Most autobiographies are nothing more than somnolent diatribes about how great someone’s life was. They double as expensive sleeping pills—and lousy pillows. When someone can tell his or her life story in a compelling way, it’s laudable. When someone can tell that story and have you nodding your head to a Neptunes beat, then you have something else.

Remember “Grindin’”? If you’re over the age of 12 and are a hip-hop head like the GOB, you likely remember that classic track, which featured memorable verses—featuring dozens of slightly veiled allusions to slinging— and arguably the best hip-hop beat ever. The sincere authenticity and tightly wound lyricism of both brothers, Malice and Pusha T, made The Clipse recognizable on that track and their other Neptunes collaborations. They give almost equal sides to the glamor and the terror that are the drug game of Virginia. If you want a five-minute recap of the entire Wire series, listen to “Door Man.“

Having signed to Ye’s G.O.O.D. label as a solo artist, I wondered if Pusha T would be able to stand on his own, apart from his brother’s lyrics and wit as well as apart from the friendly confines of the Star Trak’s enterprises. Fear of God proves that he can and will thrive riding solo. He just doesn’t miss on any verse— rather he doesn’t miss on any line. He’s at his strongest when he’s rapping about the similar themes that made him a star with The Clipse (e.g., cooking, dealing and buying coke). I recommend “My God,” “Feeling Myself,” and “Raid,” which includes a single-worthy hook by Pharrell.

The best hip-hop album I’ve heard this year, Fear of God is worth the download and full listen.

Score: 7.5 out of 10 THUNDERSTICKS

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Now playing: Pusha T – I Still Wanna Rock feat Rick Ross & Ab
via FoxyTunes