CLIPSE

Clipse’s Shelved Debut Album Is Now Available For Streaming

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Just about 20 years ago this year, Virginia Beach brothers Malice and Pusha T — aka Clipse — released their debut album, Lord Willin’, via Pharrell Williams’ Star Trak and Arista Records. However, longtime heads know that this was actually the duo’s second chance at making their first impression after a previous deal at Elektra Records resulted in the 1999 album Exclusive Audio Footage — an album that was shelved after the poor response to the lead single, “The Funeral,” resulting in the end of the duo’s record deal. Now, a couple of decades later, it seems things worked out okay.

Until now, though, only a handful of people had ever heard that first album, which never made it to stores. And while you could get ahold of it relatively easily due to leaked promotional versions that found their way online, as of today, you can simply open your favorite DSP. That’s right; Exclusive Audio Footage is now available for streaming — legally — for the first time in nearly 25 years. According to 2DopeBoyz, the album is mostly unchanged (likely thanks to producers The Neptunes’ approach of building beats from scratch rather than sampling), meaning you’re likely to hear references to Pusha’s old rap name, Terrar, and reworked versions of beats such as the one from Jadakiss’ “Knock Yourself Out” on the second track, “Hear Me Out.”

The update is sure to fuel the long-simmering rumors of a possible reunion of the sibling act, which has been on unofficial hiatus since 2010, with Malice going Christian rap as No Malice — his last album was Let the Dead Bury the Dead in 2017 — and Pusha continuing as the number-one coke rapper, who recently went No. 1 with his fourth studio album It’s Almost Dry (which No Malice also appears on). Those rumors were helped along by two more recent collaborations on albums from Kanye West and their designer friend and DJ, Nigo.

You can hear it for yourself via Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.

Pusha T Shares The ‘It’s Almost Dry’ Tracklist Featuring Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, And A Clipse Reunion

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Earlier today, Kid Cudi hinted that he has a song on Pusha T’s upcoming album, It’s Almost Dry, with Kanye West before declaring that it’ll be his last working with his former mentor. As it turns out, it’s not the only momentous happening on that particular album, as Pusha has shared the tracklist and abstract cover art, revealing that It’s Almost Dry also features a Clipse reunion with his brother, who once again appears as Malice. In addition, the album will feature appearances from Don Toliver, Jay-Z (on the previously released “Neck And Wrist“), Euphoria composer Labrinth, Lil Uzi Vert, and of course, longtime collaborator Pharrell.

Throughout the album’s rollout, Pusha has made it a point to call the album “untouchable” and “a masterpiece.” In an interview with Charlamagne the God, he explained how having Kanye and Pharrell co-executive produce the album resulted in a well-rounded project. “I feel like this body of work is untouchable because it doesn’t lean too heavily on either side,” he said. “It’s like you get the whole spectrum — probably my most well-rounded body of work.”

Then, in a separate interview with Rolling Stone, he explained the double meaning behind the album’s title. “I’m always creating a masterpiece,” he said. “In terms of a painting, you end up telling people while they waiting on it, ‘It’s almost dry,’ because they’re always asking, ‘When will it be done?’ And you have to wait on masterpieces… Also in drug culture, a lot of times you’ll have people waiting on the product and it’s not dry yet. You can come get it when it’s dry.”

You can get It’s Almost Dry on 4/22 via G.O.O.D. Music. Here’s the pre-save link.

8 Takeaways From Pusha-T’s Charlamagne tha God Interview

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  • ‘It’s Almost Dry’ sees Pusha-T tapping into the “best of both worlds” with Ye and Pharrell

  • Pharrell’s “Hear Me Clearly” feedback had a unique impact

  • Push is aiming for the “gratuitous greatness” of Martin Scorsese

  • He was “hurt” by Geezy’s Vlad TV interview

  • The new album features a beat from Ye that Push “begged” for

  • Pusha-T has respect for the “hustle” mentality of younger artists

  • Losing his parents four months apart changed his idea of legacy

  • King Push would “love” to do a new Clipse album