Monday, October 13, 2008

Opening with a Bang: The Return

“Shakey Dog” (Ghostface Killah): I’ve long since conceded that Ghost is the most entertaining storyteller in the game today. Even if you disagree, it’s tough to argue that his narratives aren’t as exhaustive as trying to reel off in succession all of his aliases.



“Shakey Dog,” the opener to Tony Starks’ critically acclaimed 2006 effort Fishscale is about as good an example of this as anything in GFK’s catalog. Ghostface packs what could pass as an entire plot for a movie in less than four minutes. Ghost, perhaps aware that even his most loyal listeners might not be prepared for content-packed track, advises everyone to “buckle up one time” before he delves into the first verse.


Actually, the term “verse” isn’t applicable here, since Ghost shows just how insane he is by not even letting a hook into the mix to let him catch a quick breather. No, instead the master of the hood yarn unpacks a tale of a drug deal gone sour and its subsequent chase, packing in more lyrics than a lot of alleged emcees fight on their entire LP.


But where Ghost really flourishes is with his attention to detail. Gangsta rap fixtures such as robberies, killings, and pursuit of women get redundant rolling off the tongues of the unimaginative rapper. Ghost takes what could easily serve as a paint-by-number scenario and creates vivid imagery with lines like, “This is the spot, yo son, your burner cocked? / These fuckin' maricons on the couch watchin' Sanford and Son / Passin' they rum, fried plantains and rice / Big round onions on a T-bone steak, my stomach growling, yo I want some!”


Stuff like this is why Ghost is able to remain relevant, even as an aging player in a young man’s game.

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