Mongrel Magazine

In the aftermath of the tragic death of Old Dirty Bastard and the even more tragic Tim Allenification of Method Man, Ghostface Killah (aka Tony Starks, aka Iron Man) has been left carrying the Wu Tang flame. Always one of the more exciting talents of the group’ s nine core members, Ghostface’ s unique and extraordinary style – intense, shamelessly emotive, effortlessly surreal and yet undeniably gritty – has made him the rapper almost every other rapper wants to be, if only they would admit it to themselves. He has an oddly Manichaean, almost medieval view of life and morality and he’ s also, in his own peculiar way, a pretty nice guy. Listen to the man, now: he’ s got some things to say that need saying. Read the rest of this entry »

Mongrel Magazine

It’s just after noon on Bloomsday, and Christopher Hitchens – author, Vanity Fair columnist, professional contrarian and ridiculously high-functioning alcoholic – is making preparations to begin his day’s drinking. He opens the hotel room mini bar, glowering contemptuously into its interior, before deciding there’s nothing in it to meet his exacting requirements. He hands me a quarter bottle of white wine and rings down to reception. His urbane boozehound’s speaking voice is as suavely self-possessed as his prose. Read the rest of this entry »