Wu-Tang Clan swordsman Ghostface Killah has been open about his musical influences. The Staten Island, New Yorker grew up admiring Rap music from the likes of Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Slick Rick, Divine Force, Ultramagnetic MC’s, and others. Over the last 25 years, he has been able to link with many of those influences. Just over the bridge from Brooklyn, it’s also no secret that G.F.K. came up admiring Big Daddy Kane. Both MCs are gifted at putting an R&B swing into their records at times, without ever compromising their reputation to body mics or keep Rap challengers at bay.

On next Friday’s (October 5) The Lost Tapes, “Ghostdini” meets “The Prince Of Darkness.” Heads get to hear the chemistry a week early on “Done It Again.” While the song is no singing or Rhythm & Blues, it’s a metaphor for an old love that was deeper than any fling. Ghost’ showers a symbolic female that’s caught his attention with compliments and the prospects of what it is like rolling with a real one. It includes first-class flights, backstage passes to Coachella, and a closet full of designer bags. It becomes clear that “boo” is Hip-Hop, and the chance the lyricist wants is to ride the wave and he heard. A quarter-century ago this fall, that happened, courtesy of Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). He achieved those things and was part of a group of artists that took Hip-Hop to global-mainstream status.

Ghostface Killah, AZ & Kool G Rap Go to Battle in This Comic-Style Visual (Lyric Video)

As the song progresses, getting verses from Ironman co-host Cappadonna and onetime Alkaholiks affiliate, Styliztik Jones, the song nears its end. That is when Big Ghost LTD increases the pitch on the soul-drenched beat in the final minute. That’s precisely when B.D.K. enters with his confident cool. “I remember when I first tried to holla / I was just a shorty and I always tried to follow / You out the park-jams on a hot summer day / Never thinkin’ you was gonna ever run away / You ran with a lot of cats, solo to a crew / But the whole thing about it, no one told you what to do,” spits Kane in his own “I Used To Love H.E.R.” take. “It’s kinda sad to see what money did to ya / I wish I could take it back to the way I knew ya.” While the story does not end happily, Ghost’ and Kane certainly do their part to woo Hip-Hop back.

The upcoming LP also features Snoop Dogg, E-40, KXNG Crooked, and Raekwon. Earlier this month, Kane celebrated his 50th birthday. Wu-Tang has orchestrated a special takeover at next month’s A3C in Atlanta, Georgia. It is part of the crew’s 25th anniversary celebration for Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).