Artist: Ghostwridah
Album: American Alien
Label: Poe Boy/Hiram
Ghostwridah is an artist that is in league of his own. As a songwriter and a Hip-Hop artist, his music covers a class separated from the rest. Everything from his delivery to the beats that he wisely chose to fit his style and his niche. Ghost is just one of the very few artists focusing on bringing Hip-Hop back to the forefront when lyrics meant something and the concept was more than just girls and cars. His vision is just that, proving that Hip-Hop will not and cannot just fade away to what Top 40 and radio say is a chart topper. Ghost is the essence of what Hip-Hop use to be and what it needs to be.
‘American Alien’ is a project that Ghost has been working on for quite some time now. Within the release that was merely yesterday, the download counter hit 3000 D/Ls in just a matter of time, today, the number could already be in the higher digits. It is quite obvious that the fans were in serious anticipation of the album’s arrival. The download digits alone say a lot about the direction the fans were heading with this release.
The American Dream
Straight into the intro, Ghost spits some real pivotal lyrics atop a catchy beat. The drums’ adds a certain flare to his delivery. Listen to how he switches the script from being a dream to a nightmare. The momentum between the hook and lyrics become synonymous.
Bandwagon
With the addition of Paul Wall, the Houston emcee opens the track as the fast-paced beat fills the speakers. The hooks is seriously on point, but listen to how he expresses how you jumped on his bandwagon seeing that he’s on his way to the top. Living the lavish life must be grand. “You’re on my bandwagon, we on top now.”
Victory (Interlude)
This interlude track is quite powerful; the instrumentation showcasing a grand piano and violin strings is amazing. Now I’ve always been a fan of orchestration in on any initial track, this is one of them. Ghost comes in strong and narrates a real essential story. These are elements that the Hip-Hop game is missing. “Nothing personal just thought that you should know.”
Victory
And then we have another powerful song that the interlude leads into. The beat on this is also phenomenal as the vocalist chimes in with the hook. Listen to how he spits and bounces on the track, the delivery is amazing, then listen to words. This is a radio hit, I’m definitely vibing this. Vintage Hip-Hop! “If you’re in need of a hit, tell your label that I’m the guy.”
So Alive
Ghost intros with the bar: “With a team like mine, how could I lose?” Poe Boy’s Jase of the Pop group Kulture Shock comes straight in with the hook, is it just me or does Jase have some powerful vocal cords. This track has a mixture of different elements, plus the instruments utilized in the track are quite interesting. North Miami! Billy Blue adds his flare, his story, as he narrates his own pain, at the same time feeling so alive. Billy Blue definitely came with the lyrics on this one.
Window Cracked
Another Hip-Hop vintage track, tone your ears as Freeway chimes in the intro. The live band in the background gives the track that essential push and with the DJ scratches towards the end reminds me of the early 90s, music that I grew up on. Ghost released this track prior to the album drop.
Westside Love Affair
Now this track is for the ladies. Shonie provides her vocals giving it that ‘chill with your girl’ vibe, exhibiting another down ass chick. This is definitely a joint that the ladies will love. Not too familiar with the artist Mann, but he spits with a melody, adding that harmonizing element.
Gettin’ High
In light of the recent passing smokers’ holiday, Ghost adds this track for the budsmokers. The beat is a laid back joint, something you can smoke to. The hook honestly says it all.
Hate Me Now
Ghost has a love for the drum element; this track from the intro has that bounce flare. With the bass turned up in the car, the beat seriously carries his pivotal lyrics. “Hundred mil in a year; that’s my aim still.” Ghost dedicates this song to all his haters out there, “You can hate me now!”
When I’m Long Gone
I definitely want to see one of his live performances, the band in the background is serious. Talk about a perfect choice to outro the album. Ghost gave you his all on this one. It’s so serious; the band even had a solo towards the end.
All in all, Ghostwridah exhibits the elements of a New York lyricist, but with Miami roots, adding that missing element giving him more of a southern flare. From listening to the sound in production to the lyrics that he incorporated into the LP, you can tell the decisive choices he made to add to the finishing touches before the initial release. As soon as the first track began spinning, it caught my attention. It’s undeniable that Ghost brings you the nitty, griity, and isn’t afraid to spit the truth. If you grew up listening to real Hip-Hop, the Hip-Hop that I miss, and I know you feel the same way, then this is definitely something that I guarantee you will enjoy.
Official Download Link: Ghostwridah – American Alien
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