BACK TO THE GRIND

The Clipse broke up when a spiritual path called to one of the brothers from Virginia. Now, one of the greatest duos in rap returns

- ANDRE GEE

In Norfolk, Virginia, a medium-size city teeming with unassuming single-family townhouses, homes and Pusha T's contemporary pad looks airlifted from the Hollywood Hills. With a waterfront view, large glass windows inviting in natural light, and state-of-the-art interior design, it's as if the architects asked him for inspiration and the self-proclaimed merchant of "high-taste level, luxury, drug raps" gave them a playlist of his songs.

He greets me at the door wearing a black Tiffany & Co. football jersey and fuzzy black Louis Vuitton boot slippers the newly appointed Louis Vuitton brand ambassador is repping his old friend Pharrell Williams' Spring/Summer '24 collection strongly. While walking around the sprawling home's woodpanel floors, I'm being vetted by his dog, Widdle, though Pusha, 47, has his doubts about Widdle's commitment to the job: "You not barking?" he says to his pet in mock disappointment. When we get to the dining room, he invites me to share some catered West Indian food with his manager, Kevin, and his photographer, Brendan, as we wait for his brother, Malice, 52, to arrive.

The conversation is casual as I munch on oxtail, macaroni and cheese, and cabbage it's so good that I'd have got seconds if I didn't have to do an interview right afterwards. After about 20 minutes, Malice shows up. The energy stays light as he greets everyone and sits at the long dining table. Kevin jokes with him about breaking his strict diet to grab some jerk chicken and oxtail, but Malice isn't partaking. "No, I'm ready for the interview," he says.