Since my teenage years I have always been fascinated by the Wu-Tang Clan and its individual members. Each member had a different personality and vocal delivery that made them one of the most popular rap groups during the 1990s, if not of rap history. I don’t know that I could pinpoint a particular rapper that I liked the most; they all had their own versions of stories that they would weave together into songs. As a group, the Clan has released 5 albums; Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is a hip hop classic released in 1993 when West Coast gangsta rap was the en vogue thing, and they released a record quite different to that sound but with the same braggadocio, grime and grit.
Members of the Wu-Tang Clan have released solo records as well as teamed up with other members and rappers to release material. One of the best duos from this group is the pairing of Raekwon (real name = Corey Woods) and Ghostface Killah (real name = Dennis Coles). Their collaborations on their solo efforts have always had some of the best rap stories. Ghostface has one of the best rap flows I have heard, and while he can be quite violent and lewd, he’s very effective in his rhymes. Paired with another great wordsmith in Raekwon, they have put out some fantastically reviewed albums. Fishscale, released by Ghostface Killah in 2006, is one of the albums to achieve this and is the next record I’m discussing.
#67 – Ghostface Killah, Fishscale (Metascore = 88)
Fishscale is filled with tales of crime, drugs, and sex. “Fishscale” itself is slang for uncut cocaine, the drug most frequently referenced during this record. There are short skits (“Heart Street Directions” is the funniest yet lewdest thing I have heard on record not spoken by a comedian). There are references to the Iron Man comics (Ghostface has been frequently referred to as Iron Man since his solo debut. On “9 Milli Bros.” the entire Wu-Tang Clan (including the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard) appears to support his record.
Obviously Ghostface is the highlight of this set – it IS his record. This record, though, really impressed me more than some of his other releases. He sounds loose and confident here; the stories he and the wide selection of guests tell here are sharp and intriguing. Even if there was no intent to develop a specific story here, I feel like I am watching a movie listening to it. There are stories of early life in organized crime (“Shakey Dog”), the lead character on top of the world (“The Champ”, “Beauty Jackson”), the same character dealing with losing friends (“R.A.G.U.”), and reminiscing about the aunt that would set him straight despite being involved in organized crime (“Whip You Like a Strap”). Not all tracks sound like they belong in the same movie, but without them the listener would feel short changed. “Momma” is one of the best tracks on this record and one of the most personal; he details the struggles of a single mother dealing with heart break and pains, wanting to let everything go, but how he is going to bring hope and peace to this mother. It’s a truly powerful track.
This record is full of great backing samples, a product of the great producers involved on the album. MF DOOM, who is basically Madvillain (seem my previous blog on how awesome Madvillain was), produces a few of my favorites off the record (“9 Milli Bros.”, “Jellyfish”). Pete Rock, famous for being a part of Pete Rock & CL Smooth, brings his synthesis of jazz and funk to produce some killer tunes here, too (“R.A.G.U.” and “Be Easy”). I find it amazing how much a great beat can bring out of a rapper or singer. I believe the beats are a catalyst in how the artist writes. Here the beats become a part of the story that is being told.
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