Pusha T Discusses Diss Tracks & Why They're "Really Corporate Now"

BY Erika Marie 4.5K Views
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Pusha T
He added that diss tracks don't "end careers anymore 'cause people don't have the same pride level about the art."

We're in for a treat now that a new episode of Hot Ones has arrived with none other than Pusha T. As the rapper has been teasing his anticipated, forthcoming project in recent weeks, but it was his Arby's versus McDonald's fish sandwich diss track that took fast food by storm. Pusha is no stranger to going after his foes on wax, as he famously engaged in a heated musical exchange with Drake years ago. With that behind him, Pusha joined Sean Evans and dropped a few thoughts about how diss tracks have evolved in Hip Hop.

According to Pusha, what was once known as artists expressing their true feelings in the booth has become a tame exchange that is managed, or ended, by executives.

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“It’s really corporate now. So, it's like, now, you’ll have a Rap beef and a record label gets involved and the CEO is like, ‘Oh, you can’t do this to my artist.’ And they'll like—I don’t think they end careers anymore 'cause people don’t have the same like, pride level about the art." He also said that it is less important now who actually wins a Rap beef, unlike decades ago when people weighed bars and punchlines.

“You know, back in the day, it was career-ending, you know what I'm sayin'?" Pusha said. There were stakes involved "because it was based around the art." He added, "Nowadays, man, people don’t care. They're like, 'Oh, you know, they lost today but whatever. It's no big deal.'"

Do you agree with Pusha? Check out more from his Hot Ones appearance below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.