Ghostface Killah is critically acclaimed for his loud, fast-paced flow, and his stream-of-consciousness narratives containing cryptic slang and non-sequiturs.
Ghostface Killah was raised in the Stapleton housing projects in Staten Island, New York. In his autobiographical song "All That I Got Is You", Ghost tells the story of his childhood. He raps about how he grew up in a three bedroom apartment without his father, who left him at the age of six. Apparently, his mother had nine children.
His stage name was taken from one of the characters in the 1979 kung fu film Mystery of Chessboxing.
He was also a close friend of the three founding members of Wu-tang clan
Beat The Clock
Ghostface Killah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This "Supreme" talkin' to you and shit
You caught me all the way in Staten Island to see you
Beat the two minute and thirty seven second clock
Suprise: time started already, muthafucka
Say that shit, nigga
I'mma say it, don't get mad, y'all, I throw my darts sideways
Lovely lady, fuck the spades, drive the kid crazy
Before I go to bed, an hour later
People be talkin', I feed dolphins
My defense'll fly the coop off your mean office
My skills is a fortune, robbin' leech out a sweet auction
Teach then fall off the greatest, fuck what they say
'cause we against the abortions, and we
Lay low-oh-oh, silent those clowin' foes
Got them clothes for his new feud in the road
We them Fat Albert, spot runnin' '86 crack viles and pictures
Lookin' all suspicous, I'm out..
Aiyo, hold up! What the fuck you stop for?
(I got somethin' in my--) Nah, you can't be stoppin', g
What the fuck you ain't got -- aiyo, you buggin' and shit
Son, you gotta hurry the fuck up
Time is runnin' nigga, come! What the fuck??
I work magic out of liquor store
Give me a dollar and I turn that bitch into five
And all I need is one more, to get things started
Get retarded, and once you -- I'mma fix these artists
Take 'em one by one, tie 'em up, line 'em up
Treat 'em like a cigar, fire them niggaz up
They be up in the club, six/three tree'd up
With them young 'keds with their gear all beat up
This is how I'mma kill 'em with four lines left
Hold your breath, say my name five times it's take's practice, yo
Decap' him with sayin' my name, it's like matches, yo
It's time to fuck up on account in a house, or blow
Na-na-na-na-na, nah, nah, fuck that four-line shit
You cheatin' and shit, I ain't come here for all that
(I'm tired, though lord, what the fuck)
What you mean you tired and shit, g?
You suppose to be that nigga, nigga then show me
If you that nigga! Then show me, nigga!
I hold a mic like I'm Gail Sails
Hoppin' over chairs like O.J., my rushin' yards
Them pen, how the meter spray
Happy wife-beater day, don't touch my, cheeba hay
Get off my D-I, then go see the K's (case)
'Scuse me Mr. D.J., please play "Fish"
Or that "CherChez", live meeting, ten four, may day-may day
Callin' all cars, callin' all cars
We have an APB on Starks and Trife the God
We left the jewelry store, feelin' like we left the morgue
We was frozen, and I brought an iced out Trojan
That's for pussies whose golden, who got Toney wide open
I put my ring up to my man's waves and seen an ocean
Move like a wolf, kid, in sheep's clothing
Snatch the money bag off the milk truck and kept boating
I be potent like ibuprofen, I be coastin'
With two shotties on me, in your grimiest lobby smokin'
This muthafucka made the clock!
Mutha-- where the fuck?
Yo, you be cheatin', mutha-, you be cheatin'
That's that Staten Island, bullshit
Theodore... you know you might be a Ghost
But you ain't Houdini, muthafucka
The lyrics to Ghostface's song Beat The Clock are full of intricate wordplay and references to various pop culture icons. The song is a fast-paced rap where Ghostface challenges himself to deliver his bars before the clock runs out. The lyrics are filled with complex metaphors and similes. Ghostface displays his lyrical prowess in various lines incorporating wordplay and references to pop culture.
In the first verse, Ghostface flexes his lyrical prowess by saying he throws his darts sideways and shoots them up, referring to his rhymes. He boasts of his skills and how he can outsmart anyone. The next verse has Ghostface talking about his plan to tie up artists and light them up, comparing them to cigars. He is confident in his abilities and is ready to take on anyone. The last verse sees Ghostface making allusions to pop culture icons such as O.J Simpson and Gail Sails. He also talks about his criminal activities, including robbing a jewelry store and carrying two shotties in grimy lobbies.
The song's overall theme revolves around the pressure of time and how Ghostface handles it. He views himself as someone who can beat any challenge thrown at him, and he does so with confidence and skill. The song is a testament to Ghostface's ability to deliver intricate flows and rhymes while maintaining a coherent story.
Line by Line Meaning
Aiyo, Ghost, what's up nigga?
Supreme is talking to Ghostface.
You caught me all the way in Staten Island to see you
Supreme has traveled to Staten Island to meet with Ghostface.
Beat the two minute and thirty seven second clock
Supreme is challenging Ghostface to complete a task in under two minutes and thirty seven seconds.
Suprise: time started already, muthafucka
Supreme has already started the clock on Ghostface's challenge.
I'mma say it, don't get mad, y'all, I throw my darts sideways
Ghostface has his own style of delivering rhymes.
Shoot 'em up, bang, bang, through me baby
Ghostface's rhymes are delivered with a confident, powerful energy.
Lovely lady, fuck the spades, drive the kid crazy
Ghostface is attracted to a beautiful woman and is not concerned with playing card games.
Before I go to bed, an hour later
Ghostface intends to stay up late and has a lot to do before going to sleep.
People be talkin', I feed dolphins
Ghostface is not interested in gossip and would rather spend time feeding dolphins.
My defense'll fly the coop off your mean office
Ghostface's defenses are so strong they will leave his opponent's office empty.
My skills is a fortune, robbin' leech out a sweet auction
Ghostface is so talented that he can take advantage of opportunities and come out on top.
Teach then fall off the greatest, fuck what they say
Ghostface is confident in his abilities and doesn't care what others think.
'cause we against the abortions, and we
Ghostface is opposed to abortions.
Lay low-oh-oh, silent those clowin' foes
Ghostface will ignore those who are trying to bring him down.
Got them clothes for his new feud in the road
Ghostface is prepared for whatever comes his way.
We them Fat Albert, spot runnin' '86 crack viles and pictures
Ghostface is part of a group that is associated with criminal activity.
Lookin' all suspicous, I'm out..
Ghostface is aware that he looks suspicious and decides to leave.
Aiyo, hold up! What the fuck you stop for?
Supreme is angry that Ghostface has stopped working on the challenge.
(I got somethin' in my--) Nah, you can't be stoppin', g
Supreme doesn't care about Ghostface's excuses.
I work magic out of liquor store
Ghostface is able to turn small amounts of money into larger amounts of money.
Give me a dollar and I turn that bitch into five
Ghostface is confident in his ability to make money.
Get retarded, and once you -- I'mma fix these artists
Ghostface believes he can improve the skills of other artists.
Take 'em one by one, tie 'em up, line 'em up
Ghostface intends to work with artists one at a time and help them improve their skills.
Treat 'em like a cigar, fire them niggaz up
Ghostface intends to light a fire under these artists.
They be up in the club, six/three tree'd up
These artists are dressed in a flashy and expensive manner.
With them young 'keds with their gear all beat up
These artists are surrounded by young people wearing worn-out clothing.
This is how I'mma kill 'em with four lines left
Ghostface intends to make a powerful impact with the remaining lines of his rhymes.
Hold your breath, say my name five times it's take's practice, yo
Ghostface's name is difficult to say and takes practice to pronounce correctly.
Decap' him with sayin' my name, it's like matches, yo
Ghostface's name is powerful and can be used to intimidate others.
It's time to fuck up on account in a house, or blow
Ghostface is prepared to take action if necessary.
Na-na-na-na-na, nah, nah, fuck that four-line shit
Ghostface is changing his approach and is no longer interested in sticking to four-line rhymes.
You cheatin' and shit, I ain't come here for all that
Supreme is upset that Ghostface is not sticking to the original challenge.
(I'm tired, though lord, what the fuck)
Ghostface is tired and doesn't want to continue with the challenge.
What you mean you tired and shit, g?
Supreme is disappointed that Ghostface is giving up so easily.
You suppose to be that nigga, nigga then show me
Supreme wants Ghostface to prove himself.
I hold a mic like I'm Gail Sails
Ghostface is confident and comfortable when holding a microphone.
Hoppin' over chairs like O.J., my rushin' yards
Ghostface is athletic and capable of jumping over furniture like O.J. Simpson.
Them pen, how the meter spray
Ghostface is skilled at writing rhymes and has good flow.
Happy wife-beater day, don't touch my, cheeba hay
Ghostface is celebrating and doesn't want anyone to touch his weed.
Get off my D-I, then go see the K's (case)
Ghostface wants people to leave him alone and then go handle their own problems.
'Scuse me Mr. D.J., please play "Fish"
Ghostface wants the DJ to play a specific song.
Or that "CherChez", live meeting, ten four, may day-may day
Ghostface is trying to communicate with someone through the DJ's radio equipment.
Callin' all cars, callin' all cars
Ghostface is pretending to be a police officer and making a radio announcement.
We have an APB on Starks and Trife the God
Ghostface is pretending to be a police officer and is announcing a search for two people.
We left the jewelry store, feelin' like we left the morgue
Ghostface and his friends have just left a jewelry store and feel like they narrowly escaped a dangerous situation.
We was frozen, and I brought an iced out Trojan
Ghostface is wearing expensive jewelry, including a diamond-encrusted Trojan necklace.
That's for pussies whose golden, who got Toney wide open
Ghostface thinks that people who wear gold jewelry are weak and he prefers platinum (which he calls Tony).
I put my ring up to my man's waves and seen an ocean
Ghostface has a large diamond ring and is impressed by the waves in his friend's hair.
Move like a wolf, kid, in sheep's clothing
Ghostface is able to move quickly and quietly without attracting attention.
Snatch the money bag off the milk truck and kept boating
Ghostface has stolen money from a delivery truck and is escaping on a boat.
I be potent like ibuprofen, I be coastin'
Ghostface is feeling good and confident.
With two shotties on me, in your grimiest lobby smokin'
Ghostface is carrying two shotguns and smoking in a dangerous part of town.
This muthafucka made the clock!
Ghostface is impressed with Supreme for creating the challenge.
Yo, you be cheatin', mutha-, you be cheatin'
Ghostface believes that Supreme is cheating and not playing fair.
That's that Staten Island, bullshit
Ghostface is accusing Supreme of cheating because he is from Staten Island.
Theodore... you know you might be a Ghost
Supreme is calling Ghostface by his real name (which is Theodore) and acknowledging his reputation as a rapper.
But you ain't Houdini, muthafucka
Supreme is implying that Ghostface can't magically complete the challenge in such a short amount of time.
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARK RICHARDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind