Twelve Reasons to Die

Adrian Younge Presents Twelve Reasons to Die by Ghostface Killah (Soul Temple) ASIN: B00BMEF7GK

Summary

Twelve Reasons to Die is a concept album about an Italian mobster -- Tony Starks (not to be confused with Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man, though Ghostface Killah does also go by Ironman) -- who is betrayed and murdered.  His remains are pressed into 12 vinyl records.  Playing them returns his soul to the world of the living.  To enact his revenge he takes on the form of the Ghostface Killah -- imagined here as a kind of black superhero murderer.  Much of the album focuses on Starks life before he is murdered.  The final tracks of the album recount the gruesome deaths that the Ghostface Killah performs.

Critical Evaluation

The album has been lauded for its production work by Adrian Younge.  Indeed this aspect of the album is impressive.  Younge did the soundtrack for the 2009 film Black Dynamite and for a 2013 Delfonics album.  In Black Dynamite, Younge affects a 1970s blaxplotation funk soundtrack vibe (reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield or Isaac Hayes).  On Twelve Reasons to Die, Younge channels a 1970s B-movie vibe.  His inspiration is reportedly Italian composers.  And the production is spot-on.  The music is evocative of a genre film from the period.  While the instrumentation transcends cliches, the lyrics seem content to wallow in them.  Upon hearing the notion of a hip-hop concept album, one might imagine an artistic statement that transcends the worst features of the genre.  Instead Ghostface Killah hews close to the blueprint of gangsta rap.  The concept becomes a stage for violence, betrayal by women, and boasting.  We might expect a high concept revenge story, to follow a revenge tragedy narrative.  This album does not.  The narrative is simply that Starks is murdered and in the guise of Ghostface Killah exacts gruesome revenge.  At this point in time it's impossible not to see hip-hop concept albums in the shadow of Deltron 3030.  On that album Del the Funkee Homosapien seems to look into the inspirations of hip-hop music (namely Parliament Funkadelic), latch onto the imagery (particularly the science fiction element of Parliament's Mothership), and create a humorous, yet technically proficient opus.  The concept of the rap battle is re-imagined as an intergalactic war of wills.  Twelve Reasons to Die does not offer as many inventive ways of looking at Rap. It's themes are much like those explored on Straight Outta Compton; they are simply relocated into the world of organized crime.

Reader’s Annotation

Ghostface Killah's concept album is the soundtrack to a non-existent horror/revenge film.  The production is spectacular and Ghostface Killah's verbal acrobatics are on display.

Information about the author

From the website Allmusic.com: 

As one of the original members of the seminal '90s rap crew the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah (aka Tony Starks) made an impact before he released his debut album, Ironman, late in 1996. Like all members of the Wu-Tang Clan, the rapper used the group as a launching pad for a solo career, which was assisted greatly by other members of the Clan, particularly producer RZA. Ghostface Killah had rapped on Wu-Tang's 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang, but he didn't distinguish himself until 1995, when he was showcased on fellow Wu member Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Ghostface received good reviews for his appearance on the record, and his contribution to the soundtracks for Sunset Park and Don't Be a Menace to South Central While You're Drinking Your Juice in the Hood also were well-received. All of these guest appearances and soundtrack contributions set the stage for Ghostface Killah's solo debut, Ironman, in late 1996. Like all Wu-Tang projects, it was produced by RZA and was quite successful in the large hip-hop/rap underground, debuting at number two on the pop charts upon its release. Ironman was also the first album to be released on Razor Sharp Records, RZA's record label on Epic Records. (Thomas Erlewine, 2013).

Composer, arranger, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Adrian Younge -- also a film editor, business owner, and entertainment law professor -- quickly transitioned from sampling records with an MPC to playing several instruments. During the late '90s, he performed bass and keyboards in a band but grew frustrated with relying upon his mates, so he adapted by learning to play more instruments, as well as the ins and outs of analog recording. Drawing from his love for Italian film music, he conceived Venice Dawn and circulated 1000 copies of an EP he wrote, played, and produced in full. Several years later, he was asked to edit a Blaxploitation-style film titled Black Dynamite, and he also provided the music. Released in 2009 on the record label of Wax Poetics magazine. In late 2011, Venice Dawn was revived (and eventually expanded into a performing group) for the sake of Something About April, another nostalgic yet utterly unique recording steeped in late-'60s and early-'70s psychedelic soul. Although it seemed custom-made for sample hounds, it was thoroughly engrossing from front to back, with equal emphasis on songwriting and production. Younge subsequently worked with one of his favorite soul groups, the Delfonics. The collaboration led to Adrian Younge Presents the Delfonics, released on Wax Poetics in March 2013. A busy man, Younge also operates the Artform Studio, a record store and salon located in Los Angeles, California. (Kellman, 2013)

Genre

Music: Hip-Hop
 

Curriculum Ties

The lyrical themes of the album may not warrant discussion at the highschool level.  However, the production by Adrian Younge is worthwhile (and also available without the vocal parts as a separate disc).  The album could be used to encourage students who are fans of Hip-Hop to write stories.

Booktalking Ideas

I find it unlikely that I'd go out of my way to recommend this specific album.  It is compelling though that Ghostface Killah and Younge took a risk and made a concept album.  Younge's production might spark interest in scoring film.  Discussing that process might interest some listeners.

Reading Level/Interest Age

9th grade and up

Challenge Issues

Strong language; violent imagery. 

I would openly greet any patron who presented a challenge to the work, giving them ample time to detail their complaint.  I would listen attentively.  To respond to these challenges I would have some reviews of the work on hand.   I would be prepared to explain that as a public institution libraries "cannot limit access on the basis of age or other characteristics" (ALA, 1999).  I would have copies of the library's collection policy on hand.  I would be prepared to politely discuss that parents can control what their children are exposed to by coming to the library with them and examining books they check out.  If the Teen Advisory Group had written reviews of the work I'd have them handy.  While it may be of little comfort to certain parents, I would also be prepared to discuss my staunch support of intellectual freedom and abhorrence of censorship.  As a last resort, I would be sure to keep copies or a reconsideration form on hand.

Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?

Ghostface Killah is a founding member of the popular Hip-Hop group the Wu Tang Clan.  Additionally, a mixtape from last year pairing Ghostface Killah's rhymes with the instrumentation of Fela Kuti albums caught my ear.  I was also a fan of Adrian Younge's Delfonics album from 2013.

References

American Library Association. (1999). Strategies and tips for dealing with challenges to library materials. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/copingwithchallenges/strategiestips



Kellman, A. (2013). Adrian Younge: Biography. Retrieved from http://www.allmusic.com/artist/adrian-younge-mn0001646944

Thomas Erlewine, S. (2013). Ghostface Killah: Biography. Retrieved from http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ghostface-killah-mn0000655746