“So Be It” appears to be a quintessential track from the legendary hip-hop duo Clipse, marking a powerful return to their signature sound and subject matter. The song is a dense, multi-layered exploration of unapologetic luxury, the cold calculus of the drug trade, and the ever-present threat of violence. The recurring phrase, “So be it,” acts as the philosophical core of the track—a mantra of stark acceptance and fatalism regarding the lavish, dangerous, and morally ambiguous life the rappers have chronicled for decades. In this article, we will offer a preliminary breakdown of what these lyrics might signify, exploring the potential metaphors and themes presented in this unreleased track.
The song seems to be structured as a testament to the duo’s unwavering identity. Both Pusha T and No Malice deliver verses that are rich with intricate wordplay, high-fashion references, and chillingly casual threats. It’s a sonic world where heated floors and Richard Mille watches exist in the same breath as murder and media leaks, and the attitude towards this duality is a simple, resolute shrug: “So be it.”
The Unwavering Philosophy of “So Be It”
The phrase “So be it” is the anchor of the entire song, appearing in the intro, chorus, and verses. It functions as a declaration of acceptance and a dismissal of any external moral judgment. When Pusha T describes his luxurious life—”Bentley driven,” “Floors are heated”—his conclusion is “so be it.” It’s a statement that this is his reality, earned through his means, and he is unapologetic about it. This isn’t a celebration of materialism for its own sake; it’s an acknowledgment of it as a natural consequence of his actions.
This same fatalism extends to the darker side of their narrative. When describing a murder (“Your soul don’t like your body, we helped you free it”), the conclusion is the same: “so be it.” This chillingly portrays violence not as a passionate crime, but as a calculated business decision, a consequence as inevitable as the wealth. The phrase strips the act of emotion, presenting it as a simple outcome. This philosophy suggests a worldview where cause and effect are absolute, and once a path is chosen, one must accept all that comes with it, from the Prada bedding to the body bags.
Pusha T: The Strategic and Menacing Connoisseur
Pusha T’s verses are a masterclass in his specific brand of lyricism, blending high luxury with credible threats. He opens by establishing his destiny—”When I was born, grandmama could see it”—framing his success not as luck, but as fate. His descriptions are meticulous and strategic, from his understated wealth (“R.M. sleeve, no diamonds are needed”) to his calculated violence. He doesn’t just threaten; he describes a process, from the act itself to the media fallout (“Then we wait for TMZ to leak it”).
His second verse is a dense tapestry of brand names (LV, Celine, Giuseppe, Pirelli, Prada) and drug slang (“bust a brick,” “sellin’ the yeti”), showcasing his dual expertise as both a connoisseur of luxury and a veteran of the coke trade. The wordplay is sharp and menacing, like the double entendre “niggas that I’m with like to draw when it’s sketchy,” which plays on drawing art and drawing weapons. His final verse appears to be a pointed continuation of his long-standing beef with Drake, referencing Calabasas, a “Utopia” moving up the street, and a video that he could leak. He positions himself as an observer and holder of secrets, ending once again with the ultimate dismissal of the drama: “so be it.”
No Malice: The Authentic and Reflective Gangster
When No Malice takes the microphone, the tone shifts slightly. While just as menacing, his verse is more focused on authenticity, legacy, and a kind of philosophical wordplay. He begins by drawing a line in the sand: “You ain’t solid, ain’t valid, you ain’t Malice.” He dismisses the performative nature of his rivals, from their financial woes (“you owe money, we ain’t balanced”) to their shallow faith (“You ain’t believe, God did, you ain’t Khaled”).
His verse is full of clever, multi-layered comparisons. He contrasts the silent, coordinated movement of his all-black luxury cars with everyday “traffic” and uses “bird talk” to mock his tweeting rivals as parrots. The line “Ain’t no more Neptunes, so P’s Saturn” is particularly brilliant, suggesting that with their original production team (The Neptunes) no longer the center of their universe, Pusha T now operates in a different orbit, perhaps one defined by his own gravity and wealth (the rings of Saturn). Malice closes by describing the cyclical nature of the drug game as a “pattern,” where violence is an expected part of the business model.
The Modern Threat: Secrets and Media Leaks
A recurring motif throughout the song is the reference to celebrity news outlet TMZ and the leaking of information. This adds a distinctly modern layer to Clipse’s gangster narrative. In the first verse, Pusha T casually mentions waiting for TMZ to leak news of a murder. In the final verse, he contemplates leaking a damaging video himself (“Lucky I ain’t TMZ it”). This theme positions information and public humiliation as weapons, just as potent as a gun.
In the 21st century, a rapper’s beef is not just settled on wax or in the streets; it’s also fought in the court of public opinion, on blogs, and through social media. Clipse’s awareness of this shows their strategic evolution. They understand that destroying a rival’s reputation can be as effective as physical violence. Holding a secret and threatening to “TMZ it” is the modern-day equivalent of holding someone for ransom. It’s a cold, calculated form of power that fits perfectly within their “so be it” philosophy.
Metaphors
The lyrics for “So Be It” are rich with metaphors, euphemisms, and clever wordplay that add depth and menace to the track.
So Be It: The song’s central phrase acts as a metaphor for a fatalistic worldview. It represents the complete and unapologetic acceptance of one’s chosen path and all of its consequences, both the luxurious and the lethal.
“Your soul don’t like your body, we helped you free it”: This is a chilling and poetic euphemism for murder. It reframes a violent act as a form of spiritual assistance or liberation, masking its brutality with detached, almost serene language.
“Niggas that I’m with like to draw when it’s sketchy”: A brilliant double entendre. On the surface, it means to draw pictures when a situation seems questionable. The true, menacing meaning is to draw firearms when a situation becomes dangerous or “sketchy.”
“Ain’t no more Neptunes, so P’s Saturn”: A complex astrological and musical metaphor. The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo) were the production duo who crafted Clipse’s signature sound, acting as their musical sun. No Malice suggests that in this new era, Pusha T (P) has become his own celestial body, Saturn—a planet known for its rings (symbolizing wealth/luxury) and its associations with discipline, structure, and karma.
FAQs
1. Who is Clipse? Clipse is a critically acclaimed American hip-hop duo from Virginia, formed by brothers Gene “No Malice” Thornton and Terrence “Pusha T” Thornton. They are revered for their intricate lyricism, which often focuses on the explicit details of the drug trade.
2. What is the status of their upcoming album “Let God Sort Em Out”? The album is set to release on 11 July 2025
3. What does the phrase “So be it” likely mean in the context of these lyrics? In these lyrics, “So be it” appears to be a mantra of unapologetic acceptance. It signifies a conscious choice to embrace all consequences of a chosen lifestyle, from extreme wealth to extreme violence, without regret or moral debate.
4. What are some recurring Clipse themes present in these lyrics? The lyrics showcase classic Clipse themes: detailed accounts of drug trafficking (“bust a brick”), the celebration of high-end luxury (Bentley, Richard Mille, Prada), intricate wordplay, and cold, detached threats of violence.
5. What might the line “Floors are heated, so be it” signify? It signifies a level of luxury so complete that even the floors provide comfort. By immediately following it with “so be it,” Pusha T presents this opulence not as something to brag about, but as a simple, accepted fact of his life.
6. What is the likely meaning of Pusha T’s line, “Your soul don’t like your body, we helped you free it”? This is a dark euphemism for murder. It’s a detached and poetic way of saying they killed someone, framing the act as a form of liberation for the victim’s soul.
7. In his second verse, what does Pusha T mean by “call me Andretti”? Mario Andretti is a legendary, world-champion race car driver. By saying he has eight Pirellis (high-performance tires) and to “call me Andretti,” Pusha T is boasting about owning multiple high-performance luxury cars.
8. What could No Malice mean by “You ain’t believe, God did, you ain’t Khaled”? This is likely a play on DJ Khaled’s famous catchphrases like “You loyal” and his frequent references to God. No Malice is contrasting his own authentic faith and success (which he attributes to God) with what he perceives as the shallow, catchphrase-based persona of someone like DJ Khaled.
9. What is the reference in the line “Lone star, cross the border, we like Dallas”? This line uses clever geography-based wordplay. “Lone Star” is the nickname for Texas. He connects this to moving product “across the border” and likens their crew’s status in that context to the Dallas Cowboys, who are famously known as “America’s Team” and wear a lone star logo.
10. What could the line “Ain’t no more Neptunes, so P’s Saturn” signify? This likely signifies a shift in their musical and personal universe. Without their original producers, The Neptunes, as their center, Pusha T (“P”) now revolves around his own world, symbolized by Saturn (known for its rings, i.e., wealth).
11. What does No Malice mean by “If I had her, then you had her, she never mattered”? This is a dismissive statement about groupies or women who are passed around within their circle. It reflects a cold attitude that such women have no real value or significance to them.
12. Who is Pusha T likely talking about in his final verse? Based on the references to Calabasas, “Utopia,” and a general context of revealing secrets, the verse is widely interpreted by listeners to be directed at his long-time rival, Drake. However, this is purely speculative.
13. What is the “yeti” Pusha T mentions selling? In drug slang, “yeti” is another term for cocaine, playing on its white, snowy appearance.
14. What does the phrase “catch a buck-fifty” refer to? In street slang, a “buck-fifty” is a severe facial wound, specifically a cut that is so deep it requires 150 stitches to close.
15. What is the significance of the repeated ad-lib “(This is culturally inappropriate)”? This ad-lib is a form of ironic, meta-commentary. The duo is sarcastically labeling their own explicit lyrics as “inappropriate,” mocking modern sensitivities and defiantly standing by their raw, unfiltered content.
16. What is No Malice implying with the line “Can’t wrap your head ’round that, you ain’t Arab”? This is a play on the keffiyeh or ghutra, a traditional Arab head covering that is wrapped around the head. He’s using this as a clever, if provocative, way to say someone is unable to comprehend their level of thinking.
17. What is the “Kelly” that Pusha T mentions? A “Kelly” refers to the Hermès Kelly bag, an extremely expensive and exclusive luxury handbag, further highlighting the opulence of his lifestyle.
18. What does “we all parrots” mean in No Malice’s verse? He is comparing his rivals who talk endlessly on Twitter (“tweet, bird talk”) to parrots, suggesting they are just mimicking others and repeating meaningless chatter without any original thought.
19. What is a “ski-up”? This is likely slang related to their “ski” ad-lib, possibly referring to a transaction or a successful move in the drug game, after which their clients immediately “re-up” or buy more.
20. What is the overall mood of the track based on these lyrics? The mood is cold, confident, menacing, and unapologetic. It’s the sound of two veterans who are masters of their craft and their trade, reflecting on their empire with a chilling sense of calm and finality.