After a 16-year hiatus, hip-hop legends Clipse have returned with their critically acclaimed album, Let God Sort Em Out, igniting conversations about album of the year and sparking a renewed determination from brothers Malice and Pusha T to finally secure a Grammy award, not just for themselves but for the enduring legacy of street hip-hop.
For nearly a quarter-century, Gene “Malice” Thornton Jr. and Terrence “Pusha T” Thornton, collectively known as Clipse, have been architects of a distinct and influential sound in hip-hop. Bursting onto the scene with their 2002 classic single “Grindin’”, the Virginia-born brothers cemented their legacy with albums like Lord Willin’, Hell Hath No Fury, and Til the Casket Drops before embarking on individual paths in 2010. Their recent full-fledged reunion and the release of their fourth studio album, Let God Sort Em Out, have not only reignited fan excitement but also set the stage for their most ambitious goal yet: a Grammy award.
From Raw Energy to Seasoned Wisdom: The Evolution of Clipse
The journey of Clipse is one of profound evolution. As Malice reflected in an interview with People, the early days were marked by “a lot of rebellion. It was a lot of angst. It was raw energy because you just know you’re doing something that you love.” Now, 25 years later, the duo embodies a new depth. “Here we are 25 years later, I feel like you get the same energy, but there’s a wisdom that accompanies it as well,” Malice stated, highlighting the maturity that now infuses their art. This wisdom manifests in a conscious effort to consider “the mark you’re leaving, what people are going to remember you for.”
Cian Moore
Pusha T and Malice of Clipse
Their return with Let God Sort Em Out, produced entirely by longtime collaborator Pharrell Williams, has been met with universal acclaim, sparking “album-of-the-year conversations” according to Billboard. Malice attributes this reception to its undeniable impact: “it’s unanimous; it’s the consensus. Everywhere we go, people keep saying it.” Pusha T added that the response is “a testament of what we put into the music,” emphasizing the “level of precision” and “expertise” in their latest creation.
The Grammy Pursuit: A ‘Full-Circle Moment’ for Street Hip-Hop
Despite being consistently ranked among the greatest hip-hop duos by publications like Billboard and Complex, and Pusha T accumulating six solo Grammy nominations, a Grammy award has eluded Clipse. Their joint nomination for Justin Timberlake’s “Like I Love You” in 2003 remains their only shared nod. Now, with the undeniable success of Let God Sort Em Out, the duo is making their Grammy aspirations clear.
Malice calls the Grammys “definitely the high-water mark for musical achievement,” asserting that “you don’t play the game just to get a participation trophy.” Pusha T frames a potential win as “a well-deserved full-circle moment” and “a win for just brotherhood,” but also something much larger. He views it as a crucial recognition for street hip-hop, drawing a parallel to Jay-Z’s Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life, which also garnered significant acclaim. “This is where I always want to see rap. I want to see street hip-hop recognized on every platform,” Pusha T told People.
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Pusha T and No Malice of Clipse perform at Roots Picnic in Philadelphia in June 2025
The duo rejects the notion of rap as a “young man’s sport,” with Malice stating, “we never believed in that.” He points to other genres where artists perform into their 70s, citing The Rolling Stones and KISS. “We’re showing those that came before us and those that come after us that it can be done and it should be done,” he added, holding up the banner for “purist” street hip-hop.
Inspiring a Generation: Clipse’s Enduring Influence
The influence of Clipse stretches across generations of artists. Tyler, the Creator, a vocal admirer, once referred to them as his “DNA” at a Madison Square Garden show. Pusha T acknowledged this connection, noting that Tyler’s “passion” for the Star Trak movement and their music is palpable in his work. “Tyler is a real student of the game,” Pusha T noted, recognizing Clipse’s role in an “influential time” for him.
The duo’s recent activities underscore their elevated status. In an unprecedented move for hip-hop, Clipse became the first hip-hop act to perform at the Vatican, sharing their poignant song “The Birds Don’t Sing” with John Legend. Malice described it as a “moment, a world stage,” feeling “recognized” and appreciating the “articulation, I love the intellect, I love the sophistication” it brought to hip-hop, as reported by Consequence.net.
Behind the Rhymes: Journalism, Gaming, and Personal Tributes
Clipse’s album rollout for Let God Sort Em Out was as meticulously crafted as their lyrics. They deliberately engaged with music journalists, a conscious effort to “recreate the talk” and “spark the nostalgia” of in-depth hip-hop discourse, as Pusha T explained to People. This bold strategy, allowing their music to be scrutinized, demonstrated their confidence in the project: “We weren’t running from anything,” Malice affirmed.
Their lyrical prowess remains sharp, weaving in personal and cultural touchstones. References to classic video games like “Contra” and “Luigi” punctuate their verses, adding a “colorful” and entertaining layer that invites listeners to “dig deep,” as Pusha T described. Malice echoed this, recalling how such lines can take a writer “back to childhood,” reminiscent of classic hip-hop storytelling like GZA’s “I Gotcha Back”.
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Clipse perform at the Vatican during the Grace for the World concert in September 2025
One of the most poignant tracks on the album, “The Birds Don’t Sing,” serves as a deeply personal tribute to their late parents. Pharrell Williams has expressed his desire for Clipse to perform this song at the 2026 Grammy Awards, hoping it could be a moment to “bring it home for our parents.” Malice shared the profound impact of the song, noting how it has given “language to people who were grieving and they just couldn’t express it.” He sees their parents “still giving” even from beyond, making a Grammy win a “definite honor and tribute” to them.
For Malice, the power of manifestation and speaking goals into existence is paramount. Referencing scripture, he believes in the profound truth that “as a man thinketh, so is he.” This philosophy underpins Clipse’s journey, transforming obstacles like past label disputes—which even saw Pusha T pay a seven-figure sum to secure their release from Def Jam prior to their new album—into opportunities for renewed faith in their music. As fans anticipate the upcoming Grammy season, the collective hope is that Clipse will finally receive the ultimate recognition for their enduring impact on hip-hop culture.
