Pusha-T disclosed that he drew the inspiration for his name from Ice-T. The legendary rapper responded by praising Pusha-T. Ice-T is one of the rappers who pioneered gangsta rap.
Pusha-T shared this information last weekend on the 2023 Grammy Awards red carpet during a REVOLT interview. He further explained that the single Ice-T released in 1988 “I’m Your Pusher” is the single that gave him the idea for his rap name.
Ice-T was supportive
Pusha-T added that one time he got the opportunity to talk to his music idol and tell him about the way he inspired his rap name and Ice-T was happy.
“I seen him standing outside of a hotel one day and I actually did tell him,” Pusha-T said. “I actually gave him all his flowers, right then and there, I had to … He told me he was actually a fan of my work and that was enough for me.”
On Wednesday this week, Ice-T went on Twitter and posted a video of Pusha’s feedback. He praised him as being one of the best rappers in the industry.
“Absolutely nothing but Respect to @PUSHA_T Love is love,” read his post. “Plus he’s one of the Best to ever do it.”
I’m Your Pusher
The single “I’m Your Pusher” appeared in Ice-T’s second album “Power”. He dropped it in September of 1988 and it ranked Number 6 on the Billboard Top R&B and Number 35 on the Hip Hop Albums.
The song had a dis that targeted LL COOL J where an addict declined to use drugs named after the rapper. LL released a single “To Da Break of Dawn” where he took a shot at Kool Moe Dee and Ice-T.
Later, Ice-T wrote a book and explained that he attacked LL in his song because at the time the rapper was claiming to be the best rapper in the world while Ice-T, who hailed from L.A, was attempting to represent his whole city on his own.
Pusha-T makes a Gangsta mixtape
Currently, Pusha-T just released a Gangsta Grillz mixtape. He told an interviewer from XXL that the project is special and it is something he intends to enjoy while doing it.
“To have the fun I want to have,” he said. “What I’m trying to do is restore the feeling in every aspect of this subgenre of music. And just of this cloth, of this taste level.”
“I’m just trying to make people realize how viable this is. To show people that I can’t do what you do, but you definitely can’t do what I do. I have to show those differences. That’s the whole premise behind the mixtape.”