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
Verbal Intercourse 2006
Ghostface Killah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I unfold the scroll, plant seeds to stampede the globe
When I'm deceased, by then the beast arise like yeast
To conquer peace leaving savages to roam in the streets
Live on the run, police paying me to give in my gun
Trick my wisdom with the system that imprisoned my son
Smoke a gold leaf I hold heat, nonchalantly
I'm raunchy, the things I do is real it never haunts me
Rooster heads profile on a bus to Riker's Isle
Holding weed inside they pussy with they minds on the pretty things in life
Props is a true thug's wife
It's like a cycle, niggas come home, some'll go in
Do a bullet, come back, do the same shit again
From the womb to the tomb, presume the unpredictable
Guns salute life, rapidly, that's the ritual
Perhaps bullets bust niggas discuss mad money
True lies and white guys, we can see it through the eyes
Catch the most on tape, kilos disintegrate
Pyrex pots, we break, fiends licking plates
In the building niggas building, like little children, staring
Them older niggas ain't caring
Sirens circling fiends are lurking in your baggage
Oh, one's gone now, what, smack him in his cabbage
In the woodwork, crack sales bubble like Woolworth's
In the projects, richest niggas rocking all the real worth
Police questioning, rooftop cats invested in
Trading in they Lexuses, GS's, sending messages
Two and two makes four, Cristal's crazily pour
Gun wars my crew feel 'em like swords
With the green leathers, hundred pound snakes and cakes
Fiends found in lakes, jealously Jakes we shake
What I strive for is what I live for
Infatuated by material things in this wild life of war
Like somewhere over the rainbow, I see a big pot of gold
Future stacks so I hold
Thousands of cracks bagged up inside the shoebox
Don't keep jack in my lab, don't wanna see 2Pac
Got two spots, a new lot, flooded with rocks
Shoot-outs making me hot, crooked cops Bad Tony and the ball drop
In the 'nile, I'm banging niggas for slot time
Hurry up duke I'm next on line
And what the fuck is you looking at?
By the way young blood, hit me off with that Green Bay hat
Watch your back inside the hall, new niggas slide through
Like doors yo, you're staring in the mess hall
Your adrenaline runs, cigarette niggas be swindling
New jacks surrendering, come home not remembering
Made bail with different size kicks on, a white dress shirt
Looking gay in the yard, and you got hurt
Flashbacks, of the day room, mop wringer style
Your faggot ass got bashed trying to turn the dial
You told your boo you was wiling
Once you heard Wu, out of the blue, your family's from Shaolin
High class cooks, throw on vests out of phone books
Infirmary niggas are screaming, "I got juxed!"
Sharpened toothbrushes, 190 mixed with baby oil and shit
Your man's in the kitchen stashing ice picks
Well I'ma end this with a big red cherry on top
Me, Nas and Rae got the best product on the block
In this song, Ghostface Raekwon and Nas describe their experiences and observations of the dangerous and violent lifestyle of drug dealers and gang members in their respective neighborhoods. They use vivid imagery and clever wordplay to illustrate their point of view.
The lyrics embody the harsh realities of street life, as the rappers describe the everyday struggles that they and their communities face. They detail the violence, poverty, and systematic oppression that are perpetuated by the drug trade and gang culture. They also question the morality of their actions and wonder about the future of their communities.
The chorus of the song proclaims, "I rap for listeners, blunt heads, fly ladies and prisoners/Henessey holders and old school niggas, then I be dissing unnamed/unfamiliar niggas, yes/The E.F.F.E.C.T./A smooth criminal on beat breaks/Never put me in your box if your shit eats tapes." This states that Ghostface Raekwon and Nas are rapping for a specific listener, which is someone who has a genuine interest in their message.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the lights cameras and action, glamour glitters and gold
In the midst of fame and fortune, I reveal my agenda to inspire the masses around the world.
I unfold the scroll, plant seeds to stampede the globe
I share my knowledge and ideas to bring about a global movement of positive change.
When I'm deceased, by then the beast arise like yeast
When I pass away, my influence will continue to grow and spread like yeast in bread dough.
To conquer peace leaving savages to roam in the streets
Despite attempts to create peace, there will always be violent individuals that roam the streets.
Live on the run, police paying me to give in my gun
I am constantly on the move and being pursued by the police, who offer bribes to take my weapon.
Trick my wisdom with the system that imprisoned my son
The corrupt system has manipulated my knowledge and logic to imprison my child.
Smoke a gold leaf I hold heat, nonchalantly
I casually smoke a high-quality joint while carrying a firearm.
I'm raunchy, the things I do is real it never haunts me
I am crude and my actions are genuine, without any regret or guilt.
While, funny style niggas roll in the pile
Individuals with a comical and insincere nature seek wealth and material possessions.
Rooster heads profile on a bus to Riker's Isle
Low-level criminals are transported to Rikers Island to serve their sentence.
Holding weed inside they pussy with they minds on the pretty things in life
Drug dealers hide their merchandise inside their genitals while fantasizing about luxurious items.
Props is a true thug's wife
Reputation and respect are the greatest companions of a true gangster.
It's like a cycle, niggas come home, some'll go in
The pattern of incarceration and release is routine for many individuals.
Do a bullet, come back, do the same shit again
Upon release, many individuals repeat the same actions that led to their imprisonment.
From the womb to the tomb, presume the unpredictable
From birth to death, life is unexpected and full of surprises.
Guns salute life, rapidly, that's the ritual
The firing of guns is a customary practice to honor and celebrate life in this violent world.
Perhaps bullets bust niggas discuss mad money
Frequent shootings occur when individuals discuss a large sum of money.
True lies and white guys, we can see it through the eyes
The truth is hidden behind deceitful statements from white individuals, but we can see through their lies.
Catch the most on tape, kilos disintegrate
Police obtain the most evidence through video recordings while drug shipments fall apart.
Pyrex pots, we break, fiends licking plates
We smash glassware used in cooking drugs, while drug addicts eagerly consume every last bit.
In the building niggas building, like little children, staring
Multiple individuals are constructing something together, almost mesmerized like children.
Them older niggas ain't caring
The older generation of individuals does not care about the younger ones' actions or behavior.
Sirens circling fiends are lurking in your baggage
Drug addicts are suspiciously examining your belongings as police cars drive around with sirens blaring.
Oh, one's gone now, what, smack him in his cabbage
Indicating no concern for the death of someone, let's throw a punch to the head instead.
In the woodwork, crack sales bubble like Woolworth's
Drug sales occur in secret places while increasing rapidly, much like the retail store Woolworth's.
In the projects, richest niggas rocking all the real worth
The wealthiest individuals in the housing projects display their true value with fancy material possessions.
Police questioning, rooftop cats invested in
The police are investigating while individuals on rooftops are gambling with high stakes.
Trading in they Lexuses, GS's, sending messages
Upscale cars are being traded in and sold to send signals to others in the area.
Two and two makes four, Cristal's crazily pour
Simple addition results in the extravagance of pouring expensive champagne, such as Cristal.
Gun wars my crew feel 'em like swords
Violent confrontations involving guns are commonplace and feel as if they were swords in a fight.
With the green leathers, hundred pound snakes and cakes
Donning fashionable green jackets, carrying large amounts of drugs, and possessing valuable material possessions.
Fiends found in lakes, jealously Jakes we shake
Drug addicts are found drowned in bodies of water, while corrupt police are avoided.
What I strive for is what I live for
I am motivated solely by my aspirations, which are the essence of my existence.
Infatuated by material things in this wild life of war
I am in love with material possessions in this life full of conflict and struggle.
Like somewhere over the rainbow, I see a big pot of gold
Like a classic children's song, I can see a large amount of wealth and riches.
Future stacks so I hold
I hold onto my assets for future financial gain.
Thousands of cracks bagged up inside the shoebox
A large quantity of drugs is stashed away in a simple container, such as a shoebox.
Don't keep jack in my lab, don't wanna see 2Pac
I do not keep any drugs in my home laboratory and do not want to experience the same fate as Tupac Shakur.
Got two spots, a new lot, flooded with rocks
I have acquired two new locations, both possessing multiple drug stashes.
Shoot-outs making me hot, crooked cops Bad Tony and the ball drop
Exchange of gunfire is causing me to become excited while corrupt police officer Bad Tony is plotting against me when the ball drops.
In the 'nile, I'm banging niggas for slot time
While in prison in The Tombs, I am fighting other inmates to obtain more time for using a slot machine.
Hurry up duke I'm next on line
Quickly make your transaction, as I am next in line to use the slot machine.
And what the fuck is you looking at?
What are you staring at, young blood?
By the way young blood, hit me off with that Green Bay hat
While we're at it, can you give me that Green Bay hat?
Watch your back inside the hall, new niggas slide through
Be cautious of newcomers that are entering the prison hallway.
Like doors yo, you're staring in the mess hall
You are capturing the attention of others in the mess hall with your appearance or behavior.
Your adrenaline runs, cigarette niggas be swindling
You feel an adrenaline rush while cigarette dealers are taking advantage of others.
New jacks surrendering, come home not remembering
Inexperienced individuals are giving up and returning home without any recollection of their experiences in prison.
Made bail with different size kicks on, a white dress shirt
One is wearing an unusual combination of clothes, such as different sized shoes and a dress shirt.
Looking gay in the yard, and you got hurt
Appearing effeminate in the prison yard can lead to getting physically hurt.
Flashbacks, of the day room, mop wringer style
Memories are resurfacing regarding cleaning the day room with a mop wringer.
Your faggot ass got bashed trying to turn the dial
Your homosexual nature resulted in being assaulted while trying to change the TV channel.
You told your boo you was wiling
You reported to your significant other that you were acting wild and crazy.
Once you heard Wu, out of the blue, your family's from Shaolin
After listening to Wu-Tang Clan, you realize that your family is originally from Shaolin (a reference to Staten Island).
High class cooks, throw on vests out of phone books
Expert drug manufacturers are wearing makeshift bulletproof vests made from old phone books.
Infirmary niggas are screaming, "I got juxed!"
Individuals in the infirmary are loudly proclaiming that they were robbed.
Sharpened toothbrushes, 190 mixed with baby oil and shit
Improvised weapons are being created from sharpened toothbrushes and a mixture of urine and baby oil.
Your man's in the kitchen stashing ice picks
Your accomplice is hiding ice picks in the kitchen.
Well I'ma end this with a big red cherry on top
To conclude, I'll finish with an emphatic statement.
Me, Nas and Rae got the best product on the block
Myself, Nas, and Raekwon possess the highest quality drugs in the area.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: COREY WOODS, DAVID PORTER, ROBERT F. DIGGS, RONNIE WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind