Pusha T: Damon Envisioned New Gorillaz Album as Trump Presidency Response a Year Ago

Today, Gorillaz released their new song “Let Me Out,” featuring Mavis Staples and Pusha T, from the upcoming album Humanz. To coincide with the track’s release, Damon Albarn and Pusha T both called in to Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 radio show to discuss the making of the song and the album and much more. Pusha said that when Albarn first contacted him about collaborating back in spring 2016, he told him “to conceptualize the album, you know, like the album’s a party for the end of the world, like if Trump were to win.” At the time, Trump wasn’t even a sure bet for the Republican nomination.

“I mean, I didn’t even want to think about it, but that did give me a very colorful backdrop into just being like, say anything and attack all issues that I wanted to attack and attack in the song,” Pusha continued. “So when it really happened, I was like, ‘Wait a minute.’ And then I started wondering like, what type of crystal ball did this guy have? Like why are you even asking me to even think along these lines? And he really did, man. He was first. I don’t think that he thought he was going to win, I’m not gonna go that far, but he definitely conceptualized this whole thing.”

Pusha also revealed that he will be joining Gorillaz on select dates on their upcoming tour, following his appearance with the group at the Humanz debut concert in London last month. “I’ve already committed myself so you guys will be seeing me at dates anytime the Gorillaz are performing, anytime that my schedule permits,” he said. “But I’m already committed to at least five. I’ll see you guys soon.”

Albarn’s championship ping pong skills were also heavily discussed, as Lowe and Pusha commiserated about being roundly beaten by Albarn in previous games. “Listen, I’m so mad,” Pusha said. “I’m so angry. I’m going to be totally and completely honest with you. He definitely beat me in ping pong, table tennis, whatever you want to call it. I’m very upset about it. I don’t like to lose.”

Later, he added, “He had to win at all costs. I’m trying to figure him out and he’s like venomously serving the ball my way. Pissed me off.”

Albarn, for his part, told Lowe that he’s setting his sights on a higher goal: “I wanna play Drake. I’m putting that out there. It’s a battle, I’m ready. Drake, come and get me.” 

Mavis Staples also weighed in, bragging about her own ping pong skills in a tweet.

In non-Gorillaz news, Pusha also discussed his in-the-works solo album King Push, which he said will “definitely” be out this year, his relationship with Kanye (who he says is “totally in a god place,”) and those ever-present Clipse reunion rumors. “Keep hope alive Clipse fans,” he said. “I’m forever witit. Everybody knows I’m forever witit. It’s just about getting him [Pusha's brother and fellow Clipse member No Malice] on the same page. Man, it would definitely be an amazing album. You know, the chemistry’s still there. They key players are still there. Everybody’s still in line. Everybody’s still family.”

Watch Pusha T on Pitchfork.tv’s “Over/Under”:

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