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MUSIC REVIEW: Ghostface Killah x BadBadNotGood – Sour Soul

Mark Harris
Feature, Music, The Studio

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Ghostface Killah is residing within the realm of “the veteran artist”. Chances are that he will never become the big album seller he put out Supreme Clientele. However, that fact does not detract from the quality of the music he puts out. Like many “older artists”, Ghostface will put out great music that will practically be ignored. In short, people are shamefully not peeping for Ghostface Killah’s music like they used to.

And that shameful action is actually a loss for listeners out there because his new album, Sour Soul, is worthy of a purchase.

It needs to be noted that Sour Soul is a listen of august proportions due to the lyrical approach. Ghostface notes that his “thesis is thick like the Book of Eli” while Elzhi notes that “my lines are cocaine/the flow is bath salts” over the ever funky “Gunshowers”. “Mind Playing Tricks” rehashes situations of mental incapacity the way only Tony Starks can put it together. Even “Street Knowledge” and “Ray Gun” holds no bars when it comes to conceptual approach. Even after over 20 years of igniting microphones, Ghostface Killah is still as hot as ever.

BadBadNotGood, the band/producers on this album, should not be ignored for Ghostface’s lyrics. They bring their soulful funk on each and every track. Yet, the band doesn’t even need Ghostface’s rhymes to keep the music engaging. Proof of this is the instrumental tracks “Stark’s Reality”, “Nuggets of Wisdom”, and “Reality”. As much as Ghostface Killah shines on this project, BadBadNotGood is more extraordinary than good.

Sour Soul is going to be that addition to the catalog that only cements Ghostface Killah’s ability to make good music. Ghostface hasn’t lost a step since releasing his last album a mere 3 months ago. BadBadNotGood hasn’t lost any of their funky grooves and soulful soundscapes, either. Yet, this impressive album will probably be ignored due to Ghostface being a veteran artist. Still, Sour Soul just proves that some things age like fine vintage wine.