Masta Killa was the last member to join the Wu-Tang Clan; consequently he did not appear on the group's debut single "Protect Ya Neck". He was also the only member not to already be an experienced rapper at the time of the group's formation. He was extensively mentored by the GZA during his early days with the group, evident in the similar flow they both employ. He derived his rap name from the 1978 kung-fu film Shaolin Master Killer, (Shao Lin san shi liu fang). Masta only appeared on one track on the Wu-Tang Clan's first album in 1993, though his only verse on the album, the closing verse to "Da Mystery of Chessboxin", is considered by many fans to be one of its most memorable. Masta only narrowly made the track, and was almost left off in favor of Killah Priest. In fact, on the No Said Date DVD, Killah Priest claims that he and Masta Killa were in competition for the spot on Da Mystery of Chessboxin', and while Killah Priest fell asleep, Masta Killa stayed up all night writing rhymes and Killah Priest woke up the next morning to Masta Killa's verse. Since he was a developing rapper at the time Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was being written, his verse in "Da Mystery of Chessboxin" was the only one that could hold up with the other, more experienced Wu-Tang members.
During the first round of solo projects, he made several appearances on tracks now considered Wu-Tang classics, such as "Winter Warz", "Duel of the Iron Mic", and "Glaciers of Ice". His flow at the time attracted attention for being very slow and laid-back, in contrast to the more manic, forceful styles of members like Inspectah Deck and Ghostface Killah. Masta Killa is also the Clansman fondest of Chinese martial arts imagery. In 1997, the Wu-Tang Clan's second album Wu-Tang Forever saw Masta become a mainstay in the group's line-up with regular appearances throughout the double album.
Masta Killa was the last member to release a solo project, after it was delayed for several years and finally released in June 2004 (2004 in music) with the title No Said Date. It was critically acclaimed and heralded by fans as a return to form for the Clan, with an ethos and sound reminiscent of the early and mid-1990s Wu-Tang and affiliate albums. His second album, Made in Brooklyn, was released in August 8, 2006, and includes production from Pete Rock and MF DOOM. "Ringing Bells", the Bronze Nazareth-produced lead single from the album, was released in March 2006. Also in 2006, Masta Killa became the latest in a succession of hip hop artists to endorse PETA, also participating in an advertisement for the organization and is also vegetarian.
He is known for being the most quiet and mysterious member of the Wu-Tang Clan, and little is still known about him. He rarely speaks in Wu-Tang interviews, and does not give many independent interviews. "I know I seem serious and quiet to a lot of the fans. That's because I take my work seriously. It's not a game. The Clan and I work hard to give you the best," says Masta Killa.
Name
Masta Killa takes his name from the 1978 film by Lau Kar-leung called Master Killer also known as The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. The main character in the movie is played by Gordon Liu who can be seen in many other films including a double role in Kill Bill.
Aliases
Jamel Irief (pron. Juh-mel I-reef)
High Chief
Noodles (from the film Once Upon a Time in America)
Cereal Man
Luongo
01 masta killa
Masta Killa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are watching a master at work..
(Haha, haha, yeah, haha...)
[Masta Killa]
Steppin' live in the place, smackin' blood out his face
It's the principal, don't get it wrong
What I do to eat, is nothing in comparison
Sway the mac' if I have to defend the castle
Slang lasso, ropin' them til they recoup
Pass the keys to the Coupe, it's cute for wiz to scoot off, '95 north
Cut from the cloth of king, who bare struggle
In this life line, theology of time
Move with our major motion to the mic
The recite the dart that I have written
Light exists in the darkness, instant gratification
How far can you travel the mic spar?
[Interlude: Bruce Lee sample (Masta Killa)]
Water is the softest substance in the world
At yet, it can penetrate the hardest, rock
Or, anything granite, you name it
Umm.. water also is insubstantial; by that I mean
You cannot grasp hold of it, you cannot punch it and hurt it
(Yeah, yeah, yeah...)
[Masta Killa]
See the God light gleam so bright, I gain birth to
That you attract you, heart so fuller
Make you want to pull your trigger and get rid a
Shiny bald militant head like Lou Gassid
He's walkin' with the shiner's lamp of knowledge
Glory be the law, with the justice sword
Supreme being, all I seeing, radiant son
Imperishable absolute, ya'll salute
Approximately three mil', bodies like an empty vessels
I must fill, check where I came from
Any God's son I made sun, is my son
In this scene, lesson number one, for the dumb
If he ain't true and living, son, then I never heard of one
Pack your gun, one on one, come and get some
[Interlude: Bruce Lee sample (Masta Killa)]
Water... now you put water into a cup..., it becomes the cup
You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle
You put it in a tea pot, it becomes the tea pot
Now water can flow, or it can crash..
Be water, my friend... (yo, heh, yo)
[Masta Killa]
Yo, I bought this eye-red, no colors allowed
Well how then, give me a few, just listen
Instead of wasting time, try'nna grab them back
The dominant magnetic will always attract
The under-life, quoting him, describe the beat
Now Eminem, for example, just another sample
Of your worst nightmare, coming back at you
So beautiful designed, the places of time, to see
Everything that has been, always will be
Now figure out the riddle, the never ending cycle
Born in his self, back into the circle
I'm thankful for the blessing, testing of the lessons
Answers and questions, trials and tribulations
That were set upon me, it's hard for some to see
But it's clear as day to me..
[Outro: Bruce Lee sample]
Be water, my friend..
The song “Masta Killa” by the rapper Masta Killa is all about his skills as an MC and his unique style. The rapper starts the song by declaring that he is a master at work and then goes on to talk about how he creates his music. He talks about how he uses his skills to defend his music from other rappers and why it is so important for him to write and perfect his craft. The lyrics of the song then take on a spiritual tone as Masta Killa talks about the light that shines within himself and his understanding of the universe. He uses the metaphor of water to explain how he adapts to different situations and how he is always changing, just like water can take on different forms.
The lyrics of “Masta Killa” are full of clever wordplay and metaphors that showcase the rapper's skill as an MC. Through his lyrics, he portrays himself as a master of his craft who understands the importance of hard work and dedication. He also uses spiritual references in the form of quotes from Bruce Lee to add depth and meaning to the song. The overall message of the song is that the rapper is a master at his craft and that he is always improving and adapting to new situations, just like water.
Line by Line Meaning
Steppin' live in the place, smackin' blood out his face
Confidently entering a space and asserting dominance over any potential opponent
It's the principal, don't get it wrong
This is a matter of principle, do not misunderstand the gravity of the situation
What I do to eat, is nothing in comparison
The effort put into survival is insignificant compared to the effort put into personal growth and improvement
To what I do to keep, self up, write and exact
The primary focus is maintaining personal integrity and expression through writing and precision
Sway the mac' if I have to defend the castle
Asserting dominance over any potential intruders and being willing to fight to protect what is important
Slang lasso, ropin' them til they recoup
Using language as a tool to subdue and detain those who oppose or challenge
Pass the keys to the Coupe, it's cute for wiz to scoot off, '95 north
Handing off the reigns of responsibility and allowing oneself to rest and enjoy the fruits of labor, while heading towards a northern destination
Cut from the cloth of king, who bare struggle
Derived from a lineage of royalty who have experienced great difficulty and adversity
In this life line, theology of time
Exploring the philosophical and metaphysical implications of existence and the passage of time
Move with our major motion to the mic
Flowing and moving assertively towards the microphone to express oneself
The recite the dart that I have written
Reciting and delivering the poetic and cutting words that have been crafted
Light exists in the darkness, instant gratification
There is beauty and enlightenment to be found in dark places, and some may seek quick satisfaction over deeper understanding
How far can you travel the mic spar?
How skilled and far-reaching is one's ability to express themselves through music and poetry?
See the God light gleam so bright, I gain birth to
Being inspired and imbued with divine light, leading to creation and expression
That you attract you, heart so fuller
What you put out into the world is what you will receive in return, filling one's heart with abundance
Make you want to pull your trigger and get rid a
Causing a desire to dispel negative or harmful energies
Shiny bald militant head like Lou Gassid
Having a militant and assertive attitude, symbolized by a bald head like boxer Lou Gassid
He's walkin' with the shiner's lamp of knowledge
Displaying an illumination of knowledge and wisdom through one's walk and demeanor
Glory be the law, with the justice sword
Celebrating and respecting the law and justice, symbolized by the sword
Supreme being, all I seeing, radiant son
Acknowledging and affirming the presence of a supreme being and all of its manifestations in oneself and others
Imperishable absolute, ya'll salute
Recognizing and honoring the eternal and unchanging aspect of the universe and all of its creations
Approximately three mil', bodies like an empty vessels
Surrounded by millions of bodies that are empty and devoid of true life and meaning
I must fill, check where I came from
It is one's duty to fill the world with positivity and meaning, while reflecting on one's roots and origins
Any God's son I made sun, is my son
Any individual who exudes divine energy and light is like a child to him
In this scene, lesson number one, for the dumb
In this environment, the fundamental lesson for those who are unenlightened
If he ain't true and living, son, then I never heard of one
If someone does not exhibit authenticity and vitality, then he has no knowledge of their existence
Pack your gun, one on one, come and get some
Challenging anyone to face him directly, one on one, if they wish to try and defeat him
Yo, I bought this eye-red, no colors allowed
Having purchased a red outfit with no discernible colors or markings
Well how then, give me a few, just listen
When confronted with confusion or ignorance, simply listen and try to understand
Instead of wasting time, try'nna grab them back
Rather than chasing after past experiences or possessions, focus on the present and future
The dominant magnetic will always attract
Those who exude a strong and assertive energy will naturally attract others towards them
The under-life, quoting him, describe the beat
Describing the essence and energy of the music that is driven by the undercurrents of life
Now Eminem, for example, just another sample
Referencing Eminem as an example of how others can be used as samples or examples to create something new
Of your worst nightmare, coming back at you
The things that one fears the most may come back to haunt or challenge them
So beautiful designed, the places of time, to see
The wondrous and intricate designs of the universe and the journey of time that we get to witness
Everything that has been, always will be
The cyclical nature of existence and the continuity of the past, present, and future
Now figure out the riddle, the never ending cycle
The challenge of understanding the eternal cycle of life and the universe
Born in his self, back into the circle
Being born into oneself and constantly returning to the cycle of existence and growth
I'm thankful for the blessing, testing of the lessons
Grateful for the opportunities to learn and grow through trials and difficult experiences
Answers and questions, trials and tribulations
The cycle of seeking knowledge, finding answers, experiencing hardship, and continually growing
That were set upon me, it's hard for some to see
The difficulties and struggles that have been placed upon him may be hard for others to understand
But it's clear as day to me..
Despite the challenges and difficulties, everything is clear and meaningful to him
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind