Pusha-T on Artists Taking Advantage of Kanye’s Efforts to Clear Samples

Fresh off the release of his new album, It’s Almost Dry, Pusha-T sat down with Vulture’s Craig Jenkins to discuss a variety of topics, including the lengths to which Kanye West will go in order to get samples cleared.

“If you know anything about working with Kanye, it’s that it’s a very, very, very tough, tedious, annoying process about the samples,” Pusha explained. “I’ve never seen people take advantage of a situation like they do when it comes to clearing samples for this guy. I tried to hide the fact he’s involved. As soon as his name comes up, it’s time to take him to the cleaners.”

Push continued, “It’s the most unfair shit I’ve ever seen. It’s almost like they know he literally doesn’t give a fuck. He’ll be like, ‘Okay, well, great. They want 97 percent of the record. Give it to them! I want the record.’ People come up with the most outlandish rates and numbers. It has to be a known thing throughout the industry. It has to be! He’s such a fucking artist. He just wants what he wants, and that’s it. The end-all, be-all is to get the song.”

Released last Friday, Pusha T’s latest full-length offering features several tracks produced by Kanye, including standouts such as “Dreamin of the Past” and “Rock N Roll,” as well as the No Malice-featuring closer, “I Pray For You.”