Adventures in Elysian Fields 12.05.07: Clash of the Titans III - Two Face

Posted by MSD on 12.05.2007

Kanye and Fifty set it off first by dropping two stellar albums on the same day. Tonight, two Hip Hop legends continue the trend of dueling release dates when Ghostface and Scarface return with their long-awaited studio albums. 411HipHops mad scribe MSD details the blood-soaked insanity as "Big Doe Rehab" and "MADE" step into the arena for Clash of the Titans III - Two Face.

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BATTLE OF THE INTROS
"At the Cabana" versus "Intro"
Ghostface got "At The Cabana" to set it off, storyline style off the jump. Cutesy little skit with Cuban guys talking bout "light it up, light it up" before hollering at Tony Starks when he makes his grand entrance. Arguments ensue, lots of cursing and the Cubans get the shorthand of this exchange. Scarface pops first with the aptly-titled "Intro", a musical interlude featuring Mike Dean's banging board work paired with J Prince's spoken word hype package. Talkin about sacrificing your life on the battlefield, and in the ghetto all over the world. "When a n**** question what we represent - play ‘em this one…" Enter Scarface Brad Jordan. Boom, Texas takes the toast with an intro that neither boring or annoying, all of which Tony's visit to the cabana is. Both set the scene, but the enormity of J Prince's words swell up the picture more than big doe. Bottom line, the cabana with the Rhythm Roots backdrop is ill but the Carlito dialogue is not so cool.
WINNER: Scarface - "Intro"

BATTLE OF THE OPENING LOB
Supa GFK" versus "Never"
"Supa GFK" is what Ghost is best known for, post millennium – schizophrenic rhyme clusters over whole soul songs. Opening chords strike me as being similar to "What" by A Tribe Called Quest. This time "Superman Lover" by Johnny Guitar Watson plays the backdrop, as Ghost goes off on some chicken spittin shit. Cool, rugged-voiced delivery has noticeable Cappadonna influences in the early half. "Never" is the first taste of Made that most of us heard. Drumma Boy and N.O. Joe collaborate on a beat that is both seductively alluring and shockingly brutal, making Scarface's official return to rap all the more epic. "Sara Smile" by Ronnie Dyson plays the backdrop as Brad goes off letting the game know what he'll never compromise. He's that real-ass rap OG who fought Johnny Law 10 years before the Hip Hop Police were exposed. He rhymes with the shaky, war-torn confidence that immediately give his words a stark sincerity. Real killaz don't snitch and real n****z don't die. "Never" wins for imposing more of Brad's physical presence in the game, as opposed to Starks who brings it less and less for the incarcerated scarfaces, and more for impregnated chickens.
WINNER: Scarface – "Never"

BATTLE FOR THE STREET CORNER
"Yapp City" versus "Big Dog Status"
"Yapp City" is another in a long line of lyrical stick-up songs, with Ghostface and his cohorts robbing n****z like it's the sequel to "Ante Up". This time Trife da God and Sun God are his accomplices, and Scram Jones drives get-away on the beat. Has the same sentiment as that old M.O.P. classic, but lacks the same ferocity and contagious exuberance. Utterly average, like an outtake from More Fish that didn't make the final cut. "Big Dogg Status" gives Brad a chance to flex his pimp strut alongside UTP's Wacko over a lo-riding trunk clapper courtesy of N.O. Joe. The hook is standard, slurred Down South gabble that is always so strangely intoxicating. Scarface uses his elevated platform as Hip Hop OG to smack down his younger, less sophisticated contemporaries. Ghostface on the other hand, fails to elevate his partners to a new level of lyrical ingenuity. In fact, they drag the masked superhero back to earth on his bars. Scarface's rhymes aren't anything new, but he continues to capture that sound that will keep him instantly contemporary.
WINNER: Scarface – "Big Dog Status"

BATTLE FOR THE BEDROOM
"Killa Lipstick" versus "Girl You Know"
"Killa Lipstick" is Ice Cream style bedroom rap from three of the Wu-Tangs most prolific playboys (Method Man with another inspired verse, and the usually nodescript Masta Killa regaining some of his No Said Date sickness). Baby-makin music that's all the way gangsta, with a soothing lullaby of "Ridin High" (by Faz-O) in the background. Scarfaces"Girl You Know" has a Nottz beat that could have come from Big Doe Rehab with its lush and soulful soundscape. The "Because I Love You" sample by Lenny Williams gives Brad a chance to spit hardcore pimp lines to the girls in his player circle. He has more of those reflective, analytical musings that is more common amongst the 30-40 something bracket in Hip Hop. This time he lets you know that no matter how fine a girl is, somebody somewhere is sick of her shit. Both tracks work deceptively well for their intended purpose (stripper pole sweaty), but Ghostface earns the edge with a slicker beat and less invasive rhymes.
WINNER: Ghostface Killah – "Killa Lipstick"

BATTLE FOR THE BEDROOM II
Yolanda's House" versus "Boy Meets Girl"
"Yolanda's House" is dirty rap from a storytellers perspective, as long-time collaborators (and infamous panty-raiders) Meth and Rae help provide the X-rated content alongside Ghostface. Amusing for entertainments sake, but low on replay value. "Boy Meets Girl" on the other hand, is more of that slow-dance, heroin lean that can seemingly only be found in Southwestern strip clubs. Bop you neck to this and you'll never go broke. Tanya Herron sizzles on the hook, lacing the song with her sultry sirens call. For coming with a sound instead of a sample, give Scarface the nod in this round.
WINNER: Scarface – "Boy Meets Girl"

BATTLE OF THE MINDS
"Walk Around" and "The Prayer" versus "Dollar"
Ghostface Killah's "Walk Around" takes Little Miltons "Packed Up and Took My Mind" and spins it into another blood soaked corner story. When Starks gets urgent, his flow hits new octaves and "Walk Around" is Ghostface at his Sopranos best. Feel the paranoia dripping from every bar as he raps about anxiety attacks and clouds of marijuana smoke. "The Prayer" (off Big Doe Rehab) is a solo R&B track from Ox - replete with Soul Food type accapella that may drag on a little too long, but taken in the context of an entire rap album fits perfectly. Scarfaces "Dollar" on the other hand, is more of that drunk by myself, driving through the rain, mind playing tricks on me, suicidal shit that Scarface is best known for. An ominous Tone Capone beat gives Brad space to flex a more experimental flow (for him), as he revels in the carnal and material pleasures of the almighty dollar. Another New Jack swing, street R&B singer slightly soils the chorus, but Brads rhymes are tightly-focused and intimidating. Too many murder grams for Tony Starks sweet instrumentals to handle.
WINNER: Scarface – "Dollar"

BATTLE FOR THE HEARTS
"I'll Die For You" versus "Go"
"I'll Die For You" is another epic-level soul medley, using "It's All Over" by The Independents as the rain to Starks thunder and lightning. He brings the pain, using his flow to instigate tears while simultaneously exerting more of that never-say-die Hip Hop attitude. Produced by LV & Sean C but you could guess it was Kanye, with soul stabs interspersed amongst Starks bars on the hook. Meanwhile on the southside, "Go" rips "Theme of the Mack" by Willie Hutch allowing Brad to indulge in the conversationalist style that's directed more towards his grandmamma's crowd that your typical hard rocks in the street. But he still curses freely, soiling what could otherwise be considered a "tame" rap record. Nina croons on the hook, giving the song an overall vibe and melody that is melancholy yet inspiring. Both rappers lay it on the line but Ghosface is just too potent, too powerful on this go-round.
WINNER: Ghostface Killah – "I'll Die For You"

BATTLE FOR THE COAST
"We Celebrate" versus "Burn"
"We Celebrate" dusts off Kid Capri for an old-school shout out to the pure days of Hip Hop house and block parties. Familiar "IIIIII just wanna celebrate!" Rare Earth interpolation for the hook (most recently used by UGK for "Trill N****z Don't Die"). Lyrically, it's all about chasing that cat as Tony Starks puts on his rabbit slippers and pops bottles with the Hugh Hefner crowd. Kid Capri's high-pitched adlibs give the song a wild, early 80's NY Hip Hop feel. "Burn" by Scarface is bad ass Southside gangsta music, complete with police sirens and snares that pop louder than pistols. Scarface delivers more of his morbid, monotone baritone alongside a similarly-zooted Houston legend Z-Ro (a minor celebrity when it comes to Down South, screwed-up hooks and choruses ala Nate Dogg was for G-Funk). Far more chilling than the more exuberant "We Celebrate", but the enthusiasm displayed by Kid Capri and Starks in his rhymes more than outweighs Scarfaces dire proclamations. Give a toast to the East coast for livening this one up.
WINNER: Ghostface Killah – "We Celebrate"

BATTLE FOR YESTERDAY
"Paisley Darts" and "Shakey Dog starring Lolita" versus "Who Do You Believe In"
"Paisley Darts" is more of that new millennium Wu-Tang club shit, using hard high hats mixed with a little "Lie No. 2" Originals material and infused with their perfected posse cut dynamics. Rae is back with a slightly more anonymous flow than usual, which only allows Sun God and Trife da God to shine brighter in contrast. Tony Sparks goes back-n-forth to bring on rap elder Cappadonna who lifts heads like he just called a cab. Even Method Man is at his most inspired in years here, harkening back to the Wu-Tang anthem years of 95-96. As an added bonus we get an angry, radio-distorted Tony Starks rant against weak rappers as an elongated outro. Along that same vibe, "Shakey Dog stars Lolita and picks up where Fishscale ended. Taken with the album, it flows like a water in mixtape form as Starks takes us backwards in time to when Wu-Tang ruled the hearts and minds, and Raekwon & Ghostface were the most devastating tag-team in the game. "Who Do You Believe In" is an ill instrumental by Enigma that takes Scarface back in the day with his rhymes. Another history lesson from a rapper who looks back on the game with a 1st persons perspective. As more and more rappers Xerox their styles from older generations, the originals continue to remain the most vivid and impressive. He almost seems regretful throughout this dire banter, but his "Believe it! Believe it!" adlibs resonate with 2Pac-derived perseverance. More of that solid Hip Hop spirit that drives us through the pain and depression. Solid lines from the guy who taught Biggie Smalls suicidal thoughts, but Ghost wins this round by polishing off the scepter he earned when Wu-Tang ruled the world.
WINNER: Ghostface Killah – "Paisley Darts" and "Shakey Dog Starring Lolita"

BATTLE FOR TODAY
Toney Sigel aka The Barrel Brothers" and "Rec Room Therapy" versus "Git Out My Face"
"Toney Sigel aka The Barrel Brothers" has Ghostface opening his record proper with another hit in a long line of collaborative mish-mashes (like his MF Doom projects of years past). This time Beanie Sigel is his co-d, and a quick Solomon Child lyrical barrage introduces the Broadstreet Bully to the track. Both of the rappers let their less impressive rap peers know just exactly how they're gonna get handled. The reel ends with Beans still rappin like it's a marathon session from The Truth. "Rec Room Therapy" features Raekwon & U-God sharing the track, allowing Ghostface to concentrate all his poison into one tightly woven stanza. Baby Grand's casual head nodder also accentuates Raekwon's natural swagger and inspires U-God to some of his most motivated rhymes in recent times. Melodic, pimpish and hardcore, "Rec Room Therapy" is like the real NY remix to "I Get Money" – a blazing winter heater born from a frozen summer anthem. While much further west (and many degrees warmer than an East Coast winter) comes Scarface with "Git Out My Face". Classical violins help ring the song in, before Enigmas beat destroys the whole orchestra vibe and brings it back to the bottom of a codeine bottle. Rowdy-ass crunk music in the vein of 3-6 Mafia, offset by the soothing classical symphony background. This could grow to be an anthem for sure - count to see how many mixtape appearances this instrumental makes in the next few months. Two close to tell in this match-up, call it a draw.
WINNER: None – tie

BATTLE FOR TOMMORROW
White Linen Affair (Toney Awards)" and "Slow Down" versus "The Suicide Note"
"White Linen Affair (Toney Awards)" is an excerpt that divides the two halves of Big Doe Rehab. Plodding spoken word intro finally breaks into the meat of the song, as Ghostface paints a picture of an exclusive Hollywood A-List party (with himself as the host MC). Similar to Canibus' "Dear Academy" with its numerous name-brand references (like Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington), this is Ghostface going off on more of his irreverent "Underwater" shit except with celebrity names instead of Spongebob characters. "Slow Down" is the last of the two bonus tracks for The Big Doe Rehab and features the soulful stylings of Chrisette Michele on the hook. Ghostface steps to the competition with the vigor of his youth, but the mentality of a war-hardened veteran. "The Suicide Note" is a long, lonely letter to God by a very depressed (and disturbed) individual. Tone Capone & Cozmo get funky on the beat, preventing Face from falling into an utterly hopeless abyss. Yet he still reflects on the deaths of loved ones and wonders aloud how one can continue to weather these depressing situations. "Slow Down" more than matches Scarfaces dire intensity, but the creativity of "White Linen Affair" is enough to drown out Brad Jordan's miserable cries for help. Chalk up another one to East Coast optimism.
WINNER: Ghostface Killah – "White Linen Affair (Toney Awards)" and "Slow Down"

BATTLE OF THE OUTROS
"!" versus "Outro"
"!" is a shoot-out, Caribbean style segue that quickly fades Big Doe Rehab to black (only 30 seconds long). Rhythm Roots Allstars (who started the record with their jamming) end the record on a cohesive note. Scarface's "Outro" is Mike Deans chilling instrumental ending that finishes on the epic chord that his "Intro" began in. A concise, and dramatic exit from the mind of a lyrical madman. Musically, it's hard to call either one of them any better. Big Doe Rehab is on that sunny, Calypso flashy East Coast steez while Made dwells in the haunting realm of psychotic Houston funk. Both undeniably perfect for the moods they capture, neither exhibiting any traits that make them better by comparison. It's too close to call, like the Batista/John Cena Royal Rumble (or the Bret Hart/Lex Luger one before that) – or even the three-way tie in the beginning of the movie Cars. So the only fair thing to do is call it a draw.
WINNER: None – tie

AND THE WINNER IS…
In the most anticlimactic Titans match-up ever, the grand winner in this contest is…. Nobody! It's a 5 for 5 TIE! Both records have their weak points, but their little stumbles are far overshadowed by the numerous and instant classics contained within each album. Each record is similar in content, attitude and infinite OG wisdom – yet radically different in sound, shape and texture. Each rapper has their own style and vocal mastery that are polar-opposites, yet continue to reflect an entire coastal culture. Scarface has a brooding baritone, while Ghostface flexes an amped, high-pitched delivery. Brad takes it slow over plodding, bass heavy beats while Starks glides over soulful and harmonic sample jacks, Separately they are invincible, together they are untouchable. Scarface wins for conciseness by only including 12 tracks on the record (and two of them are just brief musical interludes). Ghostface stretches it out to 16 (including two bonus tracks) but wins for brevity by keeping his songs to a very minimal length. This way we can't get too bored or tired with either album, they've both earned their replay value. All in all, it's a telling sign when the best records of 2007 are all from well-respected industry giants and veterans. Some say Hip Hop is dead, but both Faces hold it down for their side of the country with golden era purity and pizzazz. It's a cold world outside, but find solace in the fact that rappers who do indeed "get it" continue to exist – and flourish.

OUTRO
Blame me for purposely leading you on with this piece. You can call the fight fixed, but go back and re-read the critique. Analyze the records. I'm sure you'll come to agree – both albums stood their ground. Let this also be just a small taste of the heaping platter I shall be serving you in the coming weeks – as we begin our epic journey through the 2007 version of MSD's CHAMPION of CHAMPIONS title tourney. 64 of the top rap records of the year go head to head in a single-elimination tournament to determine the sole album of the year 2007. Last year we did it solo, this year I bring along some of my friends. Promise you this – the old Top Ten lists you've grown accustomed to are dead and buried. Once you see the blood, sweat and tears that goes into this clash you'll never settle for a summary again. See you on the flipside!

Rest in peace Pimp C!