The duo of Cipha Sounds and Peter Rosenberg sat down with the New York City legend Ghostface Killah on the latest episode of the Juan Ep Is Life Podcast. The episode starts off with Peter praising Ghostface for the great quality of his latest album, Set The Tone (Guns & Roses). Rosenberg tells Ghostface, “Thank you for never putting me in a situation where I have to interview one of my heroes and pretend that their album is good.”
Ghostface revealed how he worked with Kanye West on the song “No Face” from the album. He said he got the feature shortly before the album’s release. Rosenberg noticed how the song sampled Ghostface’s chorus from the “New God Flow.1” collaboration with Kanye West and Pusha T and Ghostface said it’s an inescapable beat and that he loves it. He praised Kanye for his musical genius and how he works with other artists.
As they discussed his catalog, Ghostface reflected on how he didn’t like some of his projects, especially Ironman. “Coming off Cuban Linx, going into Ironman, it was down for me. Even for the beats, it was dark-ish, but I didn’t have the chance to really write because I only had two months to really get it done. And I think that’s why I don’t really deal well with deadlines now.”
They reflected on the song “Nutmeg” from the Supreme Clientele album. Cipha Sounds described the song as artful and should be labeled as more than rap. The interview closes with Ghostface, Rosenberg, and Cipha reflecting on Ghostface’s Hip Hop 50 performance at Yankees Stadium. The trio discussed the backstory on how a past Biz performance helped Ghostface figure out his set.
On this day in 1996, Ghostface Killah’s released highly anticipated debut album Ironman was released on the Loud/RCA imprint. With exclusive in-house Wu production from True Master and the RZA coupled with Raekwon The Chef appearing on almost every song on the album, making this album one of the best concept albums completed by the nine-man conglomerate to date.
The 16-track album featured several hits that bolstered the Wu-Tang Clan’s status as the best rap collective in the game, including the haunting street saga “Motherless Child”, “All That I Got Is You” featuring Mary J. Blige and the late Popa Wu and “Winter Warz”, which appeared on the Don’t Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood soundtrack.
This album proceeded Ghost’s abstract lyrical content as witnessed on 2000’s Supreme Clientele LP, but its storytelling premise keeps listeners glued to the cadence and rhyme style of Mr. Coles equally as much as they are attracted to RZA’s production.
Ironman finally reached platinum status in 2004, which still proves to be Ghost’s most successful album of his career. The WTC would follow up with albums that attempt to mirror the conceptual preciseness of Ironman, however, none of the Clan’s solo projects can be compared in its totality to that of Tony Starks.
Legendary MC. Lyrical genius. A true visionary of verse. Since revolutionizing hip-hop with the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah has electrified the world with his words, fashion, and untouchable storytelling style. The best in his field, Ghostface demands the same for his Killah Koffee line and today, announced a new partnership with Keurig to launch two of the brand’s most popular varieties- Supreme Dark Roast and Shaolin Cannoli-to the K-Cup pod format for the first time.
Founded in 2021, and black-owned, Killah Koffee is crafted using 100% Arabica beans and tailored to suit the tastes of everyday coffee enthusiasts, to those seeking a flavorful treat. Starting today, fans can enjoy a mug of the popular Shaolin Cannoli medium roast or a bold Supreme Dark Roast; brewed to perfection right at home.
“Killah Koffee is more than just a product; it’s an extension of my life experiences,” said Ghostface. “In my travels around the world, I have celebrated the music and shared a passion for a good cup of coffee with fans, and through this new partnership with Keurig, we are creating an opportunity to make more memories with an even greater audience.”
Killah Koffee features six proprietary blends including, Marvelous Medium Roast, Marble Cake, Vanilla Milkshake, Supreme Dark Roast, Shaolin Cannoli, and Chocolate Chip Mint, in 12 OZ bags and available on KillahKoffee.com. Supreme Dark Roast and Shaolin Cannoli K-Cup pods are now available in 10-count boxes on Keurig.com.
Whether in bagged form or in the ultra-convenient K-Cup pod format, Killah Koffee embodies the smooth, flamboyant style that only Ghostface Killah can deliver.
Over the weekend, numerous major hip-hop events took place. While Hot 97’s annual Summer Jam seemed plagued with controversies, The Root Picnic appears to have mostly gone off without a hitch. Saturday night Nas served as the festival headliner and he didn’t disappoint with his set. As you’d expect, he had a few guests out during the show and one of the is particularly noteworthy to the “NY State Of Mind” rapper.
Nas was joined on stage by Wu-Tang Clan rapper and fellow New York legend Ghostface Killah. The pair performed “Verbal Intercourse” and Ghostface unpacked “Cherchez La Ghost,” “Ice Cream,” and “C.R.E.A.M.” During his performance, Nas hit him with some pretty high praise. “That’s my fucking favorite rapper right there,” he said to the crowd while embracing Ghostface. The trio later posed for pictures with Beanie Sigel after he was also brought out on stage as a guest. Check out a video of the pair coming out on stage as guests below.
Nas Claims Ghostface Killah Is His Favorite Rapper
Last year, Nas wrapped up an impressively prolific and acclaimed 4 year period of his career. He and Hit-Boy teamed up for six total albums split across two trilogies. The King’s Disease trilogy concluded in 2022 followed by the release of Magic 2 and Magic 3 last year. He’s continued to promote the records releasing multiple videos for deep cuts from both albums since they dropped. Nas was tapped by some as a potential recipient of the key to New York City if it was formally rescinded from Diddy. The rap mogul received the key last year but has been mired in controversy ever since. Calls for his key to be rescinded increased after video leaked of him allegedly assaulting Cassie in a hotel the pair were staying at together.
What do you think of Nas claiming that Ghostface Killah is his favorite rapper while having him on stage during the Roots Picnic? Do you want to see the pair of New York legends collaborate again going forward? Let us know in the comment section below.
Ghostface Killah can say what he wants. The Wu-Tang rapper has put out classic albums in multiple decades, and his latest, Set the Tone, proves that he hasn’t lost his touch. He’s one of the elite artists in the history of hip-hop, so it makes sense that he would have opinions on where the genre is going. Ghost was interviewed by Rolling Stone on May 22, and he took the current generation of rappers to task for being bad at one specific thing: storytelling. He wants to hear more narratives set to song.
Ghostface asserted that the only storytellers in hip-hop are the ones from his generation. He even cited some of his fellow Wu-Tang Clan members as examples. “I don’t hear n**gas doing storytelling no more, man,” he lamented “There might be Nas. You might still got [Slick] Rick out there doing it, Raekwon [and] GZA.” The rapper blamed this pivot away from storytelling on the desire to make songs that play well in the clubs. “A lot of stuff be regular darts, regular raps,” he added. “Everything with this new generation is about clubs.”
Ghostface Killah Laments Music Being Made For Clubs Only
Ghostface Killah then targeted the current wave of female rappers. He felt they were the most egregious examples of style over substance, and pointed to 90s stars like Foxy Brown and Lauryn Hill as examples of well-balanced artists. “The Lauryn Hills of this sh*t [are] gone,” he told Rolling Stone. “Even the Foxys and sh*t like that, like a lag came over it. But all this other ‘lick my a*s,’ ‘my butthole brown’ sh*t, it’s like … it’s too much.” Ghost didn’t mention any specific names when it came to rappers he didn’t like, but the lyric he used is likely a reference to Sexxy Red.
The one modern rapper who impresses Ghostface Killah is Kendrick Lamar. During a recent interview with Juan Epstein, the Wu-Tang rapper claimed that Lamar made him up his game. “That’s why when I did the record with Kendrick, it was like, ‘Okay… I sat with it and was like — I sent him two verses,” Ghost recalled. “I sent him a ‘just in case’ one. Like, ‘N**ga, if that don’t go, this one [will].’” It probably helps that Lamar has made some of the most ambitious concept albums in hip-hop history. Game will always recognize game.
Ghostface Killah is a legend in any time period. He’s dominated other artists for over three decades, and he’s gone head-to-head with the likes of Biggie and Nas. Ghost’s reputation is bulletproof (insert wallets joke here), which would probably intimidate any rapper who attempted to collaborate with him. Kendrick Lamar is the exception to the rule, apparently. Ghostface Killah talked about his 2022 song with Lamar, “Purple Hearts,” and how impressed he was with the latter’s work ethic. He was so impressed, in fact, that he upped his game.
Ghostface recounted the collab during a recent appearance on the Juan Epstein podcast. He was asked about the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar (because everybody is these days), and he redirected the convo to “Purple Hearts.” The Wu-Tang rapper was “honored” to contribute to Lamar’s double album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. “He put his call in and it was like, ‘Yo, okay. This is one of them names,’” he recalled. “I ain’t take him lightly because his wordplay, his style, y’know what I mean? Now, I just gotta do what I feel.”
Ghostface knew that he couldn’t phone in a verse, however. He put down his bars for “Purple Hearts,” then decided to write and record a second verse just in case. He wanted to make sure Lamar was happy with the final product, so he gave him multiple options. “[These young guys] can really, really rhyme,” he explained. “That’s why when I did the record with Kendrick, it was like, ‘Okay… I sat with it and was like — I sent him two verses. I sent him a ‘just in case’ one. Like, ‘N**ga, if that don’t go, this one [will].’”
This isn’t the first time Ghostface Killah has praised the Compton rapper. During a 2022 interview with Billboard, Ghost gave Kendrick Lamar his flowers and singled him out as one of the best of his generation along with J. Cole. “For a lot these [fans] in the younger generation, [their favorite], it’s either Kendrick or J. Cole,” he noted. “I gave him his praises, and he boomeranged that sh*t back.” This was well before the Big Three battle, but it’s safe to assume Ghost’s high opinion of Lamar is even higher now. The rapper’s victory has even led to Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers re-entering the Billboard 200.
Ghostface Killah is an iconic MC who truly requires no introduction. The rap legend has been churning out high-quality releases for over three decades, both as a solo artist and as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. His latest effort, Set the Tone (Guns & Roses) released on May 10, features a wide array of rap industry icons. The record touts guest appearances from the likes of Method Man, Nas, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, and more. Set the Tone (Guns & Roses) marks Ghostface Killah’s return with his first full-length album since 2019’s Ghostface Killahs, providing nearly five full years of new experiences for the artist to cover. Let’s dive into the project and review the material therein.
The Album Starts Off Strong
Ghostface Killah kicks off Set the Tone with the explosive track “6 Minutes,” offering rap verses with Ghost’s trademark brash delivery. The track features guest vocals from Jim Jones, Sheek Louch, and Harl3y, each blending perfectly with Ghost’s grimy East Coast flavor. The second track on the album, “Pair of Hammers,” is handily the best song on the entire project, as Ghost and Method Man exchange lyrical haymakers in a showing of pure Wu-Tang chemistry. Be sure to pack a spare pair of headphones when listening to this song because Method Man’s delivery of “I tell her ‘La-Di-Da-Di’ like I’m Rick / We jammin’ in the party, Bob Marley with the spliff / Black Bugatti with the shift / Look at Johnny, I’m blazin’, got an army, not a clique,” may leave your earbuds smoking.
“Skate Odyssey” continues this high-energy trend with a smooth, jazzy beat and a soulful sung chorus from October London. You wouldn’t normally expect this jazz-inspired vibe to fit well with Ghostface Killah’s in-your-face delivery, but the track manages to achieve perfect harmony with the juxtaposition. Raekwon appears for a brief feature on the back end, proving once again that Ghost works best alongside his Wu affiliates.
Set The Tone Begins To Lose Steam Halfway Through
While some tracks manage to maintain interest, such as “Scar Tissue” with Nas and “No Face” with Kanye, Set the Tone (Guns & Roses) begins to falter at the halfway mark. The album runs 19 tracks over the course of 52 minutes, with a solid amount of filler padding out the back end. Tracks such as “Kilo in the Safe,” “Cape Fear,” and “Locked In” are completely forgettable and frankly should have been left on the cutting room floor. Ghostface Killah also chose to cram a handful of pointless skits into the mix, which sees him speaking about cereal, flirting with a woman over the phone, and roasting his friends on a video call.
While Ghostface Killah does experiment with different sounds on a few tracks, many of them come off as bland and unfinished. Such is the case for the Reggae-inspired “Champion Sound,” which features Beniton singing in patois, or the Caribbean dance-inspired “Shots” with Busta Rhymes. While these tracks aren’t the lowest point on the album, they are mostly forgettable, with Ghost failing to bring enough energy to keep listeners attentive.
There Are Some Major Low Points
Despite Ghost’s best efforts, he throws some serious duds into the mix here, with tracks like “Bad B****” and “Touch You” offering absolutely no value to listeners. The latter track is a misguided love and sex ballad that makes the baffling decision to heavily interpolate Mario’s 2004 hit “Let Me Love You.” However, the absolute lowest moments on this record come from the songs “Plan B” and “Trap Phone.”
“Plan B” is an absolutely repugnant song that painstakingly lays out a narrative of Ghostface Killah cheating on his spouse and forcing his lustful affair to take a Plan B pill so as not to disrupt his existing family. All of this is punctuated with thousands of layers of obnoxious autotune. This track isn’t even worth listening to out of morbid curiosity. Furthermore, “Trap Phone” isn’t even really a Ghostface song at all, as Chucky HollyWood takes the lead for about 80 percent of the runtime, with a completely unlistenable whining autotune effect that sounds like he let a child loose in the studio to play with the vocal effect knobs.
Conclusion
Ghostface Killah does manage to recoup some interest in the final moments of Set the Tone (Guns & Roses) with an energetic final track titled “Yupp!” with Remy Ma. This song might have had a shot at bringing the vibe back, but it’s just too little too late after combing through some of the missteps. While the album does have some major high points, especially in the first handful of tracks, it falls flat overall.
Ghostface Killah managed to stand out in a group full of legends when he was with the Wu-Tang Clan. Now, the Staten Island native is making his presence felt in a similar way, even in today’s landscape. After four years of not dropping a new album, Ghostface Killah has just ended the dry spell with Set The Tone (Guns & Roses). This marks his 12th solo effort and excitingly, this is the East Coast spitter’s first release underneath Nas’ label, Mass Appeal.
Leading up to this moment, Killah put out two singles; “YUPP!” with Remy Ma and “Scar Tissue” featuring Nas. Additionally, over the last week, he had been getting fans hyped for Set The Tone on his social media platforms. “HOLD TIGHT THIS ALBUM HAS FIRE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE…. GUNS & ROSES, Ghostface said while promoting “Scar Tissue on IG.” Those words from the now 54-year-old (as of May 9), are quite true, as he brings different genres, like dancehall, to the table.
Listen To Set The Tone (Guns & Roses) By Ghostface Killah
Outside of this being a new album from an all-timer like Ghostface, another big draw for this album was the feature list. A lot of people, including were thrilled when we saw who was enlisted. From one of Kanye West’s better verses on “No Face,” to Beniton’s contagious energy on “Champion Sound,” there a lot of great variety. Ghostface shows why he still commands respect to this day on Set The Tone.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new album Set The Tone (Guns & Roses) by Ghostface Killah? What tracks have you been gravitating toward? Who had the strongest guest performance? Where do you have Ghostface ranked amongst the greatest rappers of all time? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Ghostface Killah. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
FIRE