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
Stroke Of Death
Ghostface Killah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, Soloman marked for life, a million to life
Thug for life, forever eyein the kid
'89 stick-up kid, King of New York
Regulation party, daddy hard body
Rowdy Brighton God-body
Smooth like a leather bop, '83 hip-hop
Top of the world, get it rizzight
Four-hundred and fifty-six on the dizzice
This is real lizzife, ain't nothin sweet God
Sit down and think it through God
Cuz comin all outta ya face'll get ya clap God
[Girl]
You are now listening to the sounds of Supreme Clientele
[Ghostface Killah]
Step in to the party, it's me
God Almighty, Ghost still holdin that shotty
Dustin Alize', three-quarter Timbs
Terry-cloth robes, crisp hundreds in the envelope
Duke it on the globe, thank God for my Wallabee shoes
They done saved me, up three-nothin and Salt Lake City
Burgundy minks, whips with sinks in em
Brocolli blown, illa disease breath, elephant skin
Meet the black Boy George, dusted on my honeymoon
Bitch like my wife, she popped my Ghostface balloon
Bitches think that I'm Dominican, slap-hash Indian
Milk on my mustache, drop to my chiny-chin
Dive into dangerous parts, buildin with thirsty mammals
White man scream, "Swim Starks sharks!"
[RZA]
Smack the girl, bailbonds man stripped of eighteen bronz man
Tall like Carl Malone "Mailman", framed on Larry Johnson
Tony Montana blow, creamy white Havana Joe's
Old Suzanna hoe, pussy sweet, banana flow
David Banner, gamma ray shots, beast will marinate
Bones splitted fatal Wu swords, sour amputate
Duck Savanna wait, we splashed the glass, ice rocks
Our cash high right stock, our logo's on your rice box
Plus your dice box, on the side upon your white socks
Bobby got the mic cocked, BUCK BUCK, nice shot
In "Stroke of Death" by Ghostface Killah, the lyrics by Solomon's Child and Ghostface Killah describe the intense and dangerous nature of street life. Solomon's Child, a self-proclaimed "Thug for life" who is "marked for life," was a notorious "stick-up kid" in 1989 and is now the "King of New York." He lives by strict moral codes - he is a "God-body" - but is not hesitant to commit murder for the right price. He warns against making reckless statements that could lead to getting "clapped."
Ghostface Killah enters the song with his characteristically intense flow, describing himself as "God Almighty" and still "holdin that shotty." He wears Terry-cloth robes and "crisp hundreds in the envelope," and is grateful for his Wallabee shoes, which "done saved" him. He also boasts about his success in basketball ("up three-nothin and Salt Lake City") and shows off his wealth through his accessories, including his burgundy mink coat and car with a sink. He compares himself to "black Boy George" and describes a sexual encounter in which a woman "popped my Ghostface balloon." RZA makes a brief appearance to describe the Wu-Tang Clan's power and wealth, using imagery such as "sour amputate" and "gamma ray shots."
Overall, "Stroke of Death" paints a picture of the violent and flashy lifestyle of urban street culture. It portrays a world where success is measured by wealth and power, and threats of violence are frequent.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, Soloman marked for life, a million to life
Soloman is marked for life and is most likely going to prison with an extremely long sentence
Thug for life, forever eyein the kid
Soloman has embraced the thug lifestyle and is always on the lookout for any potential danger
'89 stick-up kid, King of New York
Soloman was a notorious stick-up kid in 1989 and considered himself to be the king of New York
Regulation party, daddy hard body
Soloman attends many parties and is in great physical shape
Rowdy Brighton God-body
Soloman is a religious person from Brighton who exhibits rowdy behavior
Smooth like a leather bop, '83 hip-hop
Soloman is very smooth and stylish, just like the hip-hop music from 1983
Top of the world, get it rizzight
Soloman feels on top of the world and wants everyone to understand that
Big to your wizzife, murder cats for the right prizzice
Soloman isn't afraid to kill people for the right price, and he brags to others about his success
Four-hundred and fifty-six on the dizzice
Soloman is referring to a specific type of dice game and how much money he has won
This is real lizzife, ain't nothin sweet God
Soloman is warning people that his lifestyle is dangerous and not to be taken lightly
Sit down and think it through God
Soloman is advising people to carefully consider their actions before getting involved in dangerous situations
Cuz comin all outta ya face'll get ya clap God
Soloman warns that acting recklessly or disrespectfully can lead to violent consequences
Step in to the party, it's me
Ghostface Killah is announcing his arrival at the party
God Almighty, Ghost still holdin that shotty
Ghostface Killah is armed with a shotgun and sees himself as a powerful figure
Dustin Alize', three-quarter Timbs
Ghostface Killah is drinking a type of alcohol and wearing popular footwear
Terry-cloth robes, crisp hundreds in the envelope
Ghostface Killah is wearing a comfortable robe and is carrying a lot of cash
Duke it on the globe, thank God for my Wallabee shoes
Ghostface Killah is grateful for his shoes and references a popular dance move
They done saved me, up three-nothin and Salt Lake City
Ghostface Killah credits his shoes with helping him win a basketball game in Salt Lake City
Burgundy minks, whips with sinks in em
Ghostface Killah is wearing expensive fur coats and driving cars with unique features
Brocolli blown, illa disease breath, elephant skin
Ghostface Killah is smoking marijuana and has bad breath
Meet the black Boy George, dusted on my honeymoon
Ghostface Killah makes a reference to Boy George and admits to being high on his honeymoon
Bitch like my wife, she popped my Ghostface balloon
A woman had sex with Ghostface Killah and caused him to ejaculate
Bitches think that I'm Dominican, slap-hash Indian
Ghostface Killah is often mistaken for being Dominican or Indian, and is frustrated by this
Milk on my mustache, drop to my chiny-chin
Ghostface Killah is drinking milk and getting it on his mustache and chin
Dive into dangerous parts, buildin with thirsty mammals
Ghostface Killah is exploring dangerous areas and is surrounded by people who are eager to get ahead
White man scream, 'Swim Starks sharks!'
A white man yells at Ghostface Killah to swim with sharks in a metaphorical sense
Smack the girl, bailbonds man stripped of eighteen bronz man
RZA is referencing a violent act committed by a man who is now in trouble with the law
Tall like Carl Malone 'Mailman', framed on Larry Johnson
RZA is referencing two famous basketball players, Carl Malone and Larry Johnson, and their physical characteristics
Tony Montana blow, creamy white Havana Joe's
RZA is referencing the movie Scarface and a type of cigar
Old Suzanna hoe, pussy sweet, banana flow
RZA is referencing a woman and her sexual organs, using crude language
David Banner, gamma ray shots, beast will marinate
RZA is referencing the comic book character Hulk and implies that he is a powerful figure
Bones splitted fatal Wu swords, sour amputate
RZA is referencing the Wu-Tang Clan and their violent reputation
Duck Savanna wait, we splashed the glass, ice rocks
RZA is telling someone to be careful and mentions throwing rocks at them
Our cash high right stock, our logo's on your rice box
RZA is implying that their group, Wu-Tang Clan, is successful and their brand is well-known
Plus your dice box, on the side upon your white socks
RZA is referencing someone's gambling habit and how they keep dice with them at all times
Bobby got the mic cocked, BUCK BUCK, nice shot
RZA mentions the name Bobby and implies that he is ready to perform, and then references a gunshot noise
Contributed by Jake N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Julia Wilkins
This is the sickest beat ever. This album is fucking tight.
Galaxy Solace
Yo... remember hearing this for the first time... It was kind of like that moment when Vince Carter dunked and stuck his forearm in the rim... it was a "WHAT THE??? This just fucked my head up... I gotta experience it again" moment....LOL!! This is crazy man.
Shawn Charles
Thats the best description Ive heard so far...
mistahmst
I saw someone refer to the record scratches as a sword slashing and that only elevated the song for me even though it was already incredible.
Jexx
@tochiRTA your mind is different if you heard it as that
tochiRTA
that was me :)
dellh82
I couldn't stand this beat back in 12th grade. 10 years later, I understand. This was the pinnacle of creativity, and the RZA was on some real shit. Now you got these assembly-line rappers and their trash today. Some young rappers need to dookie on the globe.
Ra One
I like the beat because its different weird and gutta. Ghost and rza attacked the beat crazy.
moonXEROvszn
i second that shit!! aint no sunshine, RZA is a monster on the instrumentals!! i remember buying this CD and spazing the fuck out on this instrumental.
Ron J.
Step into the party it's me, God almighty.....