Apollo Kids
Ghostface Killah Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Uh-huh, uh-huh, motherfucker, uh-huh
Yeah, I see that, I see that
All y'all fake motherfuckers up in the joint, huh?
Stealing my light, huh? Watch me, duke, watch me

Yo, check these up top murderous
Snowy in the bezzle as the cloud merges
F.B.I. Try and want word with this
Kid who punked out bust a shot up in the beacon
Catch me in the corner not speaking
Crushed out heavenly, U.G. Rock the sweet daddy long fox minks
Chicken and broccoli, Wallies look stinky
With his man straight from Raleigh Durham, he recognized Kojak
I slapped him five, Masta Killa cracked his tiny form
Everybody break bread, huddle around
Guzzle that, I'm about to throw a hand in your bag
Since the face been revealed, game got real
Radio been gassing niggas, my impostors scream they ill
I'm the inventor, '86 rhyming at the center
Debut '93 LP told you to Enter
Punk faggot niggas stealing my light
Crawl up in the bed with grandma,
Beneath the La-Z-Boy where ya hid ya knife
Ghost is back, stretch Cadillacs, fruit cocktails
Hit the shells at Paul's Pastry Rack
Walk with me like Darthy tried to judge these
Plush degrees, said the cow, wrap the fees
Getting waxed all through the drive-through
Take the stand, throw my hand all on the Bible
And tell lies too, I'm the ultimate
Splash the Wolverine Razor Sharp ring, dolomite
Student in role holding it

Hey yo, this rappin's like Ziti, facin me real TV
Crash at high-speeds, strawberry, kiwi
As we approach, yo herb, the Gods bail
These Staten Island ferryboat cats bail
Fresh cellies, 50 thief up in the city
We banned for life, Apollo kids live to spit the real

A pair of bright phat yellow Air Max
Hit the racks, stack 'em up Son, $20 off no tax
Street merchant tucked in the cloud, stay splurging
Rock a eagle head, 6-inch height was the bird
Monday night Dallas verse Jets, dudes slid in with one hand
Two culture-ciphers, one bag of wet
Heavy rain fucked my kicks up
Wasn't looking, splashed in the puddle
Bitch laughing, first thought was beat the bitch up
Mossied off gracefully, New York's most wanted tee-ball hawk
Seen the yellow brick road, lust of pastries
Same Ghostface, holy in the mind
Last scene, Manhattan Chase
We drew the six-eight digit in the briefcase
Rawness, title is Hell-bound
Quick to reload around faces, surround look astound

We split a fair one, poker nose money
Gin rummy with glare, spot the lame, bit his ear
Yo, you taste a tea-spoon, 300 goons, stash balloons
Locked in lab rooms, hit with Glock, stashed in Grant's Tomb
Clocked him like a patient, his stock's full, hustle invasion
Knowing now, we cocked a block off, the chain tri-color
Freezing in valor, ice-sicle galore
Gas station light gleaming on the wall
Cop WiseGuy jams, James Bond vans
Niggas flipped Timbs, rock boats under water, watch clams
Pose at the stand-off, mad timid
Hoping that the gun fall, guess him like lottery balls, yo

Hey yo, this rappin's like Ziti, facin me real TV
Crash at high-speeds, strawberry, kiwi
As we approach, yo herb, the Gods bail
These Staten Island ferryboat cats bail




Fresh cellies, 50 thief up in the city
We banned for life, Apollo kids live to spit the real

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ghostface's song Apollo Kids are densely packed with slang and cultural references, which can make them difficult to interpret. However, the overall tone of the song seems to be one of aggression and defiance, with Ghostface calling out other rappers who he feels are copying his style and trying to steal his "light." He name-checks various locations and brands, from Wallies sneakers to Paul's Pastry Rack, and boasts of his own prowess as a rapper and a street-wise individual.


The verses of the song often contain multiple images and anecdotes that are hard to connect into a cohesive narrative. For example, in the first verse, Ghostface raps about being approached by the FBI, slapping hands with Masta Killa, and eating chicken and broccoli with a friend from Raleigh Durham. However, some consistent themes do emerge, such as Ghostface's pride in his status as a pioneer of '90s East Coast rap and his disdain for fake and inauthentic rappers who try to cash in on his success.


Line by Line Meaning

Uh-huh, uh-huh, motherfucker, uh-huh
Ghostface is acknowledging the audience, using strong language to show his dominance and demanding attention.


Yeah, I see that, I see that
Ghostface is telling the audience that he can see them talking and looking at him, and he acknowledges it.


All y'all fake motherfuckers up in the joint, huh?
Ghostface is calling out all the fake people in the room for trying to steal his spotlight and not being true to themselves.


Stealing my light, huh? Watch me, duke, watch me
Ghostface is telling the people trying to steal his spotlight that he's not going to let them and that they should watch him and learn from him instead.


Yo, check these up top murderous
Ghostface is letting the audience know that he's about to start rhyming aggressively and powerfully.


Snowy in the bezzle as the cloud merges
Ghostface is describing a watch with diamonds that reflects like snow as the clouds change in the sky.


F.B.I. Try and want word with this
Ghostface is suggesting that he has done something illegal and the FBI wants to question him.


Kid who punked out bust a shot up in the beacon
Ghostface is talking about someone who chickened out of a situation and fired a gun into the beacon.


Catch me in the corner not speaking
Ghostface is saying that he's being quiet and keeping to himself in the corner.


Crushed out heavenly, U.G. Rock the sweet daddy long fox minks
Ghostface is saying that he's feeling great and comfortable while U.G. is wearing an expensive fur coat.


Chicken and broccoli, Wallies look stinky
Ghostface is saying he's eating chicken and broccoli, but his Wallabees (shoes) are looking worn and dirty.


With his man straight from Raleigh Durham, he recognized Kojak
Ghostface is describing someone he knows from Raleigh Durham who recognizes another person as being bald like Kojak (a TV character).


I slapped him five, Masta Killa cracked his tiny form
Ghostface gave him a high-five, and Masta Killa made a joke about his short stature.


Everybody break bread, huddle around
Ghostface is saying that everyone should come together and share food.


Guzzle that, I'm about to throw a hand in your bag
Ghostface is telling someone to drink and relax while he puts his hand in their bag to get something.


Since the face been revealed, game got real
Ghostface is suggesting that since he revealed himself, the game became more serious.


Radio been gassing niggas, my impostors scream they ill
Ghostface is accusing the radio of promoting fake rappers who are claiming to be ill.


I'm the inventor, '86 rhyming at the center
Ghostface is saying that he's the original creator and was in the middle of hip hop in 1986.


Debut '93 LP told you to Enter
Ghostface is referring to his debut album in 1993, saying that he told people to enter the world of hip hop.


Punk faggot niggas stealing my light
Ghostface is calling out fake rappers again, saying they're stealing his spotlight.


Crawl up in the bed with grandma,
Ghostface is suggesting that someone has gone to bed with their grandmother.


Beneath the La-Z-Boy where ya hid ya knife
Ghostface is saying that someone has hidden a knife under their La-Z-Boy chair.


Ghost is back, stretch Cadillacs, fruit cocktails
Ghostface is saying that he's back, riding in stretched Cadillacs, and drinking fruit cocktails.


Hit the shells at Paul's Pastry Rack
Ghostface is referencing a place named Paul's Pastry Rack and saying that he went there to shoot some ammunition.


Walk with me like Darthy tried to judge these
Ghostface is saying that he wants someone to walk with him while he judges something or someone like the character Darthy in the Bible.


Plush degrees, said the cow, wrap the fees
Ghostface is saying someone is well-educated, and a cow said to cover the costs.


Getting waxed all through the drive-through
Ghostface is saying that he's getting insulted or beaten up while at a drive-through establishment.


Take the stand, throw my hand all on the Bible
Ghostface is saying that he's going to testify in court and swear on the Bible.


And tell lies too, I'm the ultimate
Ghostface is jokingly saying he's going to lie in court and that he's the ultimate liar.


Splash the Wolverine Razor Sharp ring, dolomite
Ghostface is showing off his ring with a picture of Wolverine and saying that it's sharp like a razor, and made of dolomite (a mineral).


Student in role holding it
Ghostface is saying that he's a student who has a role and is holding on to it.


Hey yo, this rappin's like Ziti, facin me real TV
Ghostface is saying that rapping is like a baked pasta dish to him, and it's all real like on TV.


Crash at high-speeds, strawberry, kiwi
Ghostface is saying that he crashes at high speeds like a car, and that he's fruity like a strawberry or kiwi.


As we approach, yo herb, the Gods bail
Ghostface is talking to someone named Herb and saying that as they approach (the Gods), they should leave because they can't handle it.


These Staten Island ferryboat cats bail
Ghostface is saying that people from Staten Island who ride the ferry boat are always leaving the scene of the action (bailing).


Fresh cellies, 50 thief up in the city
Ghostface is saying that he has fresh cell phones, and there are 50 thieves in the city.


We banned for life, Apollo kids live to spit the real
Ghostface is saying that he and the Apollo kids have been banned for life, but they live to spit their truth.


A pair of bright phat yellow Air Max
Ghostface is describing a pair of yellow Air Max sneakers.


Hit the racks, stack 'em up Son, $20 off no tax
Ghostface is saying that he hit the stores to buy shoes, and he got a discount without having to pay tax.


Street merchant tucked in the cloud, stay splurging
Ghostface is saying that a street merchant (seller) is hiding in the clouds, but still spending money recklessly.


Rock a eagle head, 6-inch height was the bird
Ghostface is describing someone wearing a necklace with an eagle head pendant, and saying that the actual eagle was 6 inches tall.


Monday night Dallas verse Jets, dudes slid in with one hand
Ghostface is referencing a football game between Dallas and the Jets, and saying that someone slid in with one hand like a football player.


Two culture-ciphers, one bag of wet
Ghostface is saying that there are two groups of people who are coming together, but there's only one bag of drugs.


Heavy rain fucked my kicks up
Ghostface is saying that his shoes got ruined by heavy rain.


Wasn't looking, splashed in the puddle
Ghostface is saying that he accidentally stepped in a puddle when he wasn't paying attention.


Bitch laughing, first thought was beat the bitch up
Ghostface is saying that someone laughed at him when he fell in the puddle, and he immediately thought of hurting them.


Mossied off gracefully, New York's most wanted tee-ball hawk
Ghostface is saying that he left the situation gracefully, and that he's the most wanted person in New York at the moment.


Seen the yellow brick road, lust of pastries
Ghostface is saying that he's been through a journey like in the Wizard of Oz, and that he desires pastries.


Same Ghostface, holy in the mind
Ghostface is saying that he's the same person he's always been, and that he's pure in mind and spirit.


Last scene, Manhattan Chase
Ghostface is referencing a scene from a movie or TV show that took place in Manhattan.


We drew the six-eight digit in the briefcase
Ghostface is saying that they have a six to eight-digit amount of money in a briefcase.


Rawness, title is Hell-bound
Ghostface is saying that the music is raw and the title is Hell-bound (possibly referring to the lyrical content).


Quick to reload around faces, surround look astound
Ghostface is saying that he's quick to reload his gun if he's around dangerous people, and that they look surprised by his skills.


We split a fair one, poker nose money
Ghostface is saying that they're going to split some money from the poker game, and that he has a distinctive nose.


Gin rummy with glare, spot the lame, bit his ear
Ghostface is saying that he's playing a card game with intensity, and that he noticed a weak opponent and attacked him.


Yo, you taste a tea-spoon, 300 goons, stash balloons
Ghostface is saying that he can give someone a small sample of drugs, has 300 followers, and stashes balloons filled with drugs.


Locked in lab rooms, hit with Glock, stashed in Grant's Tomb
Ghostface is saying that he's locked in a room making drugs, getting shot at with a Glock, and stashing the drugs in Grant's Tomb.


Clocked him like a patient, his stock's full, hustle invasion
Ghostface is saying that he attacked someone like a doctor would check a patient's pulse, and that they have a lot of valuable items. He's describing an aggressive takeover.


Knowing now, we cocked a block off, the chain tri-color
Ghostface is saying that they now understand what's happening, and they have a tri-colored chain.


Freezing in valor, ice-sicle galore
Ghostface is saying that they're brave in freezing temperatures, and that there are a lot of icicles around them.


Gas station light gleaming on the wall
Ghostface is describing a gas station light reflecting off a wall.


Cop WiseGuy jams, James Bond vans
Ghostface is saying that the police are listening to mafia hits while driving James Bond-style vans.


Niggas flipped Timbs, rock boats under water, watch clams
Ghostface is saying that people are flipping Timberland boots, causing chaos, and watching clams in the water.


Pose at the stand-off, mad timid
Ghostface is describing how people pose and act when there's a standoff, and how they're scared.


Hoping that the gun fall, guess him like lottery balls, yo
Ghostface is saying that people are hoping their enemies will drop their guns so they can win, like winning the lottery.




Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Solomon Burke, Dennis Coles, Carlos Evans, Corey Todd Woods

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Duneek

Rhyming into an ice cream cone with sprinkles, the wallaby factory, the championship belts. This was peak Ghost.

@jimmywallhanger8402

NO DOUBT

@jimmywallhanger8402

Don't forget teh Ric Flair robes

@roselandstyle9488

True Indeed

@SaulmanPhishbass

@@Dyinn-Quest that doesn't make sense cuz Ghost be spittin' FIREEEE 🔥

@philipnickens8092

Damn. I just realized it just now.. lmaooooo

4 More Replies...

@jeremylewisjr.4823

Ghost's Swag Was Immaculate 🔥🔥🔥

@kmorr212

Damn i was just thinking that lol. The word immaculate was the only way i could describe ghostface and then his descendant westside gunn lol. Face is that blueprint

@yosufwilliams9364

​@kmorr212 o

@adamgordon2572

Was ??? Still is fam.. check out his Drink Champs episode with Chef 🔥🔥

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