Once Upon A Time In Shaolin: Ghostface Killah Chimes In On The Debate
At this point, it seems pretty safe to say that The Wu-Tang Clan's 1-of-1 piece Once Upon A Time In Shaolin won't be gracing any ears for some time. After it was announced that the "secret" LP couldn't be bought, sold (except, of course, in private auction) or likely even heard until the year 2103, Wu-mamis and papis from across the globe had themselves (us included) a damn conniption. And ever since, the debate over whether this move was one that would genuinely uplift the piece to high-art status or whether it was just some cheap marketing ploy has ensued, bringing matters to fever pitch, with many members of the crew chiming in, particularly Method Man, who had some not-so-flattering words for the project and its wholly unconventional roll-out, to which RZA had to retort and clarify the terms. But what might the incomparable Ghostface Killah have to say on the matter?
In a recent interview with Canada's CBC, the almighty GFK shed some light on at least his contribution and gut reaction to the 88-year commercial embargo. Not surprisingly, Pretty Tony claims to have killed his portions, but also doesn't seem to have heard the record in its entirety, only those tracks to which he actually put down words for. He also sheds a bit of light on the matter and how, if successful, RZA's plan could actually cement the foreverness of Wu-Tang. You can read Ghostface Killah's remarks on the record below, just be sure to stay tuned, as the Once Upon A Time In Shaolin sage continues to unfold. Hit the link below for the full script.
>>>Read The Full Ghostface Killah Interview (via CBC)
On his contribution to the record:
"I’ve only really heard the parts that I’m on. Musically, it was all right. … It’s like this, what I heard, I’m not saying it’s like the first Wu-Tang album, but as far as the beats that were circulating around at that time, it’s like that. ... The ones I rhymed on. And it was decent. It was real nice. I murdered everything I was on, you know what I mean?"
On the implications of the 88-year embargo:
"I mean, it could be good and it could be bad. My first thing was like, no, give it to the people. What are you going to hold it for? Then I look at it, like 88 years, most of us is going to be gone by that time, but you know, I don’t know how the state will be in music at that time, but if it is going all right, maybe people, it might give Wu-Tang another burst in 80 years."
