Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out: A Monumental Return by Rap’s Sharpest Duo
Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out
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After a 15-year hiatus, Virginia’s rap titans Clipse return with their first full-length album since 2009 — and it’s every bit as dangerous, elegant, and unforgettable as you’d hope.
A High-Stakes Comeback
Clipse — the rap duo consisting of Pusha T and (No) Malice — has always thrived in the margins: gritty, lyrical, cold-blooded yet clever. Their first two albums, Lord Willin’ (2002) and Hell Hath No Fury (2006), are cult classics that rewrote what drug rap could sound and feel like. After a long separation marked by Malice’s spiritual journey and name change to No Malice, the brothers are reunited — and they’re not pulling any punches.
Drama Before the Drop: Kendrick, Drake & Universal
Before even hitting streaming platforms, Let God Sort Em Out found itself at the center of hip-hop’s most compelling modern drama. A Kendrick Lamar feature on the track “Chains and Whips” triggered industry politics due to lingering tensions from the Kendrick vs Drake beef. Despite no direct shots at Drake in the song, Universal reportedly demanded its removal — seeing Kendrick and Pusha T on the same track as “provocation.”
Rather than compromise, Clipse bought out their contract with Universal and released the album under Roc Nation, the label helmed by Jay-Z. The Kendrick feature remains intact — and it’s one of the album’s many highlights.
“I don’t f*** with the kumbaya s***,” raps Kendrick, piercing through Pharrell’s icy production like a blade. It’s a reminder that hip-hop’s lyrical apex predators are wide awake — and united.
Malice Returns: From Redemption to Relapse
Once known as No Malice — a rapper who stepped away from glorifying the streets — Malice is back to his former self, unapologetically. On “POV”, he spits: “Came back for the money, that’s the devil in me.”
From likening himself to the “Bezos of the nasals” to clever cocaine euphemisms like “Lady Gaga,” Malice dives headfirst into the world he once renounced. But there’s wisdom and weariness now, a reflective undertone that adds emotional weight to his verses.
Wordplay, Weaponized: Clipse vs Everyone
Pusha T, who never left the game, delivers venom with surgical precision. His shots at Travis Scott on “So Be It Pt II” are among the most scathing bars of the year. While Drake doesn’t get name-dropped, the lingering tension is evident in the album’s energy — sharp, defiant, and cutting.
“You rappers all beneath me,” Pusha declares on “Ace Trumpets”.
Malice follows: “All of you imposter, simply just Ferrari window shoppers.”
This is lyrical warfare, not playlist filler.
Pharrell’s Best Work in Years?
Pharrell Williams — half of the legendary Neptunes — produced the bulk of the album. Despite his current role as creative director at Louis Vuitton, his work on Let God Sort Em Out is masterful.
Notable beats include:
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“Ebitda” – A tense rhythm that teases a drop but never delivers, maintaining suspense like a thriller soundtrack.
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“Inglorious Bastards” – Horns twisted into dissonant chaos, creating an atmosphere of high drama.
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“So Far Ahead” – Gospel vocal samples clash with low-end grime, an audacious sonic experiment.
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“So Be It Pt II” – Features Indian strings and vocals, underscoring the global palette Pharrell taps into.
This is Pharrell at his most daring and least commercial, proving once again that Clipse brings out his boldest instincts.
Star Features, But Clipse Stays in Control
Let God Sort Em Out features Nas, Tyler, the Creator, and Kendrick Lamar — all powerhouse rappers. Yet none outshine the main act. Instead, they’re pulled into Clipse’s icy orbit, matching the tone without stealing focus.
Each guest delivers tight verses, but it’s the chemistry between Pusha and Malice — sharpened by absence and maturity — that anchors the album.
The Emotional Center: “The Birds Don’t Sing”
The album opens with “The Birds Don’t Sing”, a track that initially feels like a misstep due to John Legend’s big pop chorus. However, it unfolds into a raw and emotional elegy, detailing the nearly simultaneous deaths of their parents.
“The way you missed mama, I guess I should have known / Chivalry ain’t dead, you ain’t let her go alone.”
It’s uncharacteristically vulnerable for Clipse, who have rarely shown this side. And it lands hard. This song proves they’re not just reliving their past but evolving — emotionally, artistically, and thematically.
Why Let God Sort Em Out Is One of 2025’s Best Albums
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Artist | Clipse (Pusha T & Malice) |
| Album Title | Let God Sort Em Out |
| Label | Roc Nation |
| Top Producers | Pharrell Williams |
| Features | Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Tyler, the Creator |
| Genre | Hip-Hop / Rap |
| Release Date | July 2025 |
| Standout Tracks | Chains and Whips, So Be It Pt II, Ebitda, Ace Trumpets |
| Best Lyrics | “The Bezos of the nasals,” “All of you imposter, simply just Ferrari window shoppers” |
| Emotional Track | The Birds Don’t Sing |
| Diss Track Moment | So Be It Pt II (Travis Scott) |
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
So Be It • Clipse, Pusha T, Malice
Let God Sort Em Out is a bold, uncompromising masterpiece. It isn’t trying to chart — it’s trying to cut through the noise, and it succeeds. This album doesn’t just mark a comeback — it reshapes the current rap landscape, reminding fans and artists alike what lyricism, craftsmanship, and cohesion truly look like.
In an era of AI-written lyrics and disposable singles, Clipse have delivered a timeless body of work — and one of the best rap albums of 2025.
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