Just over two years ago, Ghostface Killah took the stage at AudioCinema for MusicFest NW after releasing two of the most important records of the 2000’s. The confidence was apparent in his demeanor, and somehow he managed to absolutely kill it even as follow up to a set from rockers The Bronx. What they accomplished that night with brash vocalizations, Ghostface made up with mid-song banter and crowd interaction.
His attention to the crowd is what, I believe, drives Ghostface to be as relevant a force both on stage and on record. His newest, Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City is easy to dismiss being that it’s such a far reach from his Wu-Tang roots. Most people give Ghost the most credit when he sounds closest to his old group. So, it’s almost a “F*** You!” to release an all R&B based record to close out an excellent decade for himself. But, I personally think the record works. Ghost brings his banter to the studio, with all the misogynistic confusion that you’d typically see on stage at his shows. He’s not only witty and funny, but thanks to the R&B hooks, he’s for once catchy. You’ll have to hear for yourself, but if you’re like me, you’re interested to see how he’s going to put it together live. He won’t have his strongest guests like Lloyd to back those hooks, but I trust Ghost will manage to make it exciting regardless.
Ghostface Killah (Ft. Ron Brownz) – She’s a Killer
Where the bronx might not exactly set the stage for a Ghostface set, this year’s opener Fashawn surely does. Anyone who’s heard either his Higher Learning or One Shot, One Kill mixtapes will know his knack for hook experimentation; often creating hooks from both his lyrics and/or the backing beat. On his debut record, Boy Meets World tracks like ‘Our Way’ and ‘Samsonite Man’ serve as reminders of an earlier (more lovable) period in Kanye’s career. Like back when he was concerned with being a pioneer within current hip-hop boundaries, rather than trying to define those boundaries as he may now. In fact, Fashawn’s flow isn’t far off, and as Kanye always has, he picks his guests, and his samples, carefully. They serve to push him further into the spotlight, rather than create it for him. He maintains an underground style, while spitting as if he’s been at it for years, ready to grab at the fame he truly deserves.
Fashawn – Life As a Shorty
So if there was any doubt in your mind about next Friday’s show going down at the WOW Hall, and Thursday’s at Berbati’s, hopefully you’ve taken time to realize just how amazing this show should end up. “Grand opening, grand closing.”: the way it should be.
Posted By David Hutchinson
