The True Meaning Behind Tell The Vision By Pop Smoke Featuring Kanye West & Pusha T
Pop Smoke's first posthumous album "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon" was released in July 2020 — just months after he was killed — and it is one of the rapper's biggest releases to date. The album also broke records an artist hasn't been able to achieve in over 30 years. The New York native — who was known as one of first rappers to mainstream Brooklyn drill music — had the longest-running No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart since 1990, per Billboard.
Therefore, the buzz around his second posthumous album "Faith" — which was released in July — tripled as fans anxiously awaited another chart-topping project from the late rapper. Despite having a full length track list packed with 20 songs, several features and fan favorites, the record was unfavorably received, with music outlets like Pitchfork and HipHopDX reporting that the success of the album didn't really live up to the hype.
However, "Faith" still debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — and there was one song on the project that was an undeniable hit. This track, featuring Kanye West and Pusha T, told the story about humble beginnings — an all new rags-to-riches anthem.
On Tell The Vision, Pop Smoke raps about wearing the same clothes for a week
"Tell the Vision" featuring Kanye West and Pusha T is a track that is almost impossible to skip after spotting the trio all on the same song. The record starts off with Kanye West — who is also listed as one of the producers — rapping random words over a dope beat as it seemingly transitions into a snippet from a sample of "The Angie Martinez Show" where the radio personality was paying her respects to the Brooklyn rapper.
She starts off by saying she had just recently interviewed Pop Smoke for her show on Power 105.1 where he spoke highly of where he's from and how his life is changing. Martinez added that he was well on his way to reaching all new heights of success. That's when the beat drops and Pop Smoke raps, "Thank God that I made it / (Grrt, bah) / N**** we made it / we made it / Look, momma, I made it."
He continues on to rap about a time where he didn't have enough clothes to wear or money to buy a meal. "Look, I remember the days / Same fit for a week straight / I used to eat fifty-cent cake / Now, it's Philippe's / It's Philippe's for the steak," he spits, celebrating the fruits of his hard labor.
Pusha T praises Pop Smoke on Tell The Vision
Pop Smoke boasts on "Tell the Vision" about being able to spend money without looking at the price tag, "I got s*** you never heard of / Buy it / I don't care what it cost." Throughout the record, Pop Smoke himself sheds light on what life was like before his success, solidifying in his lyrics he is still true to the streets.
After a celebratory chant on how he made it out from the trenches, the Brooklyn native passes off the baton to Pusha T, who starts off by praising the late rapper. He raps, "Look / Tyler got the album of the year for now / But Pop about to drop / I see the platinum in the clouds / Now Push about to drop / So real trappers stick around." Towards the end of Pusha T's verse, he brings the moment full circle. "These Richard Milles are one-of-one / S*** how could I watch? / We made it / We made it / Whether you like it or not."
In February 2020, Pop Smoke was a victim of a home invasion robbery that resulted in his death, per TMZ. Two masked gunman entered the home he was staying at in Hollywood Hills and opened fire — killing the rising star. He was only 20 years old.