[Album Review] “Hell Hath No Fury” by Clipse
Rap duo Clipse’s sophomore album still holds up 14 years after its initial release. With unmatched chemistry between the two brothers and timeless production from the Neptunes, Hell Hath No Fury has remained a true classic throughout the years.
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Two brothers Gene Thornton and Terrence Thornton, also known as Malice and Pusha T respectively, branded together under the name Clipse in 1992. The duo had their breakthrough with their debut album Lord Willin’ on which appeared their biggest hit Grindin. Following their first album, the duo had a label dispute which halted the process of Hell Hath No Fury. After multiple delays, the album was finally released on November 27, 2016.
Track List :
- We Got It For Cheap
- Momma I’m So Sorry
- Mr. Me Too
- Wamp Wamp (What It Do)
- Ride Around Shining
- Dirty Money
- Hello New World
- Keys Open Doors
- Ain’t Cha
- Trill
- Chinese New Year
- Nightmares
Hell Hath No Fury is an incredibly engaging album from start to finish, packed with slick flows, glitzy coke talk and classy production from the Neptunes. The intro, “We Got It For Cheap” sets the tone of the album immediately, with both rappers spitting detailed and unapologetically braggadocious bars about dealing cocaine and enjoying the luxury their new-found fame has provided. On this track and many others on the album, Pusha gives the impression of the flashier one between the two, never shying away from the spoils of fame whereas Malice usually tends to come across as the more vulnerable half of the duo.
“And to little brother Terrence who I love dearly so
We Got It For Cheap
If ever I had millions, never would you push blow, never”
The streak of highlights continue throughout the following tracks. On “Momma I’m So Sorry” and “Hello New World” Malice and Pusha are all about union, rallying the D-boys to put their differences aside to come together as one so they can all succeed. And what helped shape the sound and aesthetic of Hell Hath No Fury apart from the brothers’ obvious talent as lyricists and chemistry is none other than Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo’s instrumentals. The Neptunes’ unique production with its distorted synths and glamorous, somewhat dreamy piano lines on tracks like “Ride Around Shining” make a perfect atmosphere for the duo to come through with their gritty lyricism. The fast cars, the money, the women and the flashy clothes continue to be what Pusha and Malice’s verses are centered around but both artists’ depiction of life in their lane go beyond just the glamour, themes such as the paranoia and remnants of the stress they felt during their days as drug dealers are always hinted towards if not thoroughly explored.
Clipse’s honesty and genuineness is perhaps the biggest selling point of the album. They are anything but apologetic about being themselves and it is made more than clear that they do not mess with some of their contemporaries that bite their unique style as “Mr.Me Too” is a jab towards the many Clipse copycats at that time. The album barely has any weak moments, the double entendres, the quality verses and the quality production never seems to let up during its 48-minute runtime. The final track, Nightmares, is a fantastic closer for the album. It’s a track that essentially delves deeper into the themes of paranoia and fear that were previously explored on earlier tracks, though of course, not as intimately as on here.
Hell Hath No Fury is without a doubt, Clipse’s Magnum Opus and it is essential in that it’s a record that elevated the sound of coke rap and also shaped the solo musical journey of Pusha T, who is easily one of the most respected Hip-Hop artists today.
Rating : A+
Hell Hath No Fury contains tracks written by Malice, Pusha T and production by the Neptunes. It is now available for purchase both digitally and physically.
