Pusha T Thinks Today’s Rap Landscape Lacks Originality: ‘People Try to Do Different Versions of What’s Hot’

Pusha T isn’t the biggest fan of biters.

During a conversation with The Wall Street Journal about his daily routine, the Virginia rapper had some thoughts on the rap landscape in 2026 and feels like the game lacks originality. “It started off with a lot more individuality. Everybody wanted to be different,” he explained. “They wanted to be great, and they wanted to set themselves apart. You can’t look like me, you can’t do what I do.”

He 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.”

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Push, who’s found himself in a rap battle or two during his career, was also asked about his thoughts on Jay-Z telling GQ that he thinks maybe rap battles should be avoided these days because stan culture and social media can blow things out of proportion, while using the Drake and Kendrick fallout as an example. He played coy on the recent battle Jigga was referencing and essentially disagreed with the Brooklyn rapper’s point-of-view, but did say that things should be kept on wax.

“I don’t see a world in which artists are just going to get along at all times. This is a very competitive sport,” he said. “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.”

Elsewhere in the interview, he revealed that he and Pharrell often talk at 5:30 a.m. and treat their studio time like jobs, usually working a 12-hour shift starting at 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.