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
Queen
Masta Killa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beautiful queen, beautiful queen, yeah.
Add a little sugar, honeysuckle and
A great big expression of happiness
Boy, you couldn't miss
With a dozen roses, such will astound you
In passing, driven by a desire to know if she's taken
I was askin', "Is your heart vacant?
Excuse me, Miss, how you feel? Can we build?"
Could it be the mind you see, guidin' you to me?
Extendin' my hand to welcome you in paradise
Supreme observation, di-tect hesitation
Your mind flashed back to other shit you've been through
Others left you questionable, what's acceptable?
The first sight of this divine light might shy you
Warm words melt the ice between us
My thoughts penetrate and begin to break through
[Chorus]
Let's hit Vegas while the weather is nice
Kiss my hand before I roll my dice
In the 7-45, L.I., rollin' up to your doorstep
It's just the simple things in life we do
Watch the God as I'm shapin' and moldin' this planet I'm holdin'
In suspended animation, love is the highest elevation
Of understandin' I can show, over this candle-light scene
This is King toast Queen
We touch glasses, sippin' the finest imports
Frank Emerge and Love Supreme, raspberry bubble bath cream
Steam the mirror, I draw hearts with our name
Relaxin' ya brain with sweet sounds from Claudine
Gladys Knight on to Curtis Mayfield thing
It's just nice-ness, the absence of confusion
Love, peace and happiness, pure bliss
Reminisce about the evenin', hit me when you reach home
Maybe we can build and add on over the phone
Sugar I smoke bone, do you think that I'm wrong?
Your moms might disapprove of my smooth rudeness
Excuse, I don't mean to intrude
[Chorus]
Aight, yeah love
See you treatment is royal, relax and uncoil
You spoiled with petals on ya bath water, love
I rose in my whip with my wiz and thought
It rained lightly on the window, the wipe was flowin' simu'
To the melody, "Didn't I blow you mind?"
Hit the spliffs slow, sit low, seat reclined
In due time, every square inch will be mines
She so fine, reflectin' the light I shine, over wine
I knew she had the good nook-nook from the first look
Hair well groomed and thing
Body wrapped with the Fendi sandle to match
Coach back, swingin' on arm, approach the calm
Skin buttermilk soft as Persian lamb cloth
She asked for directions as if she was lost
But fully in tune with the stars, Sun and Moon
In the tomb, when Starks hit the milk of Lorna Doon
[Chorus]
Didn't I blow your mind?
Oh, didn't I blow your mind?
Oh, didn't I blow your mind?
Didn't I blow your mind?
Beautiful queens, beautiful queens
Beautiful queens, beautiful queens
In Masta Killa's song "Queen," the rapper sings about a beautiful woman whom he approaches with admiration and a desire to get to know her. He uses metaphors of sweetness and honey to describe her beauty and likens their potential relationship to a game of dice in Vegas. Throughout the song, he emphasizes the importance of love, peace, and happiness, and emphasizes the simple pleasures in life like listening to music and relaxing with someone special.
The first verse begins with Masta Killa talking about adding a little sugar, honeysuckle, and expression of happiness to make a lasting impression on the beautiful queen. He describes her refinement and how he was drawn to her attractiveness. However, he was hesitant to approach her because he did not know if her heart was taken. When he did build up the courage to talk to her, he tried to make a connection by asking her about her feelings and suggested building something with her. He thinks that their minds are guiding them towards each other and tries to charm her with warm words to break the barriers between them.
In the chorus, Masta Killa talks about hitting Vegas with the queen while the weather is nice and kissing his hand before he rolls his dice. He wants to keep it simple and enjoy the good things in life with her.
Overall, "Queen" is a love song with subtle metaphors and images that convey the rapper's admiration for a beautiful woman. The chorus is catchy, and the verses are smooth and poetic, blending well with the melodies.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, sweetness, beautiful queen
Expressing admiration for an attractive and refined woman
Add a little sugar, honeysuckle and
A great big expression of happiness
Boy, you couldn't miss
With a dozen roses, such will astound you
Suggesting that simple gestures of love and happiness -- like flowers and compliments -- can have a big impact
Her refinement was beautiful, I acknowledged her attraction
In passing, driven by a desire to know if she's taken
I was askin', "Is your heart vacant?
Excuse me, Miss, how you feel? Can we build?"
Approaching a woman with respect and curiosity, asking if she's interested in building a relationship
Could it be the mind you see, guidin' you to me?
Extending my hand to welcome you in paradise
Supreme observation, di-tect hesitation
Your mind flashed back to other shit you've been through
Others left you questionable, what's acceptable?
The first sight of this divine light might shy you
Warm words melt the ice between us
My thoughts penetrate and begin to break through
Suggesting that sometimes intuition or fate can lead people to each other, overcoming reservations and building a bond through communication
[Chorus]
Let's hit Vegas while the weather is nice
Kiss my hand before I roll my dice
In the 7-45, L.I., rollin' up to your doorstep
It's just the simple things in life we do
Emphasizing the importance of simple pleasures and experiences shared between two people
Watch the God as I'm shapin' and moldin' this planet I'm holdin'
In suspended animation, love is the highest elevation
Of understandin' I can show, over this candle-light scene
This is King toast Queen
We touch glasses, sippin' the finest imports
Frank Emerge and Love Supreme, raspberry bubble bath cream
Steam the mirror, I draw hearts with our name
Relaxin' ya brain with sweet sounds from Claudine
Gladys Knight on to Curtis Mayfield thing
It's just nice-ness, the absence of confusion
Love, peace and happiness, pure bliss
Reminisce about the evenin', hit me when you reach home
Maybe we can build and add on over the phone
Painting an idyllic image of two people in love, enjoying each other's company and expressing their feelings through romantic symbols and shared experiences
Sugar I smoke bone, do you think that I'm wrong?
Your moms might disapprove of my smooth rudeness
Excuse, I don't mean to intrude
Acknowledging that some people might judge or disapprove of his lifestyle or behavior, but still showing confidence and respect in pursuing a relationship
Aight, yeah love
See you treatment is royal, relax and uncoil
You spoiled with petals on ya bath water, love
I rose in my whip with my wiz and thought
It rained lightly on the window, the wipe was flowin' simu'
To the melody, "Didn't I blow you mind?"
Hit the spliffs slow, sit low, seat reclined
In due time, every square inch will be mines
She so fine, reflectin' the light I shine, over wine
I knew she had the good nook-nook from the first look
Hair well groomed and thing
Body wrapped with the Fendi sandle to match
Coach back, swingin' on arm, approach the calm
Skin buttermilk soft as Persian lamb cloth
She asked for directions as if she was lost
But fully in tune with the stars, Sun and Moon
In the tomb, when Starks hit the milk of Lorna Doon
Describing a beautiful woman in vivid detail, expressing his attraction and admiration for her
[Chorus]
Didn't I blow your mind?
Oh, didn't I blow your mind?
Oh, didn't I blow your mind?
Didn't I blow your mind?
Beautiful queens, beautiful queens
Beautiful queens, beautiful queens
Repeating the chorus as a reminder of the love and appreciation he feels for beautiful queens
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donovan Gray
dope tune this is getting played at my wedding next year
Donovan Gray
@Jorge Rodriguez NO mate wedding was cancelled cus of covid
Jorge Rodriguez
Did u play it?
Jon da Costa
Waited 11 years after Enter the 36 Chambers for the last and perhaps most mysterious of the Wu-Tang Clan members, Masta Killa aka. Jamel Irief to release his debut album No Said Date. The patience was rewarded with the banger Digi Warfare and of course this smooth hypnotising ol’ soul blend mixed with the vividly spoken lyrically capturing one in connected thought.
EL3 Imagery
the hits soooooooo hard in my system
d R
Man, Masta Killa really went all-in on this record. Honestly it's in my top 5 Wu-Tang-related albums for sure, every single track is killer. Initially I wasn't really a fan of MK's flow and style, but on this record he's clearly evolved and his lyrics and delivery are better than ever.
An overlooked and underrated classic, IMHO. And this track is just one of many highlights!
Atsa Biyaazh
Still listening in 2018 🔥🔥🔥
DEE Brown
Allah Real 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽... Masta did his thing in this album. Glad I didn’t sleep on the God when he dropped 🥳
No sThaPlace dat 'I'nE dope as UsuAll Kid AT'M
I Be sleeeeepin on that. So many Gems and Great Art of HipHoppers, no matter if Kings or Queens.
Big Up
No sThaPlace dat 'I'nE dope as UsuAll Kid AT'M
"Love is the highest Elevation of Understanding I can show"