To say that King Push is trying to come back with a vengeance after the sterling critical acclaim of last years’ My Name Is My Name would be one hell of an understatement. Basically, you can still feel the hunger and desire in both Pusha’s voice and Kanye’s unorthodox, bouncy production on “Lunch Money.” The take-no-prisoners attitude works almost too well for the Virginia native as he disrespectfully elbows his way back into the conversation of top-five dead or alive and arrogantly murders Kanye’s skillfully crafted, almost extraterrestrial beat. Lines like “pocket give me everything I want/ride around with Miguel Cotto in the trunk” and “this is crime by design/if the crown ain’t mine, tell me who am I behind” give point blank proof that Pusha is gunning for more than just being the current crown prince of Coke rap: he wants both that and the title of “best rapper alive” all to himself.

– Ron Grant