Ghostface Killah
Fishscale
Def Jam (2006)
If "The Champ" has not, by the time of publication, been mass produced onto 12" record and shipped to every club DJ in the hip-hop speaking world then there is something truly fucked with the world. You see, with summer fast approaching the dance floors of the world are screaming out for a new jam that will make women emit … Read more
Ghostface Killah
Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City
Def Jam (2009)
I'm a big Ghostface fan. Iron Man? Supreme Clientele? Fishscale? Love em'. The guy is by far the most consistent rapper of the Wu-Tang Clan. He's got great flow, can pull off the stream of consciousness rapping quite well, and his lyrics cover a nice variety of topics including the usual life on the street struggle, explicit sexual acts, as … Read more
Ghostface Killah
The Big Doe Rehab
Def Jam (2007)
On his seventh album it sounds like Ghostface is handing over the reins to the less noted, giving more of his name and less of his talent, allowing the up and comers to ride on his success. The overall presentation of the album seems rushed and halfhearted; perhaps he assumes that people will purchase the album solely on the premise … Read more
Jay-Z
The Black Album
Def Jam (2003)
Oh, the farewell. There are two kinds of retirement in music. The first is the graceful bow out of the spotlight, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on the artist, but always covers the band or artists's body of work in a veil of class and dignity. The second is a much more shameful route. Often … Read more
Kanye West
Donda
Def Jam (2021)
In June 2020, Kanye began dropping breadcrumbs to hype an upcoming full-length. First, a single with Travis Scott accompanied a tweet announcing the song would be on his next album, God’s Country. Neither that track nor album title made it to the final release. A stream of tweets with false titles, artwork, and release dates followed. After Kanye’s third high-profile … Read more
Kanye West
Yeezus
Def Jam (2013)
In an interview with the New York Times that predated the release of Yeezus, sixth solo album from Kanye West, the rapper/producer proclaimed himself the nucleus of music, fashion, internet and culture. On “New Slaves”, the quasi-single anonymously debuted on the side of 66 buildings worldwide, Kanye, in less-than eloquent diction, declared his preference of being a leader over a … Read more
Nas
Hip Hop is Dead
Def Jam (2006)
A hip hop album hasn't sparked this much controversy in years. The title led to many rappers taking great offense. Specifically, southern artists like D4L and Young Jeezy got heated over the title, questioning whom Nas was to make such a declaration. The publicity generated, along with the loyalty of Nas fans, helped Hip Hop is Dead debut at #1 … Read more
The Roots
Undun
Def Jam (2011)
I’m conflicted when it comes to “conscious rap.” On the one hand, I hate the label and attempt and creating a subgenre for hip-hop that doesn’t adhere to the conventions of mainstream rap. To me, it’s still rap and it makes little sense to marginalize those artists who seem to more highly value originality over the fast-food punchlines which dominate … Read more
