Rapper Terrence Thornton — better known as Pusha T — was half of the iconic rap duo Clipse. Kanye West recently appointed him president of his record label, G.O.O.D. Music. He’s got a new solo album called, “Darkest Before Dawn.” Here he is with songs… and one drink recommendation.
Pusha T: How you doing? My name is Terrence “Pusha T” Thornton, and this is my dinner party soundtrack.
Kanye West – “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”
My first song that I would play at the dinner party would be paying homage to the founder of G.O.O.D. Music, Kanye West. And it would be my favorite song from him, which is entitled “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.”
The whole premise of “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” is the attitude, like when I’m on a mission and trying to win something, you can’t stop me. And, what sticks in my head most is just the repetitive chorus.
“Nah, you can’t tell me nothin'” is just the most cockiest display. It just reeks of passion. But, one thing that would impress people about Kanye is his actual fandom of music as a whole. His music, you know, the music of his peers, he’s really in tune with what’s going on. So being in the party situation with him… man, he turns up.
Guy – “Groove Me”
The dinner party is definitely at my house. I have a beautiful place in Maryland and we’re on the rooftop right now. Everybody’s dancing and we’re definitely staying up all night long, till the sunrise.
So I have to say that my next song is a forefather in the R&B game, his name is Teddy Riley. He was part of a group called Guy. The song title is “Groove Me.”
Teddy Riley is known for a musical style called “New Jack Swing.” Up tempo, up beat, hip-hop and R&B infused, jazz-infused, and all about dancing.
He built a studio in Virginia Beach and [my friends and I] would go there attempting to secure a record deal. I spent the earlier days of trying to get into the music industry getting kicked off of his property by his security. We were probably interrupting an amazing Michael Jackson session, or Jay Z, or anybody of that magnitude at that time.
Justin Timberlake – “Like I Love You”
By this time at the party, everyone would have a few shots of DeLeón Tequila. Shout out to Puff. And the next song would have to be Justin Timberlake, “Like I Love You.”
Me and my brother were on this together, which is another reason why I would play this. Justin Timberlake was just becoming a solo artist. He was a fan of our record, “Grindin’,” and he thought it was a great idea if we all collaborated on a song. And “Like I Love You” was that song.
Man, Justin and his high notes. Justin’s high notes were like, incredible. But me personally, I could never hit those high notes myself [laughs].
Pusha T – ” Untouchable”
We started with hardcore hip-hop with Kanye West, we’re bringing it back full circle with “Untouchable” by myself, Pusha T.
The song is about feeling like you’re untouchable lyrically. It’s all about separating yourself from the pack and let everybody know that, “Hey man, I’m something different.”
