Pusha T didnt need to make Wrath of Caine. The pre-album mixtape as a form is generally used to direct extra attention to forthcoming LPs in need of a publicity boost, and the Clipse member/G.O.O.D. Music role-player/everybodys favorite coke-rap aphorists pending solo debut, My Name Is My Name, has zero chance of flopping on any level. Between joints like Mercy, New God Flow, and the oft-overlooked I Still Wanna, Pusha has been tagged on enough strong tracks since the last Clipse LP, 2009s Til the Casket Drops, to ensure that therell be plenty of commercial interest by the time he does give us his own album (in March, tentatively).
Though not quite a Rich Forever or even a 4eva N a Day, the 36-minute Wrath of Caine typically sounds like the work of one of raps most exciting voices exactly what it is. Utter misfires like French Montanas faceplant of a Future imitation on Doesnt Matter notwithstanding, it bangs pretty uniformly. The Rick Ross-assisted Millions is a worthy cousin of I Still Wanna, while the stuttering, propulsive Blocka is stocked with Pushas prince-of-darkness seethe: All praise to the most high on both sides / I pray to God, I pray for hard, I wont lie.
Not lyrically, sonically, or in terms of quality does any of this evoke Hell Hath No Fury, always and forever Pushas greatest feat. But when hes at his best namely, when hes offering up such hubristic gems as Goliath aint worried bout your sling / And Cassius aint bothered by your swings theres plenty suggesting hes still capable of being in that ballpark. Assuming it isnt some hard left turn (or maybe even if it is), My Name Is My Name should be hot.
Essential Tracks: Millions, Blocka