The Pretty Toney Album
by Ghostface Killah
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Apr 20, 2004
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Pitchfork
    82
    Pretty Toney far surpasses 2001's Bulletproof Wallets, finally finding the missing link between street cred and commercial respect.
  2. Playlouder
    90
    Fourteen listens deep, this is still getting better. All but a rap classic. You know, Kanye's good, but really, fuck that. Ghost for president.
  3. No Ripcord
    70
    The first five tracks are some of the rawest the nine-man conglomerate has ever served. But this all transpires within the first fifteen minutes of the disc. From there Pretty Toney takes a few ugly turns.
  5. Mojo
    80
    Forget notions of old or new schools: this is an album that blends a kindergarten-level technique with styles that are strictly postgraduate. [Jun 2004, p.116]
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  6. Rolling Stone
    70
    More than any of his previous albums, Pretty Toney hones Ghost's wild style into accessible confections.
  7. Austin Chronicle
    78
    An album full of voluptuous soul samples fused with brusque perspectives on love, life, and common thuggery.
  8. Spin
    100
    A bruisingly great collection of demented 1988-style boom-bap. [May 2004, p.107]
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  9. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Ghostface... comes off hungrier than ever to produce thrilling hip-hop. [14 May 2004, p.68]
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  10. The A.V. Club
    90
    Though his rhyming Wu-Tang compatriots are conspicuously absent, Ghostface's latest does what nearly all latter-day Wu-Tang releases have been trying to do without much success: return to the brilliance of 36 Chambers. [28 Apr 2004]
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  11. Billboard
    80
    [He] truly shines.
  12. Village Voice
    80
    "Hip-hop soul" is supposed to be for r&b singers, but Ghostface's latest redefines the term.
  13. The New York Times
    80
    "Pretty Toney" doesn't match the high standard of Ghostface's first two, "Ironman" and "Supreme Clientele," but it's a strong album nonetheless, packed with dense narratives and weird conceits.

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best Album of 2004
95
#95 Most Shared Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. BIGMAN22
    Apr 17, 2016
    10
    dope production, dope lyricism, ghostface sure knows how to make good music. stays doing what he knows best. this one adds up to his firstdope production, dope lyricism, ghostface sure knows how to make good music. stays doing what he knows best. this one adds up to his first albums. classic.… Full Review »
  2. BigTyCoon
    Sep 29, 2014
    10
    A classic album from one of the most classic catalogs in the game. Ghostface was so on fire at this point in his career. From start toA classic album from one of the most classic catalogs in the game. Ghostface was so on fire at this point in his career. From start to finish this album was bananas. Must own for any hip hop head.… Full Review »
  3. rod
    Dec 18, 2006
    8
    One of ghosts' best. Ironman was like the flipside to only cuban linx, and this album is the closest return to that calibur. Grown man One of ghosts' best. Ironman was like the flipside to only cuban linx, and this album is the closest return to that calibur. Grown man rap touched with something rap has gotten away from - soul, humor, and a killer flow...… Full Review »
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