Ghost Cartridge (LP) - Ghost Cartridge (Hip hop) We’ve got a whopping 36 tracks (20 original, 16 instrumental) on Ghost Cartridge’s self titled LP, standing as a salute to hip hop throwbacks. On this monumental release, Ghost Cartridge is joined by a bevy of collaborators—Stilz, Max Prime, Ricca Razor Sharp, Wyzaker, Iron Lion, King Lou, soleo333, Ol’ Gorilla Bones, D-Sisive and Baggy Lean—to create a complex and layered project that makes us miss the hip hop of yesteryear. Before we dig into some of our favorites below, let’s talk about our artist collective behind the hits.
Ghost Cartridge is a group of rapper/producer hybrids active since 2018, populated by hip hop veterans Mantrakid and The EquAzn—musical partners since the early 2000s—and infused with a crew of Canadian MCs. The crew hopes to take listeners from screw face head nodding to wistful gazing and back again.
This massive LP is steeped in 90s/00s nostalgia and overflows with pop culture references. Arkham Asylum, Sega Genesis and cerebro are thrown into the mix along with Bob Fosse and Andrew Lloyd Webber, displaying a vast array of influences and references to draw from which makes the lyrical content dense, rich and deep. While a lot of the album focuses on boasting the lyrical prowess and artistic value of the artist—as is expected on a hip hop project—we also get quite a few introspective moments, including a really great rhyme exploring the monotony of a corporate 9-5 and the pandemic.
At the beginning, we immediately got some early Eminem vibes, which later infused with some Jay-Z and Neptunes stylings. The 8bit effect is used frequently, which along with distorted vocals gives the entire project a unique identity, while at the same time exploring some vastly different soundscapes, which even include quite a few musical interludes. We have to admit, we wished some of those interludes were fleshed out into full tracks because every beat on this LP is superb.
“Xzibit” is a perfect opening salvo to the project, where Ghost Cartridge is joined by D-Sisive and Baggy Lean to list all the reasons why what you are about to listen to is worth your while—an exhibit list. This gives us that Slim Shady quirk that lets us know that there are some sardonic and tongue in cheek moments to come—that the project doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Our favorite track, however, is “Physics in the Music Section”, which feels right out of The Neptunes’ universe. While all of the tracks are expertly produced, the instrumental here has some extra magic to it, relishing in it for a good minute before Ghost Cartridge even enters the track. The distorted radar blip throughout also reminds us of Missy’s “Wake Up.” It’s trippy and a standout.
“808bit” features the 1950s announcer voice that shows up a few times throughout the project, on top of a retro video game instrumental that is made for all the 90s kids out there. The biggest diversion is “Antennae”, a lo-fi fantasy that’s more R&B than anything—we got Miguel vibes from this one. It’s different than anything else on the album—a lush and rich production which focuses on soundscape over the story, and puts our artist’s versatility and musicality on full display.
Finally, we also want to point out hard hitting “REJECT”, which we imagine would bump in your car. This track sizzles. Fire.