Ghostface Killah on 12 Reasons to Die, Supreme Clientele 2, Doom and Why He's Iron Man

Twelve Reasons To Die Interview Series On Wu-International

This week the ambitious “12 Reasons To Die” dropped on Soul Temple Records. Wu-Int has seized the momentum to shine a light on the label and crew behind this great project . Soul Temple Records is launching a breath of fresh air into the hip-hop world, one which is long overdue. Instead of just throwing out random releases one after the other as anyone else in the game, Soul Temple is aiming higher with its releases. The emphasis is on Quality: be it picking the perfect men for each job, production, artwork, total package presentation, … everything must be perfect. However, although relatively new, the label already has had its plate filled with the storm Sandy literally tearing everything up in the days the label was to release its first project.

We are happy to announce we had the chance to interview co-founder Bob Perry and Soul Temple producer/A&R Andrew Kelley on the so far short but rocky road the label has travelled since it started.
Be on the lookout next week as we will post their lengthy but equally interesting interviews on all things “Soul Temple” and off course their stories behind “12 RTD”. But that’s not all, as we speak, Apollo Brown is preparing his track by track rundown of the “Brown tape” version for us. And furthermore has Adrian Younge confirmed he will also run down the original version for us track by track after the hectic period of his “12 Reasons to Die” tour has come to an end. If lucky we might also get few of our questions answered from Ghostface Killah, The RZA and Lil' Fame who we couldnt get right now due to their hectic work load.
See you next week, and if you can not wait, here is the interview that started this series from Adrian Younge.

http://wu-international.com/index-old1.html

http://wu-international.com/misc_albums/Interviews/AdrianYoung_Interview.htm

Ghostface Killah - Adrian Younge Presents: 12 Reasons To Die Album Review by Wu-International

12 Reasons To Buy Reason 

1: Ever since “Fishscale”, Ghostface’s albums were … well not really disappointing but they were just too interchangeable and none really stood out, did they? It seemed Ghost had already realized this himself, trying to break out of his musical mold by having a go at an R’nB record (“Wizard of Poetry”) or do group projects (Wu Massacre and Wu-Block). However, it wasn’t till he teamed up with Soul Temple and Adrian Younge that he really hit bullseye: this album is easily his best work in ages. Give it a spin and there’s a good chance you will agree. Reason

 2: Responsible for this artistic triumph is Adrian Younge, a young multi-instrumentalist and quite simply a supertalent who many people will be thrilled to discover through this album. Younge’s talent is not only noted through his mastery of a wide range of instruments: it’s said that Adrian played over 30 different instruments on this album so have fun at trying to find and recognize them all! But also by his musical vision as a producer and as the artistic director of this whole project, Younge shows his enormous dedication and talent: be it storyline, concept, artwork, music … everything was handled by Younge with a touch of brilliance. Reason

3: Ghostface has always been a great storyteller so when Bob Perry’s idea to come up with a concept album started to take form, he naturally was the MC to step to. Hand this vet a gothic horror story about the rise and fall of a maffioso, love, friendship getting tested to the bone, betrayal, some supernatural elements to provide the ultimate revenge resulting into a murder frenzy and mayhem … and you can be assured Toney will go all out to deliver the goods. In every song it’s clear Ghostface had a blast in the booth painting the scenes of this musical movie. Lyrically Ghost is on point from front to back. Reason

4: The music is provided by Venice Dawn, Adrian Younge’s band. Just as its leader this band bursts with talent and is a well-oiled machine more than equipped for the task that Younge and Soul Temple set out for them. Though more than able to blow everyone away with a wall of sound, the band plays the music very subtle, even minimalistic and almost subdued never getting in the way of and fully serving each scene/track. Something which I am sure will surface and impress us even more once we get the instrumental album that comes with this release. Reason

5: As if one concept album and an equally interesting instrumental version wasn’t enough, Soul Temple decided to serve us even more as we get a complete free extra version of this album with “The Brown Tape”, produced by Apollo Brown. I am yet to hear this second version but nevertheless, thank you Soul Temple ! Reason

6: Enjoyed the Delfonics on “After The Smoke Is Clear” back in 1996? Rejoice! 17 years after “Ironman” we get another Ghostface-Delfonics collabo as William Hart appears on “Enemies all around me”. A song that is also to be discovered in the Delfonics’ version on last month’s “Adrian Younge presents the Delfonics” album. If you like Younge’s sound I advise you to also check this album in the near future, as I am sure you will enjoy it. Reason

7: Speaking of features, a lot of long time Wu fans like their Wu albums “Fam Members Only”. 12 RTD is at their service and serves them verses from Cappadonna, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, Killa Sin, U-God (and RZA in voice-over mode). All were equally inspired by the concept as they all match Ghost’s lyrical density to fine result. Just listen to the scene of “The Centre Of Attraction” in which Cappadonna, in utter despair, tries to convince Ghost, who is totally blinded by his love for his girl, that she is a fraud and will betray him for the Delucas . Unfortunately for Cap this only results in Ghostface’s obstinate refusal to listen any further and the situation getting very tense and explosive as a blinded Ghost is ready to put a bullet in his long time buddy for his mere suggestion of betrayal. Love, friendship, betrayal … ancient and universal themes all beautifully bundled into one Great Song. Reason

8: Also tired of the same old, worn-out, no-use skits you can find on about every hip hop album of the last decade? Join the club and get this skit-free album. Younge decided to go the way of ancient Greek theatre, using a Choir to help tell the story and add even more drama to the scenes. The 12RTD Choir forms an extra character throughout the album, commenting on what is happening in the tracks or is yet to come. Just listen to the first song “Beware of the Stare” in which the Choir sets the dark atmosphere perfectly right away and sums up what’s to come. Or even better: try “Revenge Is Sweet” in which they announce “winds of fury” as Ghostface is getting ready to strike down on his enemies. Reason

9: All ye fans of gory, blood splattering extravaganza … when the album reaches its grand finale and all families get what they had coming one by one, Ghostface and his Wu comrades all try to outshine each other by coming up with the most merciless and creative ways to take out their adversaries … fun!!! Reason

10: Not only sonically but also visually we get the 12 RTD deluxe treatment as not only does the album come with artwork that fully captures the concept, the story and its characters will visit us again in the months to come as Soul Temple has invited the cream of the crop of America’s comic book artists to further develop the scenes and story in a “12RTD” comic books series that will get released in 6 issues in the course of this year! Reason

11: The eye for detail on all levels is simply irresistible in my opinion and shows this project’s love for music, comics and film. Some examples: the tracklist on the instrumental album being written in Italian as an ode to soundtrack composer Ennio Morricone, the many mini musical themes and accents in every song that surely will come to light even more on the instrumental score, the incorporation of ODB’s iconic “Ghost-Face- Killaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa” growl in “Rise Of The Ghostface Killah” as a salute to Dirty , an instrumental outro to give the audience a chance to absorb the story after the grand finale … Reason

12: Last but not least: this album is Adrian Younge’s means of showing everyone that hip hop in 2013 can be so much more than what it usually is, a way out of mediocrity, a plead for originality, a heartfelt ode to the Art of Music and Film, a labour of love and quite simply … a Masterpiece.


Final conclusion: While the last notes of the outro fade away, it’s undeniable we’ve witnessed a superb project , an album that stands out in Ghostface’s already more than solid discography and one that will give us something to enjoy for the rest of 2013 and years to come. While some hip hop heads might have difficulty in getting into Adrian Younge’s sound and will probably at first prefer the Apollo Brown version because of its more pure hip hop orientation, I can only hope that they take the time to really explore and appreciate this album, as this deserves all the attention it can get. Now, go buy this album before I am forced to send you a vinyl with bloody extras … Feel free to (dis)agree


Source:  Wu-International

Wu-Wednesday: Rise of the Ghostface Killah [Official Music Video] - Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge

Wu-Wednesday: First Listen: Ghostface Killah And Adrian Younge, 'Twelve Reasons To Die'

Twelve Reasons to Die is a rap album that begins with an overture and ends with an instrumental coda. The songs were composed by Adrian Younge, a producer and musician who's fairly new to the scene, recorded live and authored by a rapper with 20 years in the business, the Ghostface Killah, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. The result is unusual — a vivid and intricate melodrama both backward-looking and forward-thinking.


"It's the first time in my life I tried something like this," says Ghostface before his second-ever performance of this new material with Younge and his band, Venice Dawn. It's a surprising thing to hear from an artist of his longevity — and he has attempted many of the gambits on Twelve Reasons to Die before. He's done concept albums, made filmic songs, invented characters, performed with a band, played supporting and featured roles. But he's never had this type of working relationship with the tracks he's rhyming over — the music was wholly composed for this project, which was conceived as a story before anything else. It works like Tommy, if Ghostface is Roger Daltrey and Younge is Pete Townshend. "I'm a film composer," says Younge. "But I'm a hip-hop guy."


The Record
The Wu-Tang Clan's 20-Year Plan
As those involved tell it, the story came first, the music second and the lyrics last. Twelve Reasons to Die is the creation myth of a black superhero set in 1960s Italy, which looks a lot like 1990s Scorsese. The curtain opens on a young man born into a life of crime. But anyone familiar with Robert De Niro's characters in Goodfellas and Casino knows what's coming next when Ghostface's character rhymes, "I was a boss among white boys, rocking a 'fro." He hits the ceiling, leaves to start a black syndicate, falls in love with a boss's daughter and makes a ton of money importing cocaine. For these crimes, the criminal organization he came up in murders him and dumps his body in a vat of acetate. His former friends press 12 records from his remains, but when those records play, his vengeful spirit arises. Though he was rebuffed and disrespected in life, in legend the Ghostface Killah becomes immortal.

Twelve Reasons to Die has all the makings of a cult classic. Jangly, tumbleweed guitar that warms the cold-hearted comic book-style violence. Snyth stabs that evoke Bernard Herrmann's violin screeches in Psycho. William Hart's age-spotted tone reminding us of our own mortality and the planes where soul music and hip-hop meet. The drums are loud and high in the mix, driving when our hero readies for a fight, as on "Blood on the Cobblestones," uncomfortably tight just as he's betrayed during "An Unexpected Call (The Set Up)" and charged like a car chase while he tastes revenge on "Sure Snot (Parts One & Two)," the only song that could be a single.

The atmospherics and plot development fit right in with Wu-Tang albums of the past, most closely another Ghostface collaboration, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. And Wu-Tang associates appear here: the RZA most prominently, Cappadonna most memorably, Inspectah Deck most ably and Killah Priest carrying the most weight. From beyond the grave Ol' Dirty Bastard makes his presence felt — his introduction of Ghostface on 1993's "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" reverberates on "The Rise of the Ghostface Killah." Ghostface says he went back to his Wu brothers because he needed veterans who know how to tell a story.

And Ghostface would know — he is a true writer. He's painterly and agile. His style is emphatic, and he takes every verse seriously. He bobs and weaves with the track, but he maintains a forthright and basically conversational sentence structure, which, when he's describing the ways he might murder your children, really twists the knife.

The mood of the album is fragile, and the whole project is a definite risk. Both Ghostface and Younge are making fictional music here, but the knife's edge they're walking — between theater and theatrics, between noir and B-movie — feels very real. That they make it across without falling is a relief and an eye-opener.

In the grand tradition of the Wu-Tang Clan, Twelve Reasons to Die is brash and Technicolor and heartfelt. It is not what you would expect from a rap album, or a Ghostface album, or a film score. As Ghostface says, on "Rise of the Black Suits," "Rules are for fools."

First Listen - 'Twelve Reasons To Die' - Ghostface Killah And Adrian Younge,

Ready to give 'Twelve Reasons To Die' a listen. NPR has the exclusive First Listen to the album before it's available for sale. Click HERE to listen! Suuuu!

Ghostface Killah with Adrian Younge and his band, Venice Dawn, after their first performance together. Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge's new album, Twelve Reasons To Die, comes out April 16.

TOUR DATES

03/28 Los Angeles, CA – Mayan Theatre
03/31 San Luis Obispo, CA – SLO Brewery
04/03 Fresno, CA – Fulton 55
04/04 San Francisco, CA – 1015 Folsom
04/05 Orangevale, CA – The Boardwalk
04/06 Redway, CA – Mateel Community Center
04/09 Eugene, OR – WOW Hall
04/10 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
04/11 Seattle, WA – Neumos
04/12 Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
04/13 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
04/16 Park City, UT – Park City Live
04/19 Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
04/20 Aspen, CO – Belly Up
04/25 Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
04/26 Chicago, IL – The Abbey Pub
04/27 St. Louis, MO – Cherokee Performing Arts Center
04/28 Cleveland Hts, OH – Grog Shop
04/30 Detroit, MI – St. Andrews
05/01 Grand Rapids, MI – The Pyramid Scheme
05/02 Bloomington, IN – The Bluebird
05/03 Columbus, OH – A&R Room
05/04 Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre
05/05 Syracuse, NY – The Westcott Theatre
05/07 South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Music
05/08 Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
05/09 Boston, MA – The Wilbur
05/10 New Haven, CT – Toads Place
05/11 Providence, RI – The Met
05/12 Philadelphia, PA – The Blockley
05/13 New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
05/14 Baltimore, MD – Soundstage
05/16 Carrboro, NC – Cats Cradle
05/17 Asheville, NC – Asheville Music Hall
05/18 Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
05/19 Tampa Bay, FL – The Orpheum
05/20 New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
05/22 Austin, TX – Emos

Presales up for limited-edition Ghostface Killah 12 Reasons to Die packages from Get on Down!

It’s true, you can download 12 Reasons To Die when it hits iTunes and listen to it while looking at the song titles on a screen… but how exciting is that?

The answer: it’s not exciting at all. And so, to combat lame music listening, we offer you The Get On Down Way to experience Ghostface’s amazing new album.

In collaboration with RZA’s Soul Temple Music, we are proud to announce presales for two exclusive packages – the “12 Delucas Private Press Version” and the “12 Delucas Version” – both which offer unique and immersive Ghostface Killah 12 Reasons To Die experiences

12 Delucas Version

12 Delucas Private Press Version

Get On Down’s packaging is inspired by and was developed alongside the 12 Reasons To Die album and comic book (written by Matthew Rosenberg and Patrick Kindlon and illustrated by Ronald Wimberly).

Representing the at-times bloody story of Tony Starks (a soldier for the 12 Delucas crime family), the vinyl in these exclusive sets is appropriately gory – on blood red & clear mixed vinyl – bringing the theme to life vividly, while spinning at 33 1/3.

The comic book graphics and album artwork come to life in various ways throughout the “12 Delucas Version” packages: the vivid artwork on both LP jackets; the unique visuals adorning the box which holds all package elements, as well as the truly unique “Private Press” wood-block print; and through the images used on the exclusive two-sided poster.

Outer Box (Front & Back)

Birch Wood-panel print with unique 12 Reasons graphic (Private Press Version only) Available only on GetonDown.com.

Both “12 Delucas Version” sets give listeners a true “360” album experience, combining the physical / visual and aural – something which Get On Down proudly strands behind. To prove it (as if you needed further proof), Ghostface’s new opus is presented in three different audio formats – LP, CD and cassette. How can you get more complete than that?

12 Delucas Version includes:

- 2-LP with vocals & instrumentals, on blood red & clear mixed vinyl (Jackets screen-printed by AntiDesigns, with 12 Reasons comic book images) [www.GetOnDown.com orders only]

- 2-CDs with vocals & instrumentals (Japanese version of CD release) [www.GetOnDown.com orders only]

- Double-sided poster with cover and comic book art [www.GetOnDown.com orders only]

- 12 ½” x 12 ½” x 1 ¼” screen-printed outer box by AntiDesigns with unique 12 Reasons graphics [www.GetOnDown.com orders only]

- Cassette-only album by Apollo Brown, with remixes of each song on 12 Reasons album

- 12 Reasons to Die Vol. 1 comic book

NOTE: Get on Down “12 Delucas” bundle is limited to 400 copies worldwide

 Cassette-only 12 Reasons to Die remix album by Apollo Brown. Available with the 12 Delucas Version.

12 Delucas Private Press Version includes:

- 12” x 12” x 1” wood-panel print with unique 12 Reasons graphic [Private Press Version only] [www.GetOnDown.com exclusive]

- Two 12” jacket running-sheet flat prints, on thick 20-point reverse board [Private Press Version only] [www.GetOnDown.com exclusive]

- Cassette of 12 Reasons To Die album (white cassette). Side A – vocal / Side B – instrumental. [Private Press Version only] [www.GetOnDown.com exclusive]

- 2-LP with vocals & instrumentals, on blood red & clear mixed vinyl (Jackets feature 12 Reasons comic book images) [www.GetOnDown.com exclusive]

- 2-CDs with vocals & instrumentals (Japanese version of CD release) [www.GetOnDown.com exclusive]

- Double-sided poster with cover and comic book art [www.GetOnDown.com exclusive]

- 12 ½” x 12 ½” x 1 ¼” screen-printed outer box by AntiDesigns with unique 12 Reasons graphic [www.GetOnDown.com exclusive]

- Cassette-only album by Apollo Brown, with remixes of each song on 12 Reasons To Die album

- 12 Reasons to Die Vol. 1 comic book

NOTE: The Get on Down “12 Delucas Private Press Version” is hand-numbered and limited to 100 copies worldwide

12 Reasons to Die on cassette. Available only on GetonDown.com with the 12 Delucas Private Press Version.

Look for Ghostface on tour now, and check out this RZA-narrated trailer for 12 Reasons To Die:

Cricket's Muve Music & HTC talk with Ghostface Killah about 12 Reason & RZA

Wu-Wednesday: Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge - Enemies [feat. The Delfonics]

 

12 Reasons To Die Press Kit Tracklisting, Tour Dates etc

01. Beware Of The Stare
02. Rise Of The Black Suits
03. I Declare War
04. Blood On The Cobblestones
05. The Center Of Attraction
06. Enemies All Around Me
07. An Unexpected Call (The Set Up)
08. The Rise Of The Ghostface Killah
09. The Catastrophe
10. Murder Spree
11. The Sure Shot (Part One & Two)
12. 12 Reasons To Die

Executive Producer: The RZA
Produced by Adrian Younge & Bob Perry
Composed by Adrian Younge Music Performed by Venice Dawn

http://soultemplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/twelve-reasons-to-die

Ghostface Killah Confirms "Supreme Clientele 2" & MF DOOM LPs For 2013, Talks Wu-Tang Clan Reunion Album

Ghostface Killah updates on a handful of projects that are in the works. Ghostface Killah took a few years off from his solo career, but he's ready to dive back in. During an interview with Montreality, Tony Starks said that Supreme Clientele 2: Blue & Cream is scheduled for release this summer and that it could possibly arrive as early as July. "Blue & Cream. Hopefully this summer, hopefully this summer. Maybe like August or something like that," he said. "I'm going to try for August, September or maybe July, but I think August might sound more reasonable if i can do it. I shouldn't set it, because sometimes when I say a date, it don't ever [stick]. But I gotta put it out because I've been sitting in it going on three years." Additionally, he confirmed that his collaborative LP with MF DOOM will finally get released this year. He said that fans sould anticipate the album dropping around Halloween, and will satiate fans in the meantime with his Adrian Younge collaborative project Twelve Reasons to Die, dropping April 16th. "I got the MF DOOM project coming. I think we're going to probably drop that around Halloween," he said. "I got the shit I just did for RZA, Twelve Reasons to Die, that's coming in April. ... It's a whole fucking movie but it's an album from beginning to end. It's different, though." As for the storied Wu-Tang Clan reunion LP, Pretty Tony said that the crew has been in talks to record another album but that there are no solid plans set in stone. He said that RZA hopes to get true musicians to craft beats for the project and that it will stray from the sample-based sounds of albums past. "They talkin' about it. I would love for it to happen," he said." I talked to RZA.

RZA wants to do it and he said he was getting these other beats from real magicians, not nobody just making it in a beat machine. He wants to go a different route because it's the 20th anniversary. Like a real album, album, album, album, album, with real, real music. Not just samples and a bunch of shit. Just real magicians playing shit. ... You know, we've been having a lot of - not saying bad luck, but just a lot of disagreements. That's why a lot of times, you don't really hear too many new records. Hopefully this shit, we can get through that and just give it to the people and see what's up. But it gotta be right, though. If it's not right, I apologize." Ghostface will release Twelve Reasons to Die on April 16th. Watch the full interview below.

Source

Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge Presents “12 Reasons To Die” The Album Executive Produced By The Rza

Ghostface Killah is back with a new album coming on November 20,2012 right before the infamous holiday Black Friday. This new album will be a collab project with the producer Adrian Younge and executive produced by The Rza.