Ghostface Killah - The Big Doe Rehab (Album)
Every time I turn my head Mr Ghostface Killah releases another album. Just last week, I went to the toilet to do a number two, and by the time I came out he had released yet another album The Big Doe Rehab. Along with Fishscale and More Fish from 2006, that’s at least three albums in the last two years. Prolific, anyone? After listening through The Big Doe Rehab the first time, I thought to myself ‘Now, might it be possible that he has spread himself too thin on this one? Might it be a chance that, because he releases so many albums so quickly, he may have sacrificed quality for quantity? And, is it actually physically possible to wear that much bling around your neck and fit through doors?’ After further listens, however, I realised that Ghostface Killah had done it again and that The Big Doe Rehab was an album of exceptionally high quality. I also quickly conceded that no amount of gold around your neck should ever be considered ‘too much’.
From the soulful sounding samples and vocals of ‘Walk Around’ and ‘Slow Down’ through to the triumphant party anthem ‘We Celebrate’, Ghostface Killah paints a lyrical picture of New York that is equal parts dark/violent as well as optimistic and funky. We’re talking about swinging from the 70’s funk sound through to the eerie sounds of 90’s gangsta rap. Sure, it’s not often that I am involved in ‘shooting motherf*$kers’ and ‘washing brains from my clothes’ but listening to Ghostface Killah weave stories of women, power, money and violence is certainly enthralling. After years of being an MC Ghostface Killah continues to be unsatisfied with ordinary, run of the mill hip hop and obviously toils hard to push conventional sounds and themes. A combination of smart lyrical wordplay, soulful music and hard work has made Ghostface Killah the current benchmark for MC’s the globe over. Looking for a hip hop godfather? Ghostface Killah might just be one of the most prolific MC’s of this generation and he has the track record to prove it.
And if you don’t believe me, I will shoot your ass motherf*#ker.
