Today in Hip-Hop: Ghostface Killah Drops ‘The Pretty Toney Album’

On this day, April 20, in hip-hop history...

2004: Staten Island rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah dropped his fourth studio album, The Pretty Toney Album, on April 20, 2004.

Though 'Killah' is absent from all Def Jam album packaging, fans of the Wu-Tang spitter still flocked to stores to grab Ghostface's fourth release. Although Ghost didn't employ his usually partner in crime, Raekwon, on this album, strong features from Jadakiss, Missy Elliott, Musiq Soulchild, Styles P and more and production from the always on-point Wu-Tang beatsmith RZA ensured the first release from Ghost in three years was met with critical acclaim among music heads. A soulful twinge is a common thread throughout the entire 18-track offering. Songs like "Beat The Clock," "Biscuits" and "Holla" are standouts in Ghostface's discography.

The album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 200 charts and No. 4 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Rolling Stone ranked The Pretty Toney Album four out of five stars and Pitchfork ranked it at 8.2 stars out of 10.

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