As one of the original nine members of the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah has never ceased to entertain his listeners. His earliest days showed a masked Dennis Cole, usually lounging in the grimiest abandoned buildings of Staten Island. He was unquestionably a street rapper with a knack for writing rhymes off the top of his head. His debut on fellow Wu-member Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx brought us classic songs like "Criminology" and "Ice Cream." Throughout his career, Ghost's image was represented through characters such as the superhero Ironman and his alter ego, Toney Starks. Ghostface's latest, The Pretty Toney Album, displays both his street upbringing and love of classic soul.
In his latest show at the Sonar Lounge, Ghostface proved he still has what it takes to move the crowd. Despite his late arrival, fans welcomed him with overwhelming energy. Ghostface appeared with a sizable entourage including Wu-affiliate Cappadonna, and rappers Trife Da God, Kryme Life and Du Lilz, members of his self-created group, Theodore Unit. The Unit started the show with Trife's single off the 718 Album, Punch In Punch Out, featuring a dark brass loop and a Bob James-esque keyboard sample. Next on stage was Cappadonna. After speaking on his past five years as a resident of Baltimore, Cappa dropped his long verse off the classic, "Winter Warz."
Pretty Toney entered the stage with a boom. Sporting a brown plaid fargo hat, his outfit paralleled that of his in the "Run" video, only evoking more excitement from the crowd. He started off with the first track from The Pretty Toney Album, "Biscuits." The song features Trife Da God and displays a soulful Ghostface singing along with the piano chorus in his trademark style. After "Biscuits," Ghost performed the triumphant intro track from his sophomore LP, Supreme Clientele, called "Nutmeg." Next came other classics from Supreme Clientele such as "Child's Play" and "Apollo Kids." "Iron's Theme" created an introduction to a short break where Ghostface shared his feelings on the current state of hip hop. A surprisingly well spoken Toney Starks claimed that mainstream hip hop is not as good as it once was. He stated that it lacked originality and that when listeners are bombarded by constant radio play, even the most mundane of songs can gain large followings. Ghost then gave the crowd a sample of the music he grew up on, Curtis Mayfield's "The Makings of You." After this soulful interlude and a moment of silence, for those that have passed away, Ghost broke out into the remake of the Delfonics soul ballad, "La La Means I Love You," known as "Holla" off The Pretty Toney Album. Leaving the world of sweet soul, Ghost brought us to the streets with the chaotic "Run." This song featured most of Ghost's crew running frantically across the stage followed by his new single, "Be Easy," produced by Pete Rock off of his upcoming album, Fishscale. Ghost ended the show with the second single off of Supreme Clientele, "Cherchez La Ghost" and "We Made It," also from his sophomore LP.
Being a long-time fan of Ghostface Killah, I was overwhelmingly pleased by Ghost's performance at Sonar. Unlike most hip hop concerts, Ghost's show did not have excessive bass that drowned out the sound of his voice, or annoying hype men who shouted out every other word in his songs. Most importantly, Ghostface proved that he is capable of delivering what the crowd wants to hear: good music.
