Apollo Kids

Ghostface Killah | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 21, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B004BQV5L2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,221 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2010 album from the Wu Tang legend. A Hip Hop icon for more than 15 years, Ghost's legions of fans have been tuning in to The World According to Pretty Toney long enough to know that "he doesn't so much deliver rhymes as narrate graphically detailed scenes, rife with violence, passion and a little humor," as USA Today stated. Along the way, Ghost has made a habit of enlisting duet partners on his singles and album tracks - Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Jadakiss, Ne-Yo, John Legend and many others, including his Wu-Tang Clan mates Raekwon, Method Man, U-God, and so on. Apollo Kids is no different with a blockbuster cast of guests including Busta Rhymes, Black Thought, Joell Ortiz, Jim Jones and The Game just to name a few.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ghost Gets Back to Basics December 21, 2010

By Jeffrey A. Lunt

Format:Audio CD

Ghostface Killah is always a dynamite performer...and in the Clan, his blade cuts deeper than most. He's loud and fierce...and his newest album, "Apollo Kids," is another Wu-Tang winner.

"Purified Thoughts" is a great opener. The lyrics and production set the tone for the entire album. As usual, GZA and Killah Priest bring wisdom to the table.

"Superstar" is a good track (although the hook can be a little annoying). It's fast and upbeat and Busta Rhymes' verse is unique.

"Black Tequila" keeps things moving. You can always count on Ghostface to tell a vivid story.

"Drama" is a pretty good track. (The lyrics are sweet...but the production is something to be desired.)

"2getha Baby," the album's lead single, changes tempo a few times, which is cool. It's a great track.

"Starkology" and "In tha Park" are so gangsta, it hurts. The guitar on the latter is something otherworldly. (Listen to it loudly.) "In tha Park" is probably my favorite track.

"How You Like Me, Baby" is another highlight for me.

A Ghostface album wouldn't be complete without an X-rated sex track. On "Apollo Kids," we have "Handcuffin' Them Hoes." I'm not complaining, but Ghost: is every woman just an object to you?

"Street Bullies" is another winner. (I think Ghostface wanted to record more gangsta-sounding tracks for this release.)

"Ghetto" feels like it was produced in the '90s. (I seem to favor older-sounding production as the days turn to years, so I really like this track.) Raekwon, as usual, brings his Mafioso persona.

"Troublemakers" is another gangsta rap track. Raekwon shows up again for another great verse and Method Man and Redman are always fun to listen to.

All in all, "Apollo Kids" is fantastic. I can easily recommend this joint to Wu-heads and hip hop heads alike.

(On another note...I was at the record store recently and I found myself talking to some high school students who were waiting in line with T.I. and Eminem CDs in their hands. None of 'em had even heard of Ghostface (or GZA or Method Man for that matter). It was a little depressing. Buy this album and support TRUE hip hop.)

Wu-Tang forever.

Peace.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Short, Raw, Pure, No Apologies Ghostface Album December 21, 2010

By N. A. Zola

Format:Audio CD

After listening to this a couple times now, I can only say that I'm very proud of Mr. Coles and this release. While I understand his need to branch out with his last album, having done the same straight hip-hop for so many years, it just wasn't my style. I think it was a great execution of what he wanted to do, but I gotta admit like my R&B a little less nasty. He said at the time that would be his last album, and after this Apollo Kids disc, I am so glad that is not the case. Instead of trying to make some bloated, over-the-top hip-hop opus, Ghost got some creative beats, rapped over them, got some good guests, and made a short but sweet album that defines who he is and what hip-hop should be remembered for in the 2010's now that it has been mixed and mashed with every other genre over the last decade. I'm not saying that he made an "old-school hip hop" record. It's definitely modern. This is East Coast hip-hop, grown up and unaffected by passing fads. There is no track on here that could be a smash hit. A couple of the tracks seem almost like a half a song, like he could have added a chorus and a bridge and maybe even made a smash hit out of it. Instead it was left in a raw, simple form and it helps make the album feel like a real album that you should listen all the way through each time. If you are looking for another Fishscale, you won't get it. There isn't much experimentation going on here with the lyrics, though his rapping is stronger than it's been since that album. I hope this isn't the last record we get from GFK, I like the no-frills, no filler straight hip-hop direction he went with this one.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great album December 21, 2010

By J. Richardson

Format:Audio CD

Another great album from tha Ghost. I was really surprised for some reason. I don't know why but I was expecting this to be a bad album. How dare me think so low of a Wu record haha.
This album is real strong with great lyrics and dope production, most of the time. (There were a few tracks a was like ehh). I think my only little complaint is the hook on "Superstar" because it's just..well, sucks and the very beginning of "In The Park" it's some weird/random noise that shouldn't be placed there in my opinion. But it's not enough to bring the song or album down by any means.
So for any Wu head go and get this, or at least give it a listen. You'll be amazed how Wu still keeps it's vintage sound after all these years.
9.8/10