Ghostface Killah: Ghostdini The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City

Ghostface Killah has demonstrated a marvelous magic trick; he has undoubtedly become the most positively consistent artist in a genre that is so littered with ever-changing criticism and unruly judgment. As if that trick wasn’t enough, he’s come back for an encore with Ghostdini: The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City, a genre crossing album done ever so tastefully and coherently that even the most skeptic Wu heads will want to touch their lighter side. While this project is hardly a stretch for Ghost, it’s the essence of the idea that may prove to be the biggest difficulty in comprehending. An R&B album? Sure, if we want to call it that. The fact is there hasn’t been an unlikely combo as fitting than Ghostface and love themed lyrics alongside softer production. Wizard of Poetry keeps Starks’ streak going and he reasserts himself not only as the best and most consistent clansman, but also one of the most versatile and reliant names in the industry.

“Not Your Average Girl” is an excellent starter even if it doesn’t show any hints of this particular R&B cadence. In fact, we hear a Ghost akin to Supreme Clientele, stemming from the energetic flow and high intensity in his repertoire. Nevertheless, Ghost is as vivid as ever as he visits hardcore sex antics on the raunchy, hilarious, and fitting “Stapleton Sex.” Sandwiched in between “Lonely” and “Stay,” “Stapleton Sex” acts as that quick intense in-the-moment sex session to fulfill a lonesome void, but also brings on the aftermath of companionship and greed. Evidently, the Wizard is not only crafting a great album, but the poet is mustering up a Shakespearean love story filled with worship, hate, and passion with others and within himself.

The Raheem DeVaughn assisted “Baby” and “Do Over” are amongst the albums highlights. This is due to the powerful and intricate lyrical content displayed by Ghost and ear catching production courtesy of Austin “Watts” Garrick & Rashad Smith and Mahogany, respectively. The use of auto-tone by Raheem on “Baby” certainly isn’t necessary, it’s a small gripe. A similar complaint comes at the hands of “Guest House,” which re-uses the J.U.S.T.I.C.E League production on Rick Ross’ “Yacht Club.” Still, the inclusion of Fabolous as the cheating perpetrator adds an additional touch of drama to the story Ghost tells us. A similar feature that proves vital to the success of the song is Estelle’s appearance on “Paragraphs of Love” as Ghostdini’s beautiful, pregnant, and married apple of his eye. Everything on “Paragraphs…” comes together as a romantic would’ve-could’ve story and the chorus by Vaughn Anthony helps it reach new heights.

Even by the closing moments of the album, Wizard of Poetry never slows down. “Forever” and “Goner” are both heavy on replay value because of the sincerity from Ghost over the soulful strings on the former and the playful-but-not-playin’ attitude on the latter. Even the guest spot by Lloyd on “Goner” is welcomed.

Everything about this project just ends up coming together, which is amazing considering the difficulty of conceiving this idea then executing it near flawlessly. The bonus tracks really weren’t necessary though; the outdated “Back Like That” featuring an equally outdated and uninterested Kanye verse and a questionable feature from Ron Browz on “She’s A Killer” don’t add up to the top quality that make up this album.

It’s hard to say that there’s a “flaw” or “misstep” on Wizard of Poetry. If anything, songs like “I’ll Be That” are a little similar to some stuff we may hear on the radio on a daily basis that provides typicality and lack of substance. Still, that’s not the case here. It’s the spin, the detail, the honesty, the humour, and the emotion that Ghostface injects into each and every one of these songs that prove that this album is not another “softer-side attempt.” Love stories and advice from Ghostface Killah is a formula for brilliance and let’s all colour in that space that may have been left blank for topics Ghost has touched. It’s starting to look like rainbow-ish basket-weave, as opposed to a yellow brick road on the catalogue for arguably the decades best hip hop artist.

90/100

Goner

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Do Over

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Not Your Average Girl

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