In 1996, Wu-Tang Clan producer The RZA took hip-hop production to new symphonic heights on Ghostface Killah's rap masterpiece "Ironman."

And while he may not have the rhyming fire power of an Wu-related project, South Korean artist Defconn, also known as Daejun, channels some of the same hard-edged soul that the RZA turned into hip-hop gold with his new single "N.G." featuring Boni.

Defconn's new single is particularly reminiscent of Ghostface's "260" in which the RZA ingeniously samples the Al Green gem "You Outta Be With Me."

In fact, the first few bars of both "N.G." and "260" are very close.

But from there, Defconn heads heavily in the R&B direction, a sound that guest singer Boni goes a long way towards helping him achieve with her powerful vocal hook.

Boni is an excellent addition to the track, offering shades of Mary J. Blige and Amy Winehouse while keeping the showboating to a minimum.

Defconn is a solid singer as well, but the best moments of the song are when he lets loose with a machinegun like rap style just after the two-and-a-half minute mark.

Although Defconn is known primarily as a hip-hop vocalist, it sounds as though there is a potential for him to become a monster rapper.

The main way the producer of "N.G." (which apparently stands for "Notorious Girl") could have improved on the song would be to have added more segments of rapping, even if it meant having the two vocalists sing the hook a few less times.

But then again, that's pop music wherever in the world you are; repetition is the name of the game.

And that's also not to take anything away from Defconn as a vocalist.

His singing at its best has a gruff, rough quality that makes it seems very close to rap, especially the melodic hip-hop to come out of northern California in the 1990s or New Orleans in the 2000s.

Considering this straight from the streets sound Defconn lays down, it was odd to see him release such a stylized, artsy video.

Although it was interesting as such an unexpected choice, most listeners probably don't imagine a posh art studio and close-ups of breaking glass when they hear "N.G."

At age 36, Defconn is clearly an artist confident enough to mix things up.

Check out the music video for the new Defconn single "N.G." RIGHT HERE

Listen to the Ghostface Killah 1996 classic "260" produced by The RZA RIGHT HERE