Music

Pusha-T Reveals the Top 5 Albums That Influenced Him

With 'It's Almost Dry' set for a Friday release, Pusha-T shares some insight into the top five albums that influenced his own work as an artist.

King Push is pictured on the red carpet
Image via Getty/Kevin Winter/Variety
Getty

With new album It’s Almost Dry almost live for the masses, Pusha-T is continuing the generous rollout with a rundown of the albums that have most influenced him.

As seen in a Hot 97-shared clip on Tuesday, King Push was recently asked by DJ Bobby Trends to name five such albums. More specifically, Trends asked for the “top 5 albums, rap or not, that influenced you” around the 36-second mark in the video below.

First to get a mention here is The Infamous (i.e. the 1995 sophomore album from Mobb Deep), while closing Push’s response is a nod to an example of his own influence in the form of Clipse’s 2006 classic Hell Hath No Fury. Also receiving shout-outs from Push are acclaimed releases from Jay-Z, Raekwon, and the Notorious B.I.G.

“I will say, the Infamous album by Mobb Deep, ruined my life. Right? I’m gonna say that ruined my life,” he said. “Reasonable Doubt, you know what I’m saying, if anybody else comes in, that’s great and I welcome them, but that album is one that showed me like, yo, just focus on your base. The Purple Tape. The Purple Tape, Raekwon. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is one of the best albums I’ve ever heard in my life.”

Moving into his Biggie mention, Push specifically praised the posthumously released double album Life After Death’s cohesiveness.

Life After Death is the best double album that I could never make, in life,” he said. “Like, I just can’t. You might give me six years, I don’t know if I can make a cohesive project [like that]. Hell Hath No Fury, my own album. … It is the truest and purest rap album that I can stand on and know that, like, man, this was made from blood, sweat, and tears.”

Notably, the answers were delivered in no particular order, as requested. See more above, then revisit Push’s previous rundown of his 25 favorite albums from way back in 2011.

As revealed Tuesday, It’s Almost Dry boasts cover art from Sterling Ruby and spans 12 songs, including the previously released “Diet Coke” and “Neck & Wrist.” The latter marks the third pairing of Push and Jay, who previously linked for “Drug Dealers Anonymous” in 2016 and Ye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy cut “So Appalled.”

Related Stories

Pusha-T cover art news story
music

Pusha-T Reveals Official Tracklist, Features, and Cover Art for New Album ‘It’s Almost Dry’

Kid Cudi, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, and more are among the artists featured on the long-teased new studio album from King Push.

Trace William Cowen1477 days ago
Pusha T Has Beef With Spicy Wings | Hot Ones
music

Pusha-T Talks Creating Masterpieces and Not Making Compromises for Clipse's 'Hell Hath No Fury' on ‘Hot Ones’

With his recent track “Diet Coke” still on repeat for Pusha-T fans, the revered ‘DAYTONA’ artist joins Sean Evans for a round of tiered heat on ‘Hot Ones.’

Trace William Cowen1503 days ago
Pusha-T heading on tour, yes
music

Pusha-T Reveals Album Title and Announces Phase 1 Dates for Upcoming Tour

Mere hours after dropping a collab with Jay-Z, Pusha-T alerted fans to the official title of his long-teased new album, and announced a tour.

Trace William Cowen1490 days ago

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App