Pusha T has returned with his new album, Daytona. The album’s original title was King Push. It’s no surprise that Kanye West’s imprint is all over this album, since Pusha T is with G.O.O.D. Music. First of all, let’s not minimize the potential Midas touch of having Kanye West handle your whole album. Common’s BE is arguably his most solid album to date. Let’s fast forward to 2018. A lot has happened since BE, including several public breakdowns from Kanye West. Push T’s Daytona has been a long time coming. Fans are still pining for a new Clipse album. However, this is the closest we’ll ever get. Daytona is perhaps the strongest solo effort from Pusha T. It’s worth the wait.

Now, let’s talk concept focus. Kanye West’s idea was to release in 35 songs (across 5 different albums, including his own). All of these albums will be released in the next few weeks. Kanye and Pusha T retreated to Wyoming and Utah (I know….random) to get this album done. The production is stellar and Pusha T’s rhymes are tighter than ever. He holds no punches on his beef with other rappers (namely Baby, Lil Wayne and Drake) on songs like the high buzz generating “Infrared”. He calls out Lil Wayne for having to constantly needing to tour for money and Drake for not writing some of his lyrics. Nonetheless, there is an undertone that he may be somewhat jealous of their multi platinum success. Pusha T’s claim to fame has been more with Clipse, and less with him as a solo artist. Their heyday was nearly 25 years ago.

You can’t judge a book by its cover. Kanye West took the liberty to change the album’s cover art yesterday. Yes, yesterday. The day before the album’s release. The cover is an old tabloid photo of drug paraphernalia scattered across the late Whitney Houston’s bathroom. There are some burnt touches on the edges of the photo and that apparently classified it as an $85,000 art piece. I digress. The cover itself has definitely drawn attention to the album. After all, this is Kanye (I mean Pusha T) we’re talking about here. He knows how to draw attention. Although Daytona is primarily one dimensional (including his claim that only Eazy E sold more drugs than him…..ok), his word play and delivery is still intact. “The Games We Play” is a great example of this. “This is for my body building clients moving weight,” he raps.

Pusha T makes no mistake that this album is for his core audience. Even Kanye’s production is beautifully disjointed here, as if it was purposely created for underground consumption. “Hard Piano” featuring Rick Ross is one of the most lyrically dense tracks. It’s also one of the album’s brightest moments. “What Would Meek Do” featuring Kanye West is the most boastful track, which finds both rappers gloating about their influence. Kanye even takes pieces from his quirky, aloof new single, “Lift Yourself”. He even sends a cry for help talking about those same “7 pill nights” he ranted about during his awkward TMZ outburst. “Come Back Baby” sounds like Clipse member No Malice (formerly known as Malice) should start spitting rhymes at any minute. But, he never arrives.

Daytona is worth the wait, but simultaneously disappointing. The album’s cover not only exploits one of music’s biggest legends, but it also places Pusha T strategically as Kanye West’s media frenzy pawn. Will Daytona be considered a classic? It’s definitely likely. The music backs up its controversy. Sadly, this is all overshadowed by a cover that likely will equal the sum of Daytona‘s legacy a year from now.

Check out the most controversial track from Daytona, “Infrared”.

Plus, here’s a flashback to one of Clipse’s biggest hits