Editor’s note: Combat Jack gives DP Dot Com their holiday gift. L’Chaim bitches.
I gotta apologize for not handing in my review of the Wu’s latest “8 Diagrams” as I promised my boy Dallas last week. True, I had mad grown man responsibilities to handle this weekend, but still and all, excuses are the tools of the incompetent. I see that Dallas, er, Billy X. Sunday has already given y’all the scoop on the new Wu joint.
As a peace offering, and having had the opportunity to come up on GhostFace’s “Big Doe Rehab” this weekend, I was fortunate enough to burn some trees, pop on the headphones and go deep with this one as I shoveled snow off my brand new BK castle yesterday.
Yo, for real, this one right here kills 99.9% of all hip-hop releases dropped this year(and this was a good year).
Let’s go in on this joint track by track…
“At The Cabana” – One of the funniest and most welcome intro skits I’ve heard in a very long time. Like a scene out of “Scarface”, but much more entertaining.
“Toney Sigel” – Ill menacing track laced not only with some of Toney’s freshest rhymes like “we never voted, we voting for Oprah, Obama and Eric B”, but we’re also blessed with a stellar Beanie Sigel performance, who sounds like he was born to murder this beat. I like. Very much. Them two would make an ill lp together.
“Yolanda’s House” – Crazy story joint about Ghost escaping the scene of a crime, also happening to run into both Method Man and Raekwon. Meth kills like he’s a new nigga again, one who never did that bullshit sitcom with Redman. Rae comes correct as well. Track is some smooth shit that most def could be on the OBFCL sequel. I like. Very much.
“We Celebrate” – Featuring Kid Capri. This one’s on some hyped shit using “I Just Want To Celebrate” by Rare Earth, an old Dr. Dre sample. Ghost is on celebrating life. Funny cause I peeped his interview with Miss Info where he plugged this joint for the NBA. Funny nigga.
“Walk Around” – Another ill story about how, after Ghost pops a nigga in the face with a burner, Toney starts bugging because a piece of the dude’s flesh lands on Ghost’s clothing. Track is on some ole school, Just Blaze soulful shit. Great concept. Great story. Great song. I like. Very much.
“Yapp City” – A’wright heist story featuring Trife Da God and Ghost’s son, Son God. Cool joint, not a classic though.
“White Linen Affair (Toney Awards)” – An award show which kind of reminds me of Jay-Z’s celebratory “Roc Boys”, only smoother and executed in Ghost’s unique manner. Cool how he makes all types of celebrities names rhyme together. I like. Very much.
“Supa GFK” – Ghost raps over that “Superman Lover” track Redman killed years ago. Not mad though, Ghost delivers.
“Rec-Room Therapy (Feat. Raekwon and U-God)” – Ill slinky beat, ill hook, reminds me of “Apollo Kids” from “Supreme Clientele”, Rae kills, U-God, who has to be the worst emcee in the entire the Wu click drops a verse. Dude does have a great voice though. [||]. I like. Very much.
“The Prayer (performed by Ox)” – A skit type of accapella performance by some dude named Ox, on some doo-woppish shit. A bit depressing since it sounds like Ox lived a very very painful life. I could have done without this joint.
“I’ll Die For You” – On a track sounding straight off the “Shaft” soundtrack, Ghost muses deeply about who and what he would die for. Makes it clear he ain’t dying for no punk bitches-. Once again, great concept.
“Paisley Darts (Feat Raekwon, Sun God, Method Man and Capadonna)” – Another soulful joints with Ghost and crew waxing poetic about how fly they be. Cappadonna is in rare form.
“Shakey Do Starring Lolita (feat. Raekwon)” – A story joint about some Spanish chick out to kill Ghost on some revenge shit. Soulful beats for days. Great concept. Another joint perfect of OB4CL2.
“!” – A merengue sounding instrumental interlude, I guess connecting with the intro skit.
“Killa Lipstick (feat Method man, Masta Killa)” – The EPMD “Listen To My Demo” track. Meth does the hook and we get a Masta Killa verse. ‘Bout how purty chicks can get grimey too.
“Slow Down (feat Chrisete Michele)” – Another soulful joint, this lp on the whole sounds like it could be Ghost’s version of “Blueprint”.
The verdict: On the whole, this album is currently my favorite joint in rotation. Is it one of 2007’s best? Most definitely!!! Is it better than Ghost’s classic “Supreme Clientele”? I wouldn’t say it is, but then again, this album is so different, that comparing the two would be like comparing apples to oranges. As much as I liked “8 Diagrams”, this one gets more burn, especially since it’s less complex than the Wu’s latest venture and happens to be one of Ghost’s easiest to listen to albums ever. After more than 15 years in the game and at 37 yrs old, Ghost effortlessly maintains his ability to sound like he’s new again. Makes me wonder why he’s never made anyone’s GOAT list. Hmmmm. Please cop this perfect stocking stuffer. It’s another certified Wu-tang banger.
