Ghostface Killah and RZA confirm new rap duo
Ghostface Killah and RZA have confirmed they will form a new rap duo called Staten Island for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s upcoming album. The album is inspired by The Warriors and has Nas as the executive producer.
This is an exciting concept album. Aptly called Warriors, the record will have features from various artists who will all be portraying different characters from the movie. The two Wu-Tang members have been cast as the New York borough where the film is set, so it’s safe to assume they will likely be on narration duties throughout the new album.
That said, the nature of RZA and Ghostface’s contributions has yet to be officially confirmed. Fans will likely not know anything further until the record is officially released.
There are still many people yet to be announced for the record, but some artists who have confirmed they will be making contributions include Broadway star Billy Porter, who will be taking on the role of Granger; Michaela Jaé, playing Yaya; and Mykal Kilgore, stepping into the shoes of Élan. The three will come together to play the group collectively known as The Hurricanes.
The 26-track album will also feature appearances from Marc Anthony, Luis Figueroa, and Flaco Navaja, who will play Tato, Miguel, and Jesús, all of whom make up the gang Turnbull AC’s. Chris Rivers, Big Pun’s son, will play The Bronx, and Utkarsh Ambudkar and Casey Likes will portray Sully and Jesse.
The main parts of the album have yet to be revealed. The lead roles of Ajax and Swan, played by James Remar and Michael Beck in the original film, are awaiting casting announcements. Given the stellar line-up so far on the album and the status that both Lin-Manuel Miranda and Nas hold in the music industry, it’s safe to assume that some big names will be stepping into these roles.
Miranda and the singer Eisa Davis are writing the album. In a statement earlier this month, they said, “We’ve spent the past three years musicalizing the Warriors journey home, from the South Bronx to Coney Island. Along the way, we’ve gotten to work with a lot of our favourite artists, and we’ll be announcing their roles on the album in the weeks ahead,” they said, “We can’t wait to share these songs with you on October 18.”
With so many big names taking part and with such a prestigious ensemble attached to both the production and execution of the record, this is certainly a concept album to watch out for.