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
Walk Around
Ghostface Killah Lyrics
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(I walk around) Keep the mic on (acting strange, like a man in a daze)
I don't know what happened, son, I just lost my mind, son
It's like y'all, I wasn't strong, I couldn't hold it (people talking)
When I seen it, a nigga flesh on me, son, I can't really...
I couldn't hold it, g (I don't hear a word) I don't know, I'ma...
Nah, it went like this, nigga...
It was him, the corner store, and a buttered roll
The shit dropped when I gave him two stomach holes
And one to the face, he fell sideways
I was up close, a part of his nose was stuck to my padres
Standing over him, shaking, kids screaming
He slapped my girl, that's the reason I was fiendin to lean him
Everything got, real slow, I ain't hear shit
My word, at least forty seconds, I seemed scared stiff
I pound him with the gun out, Big Den came, opened my hand
Removed the gun and the 6 speed, spun out
He floored it, past ninty on the B.Q.E.
I threw up all on his door, splashed his Gucci seats
I couldn't speak, I'm in a state of shock
About now they should be yellow taping the block and raid out my spots
Aiyo, I'm feeling a little bugged out, insane
I've lost my mind, people telling me "Ghost, you acting mad strange"
[Chorus]
I walk around, acting strange, like a man in a daze
People talking to me and calling my name
Although I don't hear a word they say
[Interlude: Ghostface Killah - over chorus]
See what I'm saying?
I don't know, I just don't feel right, y'all, I don't know
I'm having flashbacks, feeling bugged out
Smoking mad cigarettes and shit
Nah, I don't wanna go in... I don't want the clank
I don't wanna go in the hospital, son
It's, yeah, don't... I just feel like I'm lost
In my own reality like, nah... know what I mean?
Even my face feel numb, son, I don't know...
[Ghostface Killah]
Flashbacks of me blowing his brains out
All I remember, my shirt, I couldn't get them god damn stains out
Oxy Clean sweep 'round the chest area, right hand side
I'm plucking off little pieces of meat
And my goons want me to bounce to Tennessee
But I said "No, I got these two snow bunnies in Venus Beach"
On the low, son, I sleep with the hawk, Denise from New York
'Round my man Killa way, where all the murders walk
Manhunt, police searchers, SWAT ran in my crib
Battering rams, early morning, you'll awaken my kids
Now my aunt gotta stay with whiz
She paranoid, having anxiety attacks cuz of these pigs
Plus my connect, they going crazy, they trying to slay me
I told 'em Friday I'd have they money, faggots trying to play me
I never eat up out a garbage can
I'd Larry Davis a cop, and if I make it alive, it was the father's plan
[Chorus x 2]
[Outro: Ghostface Killah - over chorus]
I ain't going nowhere, I ain't going nowhere, I'm aight
I'm aight, but I know one thing, if anybody touch me
I'm blowing they head smooth off, cops, connects, I don't give a fuck
Younahmean? They gon' feel a Eagle, they gon' feel that Desert
They gon' feel that bulldog, you know, I don't give a fuck
Don't put me in no mental clinics, ain't nothing...
Nahmean? If I make it out alive, , make it out alive, if not, fuck it!
I ain't, I ain't, yo... I can't take this shit no more, it's too hot
Nigga thinking I'm bugging out, I ain't bugging, I ain't bugging
Y'all niggaz'd bug out too if y'all had somebody flesh on you
Mothafucka, fuck y'all niggaz, I ain't going crazy
Sleeping on couches and shit, I'm going back outside
Fuck y'all niggaz, man!
[sample]
I know I'd never sleep, worried about me
But they'd have to put me behind
Cuz when I make it, they'll never clone me
Just use me, I believe, I believe...
The song "Walk Around" by Ghostface Killah is a dark and introspective track that details the aftermath of a violent altercation in which the singer fatally shot someone who had slapped his girlfriend. The song switches between the present, where the singer is struggling with the trauma of the incident and feeling hunted by the police and former associates, and flashbacks to the actual shooting, which the singer describes in gruesome detail. The overall tone of the song is one of paranoia, fear, and a damaged sense of reality, as the singer grapples with the violent acts he has committed and their far-reaching consequences.
The song is notable for its raw and visceral depiction of violence, as well as its honest portrayal of the psychological effects of trauma. The singer's stream-of-consciousness style of storytelling creates a sense of immediacy and urgency, as though the listener is experiencing the events of the song as they unfold. The chorus, in which the singer repeatedly states that he's "acting strange, like a man in a daze," emphasizes the disorienting impact of trauma on the human psyche. The song also touches on themes of loyalty, revenge, and the toll that violence takes not just on the direct participants, but on those around them.
Line by Line Meaning
(I walk around) Keep the mic on (acting strange, like a man in a daze)
The singer is in a daze, acting weird and confused while walking.
I don't know what happened, son, I just lost my mind, son
The singer doesn't know why he's acting this way and feels like he's lost his sanity.
It's like y'all, I wasn't strong, I couldn't hold it (people talking)
The singer couldn't handle something that happened, and now he's hearing people talk about him.
When I seen it, a nigga flesh on me, son, I can't really...
The artist witnessed something traumatic which he can't fully articulate.
I couldn't hold it, g (I don't hear a word) I don't know, I'ma...
The artist is still struggling to comprehend and explain what happened to him.
Nah, it went like this, nigga...
The singer attempts to recount the traumatizing event.
Flashbacks of me blowing his brains out
The singer is reliving the traumatic event where he shot someone in the head.
All I remember, my shirt, I couldn't get them god damn stains out
The artist is reminded of the bloodstains on his shirt from the violent altercation.
I'm having flashbacks, feeling bugged out
The artist is experiencing vivid, intense recollections of the violent incident.
Smoking mad cigarettes and shit
The artist is using cigarettes as a coping mechanism or to self-medicate.
Plus my connect, they going crazy, they trying to slay me
The singer's associates are angry with him and trying to kill him due to his actions.
I never eat up out a garbage can / I'd Larry Davis a cop, and if I make it alive, it was the father's plan
The artist would rather go out fighting than submit to a life of poverty and violence that would require him to eat from the trash.
I ain't going nowhere, I ain't going nowhere, I'm aight
The singer is assuring himself that he's okay despite feeling overwhelmed by his situation.
I'm blowing they head smooth off, cops, connects, I don't give a fuck
The singer is feeling aggressive and prepared to retaliate against anyone who crosses him.
Y'all niggaz'd bug out too if y'all had somebody flesh on you
The singer is suggesting that anyone would be traumatized after experiencing the same violent event he did.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: ANTHONY CAPPUTO, DENNIS COLES, ORA CRAIG, MACK RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind