When you feeding on hate, you empty, my nigga. It shows.

Rick Ross, “Hold On,” from Pusha T’s My Name is My Name, 2013

Pain is joy when it cries, it’s my smile in disguise.

Pusha T, “Pain,” My Name is My Name, 2013

This is my time, this is my hour,
This is my pain, this is my name, this is my power.
If it’s my reign, then it’s my shower,
This pole position…I made a lane ‘cause they blocked ours.

Pusha T, “King Push,” My Name Is My Name, 2013

My mama didn’t see it comin, my daddy was there.
What’s my excuse? Cartoons were the root.
Started with Yosemite Sam
With the gun in the palm of the hand,
What couldn’t I demand?

Pusha T, “Young Boy,” from The Clipse’s Lord Willin’, 2002

Success is what you make it, take it how it come.
A half a mil in twenties, like a billion where I’m from.
An arrogant drug dealer, the legend I become,
CNN said I’d be dead by 21.
Blackjack…I just pulled an ace,
As you looking at the king in his face.

Pusha T, “So Appalled,” from Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, 2010

Beef is best served like steak:
Well done, get a gun in ya face.

Pusha T, “Exodus 23:1,” 2012 (via egotripland)

Let’s be honest, the cards’ on the table:
Jealousy’s a sin, Cain killed Abel.
Backstabber…Caesar had Brutus.
It’s hard to weed ‘em out, even Jesus had Judas.

Pusha T, “Sweet Freestyle,” 2011

We shoppers, you bloggers.
If money talks, you mumblers.
You try it on, then take it off,
Then post a pic on your tumblrs.

Pusha T, “Peso Freestyle,” Fear Of God II: Let Us Pray, 2011

Rappers on their sophomores…actin’ like they boss lords.
Fame’s such a funny thing for sure when niggas start believing all those encores.

Pusha T, “Don’t Fuck Wit Me,” Dreams Money Can Buy Freestyle, 2011

Let’s test the waters…
Love makes a splash, and you too thick to skinny-dip.

Pusha T, “Lovely,” from John West’s John West, 2011

Dope is like a two-way street:
The addiction, both you and me, now take a seat.
Every car got a fleet, every broad get a Jeep,
Every sparkle in the club that wasn’t ours, we compete.
Poor minds, poor decision makers;
No reward…then what’s the risk you taking?

Pusha T, “M.P.A.,” King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude, 2015. More from Pusha T…

Reporting live from the project benches:
Hella caine, dope in cellophane, dirty syringes, 
Heron zombies street-walking on three-week binges.
Clientele look like the Thriller vid in 3D lenses.

Beanie Sigel, “Keep Dealing,” from Pusha T’s King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude, 2015. More from the Broad Street Bully…

Only thing we have in common: niggas bleed,
In ya thousand dollar joggers as you rhyme about ya dollars.
Is there shame when a platinum rapper’s mother lives in squalor?

Pusha T, “Crutches, Crosses, Caskets,” Darkest Before Dawn, 2015. More from King Push…

I’m on a crash course where talent meets timing.
Christopher Wallace, Think Big, keep climbin’,
Reasonable Doubt, drug era, keep climbin’,
I’m my brother’s keeper, Lord Willin’, keep Grindin’.

Pusha T, “Intro,” King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude, 2015. More from Pusha T…