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| Clipse | |
|---|---|
| Name | Clipse |
| Origin | Virginia Beach, Virginia |
| Genres | Hip hop music, Gangsta rap, East Coast hip hop |
| Years active | 1992–2010, 2016 |
| Labels | Arista Records, Re-Up Records, Star Trak Entertainment, Jive Records |
| Associated acts | The Neptunes, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, No Malice |
Clipse Clipse were an American hip hop duo from Virginia Beach, Virginia consisting of brothers Pusha T and No Malice. Emerging in the 1990s, they gained prominence through associations with The Neptunes, Pharrell Williams, and the Star Trak Entertainment label, releasing critically acclaimed albums that intersected with trends in East Coast hip hop and Gangsta rap. Their career involved label disputes with Arista Records and later work on Re-Up Records, influencing later artists and producers across Def Jam Recordings, GOOD Music, and indie hip hop circles.
Formed in the early 1990s in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the duo began recording during a period marked by releases from Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, and contemporaneous movements like G-Funk and Southern hip hop. Early collaborations with producers led them to work with The Neptunes and Pharrell Williams, facilitating connections to Arista Records and appearances alongside artists signed to Arista and Jive Records. Their debut era overlapped with label conflicts similar to those experienced by Prince and George Michael, leading to delays, shelved projects, and eventual independent reconfigurations through Re-Up Records and partnerships with Island Def Jam Music Group. Over time they released seminal projects amid tours with acts linked to Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and festival appearances alongside performers like Outkast and The Roots.
Their sound combined lyricism influenced by peers such as Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Rakim, and KRS-One with production aesthetics derived from The Neptunes, whose work with Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and Nelly exemplified a sparse, percussive approach. Themes drew comparisons to narratives explored by Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Scarface, and Mobb Deep, while their delivery and wordplay invited parallels with Lil Wayne, Eminem, and DMX. Production techniques reflected innovations practiced by Dr. Dre, Timbaland, J Dilla, and Madlib, blending minimalist beats and melodic hooks that resonated with audiences of College Radio, MTV, and streaming platforms affiliated with Spotify and Apple Music.
Their studio albums include records that documented transitions in the 2000s and 2010s amid releases from Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Key releases were issued during periods when contemporaries like 50 Cent, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Alicia Keys, and Beyoncé dominated charts. They issued projects distributed through Arista Records, Star Trak Entertainment, and later independent channels such as Re-Up Records, navigating an industry shaped by entities like Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment.
Critics from outlets historically covering Rolling Stone, The Source, XXL, Pitchfork, and NME analyzed their lyricism alongside artists such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Drake, and Method Man. Their influence is traceable in the work of rappers associated with GOOD Music, Maybach Music Group, Top Dawg Entertainment, and independent labels that followed the model of artist-producer collaboration epitomized by The Neptunes with Pharrell Williams and producers like Chad Hugo, No I.D., and Metro Boomin. Retrospectives in publications connected to Billboard and Vibe placed their albums in lists alongside classics by Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, and De La Soul.
Members - Pusha T (terrance thompson) - No Malice (gene thompson)
Collaborations included appearances and production ties with Pharrell Williams, The Neptunes, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Eminem, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell, M.I.A., Lil Jon, Timbaland, and features alongside vocalists such as Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, and groups like The Roots and Outkast. They worked in recording environments with engineers and studios related to Sony Music Studios, Electric Lady Studios, and personnel who collaborated with Dr. Dre, Mark Ronson, and Swizz Beatz.
Their work received nominations and recognition from institutions and ceremonies including Grammy Awards, BET Awards, and critics’ lists in Rolling Stone and Billboard. They were acknowledged in the same award cycles that honored Kanye West, Jay-Z, Eminem, Beyoncé, and Kendrick Lamar, reflecting peer recognition across major industry bodies such as The Recording Academy and media outlets like MTV and Complex.
Category:American hip hop duos Category:Hip hop groups from Virginia