Working with Kanye? That’s Definitely in the Past’: Inside Clipse’s Shocking Comeback, Family Loss, and the Advice from Bono They’ll Never Forget

In the ever-changing landscape of hip-hop, where trends shift faster than a beat drop, there are few names that command the same respect as Clipse. The Virginia-born duo, made up of brothers Pusha T (Terrence Thornton) and No Malice (Gene Thornton), carved their place in rap history with razor-sharp lyricism, an unfiltered take on street life, and a knack for bending hip-hop to their own rules.

But in 2025, the conversation around Clipse isn’t just about their past — it’s about their surprising return. And, as they’ve made crystal clear, their future no longer involves Kanye West.

From Chart-Toppers to Silence

Back in the early 2000s, Clipse dominated the rap scene with tracks like Grindin’, a song whose beat became an instant cultural artifact. They collaborated with Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and countless others. For a while, it seemed the Thornton brothers were everywhere.

Then, suddenly, the noise stopped. No Malice stepped away from the rap industry, citing a spiritual awakening and a need to distance himself from the violent narratives of his earlier work. Pusha T stayed in the game, rising to become president of G.O.O.D. Music — Kanye’s own label — and continuing to release critically acclaimed solo albums.

For over a decade, a full Clipse reunion seemed impossible. Fans had given up hope. And then came 2024, when the brothers quietly hinted they were back in the studio together.

A Reunion Born from Pain

When asked what brought them back, both brothers are candid: grief.
In 2023 and 2024, the Thornton family lost both of their parents. The double blow hit harder than any chart flop or industry drama. “Music became a way to process it,” Pusha T admits. “We were writing through the pain. It was the only way to make sense of it.”

The result is “Let God Sort ‘Em Out”, their first full-length project together in years. The opening track, The Birds Don’t Sing, is a haunting, stripped-down confession about loss, faith, and the silence that follows tragedy. No Malice’s verses weave spiritual reflections with raw emotional honesty, while Pusha T balances introspection with the vivid street imagery he’s known for.

The Kanye Question

Any time Clipse re-emerges, there’s one inevitable question: will they work with Kanye West again?

Pusha T’s answer is short and final: “That’s in the past. That’s definitely in the past.”
It’s a polite way of closing the chapter on one of hip-hop’s most talked-about partnerships.

While the duo doesn’t dwell on the details, industry insiders point to a mix of creative differences, personal changes, and Kanye’s increasingly controversial public image. For Clipse, the reunion is about family, faith, and artistry — not revisiting old alliances.

Bono’s Life-Changing Advice

One of the most surprising parts of the Clipse comeback story involves Bono, the frontman of U2. Years ago, during a chance meeting, Bono told No Malice:

“You have this righteous anger now, and you have to do something with it.”

That line stuck with him. In the years away from mainstream rap, No Malice poured his energy into faith-based projects, community outreach, and deeply personal writing. Bono’s words weren’t just a compliment — they were a challenge, one that would eventually pull him back into the booth.

Today, you can hear that “righteous anger” in his verses — not rage for rage’s sake, but a sharpened edge against hypocrisy, corruption, and self-destruction.

Mr. Bean, Benny Hill, and the Unexpected Influences

If you think Clipse’s inspirations stop at the street corner or the church pew, think again. In one of the most bizarre and endearing moments of their latest interviews, the brothers confessed they’re long-time fans of Mr. Bean and Benny Hill.

“It’s the timing,” Pusha T laughs. “Comedy is like rap — it’s all about the timing, the setup, the punchline.”
While no one is expecting a Rowan Atkinson cameo in their music videos (yet), the influence of comedy — especially physical, expressive comedy — is part of what keeps their creative chemistry alive.

Writing with Pen and Paper in the Digital Age

In an era where many artists punch in their verses line by line into studio mics, Clipse remain stubbornly analog. They still write with pen and paper.

“It forces you to think about every line before you commit,” No Malice says. “It’s slower, but the song is tighter. Every word earns its place.”
That discipline shows on Let God Sort ‘Em Out. There are no filler bars, no lazy rhymes — just carefully crafted storytelling that rewards multiple listens.

The Sound of “Let God Sort ‘Em Out”

The album blends classic Neptunes-style beats with darker, moodier production. Pharrell Williams returns for several tracks, bringing that crisp percussion and off-kilter melodies fans loved from the early days. But there are also gospel choirs, live instrumentation, and moments of complete silence used like weapons.

Standout tracks include:

“The Birds Don’t Sing” — a somber, stripped-back opener.

“Psalm 95” — a defiant anthem about survival and faith.

“Benny Hill Dreams” — a surprisingly playful track that nods to their comedy influences while still hitting hard lyrically.

The Legacy Question

For years, Clipse has been one of those “if you know, you know” groups — adored by hip-hop purists, occasionally breaking into the mainstream, but always a little outside the pop-rap machine. Their comeback forces the question: where do they stand now?

Pusha T is confident: “We’re not chasing relevance. Relevance is chasing us. When you tell the truth in your music, it’s timeless.”

And No Malice? He’s more reflective: “We’re here to finish what we started, but to finish it in a way that honors who we are now, not who we were then.”

What This Means for Hip-Hop

The Clipse reunion isn’t just a nostalgic victory lap — it’s a reminder that hip-hop can still evolve without losing its core values. Their album talks about family, loss, faith, and moral choices without sacrificing the grit and craft that made them legends.

It also sends a message: not every comeback needs to be about chasing streams or TikTok trends. Sometimes, it’s about telling the story you’ve been holding in your chest for years.

The Final Word

So, will this be the start of a long second act for Clipse, or just one last chapter? The brothers aren’t saying. For now, they’re touring, connecting with fans, and letting the music speak for itself.

As for working with Kanye again? That door is firmly closed. The past is the past.

But the future? For Clipse, it’s wide open — and if Let God Sort ‘Em Out is any indication, it’s going to be just as sharp, fearless, and unforgettable as the music that made them icons in the first place.