Clipse is a critically acclaimed Virginia Beach, Virginia-based hip
hop duo. Formed in 1992 by brothers Malice (Born Gene Thornton
in 1973) and Pusha T (Born Terrence Thornton in 1977), the group
is affiliated with production team The Neptunes.
The Thornton brothers were born in The Bronx, New York City and
raised in Norfolk, Virginia. They formed the group Jarvis in 1992,
and were introduced to Pharrell Williams, one half of the production
team The Neptunes, in 1993. Impressed with their lyrical talents,
Williams formed a working relationship with the duo. He eventually
helped them secure a recording contract with Elektra Records in 1997.
Under Elektra, and with The Neptunes handling its production, Clipse
recorded its debut album, Exclusive Audio Footage. The group's first
single, "The Funeral", helped to generate fan interest
in the album, but failed to make a significant commercial impact.
With "The Funeral" deemed a failure, Exclusive Audio Footage
itself was shelved indefinitely. Clipse was released from its record
contract shortly thereafter.[2][3]
[edit] Lord Willin' (2001–2002)
In early 2001, Williams signed the duo to Arista Records through
his recently established Star Trak Entertainment imprint. Clipse
released its commercial debut Lord Willin' on August 20, 2002. The
album opened at #1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-hop Album chart
and #4 on the Billboard Hot 200, fueled by the strength of the first
two singles, "Grindin'" and "When the Last Time",
which peaked at #30 and #19 respectively on the Billboard Hot 100.
Third single "Ma, I Don't Love Her" (featuring Faith Evans)
was a modest hit, reaching #86 on the Hot 100. On October 1, 2002—only
a month after its release—Lord Willin' was certified gold by
the RIAA.[4] Clipse made another dent in the rap music world that
year by providing rhymes for Justin Timberlake's first solo single, "Like
I Love You," another Neptunes-produced crossover radio hit,
as well as "What Happened to That Boy" with Birdman. Pusha
T featured in singer Nivea's 2nd single Run Away (I Wanna Be with
U) which peaked at #47 in Australia
[edit] Hell Hath No Fury (2003–2006)
In late 2003, Clipse began recording material for its second album,
Hell Hath No Fury. However, further work on the album ground to a
halt in 2004, when Arista Records's urban artists were absorbed its
sister label Jive Records as part of a larger merger between Sony
Music Entertainment and BMG. Due to contractual requirements, Clipse
was forced to stay on Jive, while Star Trak and the rest of its roster
moved to a new home at Interscope Records.
While Clipse resumed work on the album, and eventually finished
its recording, the duo became increasingly frustrated with Jive,
as the label overlooked it in favor of the more pop-oriented acts
on its roster, which caused numerous delays in the release of Hell
Hath No Fury. As delays continued, the group asked for a formal release
from its contract. When Jive refused to grant this request, the duo
sued the label. While the litigation took place, Clipse released
new mats' We Got It 4 Cheap mixtape series, which featured Clipse
and two Philadelphia rappers: long-time friend Ab-Liva (of Major
Figgas) and newcomer Sandman, known collectively as "The Re-Up
Gang".
On May 9, 2006, Clipse finally reached an agreement with Jive Records
to release the album through its own label, Re-Up Records, along
with Jive.[5] After two more changes in its release date (originally
August 29 and then October 31) Hell Hath No Fury was finally released
on November 28, 2006. It spawned two singles: "Mr. Me Too" with
Pharrell Williams and "Wamp Wamp (What It Do)" with Slim
Thug. While the album received a great deal of critical acclaim,
its sales were modest, at 78,000 in the first week. The hip hop magazine
XXL gave the album a "XXL" rating, marking it as a five-star
album. Only five albums had previously received that honor. In 2010,
Rhapsody (online music service) named the album one of the top coke-rap
albums of all time.[6]
[edit] Columbia Records (2007–present)
Pusha T and Malice of Clipse performing with Ab-Liva from the Re-Up
Gang.
In a May 19, 2007 interview with Eye Weekly, Clipse revealed that
the group had been officially released from its recording contract
with Jive.[7] After this, the duo began discussions with several
record labels, eventually signing with Columbia Records on October
26, 2007.[8] On August 8, 2008, the duo released the Re-Up Gang's
self-titled debut studio album through Koch Records. The album's
first single, "Fast Life", was produced by Scott Storch.
The single was originally slated for the duo's third album, but they
felt it would be better used for the Re-Up Gang album. Only Malice
and Pusha-T appear on the track. After the release, Sandman left
the group.
In November 2008, Clipse announced the launch of their fashion line,
Play Cloths.[9] A mixtape called Road to Till the Casket Drops was
released on December 1, 2008 in promotion of the line.
The follow-up to Hell Hath No Fury, titled Til the Casket Drops,
was released in December 2009.[10] In a departure from the group's
previous works, which only featured production from the Neptunes,
the album features production from Sean "Diddy" Combs'
production team The Hitmen, and DJ Khalil.[11] The album did not
fare as well commercially as the group's first two albums, peaking
at #41 on the Billboard Hot 200 albums chart. At a concert on April
30, 2010, Malice announced that he and Pusha T will release solo
albums later in the year. As of September 12, 2010, Pusha T has confirmed
to MTV that he has signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music label. [12][13]
Pusha T released his mixtape 'Fear of God' in March 2011.[14]
In 2010, B.F. Goodrich launched a series of tire commercials starring
snowboarder Shaun White and featuring the track "Young Boy" from
Lord Willin'. The ads prominently highlight the lyric, "I'ma
tell you what I'm talkin' 'bout."
[edit] Discography
Main article: Clipse discography
1999: Exclusive Audio Footage
2002: Lord Willin'
2006: Hell Hath No Fury
2009: Til the Casket Drops
[edit] Awards and Nominations
Hip-Hop Nation Awards
(2002) Best Rap Song with Group "When the last time" ft.
Pharrell & Kelis – Nominated
(2002) Best New Artist – Nominated
(2006) Best Rap Song with Group "Mr. Me Too" ft. Pharrell – Nominated