Neck & Wrist

"Neck & Wrist" is a song by American rapper Pusha T featuring fellow American rappers Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams. Produced by the latter, it was released on April 6, 2022 as the third single from the former's fourth studio album It's Almost Dry (2022).

"Neck & Wrist"
Single by Pusha T featuring Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams
from the album It's Almost Dry
ReleasedApril 6, 2022
GenreHip hop
Length3:29
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Pharrell Williams
Pusha T singles chronology
"Hear Me Clearly"
(2022)		 "Neck & Wrist"
(2022)		 "Scrape It Off"
(2022)
Jay-Z singles chronology
"King Kong Riddim"
(2021)		 "Neck & Wrist"
(2022)
Pharrell Williams singles chronology
"Tamagotchi"
(2022)		 "Neck & Wrist"
(2022)		 "Cash In Cash Out"
(2022)

Background

In 2020, actor and comedian Faizon Love claimed that Jay-Z had been lying about his drug-dealing past. Jay-Z addresses Love's comments in the song.[1]

The artwork of the single was created by Sterling Ruby, who also previously designed the artwork for Pusha T's single "Diet Coke".[2]

Composition and lyrics

The song finds Pusha T and Jay-Z reflecting on their music careers and the benefits of their luxurious lifestyles, over an instrumental of heavy drum beats.[3][4] In his verse, Jay-Z begins with responding to Faizon Love's claims ("The phase I'm on, love, I wouldn't believe it either / I'd be like, 'Jay-Z's a cheater,' I wouldn't listen to reason either"),[1][5] and raps that if The Notorious B.I.G. were alive, he and him would have dominated the New York hip hop scene as The Commission, a supergroup that Jay-Z and B.I.G. had planned to form before the latter's death.[1][6]

Critical reception

Jessica McKinney of Complex praised the song's cocaine metaphors and called Jay-Z's performance "captivating".[4]

Response

Fans have speculated that Jay-Z had dissed American rapper Birdman in the song with the lyrics, "I blew bird money, y'all talk in Twitter feeds". Audio engineer Young Guru, a longtime collaborator and associate of Jay-Z, suggested that the line could have multiple meanings behind it and stated it was not a diss toward Birdman.[7]

In an interview with VladTV around a week after the song was released, Faizon Love denied that Jay-Z had dissed him.[8]

Charts
Chart performance for "Neck & Wrist"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 69
Global 200 (Billboard)[10] 148
South Africa (RISA)[11] 46
US Billboard Hot 100[12] 76
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] 23

References
  1. Lindner, Grant. "Decoding the Subliminals on Pusha T and Jay-Z's "Neck & Wrist"". GQ.
  2. Strauss, Matthew (April 6, 2022). "Pusha T and Jay-Z Release New Song "Neck & Wrist": Listen". Pitchfork.
  3. Mier, Tomás (April 6, 2022). "Jay-Z and Pusha T's 'Neck and Wrist' Is An Ode to Bling and Finer Things". Rolling Stone.
  4. McKinney, Jessica (April 8, 2022). "Best New Music This Week: Pusha-T, Jack Harlow, Fivio Foreign, and More". Complex.
  5. Callas, Brad (April 6, 2022). "Jay-Z Responds to Faizon Love's Claim That He Faked Drug Dealing Lifestyle on Pusha-T's "Neck & Wrist"". Complex.
  6. Walker, Joe (April 6, 2022). "JAY-Z Addresses Biggie Supergroup The Commission on Pusha T 'Neck and Wrist' Collab". HipHopDX.
  7. Espinoza, Joshua (April 7, 2022). "Speculation Jay-Z Dissed Birdman on New Pusha-T Collab "Neck and Wrist" Addressed by Young Guru". Complex.
  8. Todd, Jessica (April 14, 2022). "Faizon Love". VladTV.
  9. "Pusha T Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  10. "Pusha T Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  11. "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 17-2022". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  12. "Pusha T Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  13. "Pusha T Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
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