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Apollo Kids
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Apollo Kids Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 35 Ratings

  • Summary: The Wu-Tang member branches out with his own brand of street flow on his solo album of soul-heavy funk sounds and old-school hip-hop.
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Top Track

2getha Baby
If it's a boy his swag and ditty bop'll be just like mine And if it's a girl, ooh, just like her momma she gon' be so fly What a joy we made from the... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Jan 3, 2011
    91
    Many of these tunes sound like they could have been recorded at any point in his 17-year career - and that's great news for fans.
  2. Consequence
    Jan 10, 2011
    90
    They [Ghostface and Wu-Tang Clan] are truly a hip-hop enigma, and Apollo Kids is just another piece of proof.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Dec 21, 2010
    88
    Apollo Kids shows that one of rap's company drivers is still on the speedway--zooming slightly slower than before, but with better pacing and control of the wheel.
  4. AllMusic
    Dec 22, 2010
    80
    Apollo Kids feels just the slightest bit unfinished.
  5. NOW Magazine
    Jan 7, 2011
    80
    If you still have a stomach for violent, vulgar content, this is recommended.
  6. Okayplayer
    Jan 14, 2011
    79
    It's a testament to Ghostface's MC bonafides and sheer force of personality that, while easily his weakest solo outing, Apollo Kids is far from a bad album. It just doesn't quite feel like a Ghostface Killah album.
  7. Spin
    Dec 21, 2010
    70
    Ghostface Killah's ninth album consoles his hardcore constituency: Forty-plus minutes of gritty, soul-sampling beats soundtracking bizarro street tales ("Starkology," "Ghetto"), with lyrical tough-guys Busta Rhymes, Redman, and more than half the Wu Tang Clan tagging along.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. NicoDaFlagburna
    Jan 14, 2011
    10
    A seamless transition from his critically acclaimed R'n'B album, Ghostface firmly salutes the classical hip-hop style that is absent fromA seamless transition from his critically acclaimed R'n'B album, Ghostface firmly salutes the classical hip-hop style that is absent from today's mainstream market with intimidating lyrics and typical vocal authority. The beats are aggressive, compressed hard and reflect Ghostface's larger than life persona, the samples effective (though unoriginal) are used stylistically as a subtext to genre and the mastering develops these elements by slamming them against your eardrums. Don't expect anything and you will be wowed, expect too much and you will still be pleased! Never one to disrespect the art, Ghostface Killah proves again that he is the greatest rapper alive paving the way for fellow New York MCs Nas & Raekwon to defeat him for the title. Artistically he develops on the styles of Drake and Lil Wayne while still providing the cultural substance that makes him such a powerful speaker. 10/10 97/100… Expand
  2. BigTyCoon
    Sep 29, 2014
    10
    Ghost at his leanest and near his best. He's always dropped solid to incredible albums and this leans near the the incredible. Tonnes ofGhost at his leanest and near his best. He's always dropped solid to incredible albums and this leans near the the incredible. Tonnes of energy and great stories as usual over dope production.… Collapse
  4. NJR
    Dec 26, 2010
    9
    A great return to form by Ghost, his last three albums (Ghostdini, Big Doe Rehab & More Fish) were all sub-par efforts that caused me to loseA great return to form by Ghost, his last three albums (Ghostdini, Big Doe Rehab & More Fish) were all sub-par efforts that caused me to lose interest in Ghost for a while. But this is another story, his rhymes are sharp and lyrically perfect and the guest spots are just as exiting. Some of the production is brilliant (Purified Thoughts, How You Like Me Baby & Troublemakers) but sadly some leaves a lot to be desired even though most of the sampling is very good. This is what stops the album from being on the same level as Fishscale & Supreme Clientele for me, nevertheless it is still very much a Wu-Banger!… Expand
  5. Urbanlistener
    Apr 26, 2015
    9
    Simply a great all-around album from Ghostface Killah who doesn't stop to surprise us with the quality of the music he makes after a 18 yearsSimply a great all-around album from Ghostface Killah who doesn't stop to surprise us with the quality of the music he makes after a 18 years run in the game as a solo artist.… Expand
  6. rollingstone82
    Jan 3, 2011
    9
    overall strong return for Tony Starks after the last few okay efforts.
    rhymes: off the chain 9.5/10
    beats: mostly good yet some are weak    overall strong return for Tony Starks after the last few okay efforts.
    rhymes: off the chain 9.5/10
    beats: mostly good yet some are weak 7.5/10
    guests: some are just incredibly dope (black thought, wu tang) and some need work (joell ortiz, jim jones) 8/10
    Overall: 8.5/10    … Expand
  7. TTW107
    Apr 8, 2012
    8
    This rap album is a hidden gem from 2010. Only hip hop heads are going to have/know this album. Ghostface rarely disappoints on his soloThis rap album is a hidden gem from 2010. Only hip hop heads are going to have/know this album. Ghostface rarely disappoints on his solo outings and this is certainly no exception.… Expand
  8. lovemusic
    May 12, 2011
    7
    it was okay it was kinda disappointing to me just a little bit.it was okay it was kinda disappointing to me just a little bit. .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................… Expand

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25
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