Jarrel Sylvers

Columnist

“My Name Is My Name” by rapper Pusha T stood out more for compelling instrumentals than content.

Tuesday marked the debut of the project from GOOD Music/kb record label. Following interesting singles and an ultra-expressive, complimentary rant by label mate Kanye West, Pusha T was slated to make a huge impact with his new LP (not to mention, he was one of the main artists listed in rapper Kendrick Lamar’s controversial “Control” verse). The artist rode this wave of momentum behind his project and delivered a solid rap album. Although, a few things held his record back from truly being a standout amongst the onslaught of big-name releases this year.

The album lacks in its ability to relate, and its crack-rap style gets repetitive. Not all music of this style is unentertaining and artists like Young Jeezy and Jay Z have even popularized it. It just doesn’t feel compelling on this LP. More storytelling would’ve done this project way better than the constant cliché, glamorized drug dealing references. The only signs of variance from this grave, methodical approach was on tracks like “S.N.I.T.C.H.,” which told a viable story. However, the album did present some very ambitious, experimental beats on songs like “Numbers on the Board.”

The acoustic setting and atmosphere of the “My Name Is My Name” was one of its most entertaining aspects. Pusha T sounds great over a lot of the instrumentals on this project. The track “King Push” is one of my favorite rap introductions of the year. Its emphatic drum rolls and bass-heavy rhythm was a great opening to the project.

The artist got personal on the track “40 Acres” as he raps about his brother and past rap partner, No Malice.

“My better half chose the better path,” Pusha T sings in reference to his brother opting for more conscious musical offerings.

Pusha T shined on records like “Nostalgia,” which was full of classic references from the film “Boyz n the Hood” and presented a gritty delivery and cadence. “Hold On” was by far one of the best-sounding songs on the album. The verse by fellow rapper Rick Ross was very refreshing and the melody of the track is pure ear candy. West’s harmonizing doesn’t add to it, but the overall feel of the track makes up for it.

The track “Pain” was probably the worst on the LP and it featured a terrible hook by artist Future. One of the best tracks on the album was “Suicide.” Here the rapper’s gangsta, d-boy persona shined, presenting a pretty entertaining, groove-heavy track. There’s a level of substance and lyrical effort that was missing from “My Name Is My Name” that I know Pusha T can deliver and has in the past. I was disappointed to see that he didn’t go hard enough in the content department to really be a stand out in the rap world this year.