Fun fact: No Malice and Pusha T are not twins.

One of the greatest hip-hop albums ever made is Clipse’s Lord Willin’. If you disagree, feel free to argue with a wall. While part of my bias stems from the fact that they’re from Virginia, the other part is justified by the sheer excellence of the project: razor-sharp raps backed by The Neptunes’ iconic production. Nearly 25 years after that legendary debut, Clipse are back — and they haven’t missed a step. Today, they released their new single, “Ace Trumpets.” It’s their first since 2020.

If you’re not in a high tax bracket, this one might fly over your head. “Ace Trumpets” is drenched in opulence — from designer shopping sprees to iced-out diamonds to luxury-loving women. Of course, no Clipse song is complete without a healthy dose of drug talk and elite-level lyricism. They even throw a few subliminal jabs, with possible shots aimed at Kanye, and offer competitive bars that feel like a warning to their peers.

What makes this comeback so special is that they sound just like they did in the early 2000s — polished, hungry, and in sync. Pusha T delivers his lines with signature sarcasm and swagger, while No Malice keeps it steady with his grounded, head-down flow. Together, they make “Ace Trumpets” feel like a proper return to form.

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Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.