Who I Am
by Pusha T (featuring Big Sean & 2 Chainz)

Album: My Name Is My Name (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This banger finds Pusha declaring that he just "wanna be who I am." He is joined by 2 Chainz and Big Sean, as the trio each drop a verse. The song was released as the second single from My Name Is My Name.
  • Both this song and the album title reference a scene in The Wire where Marlo Stanfield says, "my name is my name," meaning his name is his reputation and his reputation is everything. "He was just basically saying, 'I am who I am. This is what I got. I stand on my name. I live this,'" Pusha explained to Hip Hop Since 1987. "And if you know anything about his character, he's young, brash, amongst a lot of heavyweights."

    "But he didn't care about any of the past or history," Pusha continued. "He was like, 'Man, I'm out here to get my money at all costs. No rules, no regulations. I'm here to compete.' I just felt like that really embodied my presence in the rap game."
  • Kanye West and his live band member/co-producer Mano's beat features hard guitar riffs and a pulsating bass. Pusha admitted during an interview with Charlotte's Power 98 that it was a track he had to wrestle away from West. "This record, man, I'm going to be honest. I had to fight and steal this record from 'Ye," the Clipse rapper explained. "I heard the record and I loved it, and he called to tell me he wasn't going to be able to give me the record. I ran in the studio real quick and laid a verse to it. I was like, 'Nah, this is my record already. I already rapped to it. What are you talking about?' We just went back and forth, and he ended up giving me the record... It's just that energy I'm trying to bring back to the streets."
  • West and Mano sampled London experimental pop musician Kwes' song "LGOYH."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.