Pusha T, 'My Name is My Name'

Since signing to Kanye West’s GOOD Music label in 2010, Pusha T has struggled to find his footing as a solo artist. While his guest work with Kanye helped raise his visibility, his solo material has ranged from solid to utterly forgettable, never recapturing the magic of his earlier days as a member of Clipse.

The problem was never that Pusha was a weak rhymer, but his drug tales just couldn’t carry a track on their own. So it’s unsurprising that “My Name Is My Name” is littered with guest features, many of which help Pusha from having to carry the entire project independently.

“I don’t sing hooks.”

This line serves as the chorus to the album’s opening track, “King Push,” and firmly establishes what works best about Pusha’s style. He’s a raw street rapper who doesn’t need to conform to the sing-song hooks and melodies of the mainstream rap world.

It’s when Pusha follows this ideology that “My Name Is My Name” succeeds. Lead single “Numbers on the Boards” is a prime example, with its minimal beat providing the perfect backdrop for Pusha’s rhymes. It’s one of only two featureless songs on the album and is the best track.

The production throughout is superb. Handled primarily by Kanye West and Pharrell, it feels as if many of these beats were crafted specifically for Pusha’s distinct, nasal delivery.

Unfortunately, the album hits a lull toward its middle section, specifically when R&B singers show up to sing hooks. The-Dream and Kelly Rowland just sound awkward on their respective tracks, in spite of Pusha’s strong verses. Most disappointing is “Who I Am,” a posse cut with 2 Chainz and Big Sean that features three very uninspired verses.

Of course, some guests work quite well. Rick Ross drops a perfect guest spot on album standout “Hold On,” and Kendrick Lamar continues to impress with a sharp drug tale on “Nosetalgia.”

“My Name Is My Name” establishes Pusha T as a solo artist worth following. While Pusha’s lyrics may focus too heavily on drug dealing to capture a large audience, his charisma and slick wordplay should provide hip-hop fans with plenty to celebrate.