GHOSTFACE KILLAH - SET THE TONE (GUNS & ROSES) (Official Discussion)

[The Predator]

The legend Ghostface Killah from Wu-Tang Clan links up with the guys in New York. The OG's talk rap now vs rap then, how Wu-Tang burnt Jay-Z for $500, and Killah's long time homie Grant Williams joins the show. Grant was exonerated last July from a 1996 shooting in Staten Island. Grant was wrongly convicted but still served 23 years in jail. Wallo and Grant bond over jail food and compare it Ocean Prime....smh!

[The Predator]

New York legend Ghostface Killah returns with his 16th solo album, Set The Tone (Guns & Roses), his first on Mass Appeal Records. Ghostface is a Wu-Tang Clan mainstay known for delivering consistent quality, as evidenced by classics like Ironman (1996), Supreme Clientele (2000), Fishscale (2006), and Twelve Reasons To Die (2013). His 2019 effort Ghostface Killahs was a rare misstep. Set The Tone should have rectified that, but unfortunately, it failed painfully.

The ‘Guns’ part of the album starts promisingly enough, with a couple of hard-hitting songs. Tracks like “6 Minutes,” “Pair Of Hammers,” and “Scar Tissue” offer glimpses of the brilliance we expect. Another standout is “Champion Sound”, a track that pays homage to the classic Boogie Down Productions song “The Bridge Is Over” with its similar beat and vibe. The rest of the album fails to leave a (positive) lasting impression.

In fact, the ‘Roses’ side of the album, characterized by a lifeless R&B fusion, takes a sharp turn for the worse. The unfunny skits fall flat, and most features, besides veterans like Method Man, Nas, and a surprisingly strong showing from Kanye West, fail to impress. Overall production is mediocre at best, and the hooks generally suck. The second half drags the album down considerably, with some of the weakest material in Ghostface’s career.

While included here out of respect for Ghostface’s legacy, Set The Tone (Guns & Roses) ultimately disappoints. There are a few bright spots, but the forgettable second half and for the most part lackluster execution make it one of Ghostface’s weaker efforts.

[WCThang]

The first half of this album is pretty good. I absolutely love the Kanye joint. The second half of the album is a complete abomination.

[The Predator]

On this episode of Toure Show, the legend, Ghostface Killah is in the building to discuss all things Wu, MCing, and living life as a man who is always trying to become a better version of himself.

[The Predator]