"Diet Coke" is a song by American rapperPusha T. It was released on February 8, 2022 as the lead single from his fourth studio albumIt's Almost Dry (2022). Produced byKanye West and88-Keys, the song referencescocaine anddrug dealing.
| "Diet Coke" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byPusha T | ||||
| from the albumIt's Almost Dry | ||||
| Released | February 8, 2022 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 2:59 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Pusha T singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Diet Coke" onYouTube | ||||
Background
editOn February 7, 2022, 88-Keys revealed that he produced the instrumental of the song in 2004, as an interlude for his beat tape,The Makings of Crack-Cocaine.[1]
The cover art of the single was designed bySterling Ruby. It shows a "mash-up of melting faces with crude metallic letters" spelling "Diet Coke".[2]
Composition and lyrics
editThe song begins with a sample of rapperFat Joe yelling, "Yesterday's price is not today's price".[3] Over a piano-drivenboom bap beat,[4][5] Pusha T raps about selling cocaine and references his tough upbringing: "Imaginary players ain't been coached right / Master recipes under stove lights / The number on this jersey is the quote price / You ordered Diet Coke, that's a joke, right?"[5][6][7] He declares his appreciation for Kanye West as well ("Far as I'm concerned, who's the best? Me and Yezos").[8]
Critical reception
editComplex writers Eric Skelton, Andre Gee and Jessica McKinney positively reviewed the song. Skelton and McKinney praised the beat, while Gee praised how Pusha T raps only about one topic and can "still come off sounding fresh". All three writers also expressed approval toward how Pusha does notdiss rapperDrake in the song.[9]
Music video
editThe music video was released on February 8, 2022. It was shot in black-and-white and directed by Omar Jones.[10][11] It sees Pusha T rapping as Kanye West dances in the white background, and reclining on a sofa.[10]
Live performances
editPusha T first unveiled the song during a performance atNigo's Kenzo Paris Fashion Week show in January 2022.[12] In March 2022, he performed the song atThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert.[13]
Remixes
editAmerican rappersJim Jones andFabolous released a freestyle of the song on February 16, 2022.[14]
Charts
edit| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[15] | 93 |
| South Africa (TOSAC)[16] | 88 |
| USBubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[17] | 4 |
| USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] | 43 |
References
edit- ^Saponara, Michael (2022-02-08)."Producer 88-Keys Reveals 18-Year-Old Origin Of Pusha T's 'Diet Coke' Beat".HipHopDX.
- ^Wolf, Cam (2022-02-10)."Pusha T's "Diet Coke" Heats Up the Designer Album Cover Trend".GQ.
- ^Strauss, Matthew (2022-02-08)."Pusha T and Kanye West Share Video for New Song "Diet Coke"".Pitchfork.
- ^"Pusha T Returns with New Single 'Diet Coke'".Rap-Up. February 7, 2022.
- ^abBreihan, Tom (2022-02-08)."Pusha T Releases Hard New Single "Diet Coke": Listen".Stereogum.
- ^Li, Nicolaus (2022-02-08)."Pusha T Drops "Diet Coke," Produced by Kanye and 88-Keys".Hypebeast.
- ^Aderoju, Darlene (February 8, 2022)."Pusha T Releases 'Diet Coke' After Collaborating With Ye: Stream It Now".Billboard.
- ^Callas, Brad (February 7, 2022)."Listen to Pusha-T's New Song "Diet Coke" Produced by Kanye West and 88-Keys".Complex.
- ^Skelton, Eric; Gee, Andre; McKinney, Jessica (February 8, 2022)."First Impressions of Pusha-T's New Song "Diet Coke"".Complex. Retrieved2022-03-13.
- ^abGallagher, Alex (2022-02-08)."Pusha T returns with Kanye-produced new single 'Diet Coke'".NME.
- ^Wu, Ashley Shannon (2022-02-08)."Pusha T and Ye Share a Dance in the Void for 'Diet Coke'".Vulture.
- ^Brown, Preezy (2022-02-08)."Watch: Pusha T's "Diet Coke" Music Video".Vibe.
- ^Pusha T "Diet Coke", March 4, 2022
- ^Walker, Joe (2022-02-17)."Pusha T Co-Signs Jim Jones & Fabolous' 'Diet Coke' Freestyle - Despite Dipset Rapper's Slander".HipHopDX.
- ^"Pusha T Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)".Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- ^"Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 17-2022".The Official South African Charts. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^"Pusha T Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)".Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- ^"Pusha T Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)".Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2022.