Masta Killa: "Ringing Bells"

Delayed, ignored, and eventually overlooked, Masta Killa’s stately No Said Date seemed destined to dodge attention long before it was even announced. More than ten years after the Clan first burst onto the scene, Killa still appeared content with his position as shadow man. Slinking into the background, oozing his nonchalant verbosity between the more animated styling of his pupils, and even equivocating controversy in the form of supposedly ghostwritten rhymes; there was never a significant break in Turner’s languid character.

Keeping loyal, “Ringing Bells” doesn’t stray far from the staple Wu formula. Bronze Nazareth providing the platform for the burghal prose; spaghetti chords and a staggered piano loop throw back without biting. Still surprising is how jarring the sound can be. Even with our Fishscale’s, our Grandmasters (THEY FAKED IT), and to a lesser extent, our Mr. Xcitement’s, the grit and fortitude of the original releases remains the most captivating element in the arsenal. Unsurprisingly, the verses come in the form of scattered monologue. “Sharp as a nigger on prom night, we strike with a vengeance.” It didn’t rhyme, but I got the point.