#TBT: Clipse

When's the last time you heard it like this? You may still bump Pusha T on the daily (No Malice too, no shade there), but there was something extremely special about the chemistry between Push and his brother No Malice. Taking that one level deeper, the chemistry between those two bros and The Neptunes was equally undeniable. Together, the quartet composed some of the most iconic songs from the early 00s era of rap. Cuts like "Grindin'," "When the Last Time," and "Popular Demand (Popeyes)" continue to bless sound-systems across the country. 

Clipse's Lord Willin' became somewhat of a cult classic back in the day. That enthusiasm has followed Pusha T into the current chapter of his career, where he manages to jungle the presidency of G.O.O.D. Music and consistently putting out dope music. Today we take a look back at the music of Virginia's illest rap duo. We're mainly looking at their singles today, but we're throwing in some non-singles for good measure. Really though, you should just go back and listen to all three of their albums from start to finish.

Pusha T has been dropping heated bars for too long now. Proof comes in the form of "Grindin,'" which served as the lead-single from Clipse's Lord Willin' album. No Malice, at the time going by Malice, crushed his verse too. So the ultimate question is, who had the better verse on "Grindin'"? 

Was it Pusha T:

"The jewels is flirting, be damned if I'm hurting
Legend in two games like I'm Pee Wee Kirkland
Platinum on the block with consistent hits
While Pharrell keep talking this music shit"

or No Malice:

"And my weight, that's just as heavy as my name
So much dough, I can't swear I won't change
Excuse me if my wealth got me full of myself
Cocky, something that I just can't help
'Specially when them 20's is spinning like windmills
And the ice 32 below minus the wind chill
Filthy, the word that best defines me
I'm just grinding man, y'all never mind me"

The entirety of Lord Willin' was produced by The Neptunes, and they did a bang-up job with this record. "When the Last Time" may just be their finest moment on the record, complete with an iconic introduction that gives the track away from the first "get down!" Clipse also earned their highest-charting single with this one, it climbed the Billboard Hot 100 to #19 in 2002.

Clipse brought us into their world for the very first time with Lord Willin'. To that effect, we found out a lot more about what life is like down in the VA. This bouncy Neptunes-produced joint did the job masterfully, and it seems, if you thought there was shit-all to do in Virginia, you were probably right. Malice and Pusha provide descriptive verses about the grimey streets of their native state.

The fourth and final single from Lord Willin' connected Clipse with fellow Re-Up Gang member Ab-Liva, and perhaps lesser-known is Philadelphia's Rosco P. Coldchain. Along with production from The Neptunes, the ensemble crafted a certified banger that we've been enjoying for fourteen years and counting. 

Hell Hath No Fury was Clipse's second album, following up Lord Willin', although the release of the sophomore LP wasn't as smooth as the duo would have liked. Despite label frustrations, the duo still released what many have hailed as a classic album, earning many a critical praise. Like their first, this one was also entirely produced by The Neptunes. One of the lead singles, "Mr. Me Too,"  featured Pharrell's icy vocals on the hook and sleek, bass-thumping production from The Neptunes. Some saw the record as a slight towards Lil Wayne at the time. 

Transport to the early 2000s below.

Straying from Clipse's proper singles for a minute, let's dive into their shimmering, jingling trap banger, "Keys Open Door" from their second album. With a chopped and screwed hook, the duo take their drug lingo to whole new heights (and metaphors). Only Pusha and Malice could describe the drugs they sell in such detail and make it sound so good.

Til the Casket Drops, the third and final album from the short-lived duo, found them branching out ever so slightly when it came to producers. Kanye West, who went on to sign Pusha as the solo artist and helped him reach new audiences, appeared on the lead single. DJ Khalil laced the trio with a horn-touting beat (which, admittedly, sounds like it could have been produced by The Neptunes), and Pusha T compares himself to B.I.G. within the first few bars-- just this year he managed to snag a Biggie sample on his braggadocio record "Untouchable," so he definitely never let go of that influence.

"I'm kinda like a big deal, it's unbelievable
You see my warning gives you big chills
The flow running on Big's heels
My life after death, Big ain't get to see how this feels"

While "Kinda Like A Big Deal" took a break from Neptunes-produced singles, "I'm Good" got right back to it, as the second single they released to promote Til the Casket Drops. Pharrell and Chad Hugo created a jazzy beat for No Malice and Pusha T to bless, and Pharrell accompanied the Virginia natives with back-up vocals through out the feel-good song.

Yup, another Pharrell feature, and yet more evidence of the fire chemistry between Neptunes and Clipse. No Malice and Push invite Cam'ron to the party for this piano-jangling record and he didn't miss a step.

Clipse didn't do a whole lot of features, but they did assist Birdman with this piece of 2002 gold. Off Birdman's self-titled LP, this one feels just like Lord Willin' - classic Neptunes production, fire verses from the duo, and a pretty stellar Birdman verse as well. Not to mention, does the bird noise sound better in any other track? It's a classic we couldn't miss out on.