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

The Day After
Masta Killa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I awoke from oppression, I began to write for y'all
Truth from a speck of light
I chose to bring belief to those
That hunger for the food of thought
'Cause this is the life we chose
Fool's gold tipped many and led 'em astray
Others watched them go down
They was afraid to speak on it

Some never recovered from the mental enslavement
I came greatness
The world wasn't ready to face me

"Never the God too clever never he seen it comin'
Never the God too clever"

Now this wicked brother Cal
Ordered them to cover their faces painted with smiles
And they came, from air, land and oceans
I watched as the sides of good and evil was chosen
Everything seemed to move in slow motion
People ran frantic as herds of wild steed
Their minds like rabbits, souls like deer, fear was felt
And when the radiation melt the eyes from their heads
I fled seeking cover to find none
Triumph a selection played by RZA
Buildings crumbled
Missiles and bullets whistled, the Earth rumbled
Water filled tunnels quickly from both ends
Chunks dropped from buildings that swayed from high winds

"They thought he would slither"

Trees buckled like knees
Continuing to build and break the seventh seal
From the sky came fiery hail, trains derailed
Horseman hooded with sheets shaped in concrete
War of the lion, voids thunder when I speak
From their finger came lightning, striking the beast {*thunder*}
Jail cell broken by the wise words spoken
Gun smokin' it's the def poet quotin'

"Never the God too clever never he seen it comin"

Overall Meaning

In Masta Killa's song The Day After, the rapper talks about his awakening from oppression and his decision to use his platform to spread truth to his listeners. He acknowledges that many people were led astray by the promise of wealth and success (represented by fool's gold), leaving them mentally enslaved. However, Masta Killa find solace in the fact that he came from greatness, even though the world may not have been ready to face him.

The second half of the song takes a darker turn as Masta Killa describes a scene of destruction and chaos. He witnesses people running frantically, their minds and souls consumed by fear. Buildings crumble, missiles and bullets fly, and even the elements seem to turn against humanity. But even in the midst of this destruction, Masta Killa continues to speak out against the oppressors and their wicked ways. He encourages others to follow in his footsteps and break free from mental enslavement.

Overall, The Day After is a reflection on Masta Killa's personal journey to awakening and his desire to bring that same sense of enlightenment to his listeners. The song also serves as a warning against the dangers of greed and corruption, and encourages people to resist those who seek to oppress them.

Line by Line Meaning

I awoke from oppression, I began to write for y'all
After realizing the oppression in the world, I decided to write and express the truth for everyone to hear.

Truth from a speck of light
Even a small ray of truth can shed light on the darkest lies and bring clarity to the situation.

I chose to bring belief to those that hunger for the food of thought
I decided to provide knowledge and insight to those who want to learn and grow intellectually.

'Cause this is the life we chose
We chose to live this life, albeit with challenges and obstacles, and therefore, we must move forward and make the most of it.

Fool's gold tipped many and led 'em astray
False promises and temptations have misled many, resulting in unfortunate circumstances and consequences.

Others watched them go down, They was afraid to speak on it
People were scared to speak out and intervene when they saw others being misled or mistreated.

Some never recovered from the mental enslavement
The damage of mental enslavement can be long-lasting and even permanent.

I came greatness
I am destined for greatness and will strive to achieve it.

The world wasn't ready to face me
The world may not yet be ready to receive the truth I have to offer, but I will still speak it.

"Never the God too clever never he seen it comin' Never the God too clever"
One should never underestimate the power and intelligence of God or a higher being.

Now this wicked brother Cal Ordered them to cover their faces painted with smiles
A leader of questionable motives instructed his people to conceal their true intentions with fake smiles.

And they came, from air, land and oceans
The people came from all corners of the world, regardless of location or origin.

I watched as the sides of good and evil was chosen
I observed as people picked sides between good and evil during troubling times.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion
During a chaotic experience, everything can seem to slow down and become more intense.

People ran frantic as herds of wild steed
People panicked and ran wildly, much like the stampede of a herd of wild horses.

Their minds like rabbits, souls like deer, fear was felt
People were scared and fearful, with their minds racing like rabbits and their souls timid like deer in headlights.

And when the radiation melt the eyes from their heads I fled seeking cover to find none
In times of severe destruction, even seeking safety and cover may be futile.

Triumph a selection played by RZA Buildings crumbled
Even during times of destruction, triumph and success can still be achieved, as RZA demonstrated through his music.

Missiles and bullets whistled, the Earth rumbled
During war and violence, the sounds of missiles and bullets can be heard, and the ground itself may shake with the impact.

Water filled tunnels quickly from both ends Chunks dropped from buildings that swayed from high winds
Natural disasters can happen from multiple directions, and even sturdy buildings can be affected and crumble.

"They thought he would slither"
People may have underestimated or doubted someone, but they will prove them wrong through their actions and abilities.

Trees buckled like knees Continuing to build and break the seventh seal
Even nature and the environment can be greatly affected and damaged during times of chaos and destruction.

From the sky came fiery hail, trains derailed Horseman hooded with sheets shaped in concrete
Disasters can happen from all directions, and even transportation and infrastructure can be affected.

War of the lion, voids thunder when I speak From their finger came lightning, striking the beast {*thunder*}
Even in the midst of chaos and destruction, one can still speak out for what they believe in and fight against evil forces.

Jail cell broken by the wise words spoken Gun smokin' it's the def poet quotin'
Words can be powerful enough to break free from imprisonment, and poets can use their words as weapons against injustice.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FRANK R. PELS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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