Fiddle While You Burn™: From the Archives: SXSW: 03-19 Ghostface Killah @ Fader

There's a reason why when Wu dropped 36 Chambers back in in '93 they picked Ghostface Killah as the very first MC to set it on the first track. Ghost is a master MC and the most charismatic, dynamic lyricist since Kool G Rap - one of the few remaining direct connections to the Golden Age of Hip-Hop. His rhyme style and the beats he chooses show a true understanding of the power, soul, and history of the art & amazingly he seems to just be getting better. He has by far the most quotable lines of any MC and is unbelievably prolific (he's been on at least three albums a year since '94!).

This was my third Ghostface show and live he truly lives up to his Ironman nickname. You'd think for an industry party he'd do a few joints and bounce, but no - he did like 15 songs!! The Fader crowd of hipsters and industry types just completely lost it as Ghost ripped through classics like "Cherchez La Ghost", "Mighty Healthy" & a ridiculously ill acapella version of "Wildflower" that Ghost dedicated "to the ladies". Then fired-up girls from the crowd bumrushed the tiny stage and shook their Texan asses as Ghost tore through a few new joints including his newest hit "Back Like That". It was clear Ghost was vibing off the crowd's energy and could have kept going all night. When he said a final peace and strolled off stage the crowd screamed and pounded their feet for more. So he came back out and dropped the megaton bomb "the Watch". Good lord - few rappers are better live than on CD but Ghost is the Don - you gotta see him.

Also notable is how Ghost's crew the Theodore Unit is actually really ill (listen to the "Put it on the line" album and tell me Trife doesn't just KILL it). On the real - it's scary how NYC hip-hop is falling off and the only way to take it back is if the MCs at the highest level spend less time on being greedy moguls and shit and more time taking the youth under their wing and schooling them on basic skills.

... Ghostface keeps Killin’ it!
(props to the Fader mag for the amazing party)

Watch & Listen:
Ghostface Killah - video: "Live @ SXSW 06"

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