Pusha T

Terrence LeVarr Thornton, professionally known as Pusha T, is an American rapper. He first gained national prominence as one half of the Virginia-based hip hop duo Clipse alongside his older brother, Gene Thornton Jr., who performed as Malice. He later established a solo career, releasing multiple top-charting studio albums and serving as a record executive.

Thornton was born on May 13, 1977, in the Bronx borough of New York City to Gene and Mildred Thornton. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he was raised alongside his brother. As teenagers, both brothers were involved in selling drugs before deciding to pursue careers in music.

In 1992, Thornton and his brother began pursuing hip hop, formally establishing Clipse in 1994. Discovered by producer Pharrell Williams, the duo signed with Star Trak Entertainment in 2001. Initially performing under the stage name Terrar before changing it to Pusha T, Thornton released three studio albums with Clipse: Lord Willin' in 2002, Hell Hath No Fury in 2006, and Til the Casket Drops in 2009. The duo achieved commercial recognition driven by Billboard Hot 100 top 40 singles such as "Grindin'" and "When the Last Time." Clipse also launched their own label imprint, Re-Up Records, and formed the group Re-Up Gang in 2004 during contractual disputes with Jive Records.

Following Clipse's indefinite hiatus in 2010, Thornton launched his solo career. After appearing on Kanye West's 2010 single "Runaway," he signed with West's GOOD Music label, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings. In 2011, he released his debut solo mixtape, Fear of God, followed by the extended play Fear of God II: Let Us Pray, which debuted at number 66 on the Billboard 200. During this period, he also acted in the second season of the HBO television series How to Make It in America.

Thornton released his debut solo studio album, My Name Is My Name, in October 2013 following his 2013 mixtape Wrath of Caine. Executive produced by West, the album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200. He followed this with King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude in 2015, which reached number 20, and Daytona in 2018, which peaked at number three. In 2022, Thornton released his fourth studio album, It's Almost Dry, which became his first project to debut atop the Billboard 200.

Beyond performing, West appointed Thornton as president of GOOD Music in 2015, a role he held until departing the label in 2022. In 2020, Thornton founded the record label Heir Wave Music Group to support Virginia-based artists. Three years after leaving GOOD Music, he parted ways with Def Jam Recordings due to creative disagreements.

Over his career, Thornton has won a Grammy Award from 11 nominations. Clipse later reunited to self-release their fourth studio album, Let God Sort Em Out, in 2025, which peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200.