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
In Tha Park
Ghostface Killah Lyrics
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With the different color records they had back in the days
You know what I mean, the belt-driven turntables
With Technics joints (with the slipmats!)
Put nickels on the needles so the motherfucking record won't jump
The needle won't skip and shit
Getting juice from the fucking light poles
Shout out to the Bronx, nigga!
Aye yo, this shit go way back like a Uni marker, kid
Bombing the D train and hit the Bronx up
Krylon bandits attack, Planet Rock, Bambaataa
Peace to Pylon discovering rap
And the DJ that made the first scratch
Paved the way for Flex, Mister Cee, 'nuff of them cats
See, this rap shit came at a time that was accurate
Twenty-something years later, I mastered it
Seen light poles get used for power
I was a little nigga
Couldn't stay out late I was sour
So I sat by the window, heard the DJ cut
Impeach the Pres, Apache, and just begun
Otis Redding, "Tramp" the music stopped
Guess the system blew out one of his amps
It'd take a little while, then it come back on
Somebody stepped on the wire and shit, that's all
Now everybody's back in the groove, echo chamber
"Check one two, one two" that's my favorite
Strobe lights is live, Pink Champale
Little pink joints being lit up on the side
Couple niggas had two fives
Other than that, cleared a circle in the park and shoot 5
Girls wore they Lees and jellies
Jordache and Lees, (TF Lords fit the fellys)
Sams and Kangol buckets, B.V.D's
Go to Sergio's like, fuck it
Seen the stamp on that Crazy Eddie
Niggas coming back from the Funhouse dusted
Throwing bubbles on the wall
We must remind you
Where this rap come from
Yes my brother, my sister
It's our duty, we must remind you
Hip hop was set out in the park
We used to do it out in the dark
Yo, it all started at the After Midnight Philly, but walk with me
Mad niggas coming down from New York City
Prolly hit the skating rink USA
Banging Schoolly, "Gangster Boogie" and "P.S.K."
I remember shells, Gazelles, top tens, and lottos
Mega design, reefer smoke, Coqui nine bottles
(Entire wore velours, call the boys with the Lucci wore)
84's from Atlantic City Gucci store
Linoleum break dancing, Rust-Oleum cans
I put the writing on the wall signed, "Truly yours"
Philly smashed '87 Music Seminar
Out on the battlefield like Pat Benatar
Hit the borough with Krown Rulers out of Camden
People Patty Duke-ing in the party, all cramped in
Around the time Flav started cold lamping
"Rebel Without a Pause" was the street anthem
Old Memorex cassette, tape collections
Bright spotlights on all the fights at the Spectrum
When the Fresh Fest come, leather bombers and sheepskins
Brothers would bust they guns to get one
MC Breeze, Disco C, Jazzy Jeff
Cash Money and Miz and Lady B
Everybody banging "Sucker MC's" in '83
I was South Philly like St. Charles and Crazy D
Them wild North Side Puerto Ricans would snuff you
Twenty deep in a Ford Escort, pumping the Tuff Crew
I used to follow my cousin, he was a buck too
"Y'all don't like how I'm living, well, fuck you!"
I been a G since a little kid
Sticking my head up into somebody's dollar party, getting into shit
And late nights, shoulda been in bed
Instead, I was running 'round with them downtown lemonheads
A little man, hanging where them grown women is
Under thirteen, seeing real strong images
And that's the reason for my real rap penmanship
That's where I started it, and that's where I'mma finish it
We must remind you
Where this rap come from
Yes my brother, my sister
It's our duty, we must remind you
Hip hop was set out in the park
We used to do it out in the dark
"In Tha Park" by Ghostface Killah is a rap song that celebrates the birth of hip hop culture and rap music, paying homage to the pioneers who popularized it and the Bronx where it started. It is a powerful reminder of the origins of the genre and the social and cultural significance it carries. In the song, Ghostface reminisces on the early days of hip hop and his own experiences as a young boy growing up in South Philly, dancing to the beat of rap music and admiring the graffiti art that adorned the city streets. He talks about the different elements of the culture, including DJing, break dancing, and graffiti art, and how they all came together to create something new and exciting.
One of the most striking features of "In Tha Park" is its raw energy and authenticity. Ghostface's lyrics are vivid and evocative, bringing to life the sights, sounds, and smells of the inner city. His use of slang is both colorful and poetic, capturing the rhythms and cadences of everyday speech. He is a master storyteller, weaving together different threads of memory and experience to create a narrative that is both personal and universal.
Another interesting aspect of the song is its use of cultural references and allusions. Ghostface makes references to Fatback, Technics turntables, Krylon bandits, Planet Rock, Bambaataa, Pylon, Flex, Mister Cee, Uni marker, music seminar, and many other aspects of the culture. These references serve as a kind of shorthand for the shared experiences of those who participated in the early days of hip hop. They also help to situate the song in a particular context and to give it a sense of historical depth and meaning.
Overall, "In Tha Park" is a powerful testament to hip hop culture and its continuing vitality and relevance. It is a reminder of the important role that the genre has played in shaping contemporary music and culture, and of the many communities and individuals who have contributed to its development and growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, niggas don't know about Fatback
Many people are unaware of the group Fatback and their contributions to music
With the different color records they had back in the days
They had vinyl records in various colors during that time
You know what I mean, the belt-driven turntables
I'm referring to the turntables that were driven by a belt
With Technics joints (with the slipmats!)
Specifically, I'm talking about Technics turntables with slipmats
Put nickels on the needles so the motherfucking record won't jump
To prevent the record from skipping, we would place nickels on the needles
The needle won't skip and shit
This way, the needle would stay in place and not cause any skipping
Getting juice from the fucking light poles
We used to tap into the power from the light poles to run our equipment
Shout out to the Bronx, nigga!
I want to give a shoutout to the Bronx, showing respect to where it all started
Aye yo, this shit go way back like a Uni marker, kid
Let me take you back in time, like reminiscing about the scent of a Uni marker
Bombing the D train and hit the Bronx up
Referring to graffiti artists illegally tagging the D train and the Bronx being their destination
Krylon bandits attack, Planet Rock, Bambaataa
We became known as Krylon bandits, making our mark while listening to iconic tracks like Planet Rock by Bambaataa
Peace to Pylon discovering rap
I want to acknowledge and show respect to Pylon, who played a significant role in discovering rap
And the DJ that made the first scratch
Let's not forget the DJ who invented the scratch technique, an essential element of hip-hop culture
Paved the way for Flex, Mister Cee, 'nuff of them cats
Their groundbreaking innovation set the stage for influential DJs like Flex and Mister Cee
See, this rap shit came at a time that was accurate
Hip-hop emerged during a precise and significant period in history
Twenty-something years later, I mastered it
After many years, I have become a skilled master in the art of rap
Seen light poles get used for power
I have witnessed light poles being utilized as an energy source
I was a little nigga
During those times, I was just a young individual
Couldn't stay out late I was sour
I couldn't stay out late due to feeling bitter or disappointed
So I sat by the window, heard the DJ cut
I would sit by the window, listening to the DJ's cutting and scratching
Impeach the Pres, Apache, and just begun
Songs like 'Impeach the President', 'Apache', and 'The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel' were popular
Otis Redding, 'Tramp' the music stopped
When the record 'Tramp' by Otis Redding played, the music abruptly stopped for a moment
Guess the system blew out one of his amps
It seems like one of the amplifiers in the sound system got damaged
It'd take a little while, then it come back on
It would take some time, but eventually, the music would start playing again
Somebody stepped on the wire and shit, that's all
The temporary music interruption was caused by someone accidentally stepping on a wire
Now everybody's back in the groove, echo chamber
After the brief interruption, everyone was back in the rhythm, enjoying the music's echoes
'Check one two, one two' that's my favorite
Hearing the sound technician say 'Check one two, one two' is one of my favorite moments
Strobe lights is live, Pink Champale
The live strobe lights created an electrifying atmosphere, while people enjoyed Pink Champale
Little pink joints being lit up on the side
People were smoking small pink joints discreetly
Couple niggas had two fives
A few individuals had .25 caliber handguns
Other than that, cleared a circle in the park and shoot 5
Apart from that, we would clear an area in the park and play basketball
Girls wore they Lees and jellies
The girls were dressed in Lee jeans and jelly shoes
Jordache and Lees, (TF Lords fit the fellys)
Jordache and Lee jeans were fashionable, and TF Lords were known for their matching Fila shoes
Sams and Kangol buckets, B.V.D's
People wore Sams and Kangol bucket hats, along with B.V.D. underwear
Go to Sergio's like, fuck it
We would confidently go to Sergio's place, not caring about anything else
Seen the stamp on that Crazy Eddie
I noticed the logo on the Crazy Eddie store
Niggas coming back from the Funhouse dusted
People were returning from the Funhouse club, intoxicated or high
Throwing bubbles on the wall
They were playfully throwing bubbles at the wall
We must remind you
We have a duty to remind you
Where this rap come from
We need to remember the origins of rap music
Yes my brother, my sister
This applies to both males and females
It's our duty, we must remind you
It is our responsibility to bring this to your attention
Hip hop was set out in the park
Hip-hop culture originated in the parks
We used to do it out in the dark
We would engage in hip-hop activities even in the darkness
Yo, it all started at the After Midnight Philly, but walk with me
Everything began at the After Midnight club in Philadelphia, but let me take you through the journey
Mad niggas coming down from New York City
A large number of people from New York City would come down to Philadelphia
Prolly hit the skating rink USA
They would probably go to the USA Skating Rink
Banging Schoolly, 'Gangster Boogie' and 'P.S.K.'
They would be playing Schoolly D's 'Gangster Boogie' and 'P.S.K.'
I remember shells, Gazelles, top tens, and lottos
I recall people wearing Shell Toe Adidas, Gazelle sneakers, and top ten jackets
Mega design, reefer smoke, Coqui nine bottles
There were big printed designs, marijuana smoke, and Coqui soda bottles around
(Entire wore velours, call the boys with the Lucci wore)
People would dress in velour tracksuits, and if they needed a favor, they would contact the ones with the Lucci
84's from Atlantic City Gucci store
They would get their 1984s sneakers from the Gucci store in Atlantic City
Linoleum break dancing, Rust-Oleum cans
Breakdancing on linoleum floors while using Rust-Oleum spray cans for graffiti
I put the writing on the wall signed, 'Truly yours'
I would leave my mark on the walls, signing it with 'Truly yours'
Philly smashed '87 Music Seminar
Philadelphia made a huge impact at the 1987 Music Seminar event
Out on the battlefield like Pat Benatar
We were out in the streets, battling and representing, similar to how Pat Benatar faced challenges in her career
Hit the borough with Krown Rulers out of Camden
We went to the borough (neighborhood) with the Krown Rulers from Camden, New Jersey
People Patty Duke-ing in the party, all cramped in
People were doing the Patty Duke dance in the crowded party
Around the time Flav started cold lamping
This was the period when Flavor Flav began boasting and showing off
'Rebel Without a Pause' was the street anthem
'Rebel Without a Pause' became a popular song in the streets
Old Memorex cassette, tape collections
We had old Memorex cassette tapes with our music collections
Bright spotlights on all the fights at the Spectrum
The Spectrum arena had bright spotlights shining down on the fights and conflicts happening there
When the Fresh Fest come, leather bombers and sheepskins
During the Fresh Fest concert, people would wear leather bomber jackets and sheepskin coats
Brothers would bust they guns to get one
Some people would even resort to violence to obtain those jackets
MC Breeze, Disco C, Jazzy Jeff
Artists like MC Breeze, Disco C, and Jazzy Jeff were prominent during that time
Cash Money and Miz and Lady B
We can't forget about Cash Money, Miz, and Lady B, who all made significant contributions
Everybody banging 'Sucker MC's' in '83
In 1983, 'Sucker MC's' by Run-D.M.C. was a song that everyone was playing loudly
I was South Philly like St. Charles and Crazy D
I represented South Philly, just like St. Charles and Crazy D did
Them wild North Side Puerto Ricans would snuff you
The fierce Puerto Ricans from the North Side would engage in fights with you
Twenty deep in a Ford Escort, pumping the Tuff Crew
There would be twenty people crammed in a Ford Escort, blasting music from the Tuff Crew
I used to follow my cousin, he was a buck too
I would tag along with my cousin, who was also a wild and rebellious person
'Y'all don't like how I'm living, well, fuck you!'
If people didn't approve of my lifestyle, I simply told them to fuck off
I been a G since a little kid
Even as a young child, I had a strong presence and held a streetwise demeanor
Sticking my head up into somebody's dollar party, getting into shit
I would intrude on someone's private party, causing trouble and making a scene
And late nights, shoulda been in bed
During late nights, I should have been at home in bed
Instead, I was running 'round with them downtown lemonheads
But instead, I was hanging out with some reckless individuals in downtown
A little man, hanging where them grown women is
As a young boy, I would be in places where adult women could be found
Under thirteen, seeing real strong images
Despite being under thirteen years old, I was exposed to mature and intense experiences
And that's the reason for my real rap penmanship
These experiences have influenced the raw and honest lyrics in my rap
That's where I started it, and that's where I'mma finish it
That's where my journey began, and that's where it will eventually end
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM FEENEY, PETER LUCIA, TOMMY JAMES, WALTER REED, DENNIS COLES, TARIK COLLINS, GARY E GRICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind