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
Face Off
Ghostface Killah Lyrics
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FACECZAR
Power, lookin' for a
Yeah
Ay0, yo it's CZAR vs. Ghost, we about to face off
Turn my mic up, and when my verse drop, turn the bass off
Dangerous material, spread like venereal
You see the hat, every kingstone remains imperial
I kill tracks like my man Busta Rhymes on "Scenario"
It's not political, consider it business
It's miserable, pitiful, you playin' for instance
Niggas comin' out the woodwork, same voice, same mask
Same stove, tryna cook, we don't count the same cash
When the sky starts to flicker, wait for the flash
Boom, thunderbolts, sounds of the blast
Rhinestones on my silk road, my custom cape
Smoke clouds, I disappear in the vape
Vacate seaside, completed our mission
Gucci sailboats, suede slippers, Louis edition
Your highness, 7L, Eso', yo
Can he rhyme or what?
The sharper mind shine, diamond cut
Overtime grind, eyes on us
Black label, red cuffs, yeah, I'm fired up
And I ain't notice if the focus don't acquire bucks
Gladiator, Hustle Crowe, homie, I am thus
Try and touch, I ain't bust, they ain't loud as us
Gettin' mine a must
Two plates at the table with the higher-ups
Checks signed and cut
Pull up the drop-top, the block bop
The cops watch, nobody move like the clock stop
I'm in the chop shop, harder than a scotch shot
Twenty-four slash seven, that's nonstop
And any vampire sound, we outrun that
Boy, you're bloodclaat, require gunshot
CZARFACE, that's a brand that you can trust
Fans rush, we're your favorite rapper's man crush
Flow customized, got that Dapper Dan touch
CZAR-lam's own, steppin' out my zone, bone collecter
Eso', Tony Starks, the Inspectah
Welcome to my 'liseum, prep for the lecture
Wreck with one line, black a minor sign
Blow holes in your chest, no Vineyard Vine design
Popcorn for free like we in the ninety-nine
Rap infrared, puttin' dots on your head
Like niggas down, I love war, need a reason to clash
And speakin' of wreakin' the havoc
I'm a mutant, computin' beats in the attic
Free from the static, unique and erratic
I'm deep in the deep in the seats and the fabric
You rappers can't deny
We on a streak, Morganna
Flow so worthy it could hold Thor's hammer like
In the first couplet of "Face Off," Ghostface Killah aims to go head to head with hip hop group CZARFACE (a collaboration between underground rap duo 7L and Esoteric and Wu-Tang member Inspectah Deck). He flexes his rhyming skills and asserts his dominance, claiming to be like Busta Rhymes in A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario," one of the most famous rap verses of all time. He then shifts to a more ominous tone, describing the dangerous material he unleashes through his music and his ability to see through the game like a bowl of cereal. He continues by asserting his position as the imperial king, while others try to copy his style and fall short in producing the same amount of cash. When the thunderbolt and blast sound, he disappears in the vape, ready to revamp his musical strategies.
Inspectah Deck, also known as Tony Starks, takes over the second verse to demonstrate his lyrical prowess. He compares himself to a diamond, shining brighter than the rest of the minds. The rest of the verse describes his ability to shine among the higher-ups while keeping his focus on creating music rather than just acquiring money. He also compares himself to a gladiator, like Russell Crowe in the movie, who won't hesitate to put up a fight to achieve his goals. His lines suggest that there is no one who can match their level of skill, ending that those who try would not be "loud" enough. Esoteric finishes the rap with references to other rappers and pop culture. He claims that CZARFACE is a brand that people can trust and admits that their music has become influential enough to make other rappers to feel like they are competing.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay0, yo it's CZAR vs. Ghost, we about to face off
CZARFACE and Ghostface Killah are about to engage in a lyrical battle
Turn my mic up, and when my verse drop, turn the bass off
Ghostface Killah wants his vocals to be louder than the music, and he is going to deliver an explosive verse
Dangerous material, spread like venereal
The music being created by CZARFACE and Ghostface Killah is infectious and will spread rapidly
Got the scoop on the game like a bowl of cereal
The artists have insider knowledge of the music industry and will use it against their opponent
You see the hat, every kingstone remains imperial
Ghostface Killah is a king and will always maintain his status
I kill tracks like my man Busta Rhymes on 'Scenario'
Ghostface Killah has the ability to destroy beats just like Busta Rhymes did on his classic song
It's not political, consider it business
The lyrical battle is not personal, it's just a business competition between two skilled MCs
It's miserable, pitiful, you playin' for instance
The competitors are weak and their attempts to win the battle are pathetic
Niggas comin' out the woodwork, same voice, same mask, same stove, tryna cook, we don't count the same cash
New rappers are trying to compete, but they sound the same, look the same, and have less money
When the sky starts to flicker, wait for the flash
There will be an explosive, thunderous moment in the battle
Boom, thunderbolts, sounds of the blast
The energy and impact of the competition will be intense
Rhinestones on my silk road, my custom cape
Ghostface Killah is dripping in luxury, wearing a customized cape adorned with rhinestones
Smoke clouds, I disappear in the vape
After his verse, Ghostface Killah disappears into the smoke
Vacate seaside, completed our mission
The battle is over and the artists are leaving their temporary headquarters
Gucci sailboats, suede slippers, Louis edition
Ghostface Killah is cruising on a high-end sailboat wearing luxurious Gucci and Louis Vuitton shoes
Your highness, 7L, Eso', yo
Ghostface Killah is addressing his fellow CZARFACE members with respect
Can he rhyme or what?
Ghostface Killah is confident in his abilities and asks if his opponents can match him
The sharper mind shine, diamond cut
The most skilled rapper will stand out like a diamond, shining brighter than the rest
Overtime grind, eyes on us
CZARFACE and Ghostface Killah have been working hard and are receiving attention for their skills
Black label, red cuffs, yeah, I'm fired up
Ghostface Killah is wearing high-end clothing and is feeling confident and energized
And I ain't notice if the focus don't acquire bucks
If the focus isn't making money, Ghostface Kilah won't pay attention
Gladiator, Hustle Crowe, homie, I am thus
Ghostface Killah is like a gladiator in the arena, ready to fight and win
Try and touch, I ain't bust, they ain't loud as us
No one can compete with the energy and noise that CZARFACE and Ghostface Killah produce
Gettin' mine a must
Making money is a necessity
Two plates at the table with the higher-ups
CZARFACE and Ghostface Killah are at the top, eating with the people in power
Checks signed and cut
The money is coming in regularly and without issue
Pull up the drop-top, the block bop
Ghostface Killah is cruising in the streets with his convertible top down, turning heads
The cops watch, nobody move like the clock stop
The police are keeping an eye on the activity, but everyone is frozen in place, watching the artists
I'm in the chop shop, harder than a scotch shot
Ghostface Killah is working on his craft in a workshop and is as strong as a shot of Scotch
Twenty-four slash seven, that's nonstop
Ghostface Killah is working all day and all night, without rest
And any vampire sound, we outrun that
No one can keep up with CZARFACE and Ghostface Killah's speed and skills
Boy, you're bloodclaat, require gunshot
Anyone who dares to compete with CZARFACE and Ghostface Killah will meet a violent end
CZARFACE, that's a brand that you can trust
CZARFACE is a highly respected name in the rap industry
Fans rush, we're your favorite rapper's man crush
Fans love and admire CZARFACE and Ghostface Killah more than any other rapper
Flow customized, got that Dapper Dan touch
CZARFACE and Ghostface Killah have a unique, customized flow that sets them apart
CZAR-lam's own, steppin' out my zone, bone collecter
CZARFACE is a powerful group, lead by the bone collector himself, Ghostface Killah
Eso', Tony Starks, the Inspectah
CZARFACE members Eso', Tony Starks, and Inspectah Deck are all respected names in their own right
Welcome to my 'liseum, prep for the lecture
Ghostface Killah is welcoming everyone to his arena, where he will teach a lesson in rap
Wreck with one line, black a minor sign
Ghostface Killah can cause destruction with just one line, like a black minor scale in music
Blow holes in your chest, no Vineyard Vine design
Ghostface Killah's raps will create holes in his competition, not unlike the patterns in Vineyard Vines clothing
Popcorn for free like we in the ninety-nine
Everyone is watching and enjoying the show, as if it were the 90s again
Rap infrared, puttin' dots on your head
Using a lyrical infrared sight, CZARFACE and Ghostface Killah will target and take down their opponents
Like niggas down, I love war, need a reason to clash
Ghostface Killah enjoys battles and is always ready to compete, seeking any reason to clash
And speakin' of wreakin' the havoc
Continuing from the previous line, Ghostface Killah is still talking about causing chaos
I'm a mutant, computin' beats in the attic
Ghostface Killah is a unique and powerful MC, creating music in his private studio
Free from the static, unique and erratic
Ghostface Killah's music is dynamic and constantly evolving, without being held back by the confines of the industry
I'm deep in the deep in the seats and the fabric
Ghostface Killah is so immersed in his craft that he feels it in his soul
You rappers can't deny
Ghostface Killah is confident that no rapper can match his skills
We on a streak, Morganna
CZARFACE and Ghostface Killah are on a roll and can't be stopped, like the mythical sorceress Morgana
Flow so worthy it could hold Thor's hammer like
Ghostface Killah's flow is so powerful and worthy that it could hold Thor's hammer, symbolizing immense strength and respect
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: George Andrinopoulous, Jason Hunter, Seamus Ryan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind