The Creativity in Clipse’s “Lord Willin’”
- Feb 25, 2016
- 4 min read
The former hip-hop duo Clipse, comprised of Gene "No Malice" Thornton (formerly known as "Malice") and Terrence "Pusha T" Thornton, began in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1992. A decade later, they released their debut album “Lord Willin,” comprised of some of their most memorable and well-known songs to date. Some people might recognize Pusha T as a GOOD Music artist/president and Kanye West affiliate, but long before his solo career, he and his brother Malice were making bumping music in 1999 into the early 2000s.
It is worth noting that every single off the album is correctly chosen. One might say that it is a case where the singles are good, but the album is not; a sort of false advertising. However, I suggest that “Lord Willin” is an album full of great songs and the best ones (the singles) highlight what Clipse and producer Pharrell accomplished throughout their run.
The first song, “Intro,” introduces Pusha T and (No) Malice’s flows and lyricism. The second track, “Young Boy,” has a nice marching-band feel to it and Pharrell’s singing and humming adds a nice flare as well. We get a great taste of Clipse’s story-telling ability- what they rap makes sense. “Virginia,” the following track, is what people in the drug world of Virginia should love. The beat is somewhat plain and boring, but if you listen closely you hear the business side ins and outs of the drug dealing business.
The first single and fourth track “Grindin” takes me back to my elementary school days where kid would drum the beat on the desks throughout class. There’s no exaggeration in saying the beat deserves some type of award. Everyone was playing this song mainly for the fire beat. Clipse’s flow just balanced with the beat well. All Pharrell says for the hook is “grindin,” but it’s a case where less is better- it’s extremely catchy and you can’t be confused about what the track is titled.
The fifth track, and fourth single, off the album “Cot Damn” starts with the trumpets that we should all love. From the first second you can tell it is a hype song. The features Ab-Liva and Rosco P. Coldchain add to Clipse’s tight flows. This is easily one of the best and catchy songs from the album. Ride through the hood and blast this song and you’ll be happy- Cot Damn!
The sixth track, third single, “Ma, I Don’t Love Her” featuring Faith Evans, deserves a paragraph of its own- yes, it’s that deep fam. The song begins with a beat I would categorize as perfect, and Pharrell whispering “I wanna love you girl/ Just wanna love you girl/ Please let me love you girl/ Just wanna love you girl.” Those whispers are music to my ears and let us know out the gate that this is a song full of personality and creativity. The song is about a guy denying that he has a side piece and instead claiming that the rumors are from people trying to split him and his main girl up. In the chorus he reassures the girl (the main piece) that he does not love her (the side joint). Background vocals from Faith Evans put a soulful touch to this song about a guy creeping. When I was younger, I mistook this for a love song- that is how creative it is. This song was “overplayed” in 2002 and 2003, but it was a good thing because we did not have several music applications that seamlessly allowed us to play a song on demand like we do today.
I will skip a review of track seven, “Fam-Lay,” as you should if you listen to “Lord Willin."
Hype song classic, “When the Last Time,” is the second single and the eight track of “Lord Willin.” It was played at all house parties and was essential to any playlist in all clubs from its release to well into 2003. Tall tees, baggy jeans, Air Force 1s, basketball jerseys, early 2000 popular dance moves- “When the Last Time” brings it all back.
The beats to the next three songs “Ego,” “Comedy Central,” and “Let’s Talk About It” are nice and rapping by Clipse is nice, but the choruses are weak. However, they are still worth a listen unlike track seven “Fam-Lay.”
The twelfth song “Gangsta Lean” is so smooth it could have been a fifth single if necessary. Please listen to it because you are likely to not regret that decision. Simply put, it’s just a chill, hip-hop song. All the components of the song make sense and it can be played anywhere. It has hints of old soul music, but incorporates the Hip Hop sound of the early 2000s. If you listen closely, it could be perceived as a love poem- to both a woman and marijuana. At the end of verse four, (No) Malice even says “I love you” to whoever his lyrics were intended for. Although he says he loves marijuana, the song is about a woman too which I think is cool.
To be such a great album though, the last song “I’m Not You” is somewhat of a let down and disappointing way to close out the 61-minute LP; even with the likes of Jadakiss, Style P and Rosco P. Coldchain. Virginia natives Pharrell and Clipse, however, bring a deep-south feel to close out the album though.
I love “Lord Willin’” and recommend it because with the undeniable rapping abilities of Pusha T and (No) Malice paired with Pharrell on the bridges, hooks, and choruses, you have a bonafide classic on your hands. Although the duo of Clipse no longer exists, I think this album in particular shows them at their best as they ushered in a new “coke rap” genre to hip-hop that we still see present to this day. It also shows Pusha T during his days were he rapped alongside his brother. Whether or not you’re an avid hip-hop listener, I hope you’re willin’ to give this album a listen.
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