The Wu-Tang Clan has been through a lot these last couple years, but I think it’s understated how the crew has stayed together all these years. In the midst of all this, Ghostface Killah has remained busy and in my opinion is releasing some of the best hip-hop music right now. I mean come on, between “Wu-Block”, “Sour Soul” both chapters of “Twelve Reasons To Die” and more. Ghostface continues to impress and continues to release art that evokes that Wu-Tang feel while progressing his career as well. So what’s next? How about teaming up with Big Ghost LTD and grabbing a gang of legends for a project. That’s what these pair of Ghosts blessed us with in “The Lost Tapes”.
First off, stop sleeping on Big Ghost LTD, I mean it. I was reading some of his feature pieces years ago when I was in college and had no clue he was a producer. However between the Van Ghost joint with Anklejohn and his production on this, you can sign me up for whatever Big Ghost is doing. Every single beat on “The Lost Tapes” is dusty, grimy, underground fire that you feel in your soul. For some reason Wu gets a lot of flack for not just rhyming over RZA beats til 3005, but you’re missing all the way out if you don’t these tracks in your ears Big Ghost killed this.
At this point I don’t know how some don’t at least have Ghostface in the conversation for one of the best emcees to exist. This stuff sounds easy for him, from beginning to end Ghostface rips every beat to shreds. With a title like “The Lost Tapes” clearly this isn’t going to be a concept album, however Ghost has tracks like “Done It Again” that are centered around love. Other tracks like “Constant Struggle” have more of an anthem type feel to it. All of this said you still get OG Ghostface, smug, confident with razor sharp lines for you and your mama.
Lastly there are sooo many guests on this and it fits. Snoop Dogg, Planet Asia, Ras Kass, Hus Kingpin, Benny The Butcher, E-40, Bishop Lamont and more help Ghostface out on “The Lost Tapes”. Guest appearances aside, Ghostface remains the star and focal point of this album, Big Ghost LTD’s production sets the stage with gritty, crackling sounds that Ghost fits perfectly on.
I do feel “The Lost Tapes” has been slept on since its release, so don’t miss out, you can stream the project below.