Ghostface Killah

Incredibly hot sophomore album from the Wu-Tanger also known as Tony Starks. At a time when many heads were doubting the Wu's power, Ghost came through with a classic. His spicy, hyper-original slanguage is in full effect, set to seriously sick beats from RZA, the Beatnuts, 4th Disciple, and others. Every song hits hard; easily one of the best records of 2000.

Last one was the great Ghostface album, which Wu fans didn't notice because they were up to their necks in mystical sh*t. Now that obscurantism is out of style again, his vocal clarity, verbal dexterity, and narrative facility push the collective pleasure button. They earn it, too--"One" is hookier and "Deck's Beat" funkier than anything on Ironman. Still, only "Child's Play"--kiddie nostalgia whose corny shtick Ghostface defeats with details that could come from a notebook--approaches the documentary coherence of "260," "Camay," or "All That I Got Is You." In effect, it's another Wu mood record. But this time the mood is all vocal clarity, verbal dexterity, and narrative facility. Plus perhaps the long hard look RZA took at Wu Wear's profit profile. (Grade - A-)