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| “Pioneer of the coke rap”- Pusha T |
Pusha T had a very interesting 2010. He delivered two verses I think that though many may not pay attention to the content now, as the history in Jamaica becomes clearer, the verses will be ones that music fans will point to as probably as some of the most significant verses. In May he released a free style call “Dearly Beloved” a ‘tribute’ to Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. In the midst of the State of Emergency called in Jamaica, it would take a former drug dealer such as Pusha T, to tackle the sensitive topic.
A short background will help develop the context of these verses. Post independence lead to a two party system involving the PNP and JLP. During the 70’s garrison communities were specifically created to be voting blocks. In return the communities would patronage from political parties. In the midst of the heated political rivalry, feuds between different affiliated communities ignited. After the 1976 election, the parties had no use for the affiliated communities and the parties were left with arms now feuding over economic status. This is where the drug game takes center stage, where it is appears to be the easiest way to gain economic success.
In May the Prime Minister Bruce Golding declared a state of emergency in Kingston after gang members supportive of an alleged drug lord wanted by the United States attacked police stations and blockaded a large swath of the city. This was instigated by Prime Minister Bruce Golding. After protesting that the evidence on Christopher Coke was obtained illegally from an indictment of the United States, the reaction of the Jamaican public was of disgust. Having changed his tune he allowed the United States to extradite suspected drug kingpin.
Around this time is where we heard the following verse from Pusha T:
All I see is black roses, drug dealer poses
shoveling that devil’s angel up they noses
never let jail turn my shine into Moses
couldn’t cleanse my soul with them civil rights sposes
panoramic roof, under glass like a coaster
backseat driver, racial slurs at the chauffeur
killian loafers, Mikimoto chokes her
Photo-op this priceless, frame our wanted posters
the audacity, war brings casualty
***** have my son before I face that tragedy
ugh, I order hits, she orders mahi
R.I.P. Vivian Blake, shout out the shower posse
-Pusha T on Looking For Trouble
Now here we get less of a look at the details of the relationship, we just get images. Vivid ones at that, “panoramic roof, under glass like a coaster” is a ridiculous simile and “Mikomoto chokes her” just captures the listener’s ear. The whole idea of the drug dealer in the luxurious car, and the ride is just tailored together so well here. It doesn’t provide any insight but the imagery here is unlike any other, and encourages the mind to put together the images. This as a supplementary verse to the one we heard earlier this year (ended with the same Shower Posse reference). Now here I think that the argument about glorifying is much more justifiable here, as this is all just imagery with no sly references to shallowness.
Being the only Hip-Hop artist referencing the ordeal(so far) I think Pusha T made a huge dent in 2010. That being said it’s a bit disturbing that he still the verse with “shout out the shower posse”. We can argue the verse but the ending seems to indicate he still has respect for that group. However the lines have been blurred so much between the relationship between citizens, government and Dudus Coke that its almost fitting that the verses provide a similar confusion with its goal.
