Pusha T Thinks Today’s Rap Landscape Lacks Originality: ‘People Try to Do Different Versions of What’s Hot’
The Virginia rapper also spoke on Jay-Z's stance on rap battles.
Pusha T is not a fan of those who copy others in the rap industry. During an interview with The Wall Street Journal, the Virginia rapper discussed the state of the rap scene in 2026 and lamented the lack of originality. "It started off with a lot more individuality," he pointed out. "Everybody wanted to be different, wanted to be great, and wanted to set themselves apart.
You can't look like me, you can't do what I do." Pusha T added, "Now people try to do different versions of what's hot. Everyone can just be good and be the same. I feel like people don't mind being like other people these days."
The rapper has been involved in his fair share of rap battles, and when asked about Jay-Z's comments on rap battles being unnecessary due to stan culture and social media, Pusha T disagreed with Jay-Z's viewpoint. He said, "I don't see a world in which artists are just going to get along at all times. This is a very competitive sport.
I don't what instances Jay-Z was talking about — I'm sure that things have gotten out of hand, but they never need to go that far. As long as it's music, it's fine. Anything outside of that realm, it's overboard."
In the same interview, Pusha T revealed his and Pharrell's morning routine of discussing music at 5:30 a.m. before embarking on a 12-hour studio session from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
