So Be It

"So Be It" serves as a definitive statement of power, legacy, and indifference to consequences from the reunited duo Clipse. At its core, the song explores the concept of radical acceptance of conflict. The recurring mantra "So be it" is not a resignation to fate, but a challenge to their enemies; it declares that they are comfortable with whatever outcome arises from their actions, be it violence, public scrutiny, or burning bridges.

The track operates on two distinct levels. Superficially, it is a classic "luxury rap" flex, detailing the spoils of their success—real estate, haute couture, and status. However, subtextually, it addresses the tension between their past as "coke rap" pioneers and their current status as cultural elders. The lyrics suggest that despite their evolution into the fashion world (referencing Louis Vuitton and Pharrell's influence), the threat of their street origins remains active.

A significant portion of the song's meaning is derived from its personal vendettas. The final verse is widely interpreted as a dissection of a soured relationship with rapper Travis Scott. By referencing specific details—such as the "Utopia" album title and the financial independence of a former partner (alluding to Kylie Jenner)—Pusha T dismantles the rival's credibility, positioning himself as the one who holds the "video" and the truth. The song ultimately argues that true power lies in having nothing to hide and fearing no repercussion.

The song opens with a precise accounting of wealth and status, as the narrator details the square footage and multi-million dollar valuation of their estate, framing their success as a destiny visible even to their ancestors. There is an immediate pivot to high-end luxury, mentioning specific watch brands like Richard Mille, but dismissing the need for flashy diamonds in favor of understated power. This display of opulence is quickly contrasted with a lethal promise: if anyone opposes them or their soul is at odds with their body, the narrators are willing to facilitate their exit from the living world.

The chorus acts as a rhythmic chant of indifference and readiness for conflict. The repetition of the phrase "so be it" signals that if enemies want "smoke" or confrontation, the duo is entirely prepared to accept those terms without hesitation. It serves as a cold acceptance of the violence that underpins their lifestyle.

In the subsequent verses, the lyrics return to the duo's roots, spelling out their name and diving into the mechanics of the drug trade. The imagery is vivid, describing the process of breaking down bricks of cocaine and the meticulous nature of their operation, likened to confetti. Fashion labels like Celine and Giuseppe are name-dropped to illustrate the seamless blend of street hustle and high fashion. The narrator warns that testing them will result in bodily harm, using metaphors of drawing and sketching to describe violence. The verse emphasizes their dual identity: comfortable in luxury hotels yet still capable of brutal street justice.

The final section shifts into a direct and personal attack. The narrator addresses a specific adversary, recounting moments of weakness and betrayal witnessed firsthand. There are pointed references to a rival losing their partner and their pride to the allure of Calabasas, with mentions of a neighbor's "Utopia" moving nearby and a successful lip-gloss business rendering the rival financially irrelevant. The song concludes with a threat of exposing damaging video evidence, reinforcing the central theme: if the truth causes destruction, then so be it.

"So Be It" was released in June 2025 as a promotional single for Clipse's highly anticipated fourth studio album, Let God Sort Em Out. This project marked the official reunion of brothers Pusha T and No Malice for a full-length album, ending a hiatus that had lasted since 2009's Til the Casket Drops. The track was produced by their longtime collaborator Pharrell Williams, who crafted the beat using a distinct sample of "Maza Akoulo" by the legendary Saudi Arabian singer Talal Maddah.

The creation of the song was surrounded by both excitement and logistical drama. Initially, the sample of Talal Maddah's work could not be cleared in time for the album's initial rollout, leading to a version of the song titled "So Be It Pt. II" (with a different instrumental) briefly appearing on streaming services. The situation was resolved when producer Swizz Beatz, who was in Saudi Arabia at the time, used his connections to personally secure the clearance from the rights holders, allowing the original version to be restored.

Lyrically, the song was fueled by real-life friction. In interviews, Pusha T revealed that the animosity directed at Travis Scott in the song stemmed from Scott allegedly disrespecting the duo during recording sessions at Pharrell's Louis Vuitton studio in Paris. This real-world tension translated directly into the recording, giving the track its aggressive edge.

The song follows a standard 4/4 time signature but features the signature syncopated flow that Clipse is known for. Pusha T's delivery is often staccato and punches on the downbeat, emphasizing the final rhyme in his couplets. The rhyme scheme varies between AABB and AAAA mono-rhyme patterns, particularly in sections where a single sound (like the "e-it" or "etti" sounds) is maintained for several bars to build tension.

Rhythmically, the vocal performance drags slightly behind the beat in the verses, creating a "laid back" feel that contrasts with the urgency of the lyrics. This technique, often called playing in the pocket, enhances the aura of confidence—they are in no rush, even when delivering threats. The hook relies on a call-and-response rhythm with the beat, where the silence between "Smoke" and "So be it" is just as loud as the words themselves.

Musical Techniques: Pharrell Williams employs a minimalist but texture-heavy production style. The track is built around a haunting, looped vocal sample from Talal Maddah, which provides a foreign, almost spiritual atmosphere that contrasts with the hard-hitting drums. The percussion is sparse, characteristic of The Neptunes' sound, allowing the vocals to sit front and center. The use of "backwards" 808 bass hits adds a disorienting, psychedelic feel to the rhythm.

Literary Techniques: Pusha T and No Malice utilize double entendres and synecdoche extensively. Lines like "I can share and A.E. it" turn the name of a network (A&E) into a verb implying exposure and drama. The duo employs a detached narrative voice; the threats are delivered not with shouting, but with a cold, clinical precision. There is also a strong use of brand-name imagery (Celine, Giuseppe, Pirelli, Andretti) to create a sense of exclusivity and "in-group" status.

"So Be It" holds significant cultural weight as one of the flagship tracks for the Clipse reunion in 2025. After a 15-year hiatus where No Malice pursued gospel and Pusha T became a solo superstar, this track proved they could flawlessly merge their evolved styles. The song became an instant topic of discussion in hip-hop media due to the high-profile diss aimed at Travis Scott, sparking debates about the "old guard" vs. the new generation of rappers.

Furthermore, the sample clearance story involving Swizz Beatz and the Saudi Arabian music industry highlighted the growing globalization of hip-hop production and the lengths artists will go to for artistic integrity. The track solidified Clipse's legacy as pioneers of "luxury street rap," influencing a new wave of artists who blend high fashion aesthetics with gritty lyrical content.

The lyrics of "So Be It" rely heavily on the juxtaposition of high art and low crime. The "R.M. sleeve" (Richard Mille watch) represents the pinnacle of mechanical precision and wealth, yet it is worn by hands that "bust a brick." This symbolizes that their refinement is merely a layer over their raw, dangerous nature.

The phrase "So be it" functions as a symbol of sovereignty. In a world where public figures often backtrack or apologize, the refusal to do so represents ultimate power. The "smoke" mentioned in the hook is a common metaphor for conflict or gun smoke, but here it is treated as casually as a weather report—something inevitable that they are prepared to weather.

The "lip gloss" line serves as a metaphor for emasculation. By pointing out that the rival's female partner was financially dominant ("she ain't need you to eat"), the lyrics strip the rival of the traditional provider role, attacking their pride rather than just their physical safety. Additionally, the mention of "Grandmama" seeing their success at birth introduces a motif of predestination, suggesting their rise was written in the stars, making their enemies' attempts to stop them futile.

The central motif is the phrase "So be it." It is repeated at the end of the chorus and interspersed throughout the verses. This repetition cements the song's theme of inevitability and lack of remorse. It acts as a punctuation mark, closing off any room for debate or negotiation.

Another recurring motif is "The Villain." Although not always explicitly stated as a noun, the imagery of being the "bad guy" recurs throughout the track. They position themselves as the antagonists in someone else's story (specifically Travis Scott's), and they embrace this role with the recurring sentiment that if they are the villains, then "so be it."