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When DMX and the Ruff Ryders supplanted them, however, for the underground, the cure was often worse than the disease, as shiny suits and samples gave way to keyboard beats and simpler, more accessible lyrics taking advantage of rap’s newfound status as pop culture. This breakneck stylistic accelerationism birthed countless new styles, but by the late 90s, some of the genre’s most vocal fans weren’t happy with hip-hop’s recent evolution - particularly the genre’s turn towards commercially successful formats.įirst, there was Bad Boy, a target of backpacker ire but nevertheless given an occasional pass on account of Biggie’s rhymes Puff’s production savvy.

The genre had always moved fast, with disco emceeing giving way to electro, giving way to Def Jam-style drum machines, Juice Crew-powered fast rap, and Native Tongues style sampledelia. Hip-hop at the turn of the millennium was at the edge of a precipice.

SUPREME CLIENTELE BOOK FREE

Through his hyper-stylized writing, rugged yet smooth sample choices, and free associative aesthetic, Ghostface Killah ensured a very specific strain of hip-hop remained vital, and we’re only now beginning to see how his creative choices have redefined underground emceeing.īut before we cover all of that, first, we’ve gotta go back. While it didn’t receive the mainstream critical adulation of a Nation of Millions, Low End Theory or Illmatic, nor the overwhelming pop culture recognition of Stankonia, Get Rich or Die Trying or The Carter III, there’s an argument to be made that with Supreme Clientele, Ghostface Killah kept hope alive for a rap lineage that was very much at risk of disappearing at the turn of the millennium.

Instead, for this final, and slightly belated installment of 20/20 Vision, I want to dive into why Supreme Clientele is so important to hip-hop history, beyond just being a great listen: the doors it opened, the traditions it carried on, and the distant eras in music it draws on, links and inspires. I cannot imagine any circumstance where you, the reader, aren’t aware of just how great Supreme Clientele is beyond just being too young, and if that’s the case – stop reading this and go listen to one of the greatest works in the history of hip-hop.

Second, it’s been done: our editor has written the definitive review and a contributor to this site has written an entire book on Ghostface. There are a few foundational principles that form the intellectual bedrock of this stie: Don’t Come to L.A., Listen to more Jazz, music and counterculture is a tool of resistance against the encroaching evil of capitalism, and Ironman is invincible, his remarkable armor is supreme. Or at least, that’s not why I’m writing it.įirst, if you’re reading this, you already know. This piece will not try to convince you that Supreme Clientele is one of the greatest rap albums of all time. Son Raw is the inventor, 86’ rhyming at the center. Help us continue to guzzle Dom and smoke with scratchy throats by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon.

Supreme clientele book