The Two Zeros: Artists of the Decade - Ghostface

"This is architect music." - Ghostface Killah, The Champ

There are 120 songs either by or featuring Ghostface Killah in my library. They are all from this decade.

Who knew that Ghostface would emerge from the Wu as the main event? Raekwon may have put out one of the finest hip hop albums ever—and we all know that Raekwon's collaboration with Ghostface is part of the reason that Only Built 4 Cuban Lynx is a classic—but it's Tony Stark whose music career has gone well beyond the long tail of that crew from the land of Shaolin.

In my mind, 2000s Supreme Clientele is nearly as significant as Raekwon's joint. CherChez La Ghost is a brilliant piece of work surrounded by stellar tracks. Ghost then spent the rest of the decade turning phrases not quite like any other. Each album feels like a true collection of songs strung together to tell a new tale. He's always exploring a specific theme or themes. He's always exploring, searching for new soundscapes where he can still be the Iron Man. He's never blown up or crossed over but is so iconic that he's one of the guests at Jay-Z's Madison Square Garden supposed swan song. He's appeared twice on 30 Rock. He's got his own action figure.

He'll also murder the track on every guest spot, every mix tape, every mash up. He's obviously an elder statesman in the rap game now but you'd never know it. He's always sure footed. He's still fresh and interesting. He's loved by headz and indie hipster kids alike. No small feat.

One could argue that hip hop faced an identity crisis in the 2000s but not Ghostdeini. Whether he's rhyming about the perils of the drug game or singing poetry to a lady to get her up out them panties, he's always Pretty Toney.