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BADBADNOTGOOD X Ghostface Killah review

On this hotly anticipated album, Canadian Jazz trio BadBadNotGood gives Ghostface Killah the beats and freedom to inform the masses with his old school street knowledge. Rapping under the mask of his favourite superhero alias, Ghost warns us of government corruption, ignorant tech addicted culture and the benefits of fish and yoga to live a healthy lifestyle. Yep, you heard that correctly, Ghostface Killah does yoga.

For three music school dropouts, BBNG really do know what they’re doing in terms of production and arrangement of their Jazz-fusion signature sound. Every beat sounds immaculate but still holds character. In essence it sounds like a James Bond film score with hotter drums, and some braggadocios street wisdom being dropped on top by Ghost.

“My mind races from the satellite dishes / no technology! This world’s corrupt.” – Ghost opens on the title track. He feels overwhelmed by technology, government prying and the ‘dumbing down’ of the people; the souring of their souls.

On Gunshowers, featuring Slum Village rapper Elzhi, Ghostface makes sure to remind the kids too young for Wu-Tang’s era of his influence in the rap game. “I’m an activist, socialist, deadly ass poetrist/ My thoughts so heavy I could change a generation.”

A personal favorite and the only song on the album with a repeated hook, Street Knowledge, Ghost calls out big-mouthed thugs, who will end up dead or in jail without listening to his advice. Ghost serves more relatable life lessons on two super smooth tracks; Nuggets of Wisdom and Food.

The out of place, misogynistic homage to pimping prostitutes, Tone’s Rap, is the only major ditch on the city cruising  journey this album takes you on.

A brilliant collaboration, it will be interesting to see if BBNG keep working with the old school artists like Ghost or move onto a new sound. Either way their talent will shine through.  Check out Gunshowers ft. Elzhi through the link.

If you don’t know much about BADBADNOTGOOD, their early work includes a lot of covers of hip hop classics. Check out their epic jazz orchestra version of Kanye West’s 2007 hit Flashing Lights on their SoundCloud page below.

 

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