NEW GHOSTFACE KILLAH INTERVIEW... RESPONDS TO YAYO'S COMMENTS

[rhymesik]

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 heightens the tension within the Wu camp, regarding everything from compensation to the musical direction of the group's upcoming album, 8 Diagrams. Rhapsody had a chance to sit down with Pretty Tony 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.

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 rape 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 people. The suit been in there for three years. So put that out there. They just lost their (bleeping) 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 dude'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 brother.

http://blog.rhapsody.com/2007/11/exclusive-ghost.html

 

[star time]

SMH @ how RZA been doin' brothers super dirty wit' the checks. When you have that many people proclaimin' the same thing, not everybody can belying. I guess it's another case of brother's being better off when they was broke together. At least then, nobody had the money to screw each otherover for. All they had was themselves...

BTW, I didn't know that Superb was locked for rape. For any of you Wu heads, correct me if I'm wrong but is Superb that lil' young beanhead dudefrom the movie "Black & White" that was wit' Rae & Power & the Harlem Hoods throughout the movie? He's the one that look realyoung, like 18-19. I just wanna put a face to the name for sure....

 

[youngdipset20]

good interview

 

[rhymesik]

Best pic I could find of Superb

 

[eagle 0n]

wow did he just say 8 diagrams was wack?

needless to say, i'm copping big doe rehab next wk

 

[air murphy 23]

But, Yayo can suck a fat d*ck. Tell him I said that.

 

[suge510212]

Damn he had American Dreamin....What was he thinking? Dude always has crazy beats though.
Can't agree with him and Rae
RZA is turning out to be a blatant liar.

 

[x Buddha Bless x]

But, Yayo can suck a fat d*ck. Tell him I said that.

Do you still work with Superb?
Superb been in jail for rape 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.

After reading the last answer Im like ok everything cool with the Superbsituation/rumors he's Rae's N_. this N_ in jail for rape I dont kno why it shocked me and made me laugh. Plus he a theif from what Ghost says. To theyayo comment its crazy cuz Im sure GFK shouted out Curtis in the Toney Awards(White Linen Affair)

Im positive he said 50 Cent. oh well I guess its a problem with Yayo.

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 people. The suit been in there for three years. So put that out there. They just lost their (bleeping) 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 dude'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 brother.

I mean just the other day I seeRza's response thinkin its done just to read this. Hopefully that Shaolin vs. Wu Tang album drops. Seems like Rza is a shady dude. The album sounds goodaltho some may not like it Im feelin the slower darker theme/sound but Toney right this dont comprare to vintage Wu.

 

[seymore cake]

Perb was nice... that's #%!$*% up

Good read regardless

 

[guillermo gutierez]

That #++# is whack
i dont think i could imagine ANY other group puttin out music that where some members think its whack. i know it aint offically drop yet, but mygoodness!

 

[kidjustice19]

But, Yayo can suck a fat d*ck. Tell him I said that.


Tony Boloney Yayo is THE biggest clown in music

 

[south sole]

That s**t is wack.

But, Yayo can suck a fat d*ck. Tell him I said that.

 

[czur1127]

RZA turning out to b like baby... taking everybody money

 

[mozilla firefox]

good read...i hope them dudes put aside they beefs and continue to collectively make albums cuz i'm really feelin that 8 diagrams.
i am anticipating that shaolin vs wu that rae was talkin bout tho

 

[superblytrife]

Damn, this dude just said the album was wack? SMH.

 

[measy15]

It's a damn shame to hear the whole Rae/Ghost/Wu & RZA beef or whatever you wanna call it. It's really discouraging when you hear Ghost sayingthis new album is wack (after my 1st listen, it just might be

)

But

@ the Yayo line. Ghost would snuff him, easy.

 

[buddha jape]

8 diagrams > big doe rehab...real shhh.

and all yall actin like females taking sides and shhh like yall know whats going on with him and rza...

yall b made.

 

[send one]

Good interview.

Why does it feel like this will be the last Wu album?

 

[grittyman20]

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
Realest part of that whole interview

 

[951jenius]

Good read

 

[kicks off]

ghost is always up front with the truth.

 

[ninjahood]

Originally Posted by Buddha JAPE

8 diagrams > big doe rehab...real shhh.

and all yall actin like females taking sides and shhh like yall know whats going on with him and rza...

yall b made.

wrong.... 8 diagrams is maaaaaaad slow compared to da hottness big doe rehab is.

 

[visualmusic]

Dude really said 8 Diagrams is wack, lol. Ghost is a funny dude. Good read.

 

[illscan]

wrong.... 8 diagrams is maaaaaaad slow compared to da hottness big doe rehab is.
BDR seems bland to me. It's like a Ghost 101 intro course. It's cool, but I feels like cookie cutter rap I SH. I guess I'm going tohave to start adjusting my expectations for Starks.
I'm not saying 8 Diagrams is better overall, but Rushing Elephants, Camp Fire, Weak Spot > anything on BDR.

 

[fenixconnexion]

superb = garbage, ghost = THAT dude