A collaboration between DJ Green Lantern, the former DJ for Eminem’s Shady Records, and Styles P of The LOX, The Green Ghost Project sounds exactly like what it is: a bunch of talented guys coming together to make hip-hop they themselves would actually listen to. And we can’t complain about that.
Green Ghost opens and closes with nods to, of all things, sweeping, cheesy ‘80s rock. The background synth on “Nothin to Lose” evokes The Phantom of the Opera, while “Born in these Streets” goes straight to the sound of Genesis. Despite these unusual touches, both songs still fit with everything that comes in between, thanks to Style P’s old school approach to flow — namely, if it works, don’t mess with it.
At times this homogeneous rap style does become a bit dull, but then guests step in to jazz things up, some highlights being productions from Statik Selekta (“Shadows”) and Dame Grease (“That’s Me”) and a verse from Noreaga (“Pablo Doe”). As for “Time Will Tell,” which also features Raekwon, it’s a perfect two and half minutes of serious-sounding lyrics and a gangsta vibe.
All in all, Green Lantern and Styles P poured themselves into an album. Not too many artists seem to be doing the same, and that’s why this group currently stands a cut above the rest.
4 Stars
