Ghostface still making a spectacle of himself

A decade after most of his Wu-Tang Clan brethren peaked, rapper Ghostface Killah has stayed consistently great, releasing one excellent solo record after the next, in the process compiling one of the most storied discographies in hip-hop history, a catalog that was on full display Tuesday night at UCLA’s Ackerman Grand Ballroom.

In the midst of a cross-country college tour, a red-sweatsuit clad Ghost and his crew, Theodore Unit, led the UCLA students through a 50-minute set spanning more radio-friendly hits, including “Cherchez LaGhost” and “Back Like That” to deep album cuts such as the warped surrealism of “The Forest,” and the menacing swagger of “Stay True.”

With the exception of “The Forest,” Ghost’s performance veered away from the more abstract and often gut-wrenchingly emotional tales that populate his catalog. Instead, he wisely stuck to his more party-ready material, including “The Juks,” with its admonitions to “pop your collar,” and “Be Easy,” the first single off “Fishscale.”

Verses from Wu-Tang’s “Criminology” and “Ice Cream” reminded the crowd why Ghost’s show-stopping performances on fellow Clan alum Chef Raekwon’s “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. . . “ album heavily contributed to its widely acknowledged status as one of the finest hip-hop records.

Throughout, Ghostface evinced a level of charisma and confidence found only in veteran rappers who honed their skills the old-fashioned way: through an incalculable number of live shows, freestyle ciphers and late nights in the recording booth.

As with any Wu-affiliated show, a sizable portion was dedicated to a celebration of the Clan’s hits. Accordingly, the audience flashed their “W’s” in the air and mouthed the lyrics to familiar cuts “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” “Triumph” and “Wu Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin’ to . . . With.”

As the performance neared its conclusion, Ghostface’s DJ, J-Love, spun a short set of classic cuts featuring some of the Ironman’s main artistic influences: Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Rakim and Slick Rick.

The move subtly conveyed the fact that whenever Ghostface does finally decide to hang up the microphone, his legacy will be as secure in hip-hop’s pantheon as any of his idols.

--

Flow TC Presents Hip-Hop Live Featuring Rakim, Ghostface Killah & Brother Ali

Where: House of Blues Sunset Strip, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

When: Mon., Oct. 29, 8 p.m.

Price: $32.50

Contact: (323) 848-5100