Pusha T Fires at Travis Scott in New Clipse Song "So Be It," Officially Verifies Feud Origins

Pusha T and No Malice // Rolling Stone

Pusha T once again stoked controversy in hip-hop, this time targeting Travis Scott directly on the scathing new Clipse single, "So Be It." The track, produced by longtime collaborator in crime Pharrell Williams, is a triumphant return for the Clipse duo, Pusha T and No Malice spewing barbed rhymes over vintage Neptunes beats. But it's Pusha's biting verse that had the internet ablaze, as he diss Scott in one of the most intimate and raunchy diss verses of his career.

"Calabasas Took Your B*tch and Your Pride"

In the most talked-about verse of the song, Pusha holds back nothing, weaving stinging allusions to Scott's life, music, and what Push perceives as a breakdown in loyalty:

"You cried in front of me, you died in front of me

Calabasas stole your b*tch and your pride in front of me

Heard UTOPIA moved straight up the block

And her lip gloss was poppin', she ain't need you to eat."

The words are a broadside against Travis Scott's affair with Kylie Jenner who lives in Calabasas and has two kids with the rapper and his new album, UTOPIA. The verse is a portrait of humiliation and betrayal, made sharper by its use of stardom, abandonment, and dependence.

The Backstory: Loyalty Betrayed

Pusha T recently spoke with GQ, making the official declaration that the beef with Scott isn't musical-it's personnel. Push explains that the beef started on the day in Louis Vuitton HQ, which was where Pharrell and Clipse were repping. Scott also swung by and debuted an early version of his song "Meltdown" from UTOPIA, which contained an unreleased verse from Drake.

When that occurred, Drake's verse reportedly didn't have any shots at Pusha T. Then Drake proceeded to take direct shots at Pusha in the public release later on something Pusha indicates Travis could've expected to stir up the waters, especially in Pharrell's presence, given the song's subject matter.

"He's done it a lot. He has no picks," Pusha told GQ. "He'll do it with anyone. He did it with 'Sicko Mode'… He was on the Rolling Loud stage like, 'Play that, play that.'"

That Rolling Loud instant is when Scott was provoking the crowd at a performance of Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Like That," which increased the feud between Kendrick and Drake. Pusha accuses Scott of always chasing trends and controversy, supporting whoever is presently "hot" without concern for past allegiance or consequences.

"He don't have no picks, no loyalties to nobody. He'll ride what he believe is hot or stick with what he believe is hot," Push added.

"So, that's where my issue comes in like, dawg, don't even come at me with that, because at the end of the day, I don't play like y'all play.

In my mind, that was just like … He's a wh*re. He's a wh*re."

The Clipse Are Back and They're Not Holding Back

"So Be It" delivers as one track in Clipse's highly anticipated return to rap, and if the song is any indication, the group isn't looking back they're looking to take back the crown. No Malice contributes his signature precision bars, cementing the brothers' peerless chemistry, while Pharrell's minimalist, sparse beat injects the song with cold tension.

The song is also said to appear on the upcoming Clipse album Let God Sort Em Out, their first full-length proper since 2009's Til the Casket Drops. Spurring interest, the duo unveiled an alternate cover of the album, designed by busy Japanese designer Verdy, who has collaborated with streetwear brands Girls Don't Cry and Wasted Youth.

The album release will be followed by a merch run of Verdy's unique style, as seen through graphic tees, a limited-edition vinyl record LP, CDs, and even cassette tapes, both to ride the nostalgia wave and to fit into high-concept street culture.

No Malice and Pusha T at the Louis Vuitton fashion show in Paris

What Happens Next?

Travis Scott says nothing to the lyrical dissing, but his supporters are waiting with bated breath. The rapper is infamous for his otherwise peaceable demeanor towards rap beefs, and Scott might choose to keep quiet though history suggests that he's not beyond taking subtle shots within his performances or visual works.

Meanwhile, Pusha T has made a point: loyalty is greater than sales, style, and popularity on social media. And if you are standing on the other side of that line, you might find yourself in his crosshairs.

With Clipse back in action, a legendary producer at the helm, and Pusha T as unapologetic as ever, "So Be It" is not just a diss track, it's a call to arms. And hip-hop, once more, is listening.

THE UNCOMMON BREED