m the king of the oven-ware!”

Though Drake isn’t directly referenced until the last track, the ending of ‘Santeria’ and the aptly named ‘What Would Meek Do?‘ are an essential build up.  ‘Santeria’ ends with Push contemplating going to war, but ‘What Would Meek Do?’ sounds like a whole squad raiding an armory, gearing up to attack.

The most high octane instrumental on the album, Push goes off with some of his most aggressive and challenging bars yet, cheerfully snarling in his ferocious delivery.  However, the main attraction is Kanye’s feature.  As the Wyoming roll out was beginning, Kanye was facing some of his hottest controversies in years, which says a lot.  Since Daytona precedes his two Wyoming albums, this verse is his first real address to the public.  While it doesn’t excuse his support for Trump, it certainly adds many layers of complexity to it.  No doubt one of his most memorable verses in a long time, a well played response to his self-caused drama.

Push and Ye. PC: Getty Images

“It was written like Nas, but it came from Quentin”

With Push fully equipped and ready, he sets the snare trap for Drake in the form of ‘Infrared.’  Over a subtle beat, Push expresses his frustration with all the rappers getting attention despite their lack of talent.  Of course, most bars are aimed specifically at Drake, referencing his ghostwriter.  The trap is set when Push ends with “but let us all play along, we all know what n****s for real been waitin’ on.” We all know how that went.  Subsequently, Drake immediately dissed Push with his ‘Duppy Freestyle,’ allowing Push to put out ‘The Story of Adidon,’ the hottest diss record in years.

Daytona is a true masterpiece.  In just seven songs, Pusha T uses s-tier production from Kanye to make the arguably best coke rap project of the decade.  Not only does he firmly establish it as a immediate inspiration for the future, but cements his longevity and leadership in the current era.  Most notably of all, it bares the secret purpose of building up to a beef that he was more than ready for.  A study of focus, patience, and full on pen skills, Pusha T’s Daytona is a gift.

Daytona Rating: Platinum

Controversial album cover for ‘Daytona’

Click here to understand our rating system!

Jason Heilbronner | Twitter: @JasonHeilbronn1