Exclusive: Ghostface Q&A

By Toshitaka Kondo

A decade ago, the Wu-Tang Clan and Ghostface dropping new music within a week of each other would have been cause for a national hip-hop holiday. Unfortunately, in 2007, it only heightened tensions between Wu members already bickering about everything from compensation to the musical direction of the group’s upcoming album, 8 Diagrams. Rhapsody had a chance to sit down with Pretty Toney while he was promoting his seventh album, Big Doe Rehab. We got his thoughts on the inspiration for his ghetto stories, on G-Unit's Tony Yayo’s claims that Ghost may not be the author of Supreme Clientele, and on where things currently stand with the RZA and the Wu.

[WARNING: The following interview is not recommended for the kind of vegetarians who shy away from hip-hop beef or those who take offense to starred-out profanity.]

RHAPSODY: When you’re telling stories like “Maxine” or “Alex (Stolen Scripts),” are they inspired by real-life experiences?

Ghostface: When I hear a certain type of music, it brings certain things out. I’m an artist. I’m a real poet. Whatever the beat makes me see, I’ll go write. It might sound like a murder. It might sound like a real snowy day, or kids having fun in the snow. It might sound like “The Sun.” “Maxine” was a true story. It was based upon what happened with fiends in the projects. Crackheads is funny. They be doin’ all types of dumb s**t. You gotta watch ‘em. They sneak things from you.

What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever seen a crackhead do?

Just anything. These m*th*rf*ck*rs dance for crack. Some of them do anything you tell ‘em to do. M*th*rf*ck*rs spin on their head on concrete for a f*ck*n’ rock.

So when you’re constructing a story like “Maxine,” how long does it take to write?

Sometimes it takes a long time. It depends on how much you keep going back to it. I might write a page and then don’t go back to it for like two weeks or three weeks. It just depends on what comes that day.

What was it like collaborating with Mobb Deep on classics like “Right Back at You”?

That was early days. I don’t remember none of that sh*t. We were just in the studio. I think they had that sh*t already done and we just came and tagged on it. I wasn’t there when [Big] Noyd finished it off. Also, somebody else was on it from Staten Island. N*gg*s cut ‘em off, and put me and Rae [Raekwon] on. It was my man. I don’t want to put him out there or blow him up, though. It was one of the dudes they were f*ck*n’ with at the time.

Did you have a relationship with Hav and P before that? There were a lot of Wu-Mobb collaborations early on in your careers.

No, it was just being cool. We heard that beat, liked that beat, and it was like, "Yo, let us get that space.”

In a recent interview Tony Yayo said Superb had written Supreme Clientele.

Yeah, I was in Europe when I heard that. That’s just nonsense. I still put mad sh*t out. ‘Perb was ‘Perb, Ghost was Ghost. ‘Perb is Rae’s man. He been in the studio a few times while we’re doing sh*t. He ain’t write sh*t. All ‘Perb contributed was a couple of lines that you could put in the air. When we write, we all do that. “Say this one right here” or “Put this one right here.” We all catch lines with each other ‘cause you in the studio. You got n*gg*s around you that write. Even if he did write a verse, he could never make an album of mine. He couldn’t make an album, you feel me? I made Supreme Clientele what it is. Those are my stories, based around whatever they’re based upon. It’s me. I can’t see what songs ‘Perb wrote. He ain’t write “Mighty Healthy” or “One” or “Apollo Kids” or “Cherchez LaGhost” or “Saturday Nite” or “Malcolm.” But, Yayo can suck a fat d*ck. Tell him I said that.

Do you still work with Superb?

Superb been in jail for like four or five years. He started getting high and one day he tried to steal my DAT with all the songs from Bulletproof Wallets. N*gg*s f*ck*d him up. We knew he had it. He was being sneaky. I don’t know what he was trying to do with it, but he had it. That’s that, though. It’s like with Yayo, I don’t know what the f*ck he talkin’ about.

Sean C and LV produced six songs off your new album including “We Celebrate.” What led to them doing so many tracks?

They worked on “Momma” off Fishscale. They had a lot of nice [beats]. I [had] said to myself I was going to go hard on my next one. ‘Cause you never know what the fans want. They trick you. Once you give ‘em this, they don’t want that because they looking for this. For me, I had a hard time selling records. So it’s like, “You know what, f*ck all this other sh*t. Let me just go for what these people know me for and go hard.”

Did you like the tracks they did on American Gangster?

American Gangster is cool. As a matter fact, I did have one of those beats on one of my [beats] CDs, but I never used it. I think it might have been the Marvin Gaye-sampled “American Dreamin’.” For whatever reasons, I ain’t pick it. Maybe I didn’t see the vision at that time. That’s what happens.

Shifting to the upcoming Wu album, how would you say the music on 8 Diagrams measures up to classics like “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’”?

Could never match up. You crazy?!

Raekwon recently had voiced his displeasure with 8 Diagrams’ musical direction. Are you happy with how the album came out?

That s**t is wack. I heard RZA was changing some of the beats around the last minute. I didn’t hear that. I don’t know what y’all listening to out there. I never heard it. I’m with Raekwon.

Both you and Rae had spoken about being owed money by the Wu hierarchy. RZA stated in an interview with Tim Westwood that he doesn’t owe anyone money.

I just won my court case from them n*gg*s. The suit been in there for three years. So put that out there. They just lost their f*ck*n’ case. So who don’t owe who money? Let’s get it straight, RZA. That’s all I’m sayin’, baby. It was a loss, they lost. L-O-S-T. That’s really it.

How you and RZA’s relationship now?

I don’t see RZA, man. That n*gg*’s real sneaky. I love him, though. Ain’t no bad blood. Ain’t nobody doing no bad to him. It’s just that you can’t get money with a n*gg*.

Comments

[a_loco]

8 Diagrams > Big Doe Rehab

[rubyspirit]

Ghost is kookoo. I'm writing him off.

[Koolkidkulture]

can't it be that it was all so simple then.

sorry. ... couldn't resist.

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[retalliation]

i dig what ghost is sayin' and he's speakin' his mind, but on the real, he sounds like a little kid. stop complaining and make damn music. i got all of ghost's shit. all 6 and about to be 7. and every single one of them is creative as hell (bulletproof wallets is my thing) but let's grow up a bit. to me, it's sounds real petty.

[ILLERCLIP]

Great interview. Dope questions. Got Ghost 2 really open up on some hard topic bitness....rite on.

[MardiGraz]

Yo Ghost delivers!! He's a titan in the game and a vet! I don't know all the ins and outs of the situation but I know that he turns out great product. that new joint with him and Beanie Sigel is insanity!!!

[Lomax]

Ghost had a hot LP with Supreme Clientele no doubt. But seriously it is sad nothing compares. Sure, he has had some great songs after that, but not an album. And for as the Wu beef goin on right now, sad. Everyone needs to take a note out of Masta Killa's book - write unique material and stop being self centered.

[.maxiM]

Ghostface was, is, and will always be on some real sh*t. He puts the pressure on the mic', but most of all, on y'all stupid journalists. Ghost is one of the God, dude. Ghost is rippin' it, and yes, Yayo can eat a big fat d*ck. Ghost got skills, Yayo got 50.

One love, b*tches.

And f*ck all this beef shit hype, it don't make no sense, we just on some music tip. N*gg' sell music with beefs? Just sell music with some KRS or Pharoahe type skills, damn!!!

(...by the way, www.mickboogie.com for the latest J Dilla/Busta Rhymes mixtape, unreleased tracks, Dilla was the greatest for those who don't know. Buona notte, b**tch!!!)

[John Black]

The WU album should sound like 9 milli bros from fishscale. I feel what RZA is trying to do but for WU, it sounds subpar. Ghost's album sounds superb.

[Real Sh*t]

That n*gg* ghost if the truth "tell yayo I said suck a fat d*ck!" HAHAHA F*CK G-UNIT because I said it...getting 8 diagrams and Big Doe Rehab...

[jose]

Ghost is the man, there isnt to many real dudes in the industry anymore.

[Lou Game]

As far as I'm concerned... Ghostface is the hardest MC yall got out there NYC! But yall too blinded to back him. Big Doe sounds like a banger to me!!!

and @ the cat who said -- 'stop complaining and make damn music'...

What do you call 3 albums in eight quarters? Who else is making music at that pace??? Quit popping off dumb sh*t before you think!

Lou Game
Phoenix

[Money S]

Tony been bangin since he used to wear tha mask in C.R.E.A.M video. I love Eazy E and like RZA people cant make money with him. Ghost said it. Cube said it. Dont get mad at Iron for being about his paper that man has grown children rappin he gotta support his family. I wann let n*gg*s know not to sleep on Big Dough Rehab its gonna smack n*gg*s in the head. Best album of the year with American Gangster #2 and Kanye #3 what a year for the house that Russ built.

[RonDu]

Ghost is real. One of the few artists who hasn't strayed from his roots when success laid its' hands on him. Still doing that hard street sh*t. Gotta luv that

[cane]

whats DAT?

[LTBOOGie]

point blank yayo is a horrible rapper and a waste of space in hip hop.. and the consistency between every ghost album and flow cannot be denied. every single ghostface album is plainoff the hook with the exception of more fish which was good..classic mc - his original lyrics- yes i pretty much understand what he's sayin and feel the message-, personality and energy bring something to the game. ive seen ppl actually compare wu and g unit- the comparison is preposturous how can the two be considered in the same category? wu tang>>>>>>>>>>gunit.. anyway ghost wont ever fall off even if he falls back.. yayos already on the ground

[G]

All I know is Ghost shouldn't talk about how RZA owes him money when he got an album cover with money all in it.

I know its all bout the paper chase but shit like that comes across as greed which he should know better bout (not mentioning his faith either)

All and All Big Doe Rehab is fire...9 out of 13 tracks were Killah and at the end of the day the Wu need Ghost more than he needs them...although it would be good to see the last Ghost cd feature RZA's work and his best CD was exceutive produced by the RZA as well (Supreme Clintele).

[Chaz/Philly]

Ghost Is The Best Thing That Hit Wu, Every one fell off. F*ck the Rza Why do u think the gravediggaz broke off, Rza wanted all the shine...Supreme Clientele Ghost Best Album, Whats Up With The Ghost/Doom Album??

[srdzl]

ghost needs to take a second listen to 8diagrams after he count stacks and can relax...first run through i wasn't hyped but second time around that sh*t is fiiire...liked big doe waaay better at first but now its close for sure...ne1 else cop the tracks left off 8diagrams? both of em were ill

[bev8200]

that new ghost is the best album. all that fish scale sh*t was wac. he didnt put sh*t into it I think he wanted to keep his buzz in da streets. everything else I consider classics. im happy that n*gg* got his money cause that n*gg* been puttin in mad work while his own boys was f*ck*n they own squad rae shoulda been droped cause dat n*gg*z dope so is masta killa, meth,n da rest of da wu its just f*ck*d up n*gg*z been in da game dat long and cant count on fam. I remember when wu wear was da hottest gear u could buy.

[MardiGraz]

Big Doe Rehab is retarded! That album is one of the best albums released in 07'! Period!

[King Jolla]

Livin lavish, I lace all my bunnies with carrots (CARATS).
Illest metaphore on BIG DOE REHAB (first line on SLOW DOWN with that fine CRISSETTE MICHELLE on there)!
GFK is the top nigga
next to TECH N9NE!
MF DOOM
KOOL KEITH etc...
CREATIVITY NEEDS PROPS!! the media puts out mindless music for mindless people
word up! All that Soulja Boy style, VIC snap dance teeny bop baffonery must CEASE!!