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Twelve Reasons to Die II

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Twelve Reasons to Die II
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 10, 2015
Recorded2014–2015
GenreHip hop
Length31:46
LabelLinear Labs
ProducerAdrian Younge
Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge chronology
Sour Soul
(2015)
Twelve Reasons to Die II
(2015)
Czarface Meets Ghostface
(2019)

Twelve Reasons to Die II is the second collaborative studio album by American rapper Ghostface Killah and American composer Adrian Younge. It is the sequel to their 2013 album Twelve Reasons to Die. The album was released on July 10, 2015, by Linear Labs. It features guest appearances from Raekwon, RZA, Scarub, Vince Staples, Lyrics Born, Chino XL and Bilal.[1][2]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic72/100[3]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Consequence of SoundB−[5]
Exclaim!7/10[6]
The Guardian[7]
HipHopDX[8]
NME8/10[9]
Now[10]
Pitchfork7.2/10[11]
PopMatters7/10[12]
Spin6/10[13]

Twelve Reasons to Die II received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 72 based on 18 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[3] David Jeffries of AllMusic said, "Like the films Superman 2 and Aliens, the concept LP Twelve Reasons to Die II meets, and for action junkies exceeds, the high standard set by its predecessor."[4] Dan Caffrey of Consequence of Sound said, "If we’re only judging Twelve Reasons to Die II on this kind of story-driven criteria, then it’s a knockout. As with its predecessor, the narrative is a marriage of exploitation horror and urban street drama, an elaboration on the kind of grit-meets-gimmick composition that the various members of Wu-Tang Clan have been pulling off for over two decades."[5]

Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork Media said, "If Twelve Reasons to Die is a comic, then its sequel is the cinematic adaptation or a reboot of the franchise; the source material is the same, but the execution is tightened in places. It has a bigger-budget feel—stronger guests, better pacing, and a more careful consideration for its audience."[11] Kevin Ritchie of Now said, "What it lacks is an interesting emotional – and thus truly cinematic – dimension. The vast majority of lyrics are either narrative exposition or revelling in the primordial thrill of gangsterism, and Ghostface rarely delves beneath the violent macho facade. When he does, it’s only during the climactic and clichéd moment of rebirth."[10] Jesse Fairfax of HipHopDX said, "The majority of Twelve Reasons To Die II is Adrian Younge’s mere reinterpretation of Ghostface Killah’s beloved crime tales. “Black Out” comes close to a vintage feel, but the tracks ultimately distract from the album's plot. Narrated by RZA, the surprise ending sets up an inevitable yet unnecessary third part to come down the line."[8]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Powerful One"Adrian Younge0:51
2."Return of the Savage" (featuring Raekwon & RZA)
3:12
3."King of New York" (featuring Raekwon)
  • Younge
  • Ghostface Killah
  • Raekwon
3:31
4."Rise Up" (featuring Scarub)
2:04
5."Daily News"
  • Younge
  • Ghostface Killah
0:49
6."Get the Money" (featuring Vince Staples)
4:15
7."Death's Invitation" (Interlude) (featuring RZA)
  • Younge
  • Garcia
0:36
8."Death's Invitation" (featuring Chino XL, Lyrics Born & Scarub)
4:33
9."Let the Record Spin" (Interlude) (featuring RZA)
  • Younge
  • Garcia
1:15
10."Let the Record Spin" (featuring Raekwon)
  • Younge
  • Ghostface Killah
  • Raekwon
3:13
11."Blackout" (featuring Raekwon)
  • Younge
  • Ghostface Killah
  • Raekwon
1:55
12."Resurrection Morning" (featuring Raekwon & Bilal)
  • Younge
  • Ghostface Killah
  • Raekwon
2:41
13."Life's a Rebirth" (featuring RZA)
  • Younge
  • Ghostface Killah
  • Garcia
2:51

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2015) Peak
position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[15] 14
US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[16] 11
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[17] 11

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Terry, Josh (2015-05-18). "Ghostface Killah announces Twelve Reasons to Die II, shares "Return of the Savage" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
  2. ^ "iTunes - Music - Adrian Younge Presents: Twelve Reasons to Die II (Deluxe) [feat. RZA, Lyrics Born, Chino XL, Scarub, Bilal, Raekwon & Vince Staples] by Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge". Itunes.apple.com. 1970-05-09. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
  3. ^ a b "Reviews for Adrian Younge Presents: Twelve Reasons to Die II by Ghostface Killah". Metacritic. 2015-07-10. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  4. ^ a b David Jeffries (2015-07-10). "12 Reasons to Die II - Ghostface Killah,Adrian Younge | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  5. ^ a b Kivel, Adam (2015-07-10). "Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge – Twelve Reasons to Die II". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  6. ^ Mullin, Kyle (2015-07-09). "Ghostface Killah Adrian Younge Presents Twelve Reasons To Die II". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  7. ^ Lanre Bakare. "Ghostface Killah: Adrian Younge presents Twelve Reasons To Die II review – hard-boiled hip-hop capers". The Guardian. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  8. ^ a b Fairfax, Jesse (2015-07-22). "Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge - Twelve Reasons To Die II". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  9. ^ "NME Reviews - Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge - 'Twelve Reasons To Die II'". Nme.Com. 2015-07-02. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  10. ^ a b Kevin Ritchie. "Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge". Now. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  11. ^ a b "Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge: Twelve Reasons to Die II". Pitchfork. 2015-07-07. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  12. ^ "Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge: Twelve Reasons to Die II". PopMatters. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  13. ^ Joyce, Colin. "Review: Ghostface Killah, 'Twelve Reasons to Die II'". SPIN. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  14. ^ Twelve Reasons to Die II (booklet). Linear Labs. 2015.
  15. ^ "Ghostface Killah Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  16. ^ "Ghostface Killah Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  17. ^ "Ghostface Killah Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2015.