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.
Happy 54th birthday to Ghostface Killah, one of the best to ever rap. As a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, he’s been engrained in hip-hop culture for the part 30 years now. In fact, it’s not hard to see the collective as a whole’s influence in the contemporary generation of MCs. Many within the Wu and within the Griselda crew have pointed out the kindred spirit between them, and any gritty lyricist you love today has roots in the Shaolin land. Of course, it’s thanks to revered spitters like Ghost that this cultural and artistic connection exists, but don’t think that history and time have eroded his untouchable qualities as a wordsmith and storyteller.
On albums like Ironman (1996), Supreme Clientele (2000), and 2006’s Fishscale (plus, hopefully, the upcoming Set The ToneLP), you’ll find plenty of vivid imagery, staggering wordplay, and cinematic storytelling, but don’t think that’s where the buck stopped. Tony Starks continued to collaborate prolifically, play with new conceptualizations of tried-and-true ideas, and process more experiences to turn into excellence. You can determine for yourself whether these Ghostface Killah songs (solo material, not feature verses) match up to his most classic work. But you’d be a fool to label him anything less than one of the greatest hip-hop artists alive, or to classify some of his 2010s and 2020s output as undeserving of that praise.
“Love Don’t Live Here No More” Feat. Kandace Springs – 36 Seasons (2014)
In chronological order, we start with Ghostface Killah’s 2014 concept album 36 Seasons, centering around Tony’s return home after nine years behind bars. This is one of the opening cuts, and narrates how much he looked forward to seeing his girl after so long. Through detailed narration, a tender instrumental, and conflicting emotions about loyalty and loneliness from both romantic parties, Ghost creates a very hard-hitting cut. It’s an amazing sample flip to boot, and suggestive lines like “Gone for 9 years like 9 months to a child” give some more depth to what this love’s dynamic actually looks like.
“Six Degrees” Feat. Danny Brown – Sour Soul With BADBADNOTGOOD (2015)
Over one of the oddest instrumentals Ghostface Killah’s tackled over the last decade, he crafts really striking chemistry with none other than Danny Brown. Hearing the vocal contrast between the former’s composed force and the latter’s unleashed yelps is a true treat, especially when the beat switches between stronger boom-bap drums and swings and more jazzy, eerie, and syncopation-focused percussion. It’s no wonder the instrumental can come across so haunting with lines like, “Sixth sense, six pack, six degrees of separation / My evil third eye blinks with no hesitation” sticking in your head. Heavily reverbed and cavernous guitar plucks, woozy tones, and an overall minimal atmosphere really emphasize the hedonistic nature of their boasting.
“Resurrection Morning” Feat. Raekwon & Bilal – Twelve Reasons To Die II With Adriane Young (2015)
Ghostface Killah’s known to be larger than life: overwhelming orchestral instrumentation, energetic verses of life’s realities and mysteries… the whole shebang. But over the past decade, few collaborations or tracks in his catalog are quite as passionate, evocative, or dramatic as this one, which centers around a man sacrificing himself seemingly to exact revenge to achieve atonement or to curse another. Whether it’s choral vocals, ringing organ chords, hard-hitting boom-bap drums, electric guitar strums, or uplifting piano arpeggios, “Resurrection Morning” really gives weight behind gut-punching lyrics like, “Murderer, take lives like mine’s was once taken / Or leave my seed in this cold world, my heart’s aching.” There are also some striking chord changes throughout that not only keep the song dynamic but also illustrate the complexity of emotions within.
“Buckingham Palace” Feat. Benny The Butcher, 38 Spesh & KXNG Crooked – The Lost Tapes With Big Ghost Ltd (2018)
At face value, there’s not much new to say about “Buckingham Palace”: a loud and bombastic horn-led boom-bap beat, equally boisterous bars like, “We kamikazes, microphone aeronautics / We bounce off promoters like West Coast hydraulic,” and fiery verses from the guests. But not only is this a well-balanced and properly electrified throwback, but it also shows off a lot of dynamic blow-trading between all these MCs. Spesh and Benny, in particular, trade bars off quickly, melding their individual verses into one. All in all, this will probably hit especially hard for the old heads out there, and is among the best examples of P Tone retreading old territory.
When they hit, there’s nothing like a Wu-Tang Clan reunion, and this is probably the biggest highlight on the collaborative album between Ghostface Killah and CZARFACE (Inspectah Deck, 7L and Esoteric), although ironically enough, Inspectah isn’t on this one. Instead, Ghost and Esoteric trade between two instrumental tones over the same percussion: the former’s contains menacing horns for his villainous energy (“I got a question for the mirror, ‘The Ballys or the Wallos?’ / ‘The Desert E, or should I do the pound with the hollows?’“), whereas the latter spits more lackadaisically over cold synths and ghostly pianos and pads. The switches between the two are always worthy of a stank face, and it’s more evidence of the now-54-year-old working perfectly with whatever teammate is by his side in the booth.
The closing track on the somewhat self-titled 2019 album from Ghostface Killah is an unconventional reggae flip that nonetheless contains one of the best beats on the project, and a refreshingly laidback atmosphere for him to attack. He’s still able to come through with aggressive deliveries coating more luxurious and nature-tuned lines like, “Sharpened machetes that slice through the trees for berries / Busting coconuts, Selassie legendary” or still bragging threateningly with lines like “Machine gun mask on, looking like a bunch of goalies.” But most impressively, neither contrasting approach dilutes the other. The Staten Island native has missed some fusions before, but this is just as sunny as it is sonning any rapper attempting to match his energy.
Finally, we have a bit of a cop out. But as one of two Wu-Tang MCs on here for the group’s first official single in six years in the year of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, we wanted to shout out Ghostface Killah’s emotive, powerful, and deeply verse on “Claudine.” Per legendary Wu producer Mathematics, who’s behind the board here, this song is a tribute to his mother and to “all mothers, wives, and young women,” and is a soulful tale of love, perseverance, pain, and togetherness. Method Man goes over a complicated relationship with a partner, whereas Ghost honors his deceased mother. “Her face was cold, she felt my tears in the casket / And every drop that fell on her cheek, I cried acid.” It summarizes much of what makes his work transcendent in a powerful way, and we can’t wait to hear what else he crafts.
On this day in 1970, rapper/actor Dennis Coles aka Ghostface Killah was born. The chamber of eccentricity comes almost exclusively from Tony Starks, who has been compared to the likes of Slick Rick with his signature, six inch high eagle bracelet and other excessively gaudy jewels.
At the foundation of the Wu saga, Ghost’s face was unseen and wasn’t revealed until the Chef’s Only Built For Cuban Linx classic “Purple Tape”. With ten solid solo albums under his belt, Ghostdini continues to impact the game along with his WTC family.
The Source Magazine would like to send a super shout out to the “Ironman” of Hip Hop on his degree day! Enjoy!
On this day in 1993, the legendary Wu-Tang Clan began their reign as one of the most powerful and influential rap groups in history by releasing their debut single, “Protect Ya Neck.” With this track, Wu-Tang took the rap game by storm with a style unheard and an attitude unseen. “Protect Ya Neck” set a tone in Hip Hop that shifted the genre toward a more hardcore, rugged sound.
Originally recorded in a different order with a completely different beat, group member RZA took the liberty to reconstruct the song in post-production to the goliath that we all know and love. According to him, all he needed was the vocals of the group. The original beat used was just a placeholder used to get the verses. RZA’s unique style also incorporated the kung-fu film dialogue and fought scenes throughout the track. This unique style of production became a trend for Wu-Tang Clan.
To clarify any confusion about who is who on the song, the order of verses is as follows: Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, U-God, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, RZA, & GZA. The single was first released independently through Wu-Tang Records and had “After the Laughter Comes Tears” as the B-side. Loud Records later re-released it with “Method Man” as the B-side. It sold 10,000 copies.
There’s a new freestyle going viral on social media and it’s got a lot of people talking. That’s because of the identity of the rapper spitting punchlines over the instrumental to Redman’s 1999 Doc’s Da Name 2000 standout “Da Goodness.” Chey (pronounced “Shy”) is a relatively unknown rapper with a VERY well-known familial connection. Chey’s full name is Cheyenne Smith and her dad is Clifford Smith — better known to hip-hop fans as Wu-Tang Clan member and 1990s hitmaker Method Man.
According to HipHopDX, Chey kicked off her rap career in earnest earlier this year, releasing her solo debut single “Hair And Nails” in January. In February, she followed it with “Boujee And Ghetto,” her second solo single. The first taps into the ever popular New York drill wave, while the second is a thumping, organ-driven anthem anthem. However, it’s her freestyle over her famous father’s frequent collaborator’s instrumental that is currently garnering all the attention, likely as a result of her wordplay-riddled verse over a nostalgic beat resonating with listeners who grew up on Red & Meth.
Technically, though, Chey made her debut in 2021 as a feature on the “Tag I’m Litt” remix from 2nd Generation Wu — a group made up of her brother and her “cousins,” who are all children of original Wu-Tang members. The group consists of Method Man’s son PXWER; Ghostface Killah’s son, Sun God; U-God’s son GFTD – iNTeLL; and Young Dirty Bastard (whose parentage should be obvious from his name alone). And while Chey declined any favors from Method Man in a recent interview, there’s just no getting around the advantage her pedigree might be able to give her as she works her way into the business.
On this day in Hip-Hop history, Wu-Tang Clan’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard released his debut solo LP, Return of the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. Released by Elektra Records, Return of the 36 Chambers was only the second solo LP by any Wu-Tang member. Largely produced by fellow Wu-Tang emcee RZA, the album had a mostly positive commercial reception.
Peaking at number seven on the Billboard 200 and number two on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart, Return of the 36 Chambers sold 81,000 albums in its first week and was certified gold later that year. The album was also nominated for “Best Rap Album” at the 1996 Grammy Awards.
Coming off such a successful group debut, there were few critics could say to discount the record. The Source, Rolling Stone,and Allmusic have all given the project four out of five stars. In 1998, The Source selected the album to be a part of its 100 Best Rap Albums list.
Following Return of the 36 chambers: The Dirty Version, ODB went on to release one more solo album, Nigga Please, before his untimely demise in 2004. Ol’ Dirty will forever be remembered as one of the most talented and unique emcees to ever grace the mic.
The Wu-Tang Clan is one of the most celebrated rap groups the genre has ever seen. When you think of iconic hip-hop collectives, they are almost always the first one that comes to mind. From iconic tracks and the members’ impressive solo catalogs, they will always be remembered for their contributions. On top of their music, they have also been recognized as tremendous performers. Spectators at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas seemed to have agreed with that take, as Wu-Tang Clan will be returning for two more shows later this year. According to HipHopDX, the rap clan posted on the Instagram to announce the news.
“You brought the ruckus this weekend Vegas let’s do it all again September 27 & 28! The Saga Continues… Las Vegas Residency The Theater at Virgin Hotels will continue to be our home. Get there early to get the full experience.” The Wu-Tang Clan’s original run in Sin City was seven weeks and began in February.
If you are looking to purchase tickets for these shows here is all you need to know. If you are looking to get your hands on passes before the general sale, you will have that opportunity. Pre-sale will kick off tomorrow, March 27, at 10 a.m. PT. Wu-Tang provided a code to use at checkout as well, which is “CREAM.” Then, if you cannot get those early, regular tickets will be on the site at 10 a.m. PT Friday, March 29.
What are your thoughts on the Wu-Tang Clan getting two extra shows after their seven-week Las Vegas residency? Are they the greatest hip-hop group of all time, why or why not? Do you think they deserved the bonus performances? Were you able to see one of their shows? 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 the Wu-Tang Clan. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.
DoesLil Rel Howery look like T-Pain? Some people think so!
The comedian and actor is best known for his role as Robert Carmichael in The Carmichael Show on CBS, as well as Rod Williams in the horror film Get Out. He also recently played a role in the release of Good Burger 2.
Last week during the BMF premiere in Los Angeles, The Source caught up with Lil Rel Howery about the moment he fell with Hip-Hop, getting mistaken for T-Pain, and more!
How many times have you been mistaken for T-Pain?
Oh wow. [laughs] More than you would think actually, which is weird. Me and T laugh at it all the time, but a lot more than you think. I think we should do something together, I’ma have to put him in one of my movies with me. We sound alike too. We sound like clones, it’s so weird.
What was the moment you fell in love with Hip-Hop?
Wow, that’s a great question. Honestly, I fell in love with Hip-Hop because of the weekend. I loved Hip-Hop before that, but when I fell in love with it was when I heard “Triumph” man. One of the best group songs ever created.
What’re you most excited for being here at the BMF premiere?
The one thing I’m most excited about is seeing the new episode! It’s a cliff-hanger for me. I love the show. When I saw Meech and his friend cut them off, I want to see how my mans react to that. Is he going to do something dirty? Is he bitter about it? It’s going to be very interesting, I can’t wait to see.
What else are you working on?
We got a movie coming out. We Grown Now out coming out of April with me and Jurnee Smollett, so excited about it. Then Harold and the Purple Crayon August 2nd, it’s for families. I showed it to my family a couple weeks ago. It’s going be a big movie this summer. Children are going to absolutely love it.
U-God, a prominent member of the iconic hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, has made waves not only through his contributions to the legendary ensemble but also through his solo endeavors. As of 2024, his net worth stands as a testament to his success, with estimates placing it around $5 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Let’s delve into the factors that have contributed to this significant figure.
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL, 1997: (L-R) GZA, Method Man, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Masta Killa, RZA and Ol’ Dirty Bastard of the American rap group Wu-Tang Clan pose for a portrait circa April, 1997 in New York, New York. (Photo by Bob Berg/Getty Images)
Formed in the early 1990s in Staten Island, New York, the Wu-Tang Clan quickly rose to prominence with their groundbreaking fusion of gritty lyricism, martial arts imagery, and innovative production. U-God, born Lamont Jody Hawkins, played a pivotal role in the group’s success, contributing his distinctive voice and lyrical prowess to iconic tracks such as “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Protect Ya Neck.”
The Wu-Tang Clan’s influence on hip-hop culture cannot be overstated, with their debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) widely regarded as a masterpiece that redefined the genre. Their unique approach to lyricism, coupled with their enigmatic personas and larger-than-life stage presence, captivated audiences worldwide and cemented their status as one of the most influential rap groups of all time.
Solo Career & Ventures
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – APRIL 02: U-God of Wu Tang Clan performs live on stage at Espaco Unimed on April 2, 2023 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.(Photo by Mauricio Santana/Getty Images)
Beyond his contributions to the Wu-Tang Clan, U-God has also forged a successful solo career, releasing several albums that showcase his distinctive style and storytelling prowess. His solo endeavors have allowed him to further showcase his versatility as an artist, exploring different themes and musical landscapes while staying true to his roots.
In addition to his music career, U-God has ventured into various other fields, including acting and entrepreneurship. His entrepreneurial spirit has led him to explore business opportunities outside of the music industry, further diversifying his portfolio and contributing to his overall net worth.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 30: U-God performs at the Loud Records 25th Anniversary Concert at Radio City Music Hall on January 30, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
As we look to the future, U-God’s influence on hip-hop culture continues to resonate, as we’ve seen with their recent residency in Las Vegas, inspiring new generations of artists to push the boundaries of the genre. His contributions to the Wu-Tang Clan, both as a member and as a solo artist, have left an indelible mark on the music industry, earning him a place among the legends of rap.
With his net worth standing at an estimated $5 million in 2024, U-God’s success serves as a testament to the enduring power of talent, hard work, and perseverance. As he continues to evolve as an artist and entrepreneur, his legacy remains secure, ensuring that his impact on the world of music will be felt for years to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, U-God’s net worth reflects not only his contributions to the Wu-Tang Clan but also his entrepreneurial ventures and solo career. With a diverse range of talents and a relentless drive for success, he continues to inspire and influence audiences worldwide, solidifying his place as a hip-hop icon.
On this day in Hip Hop History in 1991, Wu-Tang Clan member GZA released his debut, pre Wu-Tang album Words From the Genius. This album was one of two pre Wu-Tang Clan albums from one of the members, the other being Ooh, I Love You Rakeem EP from RZA (then called Prince Rakeem).
This album was originally released under Cold Chillin’ Records. When asked about this release in an interview, GZA recalled:
“I was signed to Cold Chillin’ ’bout five years ago. They put out an album but didn’t promote it. They tried to put it out again last year [1994] after everything happened with the Clan, put a ’94 date on it, but still didn’t put any money behind it, so it didn’t sell twice. I’m still proud of it, though. The beats ain’t all that , but lyrically, s*** was bangin’. So it wasn’t all peaches and cream, but I was determined to break though. A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits. “
As GZA stated the album was re-released in 1994 with a updated track list and again in 2006 as an expansion version under Traffic Entertainment Group, the owner of majority of Cold Chillin’ Records’ catalog.
This particular project was not the usual hardcore, heavy sampled, Shaolin sound that any Wu-Tang fan would be accustomed to. The beat selection on this project is more leaning toward the classic boom-bap sound of the early 90s. His lyricism however is just as sharp as ever. The subject mater of this project is true to the name. GZA spits pure knowledge and righteousness regarding to everyday situations of an individual living in the projects of New York.
After this project, GZA went on to join the Grammy Award winning rap group Wu-Tang Clan, formed by his cousin RZA. He continued to have a successful career releasing six studio albums.
FIRE 
(@mrshaheedmalik) 
let’s do it all again September 27 & 28! The Saga Continues… Las Vegas Residency 
The Theater at Virgin Hotels will continue to be our home. Get there early to get the full experience.” The Wu-Tang Clan’s 
