Joined: Dec 28 2006 Posts: 3052 Feedback: 12 Location: American U by way of Long Island
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:27 am Post subject: Official Get Schooled on Ghostface Killah Thread
ISS seems to have a strange relationship with Ghostface Killah. On this board either you're thoroughly familiar with his work and can't find a flaw in it, or you can't get into his shit at all and don't see what's so special about him. In this thread I hope to bridge the gap a little bit, and put an end to all the extremist views about the man's work and create a middleground. Here's a mini-breakdown of his style and evolution, accompanied by some choice videos.
Ghost debuted as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan in 1993. At the time Ghost's style was less fully evolved, and fit along the lines of the gritty, New York hardcore sound of the Wu. Though the Wu and Death Row Records always showed each other respect, style-wise Wu-Tang Clan provided a bold contrast to the West Coast sound that at the time dominated the rap scene. Ghost kicked off the first song on their debut album Enter the 36 Chambers, Bring Da Ruckus.
On the Wu's 3rd single off the album, Ghostface previewed his chemistry with fellow Wu member Raekwon the Chef. This gem was just a preview of what was to come
When Raekwon's solo album released in 1995, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx was billed as "Co-Starring Tony Starks aka Ghost Face Killer." Cuban Linx was heavily influenced by Italian mafia culture, and popularized this style in the 1990s. Rappers like Biggie and Nas switched their style up after OB4CL dropped; Biggie went from a small time crook on Ready to Die to a kingpin on Life After Death (just look at how he's dressed on the album cover). Nas created the mafioso group The Firm and started calling himself Escobar. Hip-hop caught the mafia bug from Cuban Linx.
By the time GFK's first solo album, Ironman, came out in 1996, it was clear that he was already a respected MC. Ghost rapped over soulful RZA beats, and covered sensitive topics that previous Wu-Tang albums never addressed.
On "All That I Got Is You" GFK detailed his harsh childhood, including his father leaving him. Ghost is able to paint a clear picture using abstract details and bold imagery, like picking roaches out of a cereal box, and using newspaper for toilet paper.
In 1997, Wu-Tang's 2nd group album Forever relased. By now GFK is already a high profile member of the group, and his modern style is fully developed. His dope storytelling and seemingly endless supply of rhymes on this album served as a preview to his second solo album...
All-time classic rap story on the 3rd verse (2:40)
In 2000 GFK dropped Supreme Clientele. To me, this is the pinnacle of his work. The beats suited his style perfectly, and he sounded intense, as he used random details and that train of thought style to express himself.
Mighty Healthy is one of my personal favorite examples of that style
Ghost's next album Bulletproof Wallets has a reputation for being "bad," but a closer look shows that it's actually a very solid album. The first problem the album faced was that sample clearance problems affected the production.
This song with Slick Rick missed the album because of sample problems
Througout the rest of Ghost's career, he continued to shine. I'm not gonna break down the rest of his career step by step, but for now here's some choice cuts from his library
Joined: Dec 28 2006 Posts: 3052 Feedback: 12 Location: American U by way of Long Island
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:34 am Post subject:
lol thanks IATRJ...if you have any ideas for edits or contributions to the main post lemme know and I'll throw it up _________________ Grammy Family switch speeds like Bruce Lee riding a Fuji in a movie
J*E*M*st@r wrote:
STFU & get out of our music section if it isn't to your liking !
Joined: Mar 24 2007 Posts: 2274 Feedback: 11 Location: Oakland
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:33 pm Post subject:
Great thread, highly detailed and thorough. Supreme Clientele remains to be my favorite album by him, and that was the first time I've seen the video for Mighty Healthy. Here's some other work of his that I like.
Damn - good work putting this together. It seems as if there are a group of people out there that feel Ghost is some kind of fad rapper...or some cult hero. The reality is that he has so many unique elements that propel him toward the top of hiphop's upper echelon. I know so many people who haven't really felt Wu-Tang since 97 that still go out and buy Ghostface albums.
Wu-Tang Clan - The Heart Gently Weeps
(1:45 in)
(Ghostface tells this story of an encounter with he had with somebody at a supermarket. Rza said it was his favorite verse since Ghost's verse on Impossible.)
Wu-Tang Clan - Jah World
(Ghost's emotion in this opening verse was so poignant as he confronts God about the evils in the world, wishing for a better world for his own children. )
Ghostface Killah - Run
(The great thing about this song is how perfectly Ghost is able to capture the panic and desperation of somebody who's actually on the run. That's probably because he spent the first part of his career wearing a mask because he was on the run. But yeah, this song really stands as an example of why people love Ghost.)
Ghostface - The Forest
(This song is hilarious. I'm not sure if its for everybody, but it just fully displays how unique and creative Ghostface is. Basically creates his own "Children's Story" - but includes actual cartoon characters and turns them into criminals with drug habits and sh*t.)
Wu-Tang - MGM
(One of the most underrated aspects of hiphop is when two emcees with chemistry trade bars/verses. Rae and Ghost are at the MGM watching the Chavez/Sweet Pea fight...shooting the sh*t, living the life.
Ghostface - Shakey Dog
(Tracks like this prove that Ghost is actually one of the best storytellers ever. The way he covers so many elements and draws the picture for you in damn near flawless.)
Ghostface - Child's Play
(Ghost reminisces on days being young, dumb, and full of cum. Can't help but to identify with parts of this track. Sh*t is funny as hell.
Joined: Dec 28 2006 Posts: 3052 Feedback: 12 Location: American U by way of Long Island
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:45 pm Post subject:
Thanks for the contributions BRich and Babygame.
And to everyone ignoring this thread, I made it for you. Just check this shit out and see what we're talking about. Put the bias aside. _________________ Grammy Family switch speeds like Bruce Lee riding a Fuji in a movie
J*E*M*st@r wrote:
STFU & get out of our music section if it isn't to your liking !
Speakin of the devil psych, no it's the God, get the shit right
Mega trife, and yo I killed you in a past life
On the mic while you was kickin that fast shit
You reneged tried again, and got blasted
Half mastered ass style mad ruff task
When I struck I had on Timbs and a black mask
Remember that shit? I know you don't remember jack
That night yo I wuz hittin like a spiked bat
and then you thought I was bugged out, and crazy
strapped for nonsense, after me became lazy
Yo, nobody budge while I shot slugs
Never shot thugs, I'm runnin with thugs that flood mugs
So grab your eight plus one, start flippin and trippin
Niggaz is jettin I'm lickin off son
All times are GMT - 5 Hours (Eastern) Go to page : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8Next
Page 1 of 8
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
