"Pushin P" (stylized as "pushin P") is a song by American rappersGunna,Future, andYoung Thug. It was released on January 7, 2022, as the second track from Gunna's third studio albumDS4Ever. The "hypnotic",alliterative track finds the trio rapping about "pushin p", which is a phrase popularized by Gunna that means to "keep it real". The track was regarded by some critics as a standout fromDS4Ever, and became the album's highest-charting track, debuting at number seven on theBillboard Hot 100.
"Pushin P" | |
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Song byGunna andFuture featuringYoung Thug | |
from the albumDS4Ever | |
Released | January 7, 2022 |
Studio | Art Basel, Miami[1] |
Length | 2:16 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
|
Music video | |
Pushin P onYouTube | |
Background
editWith the song's release, the phrase "pushin P" became a trend online,[2][3] with social media users posting blueemojis, and the context being that either something is "P", or it is not. This was developed through Gunna posting about "pushing P" online, prior to the song's release; "P" stands for "Pimp" or “Playa”, meaning to "keep it real". Gunna detailed that when something is not "P", it has negative connotations, and vice versa. He also stated that for him it was initially a substitution for the word "pleas", however its definition is open to interpretation, as Gunna clarified: "P means paperwork, too. You can be pushing this P with paper". He further explained the slight difference between "kicking P" and "pushing P": "If you're in this [mansion] and it's rented, then you're kicking P. But if you buy this shit and you own it, then you're really pushing P". A week afterDS4Ever's release, Gunna kept the momentum of the trend going, changing the title of hisDrake collaboration from "Pussy Power" to "P Power".[3] According toComplex's Eric Skelton, although the phrase was popularized "in the mainstream" by Gunna, it had been used as a term in American regions like theBay Area andTexas for years.[3] After some Bay Area natives accused Gunna of "stealing" the term, he seemingly responded, claiming that his father introduced him to the saying.[4] In the 2023YSLRICO trial, Brian Steel,Young Thug's defense attorney, stated that "pushin P" stands for "pushing positivity."[5][6]
Composition
edit"Pushin P" is a "hypnotic" track that sees the rappers delivering "intoxicating" flows,[7] chanting "numb and muddy good-life fatalism over downtuned violin-hums and understated drum-spatters and eerie synth-tinkles".[8] The song contains similar alliteration; lines about pushing things that start with the letter P.[9]The Focus's Bruno Cooke noted how some words are deliberately misspelled, for instance the line "She not a lesbian, for P, she turn Pesbian". Cooke opined: "Overall, it's pretty clear that, at least in the context of the song, 'P' stands for a vulgar slang word for a woman's genitals". Furthermore, the song consists of various references to sexual acts and illegal drugs.[10]Complex's Eric Skelton opined that the song is "basically just a chance for Gunna, Future, and Thug to pack a ludicrous amount of P-words into a single song",[3] whileUproxx's Aaron Williams said the trio employs "a slurred, foggy take on the old-school in-and-out, pass-the-mic flow".[11]Exclaim!'s Michael Di Gennaro labeled the song "dark and brooding", calling it a display "of a master at work, someone who knows exactly the type of emotional reaction he wants to get from his audience and how to reach it".[12]
Critical reception
editComplex's Jessica McKinney praised Future for being "the glue that keeps the track together, delivering ad-libs and plenty of swagger on the chorus".[7]Stereogum's Tom Breihan called it a standout track on the album, stating that the song "sounds like blissfully plummeting down an abyss, secure in the feeling that you'll never hit the bottom".[8] Tomás Mier ofRolling Stone also named it one of the standout tracks onDS4Ever.[9] Jordan Darville ofThe Fader called it one of the best tracks on the album, while quipping: "There's still no explanation of Thug's 'I just fucked a cup of water' bar, but some things are too magical to be fully explained".[13]Revolt's Jon Powell called it a "hard-hitting number".[14]Consequence's Eddie Fu named it the rap song of the week, highlighting Future and Thug's "toxic bars over icy production from Juke Wong and Wheezy". Fu also called Thug's "fucked a cup of water" line bizarre.[15] In their album review,Pitchfork's Alphonse Pierre wrote: "as forced as Gunnas new 'pushin' P' motto may be, the Wheezy instrumental it's laid over is so ominous it'll make the hairs stick up on the back of your neck. The middle section of the song, where Gunna raps gibberish for a moment, is the most fun he's having on the entire album".[16] With the album's release,Billboard's Jason Lipshutz said the song "arrives early in the track list as a de facto breakout single from the project".[17]
Commercial performance
editFor the week of January 22, 2022, "Pushin P" debuted at number seven of theBillboard Hot 100, garnering 22.5 million streams and debuting at number two on theStreaming Songs chart. It marked Gunna's first top 10 debut, and his third top 10 entry, following "Drip Too Hard" and "Lemonade" withInternet Money. Future and Young Thug also earned their fifth and sixth Hot 100 top 10s, respectively, and their second shared top 10, after Drake's chart-topping "Way 2 Sexy".[18]
Music video
editThe music video was released on January 12, 2022, directed by Caleb Jermale. It finds the rappers giving examples of what it means to "push p", as they are inside a club, luxury stores, a mansion, as they board private jets, and drop large amounts of cash at a strip club.[9][13][19]HipHopDX's Michael Saponara called the visual "lavish", noting how it follows the trio "taking over a South Beach party, shopping at Miami's designer store district with eye candy on their hip, and pouring up somelean without a worry in the world".[20] ActorDemetrius "Lil Meech" Flenory Jr. also makes a cameo appearance.[14]
Charts
editWeekly chartsedit
| Year-end chartsedit
|
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[48] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[49] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
South Africa (RISA)[50] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[51] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[52] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[53] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
edit- ^Saponara, Michael (January 7, 2022)."Wheezy on Producing Gunna's 'DS4Ever & Learning From Kanye West".Billboard. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^Barilla, Chris (January 13, 2022)."Rapper Gunna Gave a Breakdown of What "Pushin P" Means in His New Song of the Same Name".Distractify. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^abcdSkelton, Eric (January 14, 2022)."What Is P? Pushing P? Gunna's New Phrase, Explained".Complex. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^Zidel, Alex (January 17, 2022)."Gunna Allegedly Responds To Bay Area "Pushin P" Controversy".HotNewHipHop. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^Loh, Matthew (November 29, 2023)."Young Thug's defense lawyer said his name stands for 'Truly Humble Under God'".Business Insider. RetrievedDecember 2, 2023.
- ^Breihan, Tom (November 29, 2023)."Young Thug's Lawyer Defines "Pushin P" And "Thug" In RICO Trial Opening Statements".Stereogum. RetrievedDecember 2, 2023.
- ^abMcKinney, Jessica (January 7, 2022)."Best New Music This Week: The Weeknd, Gunna, Earl Sweatshirt, and More".Complex. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^abBreihan, Tom (January 11, 2022)."Gunna's New Album DS4Ever Is A Weirdo Trap Blockbuster".Stereogum. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^abcMier, Tomás (January 14, 2022)."Gunna, Future, and Young Thug Drop Cash at a Strip Club in 'Pushin P' Video".Rolling Stone. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^Cooke, Bruno (January 14, 2022)."P emoji meaning explained as Gunna pushes new singles".The Focus. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^Williams, Aarom (January 12, 2022)."Gunna Shines When He Branches Out On The Slickly-Executed 'DS4Ever'".Uproxx. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^Di Gennaro, Michael (January 12, 2022)."Gunna Is Best When He Stays in His Lane on 'DS4Ever'".Exclaim!. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^abDarville, Jordan (January 12, 2022)."Gunna, Young Thug, and Future share "pushin p" video".The Fader. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^abPowell, Jon (January 13, 2022)."Gunna, Young Thug, and Future are "pushin P" in new visual".Revolt. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^Fu, Eddie (January 7, 2022)."Rap Song of the Week: Gunna Establishes New Slang on "pushin P" with Future and Young Thug".Consequence. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^Pierre, Alphonse (January 14, 2022)."Gunna: DS4Ever Album Review".Pitchfork. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^Lipshitz, Jason (January 7, 2022)."First Stream: New Music From The Weeknd, Gunna, Maren Morris and More".Billboard. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^Trust, Gary (January 18, 2022)."Adele Holds Atop Billboard Hot 100, Gunna & Future, Gayle Hit Top 10".Billboard. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^Yaregal, Bizu (January 13, 2022)."Gunna Is "Pushin P" With Future & Young Thug In All-New Visuals - GRM Daily".GRM Daily. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^Saponara, Michael (January 12, 2022)."Gunna & Young Thug Release 'Pushin P' Video After Getting Kicked Off Private Flight".HipHopDX. RetrievedJanuary 18, 2022.
- ^"Gunna & Future feat. Young Thug – Pushin P".ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^"Gunna & Future feat. Young Thug – Pushin P" (in German).Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^"Gunna Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)".Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 5. týden 2022 in the date selector. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 5. týden 2022 in the date selector. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^"Gunna & Future feat. Young Thug – Pushin P" (in German).GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^"Gunna Chart History (Global 200)".Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^"Tónlistinn – Lög - Vika 4, 2022" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived fromthe original on January 31, 2022. RetrievedMay 15, 2022.
- ^"Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50".Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^"2022 6-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian).AGATA. February 11, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 11, 2022.
- ^"Gunna & Future feat. Young Thug – Pushin P" (in Dutch).Single Top 100. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^"NZ Top 40 Singles Chart".Recorded Music NZ. February 14, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 12, 2022.
- ^"ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202205 into search. RetrievedFebruary 7, 2022.
- ^"Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 02-2022".The Official South African Charts. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^"Veckolista Singlar, vecka 5".Sverigetopplistan. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2022.
- ^"Gunna & Future feat. Young Thug – Pushin P".Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
- ^"Official Singles Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^"Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50".Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^"Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40".Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
- ^"Gunna Chart History (Hot 100)".Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^"Gunna Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)".Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^"Gunna Chart History (Rhythmic)".Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
- ^"Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2022".Billboard. RetrievedDecember 2, 2022.
- ^"Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2022".Billboard. RetrievedDecember 2, 2022.
- ^"Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2022".Billboard. RetrievedDecember 2, 2022.
- ^"Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2022".Billboard. RetrievedDecember 2, 2022.
- ^"Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2022".Billboard. RetrievedDecember 2, 2022.
- ^"Canadian single certifications – Gunna – Pushin P (feat. Future & Young Thug)".Music Canada. RetrievedJune 25, 2024.
- ^"New Zealand single certifications – Gunna and Future feat. Young Thug – Pushin P". Radioscope. RetrievedFebruary 6, 2025.TypePushin P in the "Search:" field.
- ^"South Africa certifications".Recording Industry of South Africa. RetrievedFebruary 6, 2025.
- ^"The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Pushin P')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
- ^"British single certifications – Gunna/Future/Young Thug – Pushin P".British Phonographic Industry. RetrievedJanuary 19, 2023.
- ^"American single certifications – Gunna & Future – Pushin P (feat. Young Thug)".Recording Industry Association of America. RetrievedOctober 29, 2022.
External links
edit- Lyric video on YouTube