The Return of Clipse: Bold Beats, Saudi Samples, and Savage Bars
- Majid Alhusseini
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
After a lengthy hiatus, legendary brothers Pusha T and No Malice have officially revived Clipse, marking a major moment in hip-hop. The duo is back in the studio and gearing up for their first full-length album in nearly fifteen years, titled Let God Sort ’Em Out. Anticipation is high—and with good reason. To build buzz, Clipse recently dropped two promotional singles: “Ace Trumpets” on May 30, followed by “So Be It,” which landed just two days ago.
“So Be It” is already earning praise as a standout track, driven by its haunting production. The beat is built around a sample from Maza Akoulou, a piece by the late Saudi musical icon Talal Maddah. Born in Mecca in 1940, Maddah is hailed as one of the founding figures of modern Arabic music. Over a five-decade career, he recorded more than 1,000 songs, leaving an indelible mark on the region’s soundscape. Clipse’s choice to sample his work is both intentional and reverent—an acknowledgment of Maddah’s global legacy and an artistic nod to the Arab world’s musical richness.
This move places Clipse alongside a growing number of hip-hop artists who have turned to the Middle East for inspiration. Think A$AP Rocky sampling Assala on 1Train, or Future looping Rayan on Wicked. It’s a continuation of a cross-cultural exchange that feels both modern and rooted in history.
Beyond the beat, though, it’s the lyrics of “So Be It” that are sparking even more conversation, especially a sharp jab aimed at Travis Scott. In the final verse, Pusha T seemingly uses “Utopia”—the name of Scott’s 2023 album—as a stand-in for the rapper himself, while referencing a woman known for her successful lip gloss empire, who no longer relies on him financially. Many interpret the line as a diss targeting Scott’s ex, Kylie Jenner.
“You cried in front of me / You died in front of me / Calabasas took your b*** and your pride in front of me,” Pusha raps.“Heard Utopia had moved right up the street / And her lip gross was poppin’, she ain’t need you to eat / The net gon’ call it the way that they see it / But I got the video, I can share and A.E. it.”
In a GQ interview released around the same time, Pusha T explained the origin of the beef. According to him, Travis Scott played him and Pharrell an early version of the track “Meltdown” without Drake’s verse—only for the final cut to include a diss aimed at both artists. That move, Pusha says, felt like a betrayal.
Now, with Let God Sort ’Em Out set for release on July 11, the countdown has officially begun. Known for never shying away from controversy, Pusha T has long positioned himself as rap’s moral compass—unapologetic, precise, and fearless when it comes to calling people out. This is the same artist who dropped the infamous diss track that forced Drake to publicly acknowledge his son, Adonis.
As Clipse reclaims their place at the forefront of hip-hop, the world is watching—and some rappers are surely bracing themselves for what’s next.
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