Ghostface Killah has demonstrated a marvelous magic trick; he has undoubtedly become the most positively consistent artist in a genre that is so littered with ever-changing criticism and unruly judgment. As if that trick wasn’t enough, he’s come back for an encore with Ghostdini: The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City, a genre crossing album done ever so tastefully and coherently that even the most skeptic Wu heads will want to touch their lighter side. While this project is hardly a stretch for Ghost, it’s the essence of the idea that may prove to be the biggest difficulty in comprehending. An R&B album? Sure, if we want to call it that. The fact is there hasn’t been an unlikely combo as fitting than Ghostface and love themed lyrics alongside softer production. Wizard of Poetry keeps Starks’ streak going and he reasserts himself not only as the best and most consistent clansman, but also one of the most versatile and reliant names in the industry.
“Not Your Average Girl” is an excellent starter even if it doesn’t show any hints of this particular R&B cadence. In fact, we hear a Ghost akin to Supreme Clientele, stemming from the energetic flow and high intensity in his repertoire. Nevertheless, Ghost is as vivid as ever as he visits hardcore sex antics on the raunchy, hilarious, and fitting “Stapleton Sex.” Sandwiched in between “Lonely” and “Stay,” “Stapleton Sex” acts as that quick intense in-the-moment sex session to fulfill a lonesome void, but also brings on the aftermath of companionship and greed. Evidently, the Wizard is not only crafting a great album, but the poet is mustering up a Shakespearean love story filled with worship, hate, and passion with others and within himself.
The Raheem DeVaughn assisted “Baby” and “Do Over” are amongst the albums highlights. This is due to the powerful and intricate lyrical content displayed by Ghost and ear catching production courtesy of Austin “Watts” Garrick & Rashad Smith and Mahogany, respectively. The use of auto-tone by Raheem on “Baby” certainly isn’t necessary, it’s a small gripe. A similar complaint comes at the hands of “Guest House,” which re-uses the J.U.S.T.I.C.E League production on Rick Ross’ “Yacht Club.” Still, the inclusion of Fabolous as the cheating perpetrator adds an additional touch of drama to the story Ghost tells us. A similar feature that proves vital to the success of the song is Estelle’s appearance on “Paragraphs of Love” as Ghostdini’s beautiful, pregnant, and married apple of his eye. Everything on “Paragraphs…” comes together as a romantic would’ve-could’ve story and the chorus by Vaughn Anthony helps it reach new heights.
Overall Score: 90/100
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Also, Via Nappy Afro
Ghostface Killah doing an R&B theme/inspired album really shouldn’t surprise anybody. Songs like “All That I Got Is You”, “Never Be The Same Again”, “Beauty Jackson”, & “Back Like That” already proved that when it comes to the subject of the love or the opposite sex, Tony Starks provides introspective tales like only he can. But the question still is; Can he keep this up from a whole album? Well see as Ghostface presents his 8th solo album Ghostdini: The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City.
1. Not Your Average Girl
Featuring Shareefa; Produced by Scram Jones
The R&B sound of the album starts of strong; at first listen it sounds like Shareefa featuring Ghostface. But Ghost still get in three verses about the type of girl that can roll with him: “Nice girl that’s clean that was raised to cook/She on the couch chillin’/Shorts on reading a book”. Yeah, it’s not the most original but it works here. The Scram Jones production is reminiscent of something I would have heard from Bad Boy during the late 90’s (It also uses a sample I can’t place that was also used on L.E.G.A.C.Y.’s “TKO”). Not a bad start.
2. Do Over
Featuring Raheem DeVaughn
This track has Ghost in apology mode to his woman (And it’s not because he left the toilet seat up either): “She broke down and cried and it hurt so bad/Her friends went and told her I was a brand new dad”. In a sense, this really reminds you of songs like Jay-Z’s “Song Cry” (This is also true the sample used in the production). Raheem DeVaughn kills the hook and really helps make this a stand out track. In my opinion, this song definitely should have been the first single. My favorite off the album.
3. Baby
Featuring Raheem DeVaughn; Produced Austin “Watts” Garrick & Rashad Smith
This was the first single off the album and is almost the flipside of the previous song. Here Ghostface professes his love for the girl holding his seed. He does a good job here of easily talking about this subject and not coming off corny even rapping from his lady’s perspective: “Just that the babies kicking/I want some Popeyes chicken/And my back kinda hurt for the way I was sitting/Hurry home so you rub my big belly and kiss it”. DeVaughn returns to do the hook but this time he brings the Auto-Tune. I would have preferred he didn’t because I think the track would have been better. All in all the song still get it’s point across. Check out the corresponding video that works too.
4. Lonely
Featuring Jack Night
If you are going through a bad breakup, you probably should skip this track. Over a melancholy beat Tony Starks sounds pitiful and heartbroken here about another man shacking up with his ex-old lady in his old crib; “Under my covers and changing my channels/Playing my CDs in my robes another man is burning my candles” Dang. If that isn’t enough, the chorus by Jack Night adds to the pity party; “Don’t be surprise if you see my round town/Walking around with my head hug down/I’m so lonely”. The feeling is projected and a story is told. Good job.
5. Stapleton Sex
Produced by Sean C & LV
“You can put my dick in your mouth and play with my nuts/But before I bust baby I think I’ll cum in your butt” Whoa. Those were the first lines in the song and it drastically changes up from the theme of the album so far. It’s a raunchy fest of Ghost and girl talking explicit sex. It’s a reason this can’t be found on the edited version of Ghostdini. But hey, I’m the guy would made DJ Quik’s “Sweet Black Pussy” Song of the Week once. I like this kinda music when it’s done well and at 2:33, this is just enough before it get repetitive and uncomfortable. Check out NSFW music video here.
6. Stay
Produced by Skymark
Things get back to smooth talking with this one as Ghostface tries to convince a woman to “Stay” a little longer and not go back home to here man. I say smooth talking cause Ghost mentions everything from baby oil, feet kissing, and even a Dreamgirls DVD to sway homegirl that he’s a better choice. Over a fitting soul sample, Ghostface keeps on subject and makes this a standout track.
7. Paragraphes Of Love
Featuring Vaughn Anthony & Estelle
Here, Tony Starks raps about a chance encounter with a woman that caught his eye (Played by Estelle) and how she may be the one but both are in relationships. Now, this could have been a cookie cutter rap scenario song that we’ve heard before, but it’s the little things that make this more. It documents just a brief moment and it adds details and swerves like how the girl is pregnant and such. The production adds to the build up and both Estelle and Vaughn Anthony dueling on the hook bring it out more.
Overall Score: 3,5/5
Comments
STAY is the shit , the only dope song of the album