Masta Killa (born Elgin Turner, born August 18, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York)… Read Full Bio ↴Masta Killa (born Elgin Turner, born August 18, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American rapper and member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Though one of the lesser-known members of the group and largely absent from their debut album, he has been prolific on Clan group albums and solo projects since the mid-1990s, and released his debut album No Said Date in 2004 to positive reviews.

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

Last Drink
Masta Killa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Intro: kung fu sample (Masta Killa)]
After this drink.. we-we-we..
Now become sworn enemies!
Huh-huh, after this drink, we
Now become sworn enemies!
Sworn enemies!
(Uh, yeah, come on, come on, come on, pick your gun up
Come on, come on, come on, salute nigga

Real cats)

[Chorus: kung fu sample (Masta Killa)]
After this drink, we, we now become sworn enemies!
(Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on)
After this drink..
(Come on, come on, come on, come on, yea
Yeah, real warriors style)

[Masta Killa]
Hear the crowd start holla
Stepped on stage in the wallabee clark
Mic check sound correct, so vivid
Like I'm stepping out the speaker, streets taught
Never leave an enemy behind, when he goes
He might strike again another time
I came home from the warhead, fucked up
From the things that I saw
Women that were kinning me, slept with the enemy
General strayed, the ghost seemed tempting
They were deceive, what they were promised, was never received
I cock aim, squeeze the gun at M.C.'s
Not for a dollar, not for the fame
Not for you to holler, or shout the god name
A risen one from the slums, speaks with authority
The dart well flourish, the wise pursuit wisdom
The fools soon parish..

[Chorus: kung fu sample (Masta Killa)]
After this drink, we, we now become sworn enemies!
(Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
Yeah, yeah, get your gun ready)
After this drink, we, we now become sworn enemies!
(Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
Yeah, what, come on, what, yeah, uh-huh)

[Masta Killa]
Ahh... this is born everlasting
The style came blastin', through your component
Makin' ya'll want it, but ya'll can't clone it
Deliver to the booth, the truth is so raw
Hard to the core, wild as a boar
A lion like roar, forty day tour
Through the Singapore, boat with the ore
Struck a nerve when he heard the words so clear
His heart was hardened, by the lies and deceit
Then came a beat as rare as leap year
Sparked something inside that made him want to ride
And go cop the tape, he searched for, for years
Like an old beat break, Hypnotic on ice
Chillin', he drankin', Armored Truck tankin'
Crowd charmer, it's the Iron Mic balmer
Piercing through your armor, bad news that you can't diffuse
Short fuse, you know we can't lose

[Chorus: kung fu sample (Masta Killa)]
After this drink, we, we now become sworn enemies!
(Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on)
After this drink, we, we now become sworn enemies!
(Come on, come on, come on -- come on, come on, come on)

[Masta Killa]
Ahh, see the God light so bright, I hoodied up the sun to glow
Few lines from the mindstate, create fat tapes to go
From the present day, let's motivate
The universe borns itself, I just insist in the action
Testin' in the land of lust, stood firm, in the God I trust
Met hate at the gate, grieve, no need
Jealously took his head, and then fled
Bangin' in your walkman, live from New York, in
One instance, look, clone from existence
Ride like a crocodile on the death row
The Iron Mic poem..

[Chorus: Masta Killa]
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, uh
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on, come on, yeah, ahh, yea..

[Outro: sample from "Cheers"]
Making your way in the world today, takes everything you've got

Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot
Wouldn't you like to get away, get away, get away..

Overall Meaning

The song "Last Drink" by Masta Killa starts with a kung fu sample. The introduction says that after drinking, people become sworn enemies, encouraging the listener to pick up their gun and become a real warrior. The chorus reiterates the idea that after the drink, they become sworn enemies. Masta Killa's first verse talks about being on stage and ensuring that no enemy is left behind because they might strike again. The singer returns home from the warhead, only to find women betraying him and sleeping with the enemy. The general ghost is tempting, but what he had been promised was never granted. He only aims and squeezes the gun to M.C.'s, not for a dollar, fame, or shout the god name. He speaks words of authority as a risen one from the slums. He believes that the wise pursuit of wisdom, but the fools soon parish.

In the second verse, Masta Killa delivers the truth that is so raw and hard to the core, and wild as a boar. His delivery is like a lion's roar on a forty-day tour through Singapore's boat with the ore. The singer strikes a nerve, and the truth makes the listener want to ride and cop the tape, just like an old beat break with Hypnotic on ice. Masta Killa is known for his piercing voice that charms the crowd; he is the Iron Mic balmer and the bad news that can't diffuse. His fuse is short, and he knows they can't lose. The final verse starts with a God light so bright that he hooded up the sun to glow. The singer creates fat tapes, and the present day motivates him. The universe is born out of action, and they test in the land of lust. He stands firm and trusts in God, regardless of what happens. He met hate at the gate but did not grieve; he only took its head and fled. He rides like a crocodile on death row, and the Iron Mic poem ends.

Line by Line Meaning

After this drink.. we-we-we..
After consuming alcohol, we will become enemies.

Now become sworn enemies!
We will become enemies who are engaged in a serious and dedicated struggle.

Uh, yeah, come on, come on, come on, pick your gun up
We need to arm ourselves to face the enemy.

Come on, come on, come on, salute nigga
We need to show respect for our fellow soldiers.

Real cats
We are genuine, authentic warriors.

Hear the crowd start holla
The audience cheers as Masta Killa takes the stage.

Stepped on stage in the wallabee clark
Masta Killa is wearing Wallabee Clark shoes as he steps onto the stage.

Mic check sound correct, so vivid
The sound of the microphone is clear and distinct, making it an enjoyable experience for the listeners.

Like I'm stepping out the speaker, streets taught
Masta Killa's flow is so effortless that it seems like he's not even trying, as if he just walked out from within the artist; his street knowledge and experience shaped his abilities as a rapper.

Never leave an enemy behind, when he goes
It is not wise to underestimate one's enemies even when they appear to be defeated.

He might strike again another time
It's possible that the enemy will have a chance to get revenge in the future.

I came home from the warhead, fucked up
Masta Killa returned home traumatized from battle.

From the things that I saw
The horrors of war were etched into his memory and he was unable to forget them.

Women that were kinning me, slept with the enemy
Women who were supposed to be loyal and supportive to Masta Killa betrayed him by sleeping with the enemy.

General strayed, the ghost seemed tempting
Masta Killa's leader, General, was led astray and enticed by the enemy.

They were deceive, what they were promised, was never received
The enemy broke their promises and did not deliver what they had offered.

I cock aim, squeeze the gun at M.C.'s
Masta Killa is not afraid to use violence when necessary and will shoot at opponents.

Not for a dollar, not for the fame
Masta Killa's motivation for using lethal force is not for personal gain or glory.

Not for you to holler, or shout the god name
Masta Killa doesn't care whether anyone recognizes or praises him for his actions.

A risen one from the slums, speaks with authority
Masta Killa comes from an impoverished background but commands respect and power with his words.

The dart well flourish, the wise pursuit wisdom
Masta Killa's words have a powerful impact and those who are wise seek to learn from them.

The fools soon parish..
Those who don't heed his words will not survive the challenges ahead.

Ahh... this is born everlasting
Masta Killa's style is timeless and will endure for generations to come.

The style came blastin', through your component
Masta Killa's style is so powerful that it can be felt in your bones and body.

Makin' ya'll want it, but ya'll can't clone it
Many people aspire to have his skills, but they can't replicate it because it's unique to him.

Deliver to the booth, the truth is so raw
Masta Killa speaks the truth in his rhymes in a no-nonsense, unfiltered way.

Hard to the core, wild as a boar
The intensity and roughness of Masta Killa's rhymes can be compared to a wild boar.

A lion like roar, forty day tour
Masta Killa's performances are powerful and he is able to captivate his audience for extended periods of time.

Through the Singapore, boat with the ore
He has gone on tour through various international locations, including Singapore.

Struck a nerve when he heard the words so clear
Masta Killa's words and rhymes have a deep impact on those who listen, striking a nerve within them.

His heart was hardened, by the lies and deceit
The listener's heart was hardened by the lies and deceit that they have experienced.

Then came a beat as rare as leap year
The beat was unique and unconventional, similar to the rarity of a leap year.

Sparked something inside that made him want to ride
Masta Killa's rhymes inspired the listener to take action and go out into the world with renewed energy.

And go cop the tape, he searched for, for years
The listener immediately bought an album or mixtape by Masta Killa that they had been searching for a long time.

Like an old beat break, Hypnotic on ice
The beat was reminiscent of classic breakbeats, and coupled with the lyrics, it had a hypnotic and alluring effect.

Chillin', he drankin', Armored Truck tankin'
The listener was relaxed, drinking, and riding in their Armored Truck with the music blasting.

Crowd charmer, it's the Iron Mic balmer
Masta Killa has a magnetic and charming personality, and has earned the nickname 'Iron Mic Balmer' for his skill and talent with the microphone.

Piercing through your armor, bad news that you can't diffuse
Masta Killa's rhymes are penetrating and powerful, and can't be ignored or defused.

Short fuse, you know we can't lose
He has a short temper and won't tolerate defeat or failure.

Ahh, see the God light so bright, I hoodied up the sun to glow
Masta Killa sees the light of God and his power is so great that he is able to make the sun shine even brighter.

Few lines from the mindstate, create fat tapes to go
He's able to create beautiful, meaningful lyrics from his mindful state and they're recorded for posterity.

From the present day, let's motivate
His lyrics are relevant and relatable in the current time and can motivate listeners to take action.

The universe borns itself, I just insist in the action
The universe has its own natural cycle, but he takes action and participates in making things happen.

Testin' in the land of lust, stood firm, in the God I trust
He was tested in a world full of temptation and remained steadfast, trusting in God.

Met hate at the gate, grieve, no need
He confronts hate and tragedy at the moment of entry, but doesn't let it affect him emotionally.

Jealously took his head, and then fled
Jealousy caused someone to act irrationally and flee.

Bangin' in your walkman, live from New York, in
His music can be heard in people's headphones on the streets of New York City.

One instance, look, clone from existence
At any given moment, somebody can emulate him and try to follow in his footsteps.

Ride like a crocodile on the death row
He rides through danger with the powerful motion of a crocodile in the Nile River.

The Iron Mic poem..
His rhymes are as powerful and unbreakable as iron.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS