Pitchfork

Looks like it's not all blunts and da mysteries of chessboxing in the world of Wu. There's been a little bit of infighting going down in the Clan following Ghostface's recent announcement of a new solo disc, set to drop the very same day as 8 Diagrams, the Wu's long-delayed return to wax.

According to MTV.com, Ghost is upset that the Wu pushed back 8 Diagrams' release to December 4, the same date as his just-announced Big Dough Rehab LP. "I had December 4 for the longest," Ghost says, "but the Wu album, brothers were kinda late on doing whatever they were doing and pushed it back..." (Hasn't he seen Rock the Bells? Late's about the best one can hope for from the Wu.)

"...I'm not [mad at] all the members. It's not based on the members, but the hierarchy at Wu-Tang Clan is on some bullsh--. They trying to f--- around and make me push my album back and doing all this. But n---as ain't f---ing around or give us money when we did them Wu-Tang tours. The first one, they paid us after a while, but this last one, n---as is holding onto a lot of money. And [they're] upset based on that. It's a battle right now."

Well, speaking as a dude who'll buy the hell out of both those albums no matter which day they come out, all the Wu is doing is saving me a trip. Can't the rising tide lift all boats?

Nonetheless, it gets deeper than that for Ghost, as he explained to MTV: "The Big Dough Rehab is my album. 8 Diagrams is their album. But it ain't got nothing to do with the regular members. 'Cause I love Raekwon, Masta Killa, U-God, Genius, all them. But it's on right now." Ghost went on to mention that Big Dough would already have dropped had he not joined the Wu on this summer's Rock the Bells tour, and that Loud Records' Steve Rifkind made an effort to stop Big Dough Rehab from hitting stores. (Rifkind did not respond to MTV's questions.)

As for 8 Diagrams, Ghost continues to emphasize his minimal participation in the disc. "I got on some of them [tracks]," he said. "A few of them.... n---as better pay my f----ing money. Matter of fact, they can keep the money-- just get me out of their life right now. They can keep that money, it's all good now. I don't even wanna talk about it no more." Shit!

Ghost's love for the way of the Wu may be waning, but he does throw his W up on Big Dough, which sports guest sports from (at least) Raekwon and Method Man. MTV reports that Ghost is looking to leak the Sean C.-produced, Kid Capri-featuring first single "Celebrate" soon.

December 4 will also see yet another Ghostface product hit shelves as well: The World According to Pretty Toney, a book based on those MTV2 hilarious/helpful nuggets of wisdom from the Ironman himself.

The Wu's recently announced, fast approaching tour (with its long string of dates and cities sans venues) was apparently wishful thinking, as it's not happening. Ghost-- looking, comparatively, like a real mover and shaker these days-- has a few more dates on the Adult Swim trek before heading out with fellow microphone fiends Rakim and Brother Ali.

Ghostface:

10-16 Los Angeles, CA - UCLA *
10-17 Tucson, AZ - University of Arizona *
10-19 Albuquerque, NM - University of New Mexico *
10-28 Las Vegas, NV - Vegoose Festival
10-29 Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues Sunset Strip ^
10-30 San Diego, CA - 4th & B ^
10-31 Long Beach, CA - The Vault ^
11-01 Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst ^
11-02 San Francisco, CA - The Mezzanine ^
11-03 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater ^
11-04 Seattle, WA - Showbox ^
11-05 Bellingham, WA - Nightlight %
11-07 Park City, UT - Harry O's ^
11-08 Denver, CO - Ogden Theater ^
11-09 Aspen, CO - Belly Up ^
11-10 Kansas City, MO - The Beaumont Theatre ^
11-11 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue ^
11-12 Chicago, IL - House of Blues ^
11-13 Bloomington, IN - Bluebird Theater ^
11-15 New Haven, CT - Toad's Place ^
11-16 New York, NY - Nokia Theater ^
11-17 Baltimore, MD - Sonar ^
11-18 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club ^
11-21 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero ^

* with Witchdoctor
% with Little Brother
^ with Rakim, Brother Ali, the Rhythm Roots Allstars