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
Milk Crates
Ghostface Killah Lyrics
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[Ghostface Killah]
Eh yo, I'm here to toast an MC like my name was Grand Puba
Run up in the large house and - throw out the Ruger
Some say I'm good - others pray - the want me to fall
Battle me - come one, come all - I leave ya jaw hangin'
New York City Slinger - Stark Nitty
I'm straight like a flat chester with some low titties
CB hits - grand on the hits - Star Trek VI
Black flicks - come on..
We fuck prostitutes - tie 'em to the bed
Throw 'em in the lasso - givin' me backstage he'd
Picture me in Isreal sandles - Gucci open-toe
Book of Life - two on Camay - no H2O
Bandit - I'm like Moses - split the sea
Y'all split jeans - my last tape was the illy poster
Move crowds like the March of Dimes - fuck this rhyme..
*musical breakdown*
"Up next.."
[Ghostface Killah]
Walter in Dr. Jay's - rock the Jay's
Spot niggaz with K's - son they feelin' your ways
It's like mayonaisse - old people love you - corns on their feet
Fifteen, twenty deep - you walked in, cross street
Walk under red light - sound went through Crown Heights
Even had 'em on bikes - they was startin' fights
New Years had 'em all drunk - lazy eye Milton
Found a bump - tried to buck and
Scotty snatched Janet's wig off that night
Shit got hectic - barber Jim fuckin' old man Chef
But God shit's real as a fuck
Throw a buck on Chuckle-Up - Thunderbird in cuffs
Skeeter with no teeth - night train lips
Beefin' with police - Grade-A inch knees
Duke blew a bag with him - he got butt-naked in the 'villes
Plus he fucked a whitey in the hill..
Throw a buck on Chuckle-Up - Thunderbird in cuffs
The opening lyrics of the song set the tone for Ghostface Killah's confident and boastful style. He announces his presence and compares himself to Grand Puba, a highly respected MC. Ghostface then proceeds to boast about his skills and the mixed reactions he generates from others. Some people acknowledge his talent, while others hope for his downfall.
Ghostface describes himself as a smooth and laid-back individual, comparing himself to a flat-chested woman. He also mentions his flashy chain that hangs down to his genitals, emphasizing his extravagant lifestyle. He references Star Trek VI, indicating his familiarity with popular culture and his success in the music industry.
The following lines take a darker turn as Ghostface talks about engaging in illicit activities. He mentions having sexual encounters with prostitutes, tying them up and keeping them as trophies. He also implies gaining access to exclusive privileges and being treated like a VIP backstage. These lines paint a picture of a dangerous and reckless lifestyle.
Ghostface then compares himself to Moses, a biblical figure who famously parted the sea. This reference symbolizes his ability to move crowds with his commanding presence on stage. He contrasts his own success with the struggles of others, mocking those who may have minor achievements, like tearing their jeans. He references his previous tape, indicating his continuous success in the music industry and asserting his status as a respected artist.
The verse concludes with a musical breakdown and the phrase "Up next." Ghostface then shifts the focus to an anecdote about a character named Walter, who is popular in a local store called Dr. Jay's. Walter seemingly attracts the attention and admiration of older people, comparing their fascination to corns on their feet. The crowd around him is large and rowdy, causing disturbances even when crossing the street. He describes an incident during New Year's Eve where a man named Milton, who has a lazy eye, gets into a fight after finding a bump. The chaotic night also involves Scotty, Janet, Barber Jim, and old man Chef, further illustrating the frenzied atmosphere.
The lyrics briefly mention the harsh reality of life, whereby Ghostface references police encounters and individuals with missing teeth. He speaks of Duke, who wasted money and engaged in inappropriate behavior with a white woman in the hill. These lines reflect the gritty and sometimes outlandish experiences that Ghostface witnesses and participates in, further emphasizing his involvement in a rough and unpredictable environment. He concludes by reiterating the phrase "Throw a buck on Chuckle-Up – Thunderbird in cuffs," which seems to allude to a rebellious and confrontational attitude.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got the feeling.. I hear the sound
I have a strong intuition and can sense what's happening around me.
Eh yo, I'm here to toast an MC like my name was Grand Puba
Hey, I'm here to celebrate and honor an exceptional rapper like I'm Grand Puba.
Run up in the large house and - throw out the Ruger
Enter a big house and quickly dispose of any threats with my gun.
Some say I'm good - others pray - the want me to fall
Some people acknowledge my skills, while others secretly hope for my failure.
Battle me - come one, come all - I leave ya jaw hangin'
Challenge me in a rap battle, anyone can step up, and I'll leave them in awe.
New York City Slinger - Stark Nitty
I am a skilled rapper from New York City, known as Stark Nitty.
I'm straight like a flat chester with some low titties
I'm an honest and genuine person, comparable to a level chest with small breasts.
Plus my chain hangin' down to my dick
My chain necklace is long and noticeable, reaching down towards my groin.
CB hits - grand on the hits - Star Trek VI
My music is a hit on the radio, making a significant impact, just like Star Trek VI.
Black flicks - come on..
Movies featuring mainly Black actors and themes, it's time to acknowledge their greatness.
We fuck prostitutes - tie 'em to the bed
We engage in sexual encounters with sex workers and sometimes restrain them during the act.
Throw 'em in the lasso - givin' me backstage he'd
Capture and control them, providing me with sexual favors backstage.
Picture me in Isreal sandles - Gucci open-toe
Imagine me wearing sandals from Israel, but with a touch of luxury like Gucci open-toe shoes.
Book of Life - two on Camay - no H2O
Referring to the Bible's Book of Life, using Camay soap bars but without water for cleansing.
Bandit - I'm like Moses - split the sea
I'm a cunning and resourceful person, similar to Moses who parted the sea in the Bible.
Y'all split jeans - my last tape was the illy poster
While you're tearing jeans, my latest music release became extremely popular and recognized.
Move crowds like the March of Dimes - fuck this rhyme..
I have the ability to captivate and attract large audiences, similar to the March of Dimes charity events. Disregard this rhyme.
[Ghostface Killah] Up next..
Ghostface Killah will be the next performer or artist to take the stage.
Walter in Dr. Jay's - rock the Jay's
Walter, a person known for his style, shops at Dr. Jay's and wears popular Jay sneakers.
Spot niggaz with K's - son they feelin' your ways
I can identify individuals carrying guns, and they highly respect and admire your attitude and behavior.
It's like mayonnaise - old people love you - corns on their feet
Your popularity is compared to mayonnaise, adored by older people who have corns on their feet.
Fifteen, twenty deep - you walked in, cross street
You arrived with a large group of people, fifteen or twenty strong, crossing the street as a united force.
Walk under red light - sound went through Crown Heights
Walking under a red traffic light, the sound of your arrival spread throughout the neighborhood of Crown Heights.
Even had 'em on bikes - they was startin' fights
Your influence was so strong that people even took to the streets on bicycles, initiating aggressive altercations.
New Years had 'em all drunk - lazy eye Milton
During New Year's celebrations, everyone was intoxicated, including a person named Milton with a lazy eye.
Found a bump - tried to buck and
Encountered a problem or obstacle, attempted to confront and overcome it.
Scotty snatched Janet's wig off that night
Scotty unexpectedly grabbed and removed Janet's wig during that particular evening.
Shit got hectic - barber Jim fuckin' old man Chef
The situation became chaotic, with barber Jim engaging in a sexual encounter with an elderly man named Chef.
But God shit's real as a fuck
Despite everything, reality is intense and genuine.
Throw a buck on Chuckle-Up - Thunderbird in cuffs
Spend some money at Chuckle-Up, a local entertainment venue, while drinking Thunderbird wine as if it's an escape from reality.
Skeeter with no teeth - night train lips
A person named Skeeter who has lost their teeth but indulges in drinking Night Train wine.
Beefin' with police - Grade-A inch knees
Engaging in conflict with the police, displaying exceptional agility in evading them despite having short legs.
Duke blew a bag with him - he got butt-naked in the 'villes
Duke wasted a significant amount of money with him, resulting in the person getting completely naked in the projects.
Plus he fucked a whitey in the hill..
Furthermore, he had sexual intercourse with a white person in the hills or rural area.
Throw a buck on Chuckle-Up - Thunderbird in cuffs
Spend some money at Chuckle-Up while drinking Thunderbird wine as a means of escape or distraction from reality.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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