Tell The Vision
by Pop Smoke (featuring Kanye West & Pusha T)

Album: Faith (2021)
Charted: 55 49
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Kanye West and Pusha T join Pop Smoke on this track recorded for his second posthumous album, Faith.

    West utters the opening lines of the intro, in which he talks about Pop's vision and how there was something different about him. It then segues into a clip from The Angie Martinez Show when the radio presenter paid tribute to Pop on the day of his sudden death. She laments the late rapper's passing at age 20 when he was "well on his way."

    Smoke, then Pusha T, take over; they both rap celebratory verses about how they made it in the rap game.
  • Kanye West originally intended "Tell The Vision" for his Donda album and eventually recorded an alternative version for the record. He tweaked the beat and cut out Pusha T's verse.
  • Look, Tyler got the album of the year, for now
    But Pop about to drop, I see the Platinum in the clouds
    Now Push about to drop, so real trappers stick around
    The crown is only for the king, they tryna place it on a clown


    Pusha evidently wrote and recorded his verse shortly before Pop Smoke's people dropped Faith. He declares Tyler, The Creator's Call Me If You Get Lost the "album of the year, for now," before implying that the title now belongs to Pop Smoke's record. Tyler dropped Call Me If You Get Lost on June 25, 2021, just three weeks before the release of Faith.
  • This marks the first time either Kanye West or Pusha T collaborated on disc with Pop Smoke. Pusha T did contribute to the original version of "Paranoia" included as part of Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon's deluxe edition. The Virginia rapper appeared to take shots at Drake during his verse, which Young Thug, who also featured on the track, took exception to. Ultimately, Pusha asked Pop's manager, Steve Victor, to remove him from the song.

    Kanye West and Pusha T have worked together numerous times throughout their careers. In 2018 Yeezy produced Pusha's entire Daytona album.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.