GRAMMY PREVIEW Q&A: PUSHA T

It's Almost Dry is getting a lot of Grammy buzz for Rap Album of the Year. What would a nomination for this particular project mean for you? What about a win?
It would mean the world to me to win; it would mean that there's a place for street hip-hop and pure lyricism in the genre. It would mean that people are really listening and paying attention. It would be my greatest success in music thus far.

You’ve been nominated for a Grammy multiple times. What did that first nomination feel like?
It was an honor to be a part of this thing that you would always hear about—that all the great artists were associated with—and now to be among them. Unfortunately, the Grammys and Hip-Hop haven’t always had the best relationship historically and it's been nice to see the Academy strive to do better for the community.

Your life has changed drastically since embarking on your career. Where do you have to go mentally to write songs that revolve around your drug-dealing past?
The writing process for me has always been about my life and what I'm experiencing and seeing in the world. I’m speaking to a very specific audience via the music and they understand everything that's going on outside. It takes time for me to be inspired and that comes in many different forms at different times.

You recently said a Clipse reunion was possible. How did it feel to be back on stage with your brother at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards?
I love being on stage with my brother. It feels natural to be next to him. Seeing the crowd reaction and the love after the show was amazing. I know he sees it all and hopefully that continues to give him the bug. I’m rooting for it just like everyone else.

Where do you think life would've taken you had you not become a rapper?
I would still be an entrepreneur of some kind, very little would be different.