CNN did a 15 minute profile on Pusha T and No Malice, chronicling their history as The Clipse, as well as going their separate ways. This is dope, you have to respect both artist’s positions…

Let’s face it, gospel rap has pretty much always sucked. We’ve seen numerous attempts at this type of thing in the past, from the entire catalog of Kirk Franklin albums to KRS-One’s strange turn with Spiritual Minded, a few years back. We won’t even bring up niche acts like Gospel Gangstaz that have never penetrated the rap’s mainstream or backpack cultures. The closest thing we’ve seen something resonate with the average hip-hop listener is Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks”, but over the years we’ve seen a series of contradicting messages from the self-proclaimed Christian.

Clipse’s No Malice (the “No” added to his name since his spiritual rebirth) has always walked in the shadow of his brother, Pusha T, who literally is the Cain to his Able. Pusha has always been the bad boy of The Clipse, a division that became more evident with their last album, Til The Casket Drops, which found the duo lyrically playing devil and angel to one another; one embracing the fast life, the other shunning it. Strangely, Pusha was chosen to sign a solo deal with Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music, as Yeezus walked right past Malice.

Pusha’s move has unfortunately taken the buzz of The Clipse along with him, remaining relevant in today’s world with hits like “Mercy” and “I Don’t Like” credited to his name. However, Malice has been downgraded to an independent artist, one without the backing of Kanye West, or previous collaborators, The Neptunes, for that matter. On paper, Hear Ye Him sounds like something to pass over in the busy summer season, that is, until you hit play.

Hear Ye Him doesn’t find No Malice doing a complete 360 musically, as the album does not featured watered down production, nor does it force big, hand-clapping gospel choir choruses. The production is raw and the song writing is intriguing, as No Malice breaks his silence on topics such as his past, his relationships with Pusha and Pharrell, and his view of African-American culture as a whole. Like “Jesus Walks” or any pre-Death Row 2Pac record before it, this isn’t overly preachy, Bible-thumping rhetoric, but rather conscious hip-hop with Christian undertones.

The quality of any album starts with the production, and despite The Neptunes absence, the team of producers on Hear Ye Him do a great job of animating No Malice’s backdrops. Both the Illmind produced “Smoke and Mirrors” (feat. Ab-Liva) and the cleverly censored “Blasphemy” (feat. Fam-Lay) keep the Re-Up Gang sound in tact, and surprise the listener with a level of quality not expected from a record with such a low budget behind it. There’s a darkness to the production that was found on his earlier Clipse material that carries through here on tracks like “Bow Down No Mo’” and the dancehall-tinged “Shame The Devil”, with Pusha T.

And what about that wayward soul that’s moved on to greener pastures? Malice makes it clear in several places on the album that he has nothing but love for his brother, despite his refusal to join him on the path of the righteous man. Like a preacher, No Malice keeps you hanging off his every word, addressing their relationship on both “Hear Ye Him” and “Still Got Love”, the latter which also addresses Pharrell. The Frank Sinatra-helmed “June”, also stands out, as an honest portrayal of his post-major label lifestyle.

Christian rap has a stigma of “corny” or “preachy” attached to it, not because the message is bad, but in many cases it just hasn’t been delivered correctly. If you felt some type of way (read: angry) after hearing De La Soul, Common, and Jeru The Damaja songs in the 90′s, No Malice’s record might resurface that guilty conscience of yours, but in a post-conscious rap landscape, Hear Ye Him is a surprising breath of fresh air.

Pusha T sat down with Boi-1da.net to talk about his upcoming project “My Name Is My Name.” Pusha explains his album title, success as a solo artist, and why he chose not to feature his brother No Malice on the project.

Clipse reunite for this track from Malice’s Hear Ye Him, which hits August 18th.

Sit with No Malice and RE-TV as they take a look inside his forthcoming “Hear Ye Him” album, due for release on August 8th.

No Malice sits down with HipHopSince1987 to talk about a variety of topics. The Virginia mc talks about his home state, making it out of VA, getting their deal by travelling and putting in the work. He talks about the void in his life that was missing when he was at the top of his career that lead him into being into No Malice. He talks you need to put God first because he is the foundation in everything you do. No Malice talks about his new music will “break the ice.” He said he hasnt categorized his new music as Gospel, Christian rap or other. He addresses the so called “Clipse Reunion” rumors. He gives advice and much more.

The interview was conducted by HipHopSince1987′s Cymandye aka Lady C. The video was shot and edited by HHS1987′s Rick Dange.

Pusha T’s long-overdue reunion with Malice will be called, As God As My Witness.

Pusha T spoke with MTV about his upcoming G.O.O.D. Music debut, and gives a taste of a track from it called “40 Acres”.

1/2 of The Clipse releases another single from his upcoming solo effort, Hear Ye Him. Produced by Gripp Productions.

The Elite Money Empire (@EMETakeover) Presents to you: The No Malice (@NoMalice757) Interview. While speaking to him, he discussed the feedback and reception of his latest book, why some rappers turn to religious faith, his next album “Hear Ye Him” (dropping later this year with production from the Neptunes, Boi-1da. Bun B will be on one of the lead singles), new Clipse music, offers from major labels, Teddy Riley inspiring Virginians, and more.

Wale remixes The Clipse’ “I’m Good” with a new verse.

It’s a hot day for rap beef. After Clipse frontman Pusha T released his new single, “Exodus 23:1″, which many interpreted as a dis towards the Young Money camp, Wayne took to Twitter to release the following statement, ahem, “Fuk pusha t and anybody that love em”.

“Contract all f—-d up / I guess that means you all f—-d up / You signed to one n—a that signed to another n—a that’s signed to three n—-s / Now that’s bad luck,” may be the lines of the song that Wayne took offense to.

This feud goes back a few years, dating back to 2006, as well chronicled today by Miss Info.

To the tune of “The Funeral”, Clipse’s Malice buries his alter-ego, to be reborn as “No Malice”. Hear Ye Him, dropping this summer.

Naledge of Kidz In The Hall drops off a pair of freestyles, over beats from Slum Village and The Clipse, respectively.

Pusha speaks on the Re-Up Gang’s forthcoming mixtape, Long Live the Caine, as well as what role Malice will play in the group.
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