Supreme Clientele

Supreme Clientele is the second studio album of American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released January 25, 2000 on Epic Records. The album was recorded at several studios in New York and Florida, with the sessions taking place in 1999. Similar to Ghostface's debut album Ironman, Supreme Clientele showcases his signature up-tempo, stream-of-consciousness rhyme style. The album features guest appearances from RZA, Raekwon, GZA, Method Man, Cappadonna, Redman, U-God, and Masta Killa, among others. Recently a sequel was announced to be released entitled "Supreme Clientele Presents Blue & Cream: The Walley Era".

Upon its release, Supreme Clientele received strong reviews from most music critics, and was the most acclaimed of all of the second generation solo Wu-Tang albums. It debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 chart, and number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, while selling 134,000 copies in its first week.^[1] On March 8, 2000, the album was certified Gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).^[2]

Background

Supreme Clientele was initially scheduled to be recorded after Wu-Tang Forever, however, Ghostface Killah was incarcerated under charges stemming from a 1995 attempted robbery. During this time, the entire Wu-Tang Clan recorded "Iron Vacation" for future use on Supreme Clientele, but opted not to use it and it has remained unreleased.

Similar to all second-generation Wu-Tang solo albums, Supreme Clientele was not produced entirely by The RZA. Wu-Tang producers, and lesser known producers contributed to the majority of the album's production, with RZA producing six tracks. RZA, however, did oversee the overall production and mixing, being credited as executive producer along with Ghostface Killah. This is attributed as the reason for the album having a "cohesive" sound despite beats coming from multiple producers.

There are several differences between the Canadian and US releases of Supreme Clientele, mostly due to clearance issues. The US release has a different "Ghost Deini", reimagined by the RZA, due to clearance issues. "Wise (In the Rain)", which during recording had Ghostface crying because of the emotional lyrics, was left off entirely.

The album contained an insult toward then-up-and-coming 50 Cent. In the "Clyde Smith" skit, Wu-tang member Raekwon, with the use of voice distortion, plays the role of a man named Clyde Smith. Clyde Smith addresses 50 Cent and his 1999 song "How to Rob," in which 50 Cent rhymes about how he will rob many popular music artists, including several Wu-Tang Clan members. The skit drew a response from 50 Cent, who later replied to Wu-Tang in an underground mixtape freestyle.

Controversy

In 2004, Lord Superb, formerly of Raekwon's American Cream Team and a collaborator of Ghostface's, made claims that he had "ghostwritten" the entire album of Supreme Clientele.^[3] Superb has admitted to writing Ghostface a verse on the previously unreleased GoodTimes Pt. II. Tony Yayo of G-Unit would later bring the topic back to the surface in 2006,^[4] however, in an interview with Rhapsody Music, Ghostface responded with:

"Yeah, I was in Europe when I heard Tony Yayo say that. That’s just nonsense. I still put mad shit out. 'Perb (Superb) is Rae’s (Raekwon) man. He been in the studio a few times while we’re doing shit. He ain’t write shit. All ‘Perb contributed was a couple of lines that you could put in the air. When we write, we all do that. “Say this one right here” or “Put this one right here.” We all catch lines with each other ‘cause you in the studio. You got niggas around you that write. Even if he did write a verse, he could never make an album of mine. He couldn’t make an album, you feel me? I made Supreme Clientele what it is. Those are my stories, based around what they’re based upon. It’s me. I can’t see what songs ‘Perb wrote. He ain’t write "Mighty Healthy" or "One" or "Apollo Kids" or "Cherchez LaGhost" or "Saturday Nite" or "Malcolm".^[5]

—Ghostface Killah

Reception

Upon release, Supreme Clientele received positive reviews from most music critics, with many lauding it as the greatest solo Wu-Tang album of its era. Blockspot from Vibe commented "Mixed reviews of recent solo offerings from Clan members have some doubters whispering their speculation of Wu's demise. Fortunately, Ghost saves the day with the naysayer-silencing Supreme Clientele. Championing the cause of Wu dominance, Supreme Clientele exemplifies Ghost's lyrical dexterity. While his thunderous light-speed delivery hasn't changed much, his jagged wordplay is at its zenith."^[13] Allmusic's M.F. DiBella rated the album 4½ out of 5 stars, and stated in his review "Most of the members of rap's Roman Empire, the Wu-Tang Clan, experienced sophomore slumps with their second solo releases, whether artistically or commercially. The second offerings featured some of the old Wu magic, but not enough to warrant a claim to their once total mastery of the rap game. Just as the Wu empire appeared to be crumbling, along came the second installment from the Clan's spitfire element, Ghostface Killah. Every bit as good as his first release, Supreme Clientele proves Ghost's worthiness of the Ironman moniker by deftly overcoming trendiness to produce an authentic sound in hip-hop's age of bland parity ... While the album is complete and characteristically Wu-sounding, each track is distinctive lyrically, thematically, and sonically. Ghostface's Supreme Clientele is a step toward the Wu-Tang Clan's ascent from the ashes of their fallen kingdom. The once slumbering Wu-Tang strikes again."^[6] Mike Pace from PopMatters gave the album a 9 out of 10 rating, and stated "The (Wu-Tang) Clan has taken its share of blows from critics and fans alike who claim that the magic of the first few Wu releases has yet to be recaptured. However, the hype surrounding Ghostface’s latest Supreme Clientele is well deserved, seeing as that the majority of the tracks deliver like the Mailman Karl Malone doesn’t on Sunday. Aside from the occasional aggravating skit that drones on for too long, the album is chockfull of spit-polished Wu-isms and catchy-as-hell beats."^[11]

In contrast, Craig Seymour from Entertainment Weekly gave the album a C rating and wrote negatively of its skits and long length.^[9] In his review for USA Today, Steve Jones gave Supreme Clientele 3 out of 4 stars and described it as a "brooding mix of lyrically dense and sonically diverse tracks."^[12] Alternative Press, however, gave it 5 out of 5 stars, and commented "From the opening minutes of this all-uptempo, all-sorta-dissonant wild ride, it shows and proves a minutely detailed, if largely abstract, document of a unique black artist's emotional life."^[7] The Source magazine rated it 4½ out of 5 mics, and stated "An A+ record in Wu fashion. Arguably as entertaining as his debut Ironman. With appearances by just about every important Wu figure, the album is a Wu album in the Wu-est sense."^[7]

Track listing

• Original version of "Ghost Deini" contained a sample which was refused clearance. An early version found its way onto an album sampler. The beat was used earlier on the track "Bastards" Ruthless Bastards which can be found on the album Wu-Tang Killa Bees: The Swarm.

Personnel

Charts

Accolades

• The information regarding accolades is adapted from acclaimedmusic.net,^[16]except for lists with additional sources.
• (*) signifies unordered lists

References

External links

• Supreme Clientele at Discogs
• Article at Spin
• Accolades at acclaimedmusic.net