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The Epic Raekwon V Ghostface Killah Verzuz - By Theo The Philosopher
Wu-Tang Clan members and longtime copartners Ghostface Killah and Raekwon faced off in a much-anticipated Verzuz battle Saturday where both rappers delivered 20 rounds of highlights from their Wu tenure, solo careers, and notable features.
Throughout the nearly three-hour Livestream, fellow Wu members and associates like Inspectah Deck, the RZA, Cappadonna, Masta Killa, and Ol Dirty Bastard’s son Young Dirty Bastard dropped in to engage in the battle.
The Twos Bond and Chemistry
During the battle, where both rappers fired verses at one another, the duo reflected on their long history together and showcased their camaraderie during random ceasefires; after Raekwon delivered the opening verse to his “Incarcerated Scarfaces,” Ghostface surprised him by rapping Raekwon’s second verse a cappella. Ghostface joked “I had to take that, that was a leg shot,”. That chemistry has blown up more after joining U-god, then Ghostface told U-God that he will drop a tv on Rae's head.
In the finale, the two artists showed love and respect to one another. Raekwon told Ghost, “I see myself when I see you” and Ghost, in turn, left a big brother kiss on his head.
Raekwon and Ghostface started as enemies in the neighborhood, Raekwon even shot Ghostface's house. RZA said once: '' They grew to be best friends after joining the Wu-Tang.” The chemistry between them is just amazing.
That epic chemistry has inspired a whole generation and pulled them up into rap.
Nobody can match Ghost and Ray lyrically and make it sound like 1, The twos bond and chemistry are the keys.
Pretty Tony’s Fashion Sense
Turning the tone, Rae and Ghostface pulled out their fly casual digs. But, of course, Ghost’s alter ego “Pretty Tony” raised the stakes with a wardrobe change after the break. The fur white fur coat that he wore before performing “Holla” stood head and shoulders over the red leather number he first appeared in. The four-finger ring and
custom Yankees jean jacket sealed the deal.
A Celebration of a True Brotherhood
Let's be honest, this was never a competition or a battle, this was a concert for Wu lovers, it's also a celebration of true brotherhood. The longtime friends and group members pulled through for an epic face-off and revive of their classic songs.
It's hard to say who's better in the Wu. It's just they have so many songs that they couldn't remember all of them to pick one so they can win the round.
Although, Here's how I broke down the scoring of that epic Verzuz battle according to me, Theo The Philosopher, and does not represent the opinion of, One Stop Hip Hop. Peace!
Round 1: G. Dep feat. Ghostface Killah, Keith Murray, Craig Mack, and Diddy's "Special
Delivery" Remix vs. OutKast feat. Raekwon's "Skew It on the Bar-B"
‘’Special Delivery’’ is wavy, but Raekwon and Outkast collab brought two entirely different worlds together.
WINNER: Raekwon
Round 2: Ghostface Killah feat. Superb, "Ghost Deini" vs Raekwon feat. Cappadonna & Raekwon's "10 Bricks"
‘’Ghost Deini’’ is like Allah himself was rapping in the physical form of Ghostface.
WINNER: Ghostface.
Round 6: Ghostface Killah feat. Raekwon "The Watch" vs. Wu-Tang Clan's "It's Yourz"
Gotta go ‘’Its Yourz.’’ If you play ‘’Its Yourz’’ at an underground nightspot in the gutter, people will go crazy.
WINNER: Raekwon
Round 7: Wu-Tang Clan feat. Talitha's "Impossible" vs. Raekwon's "100 Rounds"
Immobility is considered the biggest sophomore slump next to Michael Carter Williams’s second season with the Sixers, but it is better than given credit for. It’s just missing RZA beats. Rae takes the win here.
WINNER: Raekwon
Round 8: Ghostface Killah feat. U-God and Madam Majestic's "Cherchez LaGhost" vs. Raekwon's "Ice Cream"
‘’Excuse me hon, the don mean no harm, turn around again." Need we say more?
WINNER: Raekwon
Round 10: Ghostface Killah feat. RZA, "Nutmeg" vs. Raekwon feat. Ghostface Killah's "Criminology"
Impossible to choose but it has to be ‘’Criminology’’: Might be cliché, but it is the best RZA beat of all time. All praises were due for Supreme Clientele though.
WINNER: Raekwon
Round 11: Wu-Tang Clan's "C.R.E.A.M." vs. Ghostface Killah's "Holla"
‘’Cash rules everything around me’’ is the type of statement that affirms American life, for all its good and all its evil. It’s a matter of fact like Method Man is speaking from the point of view of Uncle Sam.
WINNER: Raekwon
Round 12: Raekwon feat. Ghostface Killah's "Rainy Dayz" (Remix) vs. Ghostface Killah feat. Raekwon's "Daytona 500"
‘’Daytona 500’’ makes you want to disrespect the nun at your catholic school.
WINNER: Ghostface
Round 15: Raekwon's "Yae Yo" vs. Ghostface Killah's "One"
There isn’t one single bar that epitomizes life for Black kids in New York than ‘’the devil planted fear inside the black babies.’’ Ghostface is a poet.
Winner: Ghostface
Round 18: Wu-Tang Clan's "Cash Still Rules"/"Scary Hours" vs Beyoncé feat. Ghostface Killah's "Summertime"
Ghostface and Beyoncé collaborating is a highlight on Fade to Black, but “Scary hours, no money out, smash the Guinness stout” is what you hear before you get your Wu-Tang tattoo.
WINNER: Raekwon
Round 19: Jodeci feat. Raekwon & Ghostface Killah's "Freek'n You" Remix vs. Teyana Taylor feat. Ghostface Killah's "Gonna Love Me" (Remix)
Raekwon pulling out the Jodeci feature is the equivalent to Prop Joe pulling out the ringer in the infamous basketball episode in The Wire: It changed the trajectory of the game.
WINNER: Raekwon
Round 20: Wu-Tang Clan's "Can It Be All So Simple" vs. Ghostface Killah feat. Mary J. Blige's "All I Got Is You"
Raekwon gets to double-dip here a little, playing Pete Rock's all-legends "Tha Game" (also featuring Prodigy and Ghostface) and then going again with the 36 Chambers all-timer "Can It Be All So Simple" -- which is a perfect illustration of what can be done with rap laid over soul samples, two art forms coming together. Controlled chaos in the form of Wu-Tang soldiers and Gladys Knight.
WINNER: Raekwon
Biggest KO: Goes to Ghost
Rae undoubtedly thought he had it when he did ‘’Glaciers of Ice’’ -- but then Ghost puts on ‘’Run,", which is an overlooked classic.
Best Banter: Ghostface
Ghostface showed up on time and then came late, which makes no sense, but Ghost can do whatever he wants because he is Ghost. Also, everything that comes out of Ghost’s mouth sounds like something godly.
Biggest Snub: Ghostface
We were waiting for Ghostface to pull out ‘’Buck 50’’ but he never did. That would have easily given him the win on a round.
Ghostface Announcing New Music
Fans can expect at least three new Ghostface releases this summer. He confirmed his appearance on Cuban Linx III and a Supreme Clientele 2 release, too.
As always, the fans are the true winners of that verzuz battle, it's wasn't even a battle, it was a celebration of their magnificent careers. And definitely, it was a historic moment in hip-hop history that will always be remembered.