Pusha T Puts Aside The D-Boy Raps & Gives Gorillaz A Powerful Conscious Verse (Audio)

Over the years, Gorillaz, the virtual band created by the UK’s Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, have pushed the boundaries of creativity. Conceptually and visually, the group is comprised of four members, who exist solely in animated form– 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs–and belong to an entirely fictional universe. Sonically, they’ve been no less adventurous, having forged collaborations with De La Soul, Del The Funky Homosapien, DOOM, Roots Manuva, Snoop Dogg, Mos Def and more, over the years, and those are just the Hip-Hop features…

Gorillaz – DoYaThing ft Andre 3000 and James Murphy

As they prepare their forthcoming fifth album, the ironically titled Humanz, Gorillaz are as daring as ever. Today (April 6), they have premiered their newest track via Beats 1, and it features vocals from Pusha T and legendary Soul singer, Mavis Staples. Titled “Let Me Out,” the song is part Hip-Hop, part EDM, part Gospel, and all good. Pusha kicks things off with his trademark merciless flow, as he tees up a hook by Staples that is emotive, yet restrained.

Pusha departs from his typical D-boy topics, to spit something more conscious. He opens with “Mama, they tried my patience. Obama is gone, who is left to save us? So together we mourn. I’m praying for my neighbors. They say the devil’s at work and Trump is calling favors. You say I’m dangerous. I speak for the nameless. I fly with the vultures. I be with them bangers.” Later in the song, Pusha raps “Look into my eyes, mama, tell me what you see. Tell me there’s a chance for me to make it off the streets. Tell me that I won’t die at the hands of the police. Promise me I won’t outlive my nephew and my niece.” Staples re-affirms his weighty message with a chorus where she sings “You got to die a little if you wanna live” and “Change come to pass. You’d best be ready for it.”

In speaking with Beats’ Zane Lowe, Damon Albarn said that he already had an additional 22 songs since finishing the album. Humanz will be released on April 28.