Name: Twelve Reasons to Die II
Brand: Ghostface Killah

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

CD-LL021

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "CD-LL021"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2015-07-10

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Fatbeats

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

856040005495

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "856040005495"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Total Cap

2 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Ghostface Killah

Genre US

Hip Hop

Label US

Linear Labs

Ghostface Killah, born Dennis Coles on May 9, 1970, is an American rapper and member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan. He gained recognition for his solo career after the success of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). With albums like Ironman, Supreme Clientele, and Fishscale, Ghostface Killah has consistently impressed music critics. His stage name was inspired by a character in a kung fu film. Additionally, he is the founder of Starks Enterprises.

Known for his fast-paced flow and emotional storytelling style filled with cryptic slang and non-sequiturs, Ghostface Killah has been praised as one of rap's finest storytellers. MTV included him on their list of The Greatest MCs of All Time while Q magazine called him "rap's finest storyteller." Pitchfork Media hailed him as possibly the best storyteller in rap history. NPR described him as a compulsive storyteller with a painterly approach to fiction.

In addition to his musical accomplishments, Ghostface Killah is also known as the father of Dennis Ames (also known as Sun God), and he founded Starks Enterprises.

To up the ante this time around, Ghostface has added a very important lyrical companion to the mix: Raekwon. The chemistry that was cemented two decades ago on Rae's classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is as strong as ever, clearly heard on five out of the album's 13 songs. And on the topic of chemistry, executive producer and Wu-Tang patriarch The RZA returns to Part II as the story's narrator.

Where the first installment of Twelve Reasons To Die was based in 1960s Italy – detailing the machinations of the feared DeLuca crime family – Part II inhabits the grimy streets of mid-1970s New York City. Descendants of the DeLucas are running the city, but a powerful, younger crime syndicate is percolating, commanded by black gangster Lester Kane (personified by Raekwon).

As Kane's power grows, he takes on the DeLucas and a bloodbath ensues. Kane has always known the legend of Tony Starks, who was killed by the DeLucas in Italy and whose remains were partially used to create twelve vinyl records. When played back in the "old world," the Ghostface Killer rose and destroyed the Italian faction. This plays into the story's conclusion at the end of Part II.

The storyline for Part II is vividly brought to life with the help of Younge's never-endingly evocative and unique brand of cinematic, psychedelic soul. The music – on which Younge himself plays upwards of 10 instruments on certain songs – was recorded strictly on analog tape, to bring out the true grit of the '70s era that provides the Twelve Reasons backdrop.

Twelve Reasons To Die II is another heavy feather in the caps of all involved, especially Younge and Ghost, who again poured their skills and intellect into this dramatic and engaging tale. It all fits perfectly into the Wu-Tang family tree as well as Younge's always-expanding musical universe, which now proudly relies on Linear Labs to house it.

Twelve Reasons to Die II

Music US