Twelve Reasons to Die II | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | July 10, 2015 | |||
Recorded | 2014–2015 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 31:46 | |||
Label | Linear Labs | |||
Producer | Adrian Younge | |||
Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge chronology | ||||
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Twelve Reasons to Die II is the second collaborative studio album by American rapper Ghostface Killah and American composer Adrian Younge. It is the sequel to their 2013 album Twelve Reasons to Die . The album was released on July 10, 2015, by Linear Labs. It features guest appearances from Raekwon, RZA, Scarub, Vince Staples, Lyrics Born, Chino XL and Bilal. [1] [2]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 72/100 [3] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [4] |
Consequence of Sound | B− [5] |
Exclaim! | 7/10 [6] |
The Guardian | [7] |
HipHopDX | [8] |
NME | 8/10 [9] |
Now | [10] |
Pitchfork | 7.2/10 [11] |
PopMatters | 7/10 [12] |
Spin | 6/10 [13] |
Twelve Reasons to Die II received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 72 based on 18 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". [3] David Jeffries of AllMusic said, "Like the films Superman 2 and Aliens , the concept LP Twelve Reasons to Die II meets, and for action junkies exceeds, the high standard set by its predecessor." [4] Dan Caffrey of Consequence of Sound said, "If we’re only judging Twelve Reasons to Die II on this kind of story-driven criteria, then it’s a knockout. As with its predecessor, the narrative is a marriage of exploitation horror and urban street drama, an elaboration on the kind of grit-meets-gimmick composition that the various members of Wu-Tang Clan have been pulling off for over two decades." [5]
Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork Media said, "If Twelve Reasons to Die is a comic, then its sequel is the cinematic adaptation or a reboot of the franchise; the source material is the same, but the execution is tightened in places. It has a bigger-budget feel—stronger guests, better pacing, and a more careful consideration for its audience." [11] Kevin Ritchie of Now said, "What it lacks is an interesting emotional – and thus truly cinematic – dimension. The vast majority of lyrics are either narrative exposition or revelling in the primordial thrill of gangsterism, and Ghostface rarely delves beneath the violent macho facade. When he does, it’s only during the climactic and clichéd moment of rebirth." [10] Jesse Fairfax of HipHopDX said, "The majority of Twelve Reasons To Die II is Adrian Younge’s mere reinterpretation of Ghostface Killah’s beloved crime tales. “Black Out” comes close to a vintage feel, but the tracks ultimately distract from the album's plot. Narrated by RZA, the surprise ending sets up an inevitable yet unnecessary third part to come down the line." [8]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Powerful One" | Adrian Younge | 0:51 |
2. | "Return of the Savage" (featuring Raekwon & RZA) |
| 3:12 |
3. | "King of New York" (featuring Raekwon) |
| 3:31 |
4. | "Rise Up" (featuring Scarub) |
| 2:04 |
5. | "Daily News" |
| 0:49 |
6. | "Get the Money" (featuring Vince Staples) |
| 4:15 |
7. | "Death's Invitation" (Interlude) (featuring RZA) |
| 0:36 |
8. | "Death's Invitation" (featuring Chino XL, Lyrics Born & Scarub) |
| 4:33 |
9. | "Let the Record Spin" (Interlude) (featuring RZA) |
| 1:15 |
10. | "Let the Record Spin" (featuring Raekwon) |
| 3:13 |
11. | "Blackout" (featuring Raekwon) |
| 1:55 |
12. | "Resurrection Morning" (featuring Raekwon & Bilal) |
| 2:41 |
13. | "Life's a Rebirth" (featuring RZA) |
| 2:51 |
Chart (2015) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [15] | 14 |
US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard) [16] | 11 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [17] | 11 |
Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop musical collective formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its members include RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and, until his death in 2004, Ol' Dirty Bastard. Close affiliate Cappadonna later became an official member. They are credited for revitalizing East Coast hip hop and are considered one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time.
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The Wu-Tang Clan is a New York City–based hip-hop musical group, consisting of ten American rappers: RZA, GZA, Raekwon, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Masta Killa, Cappadonna, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. This list chronologically displays the albums of each group member including collaboration and side group albums. This list does not include compilation albums, mixtapes, or extended plays.
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Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... is the debut studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, released on August 1, 1995, by Loud Records and RCA Records. The album was loosely composed to play like a film with Raekwon as the "star", fellow Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah as the "guest-star", and producer RZA as the "director". It features appearances from every member of the Wu-Tang Clan. The album also features debut appearances from affiliates Cappadonna and Blue Raspberry, and an acclaimed guest appearance from rapper Nas, which marked the first collaboration with a non-affiliated artist on a Wu-Tang related album.
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