Let the record show that Ghostface Killah can still rhyme with the tenacity and sharpness true of his prime.
The prolific rapper is best known for his membership in the legendary rap group Wu-Tang Clan, whose debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is regarded as a classic. Ghostface Killah established him as one of the group’s finest MCs on the album with his penmanship and rollicking cadences.
From the start of his career, his gift for writing was clear through his ability to switch between pompous and poignant tones. His verses asserting the dominance and skill of the Wu-Tang Clan and recounting narratives of the harrows he faced growing up in Staten Island litter Enter The Wu-Yang (36 Chambers).
During Wu-Tang Clan’s run and well after the group’s dissolution, Ghostface Killah has released solo music that has earned him the status as a force to be reckoned with in the rap game. And he’s continued to make splashes three decades after his initial emergence. With projects like the Sour Soul, a 2015 collaboration with contemporary jazz collective BadBadNotGood, and features on songs with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Westside Gunn, he’s shown a will to push his career to new heights by trying out new sounds and embracing the new school.
His upcoming show in Covington comes after the release of his latest album Set The Tone (Guns & Roses) in May. The double-sided album is close to the style he’s spent years mastering while displaying the depth of his character and artistry. The first half is filled with explosive and hard-hitting songs; the second half showcases his romantic sensibilities.
Across the anachronistic album, Ghostface flexes his lyrical gymnastics and storytelling on a slew of elegant and grimey instrumentals. The album also features a pantheon of notable guests, like his former bandmates Raekwon and Method Man, Nas and Busta Rhymes to name a few.
Ghostface Killah plays Madison Theater on June 28 at 8 p.m. More info: madisontheater.com.
This story is featured in CityBeat's June 26 print edition.
