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
Therapy
Masta Killa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The first fresh thoughts of the day is so clear
When I walk, in my head, there's a voice that talks
In my ear I can hear so clear, you think I'm buggin' right?
I'm just contemplating the song how to flow this
Out to the West Side my killer Cali gangstas
Ride and get the head right
Yo son, I'm on the next flight in
Throw the instrumental on it, watch the word pattern of speech
Man-formed military arm ready to swarm, get your party on
Drinks on the house tonight, ladies lookin' right
Atmosphere nice and warm, we backstage like a hundred thieves strong
Ghost want the red light on before we get on
An hour's too short to rock, we got a million songs
Yo I gotta be around this music, it's therapeutic
Light my first blunt of the day to start the movement
I'm sittin' in the room with a view, there's always room for improvement
So I grab my coat and go and prove it
Just me against the world, you can find me in the streets
Yo spot me in the lobby, probably find me in the freak
Cop a 'Rari, the lobby, in the lining of my seats
Tryna put me in a lineup 'til I wind up in the beast
That's the belly, how dare they tryna tell me when to eat
With a plate of food barely in my reach
My team shoot dice, we used to shoot skelly in the streets
Wear the same Pelle-Pelle's for a week
But now we livin' life
A such a good life I wish that I could live it twice
I'd probably make the same wiz my wife
It's Wu-Tang Clan, always collect cheddar
Proper education, always correct errors
Yo, bananas, Redman so gorilla
Chi-town know I'm pimping the mic, nigga
One hit, and chicks follow me like Twitter
Crack when I talk, I light the mic steam up
The fiends hit it, chicks swing with it
I'll box niggas in like Don King did it
Sixteens I write, it's seems so vivid
My notebooks, I'm lettin' eBay bid in
I get dough, bad pair for the sick flow
My weed more greener than Lou Ferrigno
My right-hand man hand on the pistol
I crack these squares up like Nabisco
Oh, look at me, I'm lightweight
But with the heart to peel back your white meat
Your wifey want me to make her wifey
Hit it, make the bitch hyphy at high speed, Doc
In "Therapy" by Masta Killa featuring Method Man & Redman, the lyrics express the therapeutic properties of music. The first fresh thoughts of the day are clear and walking inspires a voice in your head. The artist contemplates the songβs flow while heading West to California where the gangsta culture has an impact on his musicβs headspace. The rappers are confident in their lyrical flow and the military rhythm of their music, as they pour drinks for their fans and party like thieves. The artists show their individuality, yet express unity in Wu-Tang clan, and their proper education, allowing them to always correct their errors.
The lyrics in "Therapy" express the therapeutic power of music. Music is a form of self-expression, a way to explore your thoughts and emotions. The artists urge listeners to embrace their individuality, explore their creativity, and use music as a form of therapy to overcome life's challenges. The artists' clever wordplay and powerful lyrics are a testament to the power of music to heal, restore, and inspire.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, I gotta be around this music, it's therapeutic
Being around music is therapeutic for me
The first fresh thoughts of the day is so clear
My mind is particularly clear and uncluttered in the morning
When I walk, in my head, there's a voice that talks
I have an inner voice that talks to me while I walk
In my ear I can hear so clear, you think I'm buggin' right?
The voice in my head is so clear, it may seem like I'm crazy to anyone listening
I'm just contemplating the song how to flow this
I'm just thinking about how to write the song and make it flow well
Out to the West Side my killer Cali gangstas
I'm planning to release the song to my gangster friends in California
Ride and get the head right
Getting high and riding around helps me clear my head
Yo son, I'm on the next flight in
I'll be there soon
Twist something tight I'm guaranteed to write a hit song before we reach
If I smoke some weed, I'm sure I'll write a hit song before we arrive
Throw the instrumental on it, watch the word pattern of speech
I'll add the music and pay attention to the flow of the lyrics
Man-formed military arm ready to swarm, get your party on
We're ready to party and have fun, like an organized military unit
Drinks on the house tonight, ladies lookin' right
We'll be serving free drinks and there will be attractive women there
Atmosphere nice and warm, we backstage like a hundred thieves strong
The vibe and energy is great, and there are many of us backstage
Ghost want the red light on before we get on
Ghostface Killah wants the red light on the stage before we start performing
An hour's too short to rock, we got a million songs
One hour isn't enough time to perform all of our songs
Light my first blunt of the day to start the movement
I smoke weed to start the day and get things moving
I'm sittin' in the room with a view, there's always room for improvement
I'm looking out at the world and know that there's always room for improvement
So I grab my coat and go and prove it
I'm getting out there and trying to make things better
Just me against the world, you can find me in the streets
I'm out there on my own, doing my thing in the streets
Yo spot me in the lobby, probably find me in the freak
You might find me hanging out in the hotel lobby or with some strange women
Cop a 'Rari, the lobby, in the lining of my seats
I got a Ferrari parked outside, with drugs hidden in the seats
Tryna put me in a lineup 'til I wind up in the beast
The police are trying to catch me until I end up in jail
That's the belly, how dare they tryna tell me when to eat
That's the streets β how dare the police tell me what to do
With a plate of food barely in my reach
I'm struggling to get by and food is hard to come by
My team shoot dice, we used to shoot skelly in the streets
My crew and I gamble with dice, and we used to play skelly in the streets
Wear the same Pelle-Pelle's for a week
I wear the same clothes for a week at a time
But now we livin' life
But now things have changed and we're living the good life
A such a good life I wish that I could live it twice
We're living such a good life that I wish I could do it all over again
I'd probably make the same wiz my wife
I would still choose the same woman to be my wife
It's Wu-Tang Clan, always collect cheddar
We're representing Wu-Tang Clan and always collecting money
Proper education, always correct errors
We believe that education is important and always aim to correct our mistakes
Yo, bananas, Redman so gorilla
I'm crazy and wild like a gorilla, man
Chi-town know I'm pimping the mic, nigga
People in Chicago know that I'm great at rapping
One hit, and chicks follow me like Twitter
One successful song and women will be interested in me like on social media
Crack when I talk, I light the mic steam up
My rhymes are so hot that they 'crack' and heat up the microphone
The fiends hit it, chicks swing with it
Drug addicts like my music and women dance to it
I'll box niggas in like Don King did it
I'll take on anyone, like a boxing promoter
Sixteens I write, it's seems so vivid
The lyrics I write are so vivid and realistic
My notebooks, I'm lettin' eBay bid in
I sell my old notebooks, and people bid on them on eBay
I get dough, bad pair for the sick flow
I make a lot of money due to my great rapping skills
My weed more greener than Lou Ferrigno
My marijuana is better quality and more potent than average
My right-hand man hand on the pistol
My friend next to me has a gun
I crack these squares up like Nabisco
I make people laugh and my jokes are funny
Oh, look at me, I'm lightweight
I may seem small or weak, but I'm actually powerful
But with the heart to peel back your white meat
Despite my small size, I have the courage to take on anyone
Your wifey want me to make her wifey
Your girlfriend or wife wants to be with me instead
Hit it, make the bitch hyphy at high speed, Doc
I'll have sex with her and make her very excited and energetic
Lyrics Β© Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Clifford Smith, Reginald Noble, Jamel Irief
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jason Kidd
Nobody aknowledged Masta Killa. Killa always had bars but they're silent but deadly thats why he the master. He dont have to be hype or annimated to hit you wit a dart. He had the illest line in mystery of chessboxin facts. This joint was dope keep it comin like this Wu tang mfs.
Bamfism
FACTS...π―
jim one
My man I don't know what planet you from but in my world and all the wold I see on youtube and Internet. .there isn't a verse from master killa thays gets verse withouth people acknowledging it..thete is not a verse from master killa feat other wu member where people talk about he he ran that shit...you sound more like one of em dude looking for something to say...MY verse always and I say always get acknowledge and special even more back than
Qdontae6
My only problem is he make me change the songs sometimes but he can rap like hell
Venom 540
True Wu soldiers recognize everybody on their team from masta killah, Ins the rebel , Hot nickels, Bobby digital, U God ,Ghost ,Chef A Son,and the Genius
james lahaine
yup, he's my fav from Wu
miguel mejia
Thatβs the beauty of this group one day you could feel like ODB, the next day you might feel like ghost face. They all mastered their style
dmatt10li
I saw meth and red last year (2016) and they were awesome. The energy they brought and the execution of their songs was just brilliant to see in person. True OGs
Seth Nicholls
Love Masta Killa, he so relaxed and flow is always dope!
Raul Vargas
Z