Damn.
If there was ever a question about who was the best rapper on Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music label, “Exodus 23:1” is strong evidence in Pusha T’s corner. Putting aside any talks of subliminal messages and YMCMB disses, this is a great rap song. With a dark hypnotic beat courtesy of Rico Beats, as well as some guest vocals by The-Dream, Pusha’s latest song is the strongest track so far to come out of the second iteration of the label’s G.O.O.D. Fridays series. Sampling Biggie’s “What’s Beef,” “Exodus 23:1” allows Pusha T to do what he does best: rap his ass off and seem like he barely broke a sweat. He starts off strong, and stays consistent throughout the entire track, unhindered by any guest features to dilute the track (which is more than I can say for the other G.O.O.D. Friday tracks of late).
But like I said, this undeniably a great track without all the subliminal messages people are finding in it. Do the hidden meanings and disses of the lyrics hinder the song though? In short: hell no. They just make the song even more fun: I feel like I find a new one every time I listen to the song, and each time I just want to pat Pusha T on the back. From lines allegedly aimed at YMCMB’s hierarchy (“Contract all fucked up/I guess that means you all fucked up./ You signed to one ni**a, that signed to another ni**a, that’s signed to three ni**as, now that’s bad luck.”) to telling original “I Don’t Like” producer Young Chop exactly how he feels about his anger over the recent remix (You can keep your beats, ni**a/ We’d much rather share your bitch, ni**a, bitch ni**a). Clearly not pulling any punches, Pusha T is in fine form on “Exodus 23:1.” We can only hope that the rest of the G.O.O.D Music compilation album, Cruel Summer, is this good.
