Are Pusha T and Malice Brothers? The Real Story Behind The Clipse
Yes, Pusha T and Malice are real biological brothers. Terrence “Pusha T” Thornton (born 1977) and Gene “Malice” Thornton Jr. (born 1972) are blood siblings from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Together they form The Clipse, one of hip-hop’s most legendary duos. After a 16-year hiatus following Malice’s conversion to Christianity, the brothers reunited in 2025 with their critically acclaimed album Let God Sort Em Out.
The Short Answer: Yes, They’re Blood Brothers
Let’s cut straight to it. Pusha T and Malice aren’t just collaborators or childhood friends who adopted a brotherhood narrative for marketing. They share the same parents – Gene Thornton Sr. and Mildred Thornton – making them biological brothers in every sense.
Malice (Gene Elliott Thornton Jr.) is the older brother, born August 18, 1972. Pusha T (Terrence LeVarr Thornton) came five years later on May 13, 1977. Both were born in the Bronx before their family relocated to Virginia Beach, where they’d eventually change hip-hop history.
The chemistry you hear on every Clipse track? That’s decades of brotherhood – the kind you can’t fabricate in a studio.
From the Bronx to Virginia Beach: The Thornton Brothers’ Origins
The Thornton family’s move from New York to Virginia Beach in the early ’80s shaped everything that followed. While NYC might have given them their foundation, Virginia Beach gave them their identity.
Growing up in the Tidewater region, the brothers witnessed the complexities of street life firsthand. These experiences would later fuel the vivid drug-trade narratives that became The Clipse’s signature sound. But they also found something else in Virginia: Pharrell Williams.
Pharrell, another Virginia Beach native, recognized the brothers’ potential before anyone else. He saw two MCs whose sibling dynamic created something the rap game was missing – authenticity rooted in genuine family bonds.
How The Clipse Became Hip-Hop Royalty
The Clipse officially formed in 1994, though the brothers had been rapping together since their teenage years. Initially, Malice went by “Malicious” and Pusha T performed as “Terrar.” The name changes came, but the bond never wavered.
Their breakthrough arrived with Lord Willin’ in 2002. Tracks like “Grindin'” and “When the Last Time” showed the world what Virginia was cooking. The Neptunes production – courtesy of their friend Pharrell – gave them a sonic signature that sounded like nothing else on radio.
Hell Hath No Fury (2006) elevated them to critical darlings. Music publications still rank it among the greatest rap albums ever made. Like other legendary hip-hop collectives who built their empires on brotherhood – check out our deep dive on Wu-Tang Clan members and their real names – The Clipse proved that family ties create something special in the booth.
Then came Til the Casket Drops (2009), and everything changed. Not commercially. Personally.
The Breakup: Why Malice Became “No Malice”
Malice’s transformation to “No Malice” wasn’t a marketing pivot. It was a spiritual awakening that nearly ended The Clipse permanently.
As Pusha T recalled in interviews, his brother approached him during a tour with a manuscript. The book, Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind and Naked, detailed Malice’s conversion to Christianity and his struggles with the content they’d built their career on.
“He was like, ‘This is what I’m about to dial into… and you probably should pursue that solo thing,'” Pusha T remembered.
For years, Pusha T was devastated. He believed The Clipse could dominate the rap game indefinitely. But his brother had found something more important than chart positions – peace.
No Malice released his solo debut Hear Ye Him in 2013, focusing on faith-based content. Meanwhile, Pusha T signed with Kanye West’s GOOD Music and became one of rap’s most respected solo artists.
The brothers remained close personally, but musically? Silence. For 16 years.
The Reunion: Let God Sort ‘Em Out (2025)
Nobody expected it. When rumblings of a new Clipse album surfaced in 2024, skeptics dismissed it as wishful thinking.
Then Let God Sort ‘Em Out dropped in 2025.
Entirely produced by Pharrell Williams – the same architect behind their classic sound – the album proved that time apart had only sharpened their chemistry. Features from Nas and other legends added weight, but the heart of the project was two brothers reconciling their past while honoring who they’d become.
Notably, “No Malice” returned to simply “Malice” for this project. Not a rejection of his faith, but perhaps an acknowledgment that the name no longer defined his spiritual journey – his actions did.
The Brotherhood Beyond Music
What makes The Clipse resonate isn’t just the bars or the beats. It’s watching two brothers navigate success, faith, separation, and reunion in real time.
Their story mirrors what many families experience: different paths, different priorities, but a bond that survives the detours. Malice found God. Pusha T found global solo success. Both found their way back to each other.
For hip-hop heads who followed their journey from “Grindin'” through the wilderness years to Let God Sort ‘Em Out, The Clipse represents something rare – artists who stayed true to their evolution without abandoning their roots.
Virginia raised them. Brotherhood defined them. And in 2025, they reminded everyone why blood runs thicker than beef.
Rep the Golden Era
The Clipse came up in an era when hip-hop was raw, lyrical, and unapologetic. If you’re the type who still bumps Hell Hath No Fury on rotation, you might appreciate our collection of classic hip-hop streetwear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pusha T and Malice actually related?
Yes, they are biological brothers. Malice (Gene Thornton Jr.) is the older brother, born in 1972. Pusha T (Terrence Thornton) was born in 1977. They share the same parents and grew up together in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
What are Pusha T and Malice’s real names?
Pusha T’s real name is Terrence LeVarr Thornton. Malice’s real name is Gene Elliott Thornton Jr. Both were born in the Bronx, New York before moving to Virginia.
Why did Malice change his name to No Malice?
Malice became a born-again Christian and felt his original stage name conflicted with his faith. He adopted “No Malice” around 2012 to reflect his spiritual transformation. For the 2025 Clipse reunion album, he returned to using “Malice.”
How long were The Clipse broken up?
The Clipse were inactive as a duo for approximately 16 years, from 2009’s Til the Casket Drops until their 2025 reunion album Let God Sort ‘Em Out.
Who discovered The Clipse?
Pharrell Williams, also from Virginia Beach, discovered and mentored The Clipse. He produced most of their catalog through The Neptunes, including their 2025 reunion album.
Is the new Clipse album any good?
Let God Sort ‘Em Out (2025) received widespread critical acclaim, with many calling it a triumphant return. The album proves the brothers’ chemistry remains intact after 16 years apart.
