Ghostface Killa: The Rap Kingpin
Ghostface Killa: The Rap Kingpin, also known as Tony Starks, The Wally Champ, Pretty Tony and Ironman (amongst others) is about to drop his Supreme Clientele 2 LP on August 19 and I’d be bullshittin’ if I said this album wasn’t needed. For me personally, while I love all hip-hop (up until about 2002-2003), the street corner/hustler shit is my preference. And the Rap Kingpin track is nothing but.
The single, titled “Rap Kingpin” is one of the illest, most vicious tracks Ghost has dropped in I don’t know how long. That raw, early 90’s street corner hip-hop that those of us old enough to remember the golden era can relate to. Way back when nothing but fire was coming out back to back from just about every new emcee. Back before the weirdo shit with the nail polish, dresses, and pocketbooks became widely accepted for whatever reason. Real, true, authentic hip-hop that gave you visuals as you heard the words come together.
And Ghostface is definitely the man to single-handedly bring that fly shit back to defeat the complete & total garbage these clowns are trying to pass off as actual hip-hop nowadays. If the Supreme Clientele 2 album is half as good as the Rap Kingpin single, Starks is gonna put alot of these suckers to sleep.
For fans of razor-sharp lyricism, cryptic slang, and lush, soul-drenched sample flips, the return of Ghostface Killah is all the excuse you need to get hyped. After a stretch of silence and a quiet delay, the long-awaited follow-up to his 2000 masterpiece is finally locked and loaded. Supreme Clientele 2 is officially set for release on August 19—and if the newly dropped single “Rap Kingpin” is any sign of what’s to come, Ghost is out to reclaim that gritty, otherworldly brilliance that made the original a landmark.
Ghostface Fires the First Shot with “Rap Kingpin”
It’s been over two decades since Supreme Clientele set the bar with surrealist bars, dusty loops, and Ghost’s unmistakable Staten Island delivery. Two decades later, he hasn’t lost a step. “Rap Kingpin” arrives with eerie swagger, riding a warped callback to his own “Mighty Healthy,” spliced over the whistling grit of Eric B. & Rakim’s “My Melody.” The result? A sonic nod to his roots that somehow feels new—nostalgia sharpened into something dangerous.
Lyrically, Ghost is still in rare form, flexing with outlandish imagery and off-kilter luxury: “We don’t fuck on bearskin rugs, just Persian rabbits / We mad nice, cigar and a glass of water.” It’s that uniquely Ghostface blend of raw street talk and eccentric opulence—half-abstract painting, half-gunpowder.
Channeling the Energy, Not Copying the Moment
Instead of chasing trends or trying to outdo his younger self, Ghostface is locked in on recapturing a mindset. As he puts it, “Supreme Clientele was a frame of mind and era in time. You could never duplicate that feeling, but you can tap back in.” On “Rap Kingpin,” you hear that philosophy in action—beats built from old files, reworked fragments, and the same golden-era production instincts that fueled his prime.
This isn’t an artist reinventing himself to stay relevant—it’s a craftsman deepening his own blueprint. It’s not about recreating the past; it’s about drawing from the same well that made it timeless. In Ghost’s words, the process was about raiding the archives, pulling out the gems, and making sure they still cut deep in 2025.
The Weight of a Classic
The original Supreme Clientele was more than an album—it was a seismic shift. Ghost’s stream-of-consciousness flow, cryptic slang, and surrealist storytelling pushed hip-hop into bold, unpredictable territory. With RZA steering the ship and Ghost at the helm, it redefined what a Wu-Tang solo record could be.
That’s why expectations for part two are sky-high. But Ghostface isn’t sweating it. “We dug in the files from years ago and pulled together a Clientele that is Supreme!” he says. The mission isn’t to outshine the original—it’s to stand proudly beside it. And if “Rap Kingpin” is the opening salvo, he’s right on target.
August 19—Worth the Wait
Sure, the jump from June to August stung a bit, but in true Tony Starks fashion, the delay only made the anticipation sweeter. Now, with the date locked in, fans can start gearing up for the full course.
In an era where many chase algorithms and quick clicks, Ghostface is building something that lasts. Supreme Clientele 2 isn’t just a sequel—it’s a bridge between eras, built from the same bricks that made the first one stand tall.
Ghostface Killah’s “Rap Kingpin” is streaming everywhere now. Whether you’ve been riding with him since the 36 Chambers days or you’re just stepping into the world of Pretty Toney, keep this one on repeat. August 19 can’t get here fast enough.
