The Rundown: Styles P, Phantom and the Ghost

A track-by-track review of Pinero's latest efforts.

SP Gets Ghost - It's been four years since Styles P has gone Ghost on us (via the DJ Green Lantern collab album, The Green Ghost Project). Now, Holiday Styles, one third of the iconic group the LOX, has teamed up with newly formed NMC Music Group to bring you back into the spiritual realm for his latest, his seventh studio album, Phantom of the Ghost.With almost two decades of spitting out consistent "ghetto classics," under his belt, SP's self-imposed reincarnation into his piff-passing, fire-spitting, gun-toting alter ego, the Ghost, remains true to the gritty, unapologetic gangsta flow that captivated hip hop heads on his first, A Gangster and a Gentlemen.And with assistance from Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, Vado, Raheem DeVaughn and more, this album is the answer to the streets' prayers, standing as a viable contender ...

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SP Gets Ghost - It's been four years since Styles P has gone Ghost on us (via the DJ Green Lantern collab album, The Green Ghost Project). Now, Holiday Styles, one third of the iconic group the LOX, has teamed up with newly formed NMC Music Group to bring you back into the spiritual realm for his latest, his seventh studio album, Phantom of the Ghost.With almost two decades of spitting out consistent "ghetto classics," under his belt, SP's self-imposed reincarnation into his piff-passing, fire-spitting, gun-toting alter ego, the Ghost, remains true to the gritty, unapologetic gangsta flow that captivated hip hop heads on his first, A Gangster and a Gentlemen.And with assistance from Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, Vado, Raheem DeVaughn and more, this album is the answer to the streets' prayers, standing as a viable contender ...

"Never Safe" - It’s clear that SP's "existence is still ghostly" with the first track. Styles comes out the gate blazing over a beat reminiscent of "Felony N----s," his solo effort on We Are the Streets. "Hammer on my waist outside where it's never safe," he warns, entrenched in a hard-core hip hop trance. It's an opening befitting a vet as Holiday verbally dances around the track dropping bombs of knowledge that only comes with longevity in the game. (Photo: Randy Smith/BET)

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"Never Safe" - It’s clear that SP's "existence is still ghostly" with the first track. Styles comes out the gate blazing over a beat reminiscent of "Felony N----s," his solo effort on We Are the Streets. "Hammer on my waist outside where it's never safe," he warns, entrenched in a hard-core hip hop trance. It's an opening befitting a vet as Holiday verbally dances around the track dropping bombs of knowledge that only comes with longevity in the game. (Photo: Randy Smith/BET)

Photo By Photo: Randy Smith/BET

“Creepy City” Featuring Sheek Louch - Led by a simple yet assertive piano riff, Sheek Louch is first up on this track, opening up with “I’m a G about mine…” followed by heat-seeking bars directed at any b---h n----a who wants it. By the time Styles's second verse comes on, his relaxed flow takes the tone down a notch, only making it easier to feel each shot, metaphor and jab.  SP raps, “You from D-Block so I’ll lay a n---a out for you/I’m a wolf so let me show you what the alpha do/ cut guts out even chop a scalp or two,” reminding you that his team is still heavy and ain’t s—t change from the ‘90s.(Photos: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)

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“Creepy City” Featuring Sheek Louch - Led by a simple yet assertive piano riff, Sheek Louch is first up on this track, opening up with “I’m a G about mine…” followed by heat-seeking bars directed at any b---h n----a who wants it. By the time Styles's second verse comes on, his relaxed flow takes the tone down a notch, only making it easier to feel each shot, metaphor and jab.  SP raps, “You from D-Block so I’ll lay a n---a out for you/I’m a wolf so let me show you what the alpha do/ cut guts out even chop a scalp or two,” reminding you that his team is still heavy and ain’t s—t change from the ‘90s.(Photos: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)

"Deeper Self" - Styles has come a long way from his “Good Times (How High)” days, nevertheless his affection for marijuana hasn’t subsided over time. "Chain smoking the reefer" helps P get in touch with his "Deeper Self" on this piano- and percussion-driven track. He effortlessly offers a flashback to his days trapping in the hood — a story that never gets old when it comes to the Yonkers-born rapper.(Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for BET)

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"Deeper Self" - Styles has come a long way from his “Good Times (How High)” days, nevertheless his affection for marijuana hasn’t subsided over time. "Chain smoking the reefer" helps P get in touch with his "Deeper Self" on this piano- and percussion-driven track. He effortlessly offers a flashback to his days trapping in the hood — a story that never gets old when it comes to the Yonkers-born rapper.(Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for BET)

"World Tour" Featuring Vado - Yonkers and Harlem unite over this nostalgic beat, which borrows influence from A Tribe Called Quest's "Award Tour." SP kicks it off in Y-O, and by the end of the first verse his tour stops in Cali, of course. When Vado steps in on the hook, the Harlem native, who typically reps uptown, sings a different tune with "We on a world tour with Ciroc in my hand…" before proceeding to show all the boroughs in NYC some love. Vado also gets his chance to spit a few bars, but despite the fact that Vado and Styles are on a "world tour," the flow and vibe of this track is all New York.(Photos from Left: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images, Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic)

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"World Tour" Featuring Vado - Yonkers and Harlem unite over this nostalgic beat, which borrows influence from A Tribe Called Quest's "Award Tour." SP kicks it off in Y-O, and by the end of the first verse his tour stops in Cali, of course. When Vado steps in on the hook, the Harlem native, who typically reps uptown, sings a different tune with "We on a world tour with Ciroc in my hand…" before proceeding to show all the boroughs in NYC some love. Vado also gets his chance to spit a few bars, but despite the fact that Vado and Styles are on a "world tour," the flow and vibe of this track is all New York.(Photos from Left: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images, Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic)

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Styles P. (@therealstylesp)\r - Rappers are on a serious health kick these days, especially Styles P. The Lox member invested in his own juice bar, Juices for Life!\rTWEET: "Juice bar bound shortly workout was good feeling good about myself gotta a video and a song to drop!"\r(Photo: Walik Goshorn/Retna Ltd.)

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"Don't Be Scared" Featuring the Bull Pen - Styles teams up with rapper Bullpen, who now goes by the Bull Pen on this head-boppin', blunt-blowin' single. Bull Pen and SP make it clear on this that it's all about D-Block on this joint — anything else isn’t worth talking about. Holiday and Pen go bars for bars, boasting their talents, hobbies and no-mercy attitude for haters and so-called competitors over another percussive piano-driven track that Styles has become accustomed to over the years.(Photo: Walik Goshorn / Retna Ltd.)

"Sour" Featuring Jadakiss and Rocko - The infectious bounce of the snare coupled with Rocko's Southern drawl, Jada's raspy tone and SP's adoration for his favorite strand of marijuana is like catching contact. With a hook as simplistic as a redundant mention of "sour," it's easy to fall back and zone out, whether you are lighting up or just lit up in your own way.(Photos from Left: Scott Gries/Getty Images, Jason Merritt/Getty Images, Scott Wintrow/Getty IMages)

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"Sour" Featuring Jadakiss and Rocko - The infectious bounce of the snare coupled with Rocko's Southern drawl, Jada's raspy tone and SP's adoration for his favorite strand of marijuana is like catching contact. With a hook as simplistic as a redundant mention of "sour," it's easy to fall back and zone out, whether you are lighting up or just lit up in your own way.(Photos from Left: Scott Gries/Getty Images, Jason Merritt/Getty Images, Scott Wintrow/Getty IMages)

"Never Trust" Featuring Chris Rivers - "Never Trust" has a Godfather meets vintage L-O-X with a Goodfella strapped and ready to go kind of feel. As soon as he opens up the track it's obvious the D-Block General's sentiments haven't wavered since the opening of Phantom of the Ghost — Styles is a boss. With a hook that suggests you're not in the league if you're not about that "shooters, hustlers, product, customer," life, SP and Christ Waters dare you to f—k with them, but remind you to keep in mind that they aren't God, so "don’t trust in us."(Photo: Randy Smith/BET)

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"Never Trust" Featuring Chris Rivers - "Never Trust" has a Godfather meets vintage L-O-X with a Goodfella strapped and ready to go kind of feel. As soon as he opens up the track it's obvious the D-Block General's sentiments haven't wavered since the opening of Phantom of the Ghost — Styles is a boss. With a hook that suggests you're not in the league if you're not about that "shooters, hustlers, product, customer," life, SP and Christ Waters dare you to f—k with them, but remind you to keep in mind that they aren't God, so "don’t trust in us."(Photo: Randy Smith/BET)

Photo By Photo: Randy Smith/BET

"Rude Boy Hip Hop" Featuring Raheem DeVaughn - The title of the song implies that we may hear a Caribbean influence, and Raheem DeVaughn delivers with an accented and catchy "La-di-da-di-dey" on the hook. But Styles's arrogant flow, paired with the smoothness of the rather relaxed beat, is what makes this track "Rude Boy Hip Hop."(Photos from Left: E1 Music, Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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"Rude Boy Hip Hop" Featuring Raheem DeVaughn - The title of the song implies that we may hear a Caribbean influence, and Raheem DeVaughn delivers with an accented and catchy "La-di-da-di-dey" on the hook. But Styles's arrogant flow, paired with the smoothness of the rather relaxed beat, is what makes this track "Rude Boy Hip Hop."(Photos from Left: E1 Music, Scott Gries/Getty Images)

"Other Side" Featuring Shae Lawrence - Maintaining the mellow tone from the previous track, Pinero transitions into an ode to his fallen soldiers and lost brothers. On this guitar and piano-led track, Styles gets nostalgic recalling hard times and lost loved ones, all while providing positive reinforcement for those who are down. He relies on Shae Lawrence to handle the hook as her sweet serenade gives life to lost ones. "Praying for my n---s on the other side/ represent ya memory till the day I die," she sings, adding a feminine touch to Pinero’s thug chronicles.(Photo: Phil McCarten/Getty Images)

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"Other Side" Featuring Shae Lawrence - Maintaining the mellow tone from the previous track, Pinero transitions into an ode to his fallen soldiers and lost brothers. On this guitar and piano-led track, Styles gets nostalgic recalling hard times and lost loved ones, all while providing positive reinforcement for those who are down. He relies on Shae Lawrence to handle the hook as her sweet serenade gives life to lost ones. "Praying for my n---s on the other side/ represent ya memory till the day I die," she sings, adding a feminine touch to Pinero’s thug chronicles.(Photo: Phil McCarten/Getty Images)

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"For the Best" - From the "Other Side" to the dark side, Pinero teams up with producer Harry Fraud for this grimy, raw track. The rather subdued beat gives an underground sound and falls right in line with the ghostly theme of the album. It makes for the perfect backdrop to SP's straight-forward flow, solidifying yet another ‘hood anthem. Even though he's been eating for almost two decades, Pinero is still hungry and hasn't let fame keep him away from resonating with the streets.(Photo: Styles P via Instagram)

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"For the Best" - From the "Other Side" to the dark side, Pinero teams up with producer Harry Fraud for this grimy, raw track. The rather subdued beat gives an underground sound and falls right in line with the ghostly theme of the album. It makes for the perfect backdrop to SP's straight-forward flow, solidifying yet another ‘hood anthem. Even though he's been eating for almost two decades, Pinero is still hungry and hasn't let fame keep him away from resonating with the streets.(Photo: Styles P via Instagram)

"Smoke All Day" Featuring Dyce Payne - It's the maturity of this grown and sexy mary jane dedication that confirms Styles's evolution as an artist. The piano-heavy beat is a nod to SP's Gangster and a Gentleman mantra. Meanwhile, Dyce Payne sings, "I smoke all day," on the hook.(Photo: Styles P via Instagram) 

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"Smoke All Day" Featuring Dyce Payne - It's the maturity of this grown and sexy mary jane dedication that confirms Styles's evolution as an artist. The piano-heavy beat is a nod to SP's Gangster and a Gentleman mantra. Meanwhile, Dyce Payne sings, "I smoke all day," on the hook.(Photo: Styles P via Instagram) 

"We Gettin" - The bounce is back for this two-step club banger. In one of the few upbeat and potential party songs on the album, Ghost carries the bass-heavy production by Trey On Da Beatz all by himself. As he casually delivers punch lines, it's the hook that makes this song scream, "Homie we getting women, homie we getting high…"(Photo: Randy Smith/BET)

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"We Gettin" - The bounce is back for this two-step club banger. In one of the few upbeat and potential party songs on the album, Ghost carries the bass-heavy production by Trey On Da Beatz all by himself. As he casually delivers punch lines, it's the hook that makes this song scream, "Homie we getting women, homie we getting high…"(Photo: Randy Smith/BET)

Photo By Photo: Randy Smith/BET

Styles P @therealstylesp - Tweet: "Angie Martinez is a tough act to follow whoever is filling her shoes is gonna have to be a gee enough to keep it a 100% every interview!" (Photo: Styles P via Instagram)

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"Same Scriptures" - They don't call it a bonus for nothing. If 12 tracks weren't enough, Styles reappears on this jazz-influenced beat complemented by a quick yet effective flow from SP and a serenade from an unnamed singer. It's more like an interlude or musical prequel to the final bonus offering.(Photo: Styles P via Instagram)

Photo By Photo: Styles P via Instagram

"So Deep" - In closing, Styles is assertive, reflective and philosophical all at the same time. He's at home with this soulful yet dreamy beat, showing his intellectual side as he raps, "It's like I make n---s shiver and think/ I'm so deep that if water tried to listen then the rivers will sink." "So Deep" is the nail in the coffin, from which the Ghost has risen, and remains lingering to haunt your hip hop dreams.(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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"So Deep" - In closing, Styles is assertive, reflective and philosophical all at the same time. He's at home with this soulful yet dreamy beat, showing his intellectual side as he raps, "It's like I make n---s shiver and think/ I'm so deep that if water tried to listen then the rivers will sink." "So Deep" is the nail in the coffin, from which the Ghost has risen, and remains lingering to haunt your hip hop dreams.(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)