Published: Thursday - January 4, 2007
Words by Melanie J. Cornish
Ghostface Killah (Photo: Def Jam)
As contenders from all boroughs battle for the title of King of New York, a crown which may still be sitting on the head of the late Christopher Wallace, there is a personality within the confines of five boroughs that has been hailed as the Silent King.
Biters and swagger jackers have mimicked and duplicated the flow, delivery and wordplay of many and most lyricists that have proved successful in bip-bop, but Staten Islands' Ghostface has always maintained an air of individualism and distinct narrative style when it comes down to what has kept him relevant and simply unique.
Making himself comfortable in the building that has been home to fellow Wu-Tang brethren Method Man for the last twelve years, Pretty Toney finds Def Jam, which was considered the label for marketing and promotions in the golden era, somewhat different. But not afraid to get his hands dirty, he is destined to clear any hurdles to ensure his projects are pushed to full capacity.
Read what the Iron Man had to say in this exclusive Ballerstatus interview about grooming his next generation, delivering every nine months and how flattered he is by what a world renowned newspaper had to say about him.
Ballerstatus.com: So the book is due for release in February, late February I believe?
Ghostface: No, that book isn't coming out until the end of next year. I didn't even get started on the book yet. I am putting out a CD, but not a book.
Ballerstatus.com: [Laughs] OK so let's talk about the CD, why did you opt to put out another CD so soon after Fishscale? Did you think of putting it out as a double CD even?
Ghostface: Well it was time for it. Every two years is too long and the way music is right now... I mean, I have a lot of fans who love me man; so I am just going to start pushing music out every nine months on them. You know it will be my music or someone who is dealing with me.
Ballerstatus.com: So we can expect to see more from Theodore Unit as well then?
Ghostface: Yes exactly.
Ballerstatus.com: Now your son, Sun God, shows up on More Fish, when did you realize how talented he was?
Ghostface: A while ago, you know, probably a few years ago. People kept running up on me and saying, "Yo, your son got rhymes," as he never liked to rhyme in front of me. Then I heard him out and it was crazy. You know his flow is crazy.
Ballerstatus.com: Why wouldn't he rhyme in front of you?
Ghostface: Probably just nerves you know; just a little shy.
Ballerstatus.com: Have you given him any tips or advice when it comes to the industry?
Ghostface: Well, we are not really focusing on that right now, as I just want him to focus on school. But I let him know that it can go any way in this industry. You know, you can be big if you stay on one level, but school is the best thing right now, just do what you are going to do.
Ballerstatus.com: The New York Times calls you "the most lovable rapper in the world." When you read things like that from a paper of that caliber it has to be satisfying.
Ghostface: That is a blessing right there. I never knew they were following me like that and that would be the outcome. I mean, that is great and I am happy for that.
Ballerstatus.com: Being considered "the Silent King" of the rap game, when you see all the negativity that surrounds New York right now, and who is the King of New York and all that, do you just sit back and watch it unfold?
Ghostface: No, I just sit back and let them call themselves whatever they want to call themselves. I try not to get too much involved in that because, you know, I would rather be the King of the World than the King of New York. It is all cool, I mean, it is a game to them and I have already been through that phase, doing things like that.
Ballerstatus.com: As a fan of hip-gop though, how do you feel when you see all this escalate in your city?
Ghostface: I don't want to get too caught up in that, but it is ridiculous, you know enough is enough. Brothers need to snap out of that sh--, and just start making good music together and start building together as one bond, let's get busy. Everybody beefing and that is why to a lot of people who look at hip-hop look at it as a f---ed up culture. Everything can't be just alright between us all as people and when we talking all that sh-- like we are killers and everything, that sh-- is weak.
Ballerstatus.com: Do you think the problem in New York would be solved if there was more unity?
Ghostface: When people start loving themselves and come together, just with unity, until then, it is just going to stay the same.
Ballerstatus.com: Lately Def Jam has been dogged for not getting behind the marketing of their artists, have you found that problem with your projects?
Ghostface: I am new here, so I am not sure how this building used to be ran. I remember the way it used to be ran when LL first got here and Method Man first got here and back then, it was crazy. So, I wouldn't be able to say anything on that right now until maybe a couple of years from now, so I have had chance to really see. I do what I do and I bust my ass and I stamp in these peoples' faces, and in doing that, it keeps them on their toes. But once you are away, it will f--- you up.
Ballerstatus.com: Were you happy with the way the last album was promoted and marketed?
Ghostface: I did what I did, but I am not 100% happy about it. I worked and I busted my ass and I know that.
Ballerstatus.com: We know in the "golden era" Def Jam was the best at marketing and promotions when it came to their artists.
Ghostface: Yes, they were on top back then.
Ballerstatus.com: But nowadays, do you think artists need to show more initiative themselves instead of leaving it in the hands of the labels when it comes to working their project?
Ghostface: Yeah, but you can't do everything. But you do have to make sure that what the building does is gravy. You know, you have to do you.
Ballerstatus.com: So when is the book actually going out?
Ghostface: It should be the end of November.
Ballerstatus.com: People often talk about writing books, but when it comes to the crunch they bail out, you know, not wanting to let people know too much about them. Have you had doubts?
Ghostface: Yeah, but I don't know why they do that. I know how to get around certain types of sh--. I mean, I think my story should be out there depending on what we are going for; you know, what we are talking about.
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