Review: Ghostface Killah, “Apollo Kids”

Ghostface Killah, Apollo Kids
Def Jam

Ghostface Killah treads familiar ground on Apollo Kids, offering few if any hooks or choruses, long-winded sixteen-bar verses that could double as freestyles, and crusty soul loops as an accompaniment. Even the title pays homage to a single from his classic Supreme Clientele. He’s capable of more sophisticated stuff, as fans of past peaks like Fishscale will attest. To spice things up, Ghost recruits street-hop stars like Joell Ortiz, Busta Rhymes, Jim Jones and various Wu-Tang affiliates. Highlights include “Troublemakers,” “Street Bullies” and “Starkology.”