Goldenvoice presents Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. Two founding members of the legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan are set to rejoin forces on stage at Los Angeles’ The Novo on Thursday, December 14.
In 1993, hip-hop was forever changed by the emergence of the gritty, Shaolin style of the seminal rap clique, the Wu-Tang Clan. Straight from the streets of Staten Island , New York , a unique conglomerate of nine individually exceptional lyricists flourished. Fondly referred to as the Wu, RZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, GZA, U-God, Masta Killa, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard, released the epic album Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers. This debut garnered rave reviews because it provided listeners with a fresh approach to hip-hop. Moreover, the Wu set trends in a time when hip-hop’s radio play and sales were championed largely by west coast artists. Their grimy, sparse beats and incredibly diverse lyrical flows, which creatively drew from Kung-Fu flicks, became the musical blueprint for many hip-hop cliques. To this day, the Wu-Tang’s impact on hip-hop culture is unyielding.
Each member is possessed his own exceptional characteristics which attracted cult followings. Raekwon (the Chef), one of the nine talented MCs, shined as the purist of lyricists. When the time came for him to release his first solo album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, hip-hop, once again, underwent a momentous transformation. This classic album went gold in three days with its invigorating instrumentals and dramatic lyrical tales, Raekwon painted vivid pictures and presented powerful imagery through his enchanting verbal expression. Raekwon’s ground breaking debut album helped to bring the flavor of flossing to wax as well as the use of the moniker among Wu brethren and other prominent MCs. The single “Verbal Intercourse” featured the first appearance of Nas Escobar, Nas’ alter ego. Similarly, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, who served as Rae’s partner in rhyme throughout the entire Cuban Linx album, also developed a slew of other identities. Identities like Lex Diamond, one of the flashy, witty and intellectually stimulating personas of the multifaceted Raekwon. In the years after the release of Cuban Linx, Raekwon continued to record several albums with the Clan including the platinum Wu-Tang Forver and The W, as well as the gold Iron Flag.
Ghostface is not only a key member of the hip hop collective, the Wu-Tang Clan, but also a prominent NYC MC. He found his fame and started his career in the successful hip-hop group. The members all pursued solo careers following the success of the group, although Ghostface continued to collaborate with a lot of his former group, it wasn’t until 1996 that Ghostface released his first solo EP. The EP was entitled Ironman and debuted at the No. 2 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. The album possessed a distinctive soul style that would continue to feature on many of Ghostface’s songs. Ghostface Killah’s most critically acclaimed albums are Supreme Clientele and his 2006 album Fishscale. He is particularly known for his distinctive musical style and is praised for his loud, fast paced flow and his emotional free style rapping which often contains cryptic slang. In 2006 MTV honored Ghostface by including him on the list of The Greatest MCs of All Time.
Don’t miss Raekwon and Ghostface Killah at The Novo on Thursday, December 14 alongside special guests Nana and Huey Briss. Tickets are available at Axs.com.
Location: The Novo
Address: 800 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Show Time: 8:00 p.m.
Doors Open: 7:00 p.m.
Ticket Price: $35 – $65
Age: All Ages
Leave a Comment