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
Things Just Ain't the Same
Masta Killa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Things just ain't the same...
Leather gooses, sheep skin coats and bombers
British walkers, shark skin tailor made
Playboys black suede, three finger rings
Name plate, rope chains, BVD nylon
Gazelle frames, matching with the Kangol hat
You couldn't have that, brothers might snatch that
Lease suits, 25, nigga, we shoot
Fresh blue and white Puma, or the track night
Shelltoe Adidas, with the fatter, no laces
Late night, summer time jam, we in the park
DJ cutting, MC spitting his dart
A Sergio Tacchini brown suede ballet
Jay cross town to Delancey, jew the jew now
Fresh leather winter weather, maximum spoiler kit
Legendary deuce flicks, Slick Rick
Run-DMC, Jam Master Jay, hah
Wu-Tang Clan, Scott LaRock, KRS-One
Damn, brothers like Pun, hah
I had a Jaz-O tape, me and my crew, hah
Walk the avenue, sky was blue, half past two
Used to Cold Crush, M-O Dee, Treacherous Three
Spoonie Gee, Busy 'Killa' Bee
Crack never kept him high longer than five minute
Wallabee Clarks of course, silk and linen
Jumbos two for five, come and get it
Mama cried, tears of fear, when I was wilding
Saying 'please don't wear that, people getting killed for that'
Latin Quarter, Union Square, you had to be there
Ripping the armory, this is hip hop to me.
A few years ago, a friend of mine
He had to go away and do some time
Before I kick this rhyme that I'm about to say
I got a letter he wrote, and it went this way
Yo, let's shoot the fair one, take it to the back of the building
A Train to the Junction where the Gods is building
Valor Fila suit, fresh from Simon's
Canal Street jewelry, door knocker earrings
Leather skirt, Louis Vitton, Yves Saint Laurent
Polo goose weather, Benetton, Audi or the rag top Jetta
Lumberjack, mink Jew hat, suede front sweater, quarter filled leathers
Triple beams used to measure, waves to the side
Three sixty round the back, before the flat top
Stone love classics, silver hawk athlete
Live at the Biltmore, my flow cocoa libio
You can never catch my super rhyme Kurtis flow
I fifty two head to toe, crazy hummer side
Tomahawk, streets I walk, Hardy Boy sex boys take money
Riker's Isle, nobody smiling, jolly stompers
Sing Sing Spotford, TNT NARCs, they rush and try to knock us
Halloween masked up, buck fifty stitch cut
Lands of the kings and Tuts, peace Sauron
Latif, little Shareef, brother AD
High school cutting out to Coney Island Beach
I prepared this lesson, and read directions.
In Masta Killa's song 'Things Just Ain't the Same', the lyrics portray a nostalgic reflection of a bygone era of hip hop culture. The opening lines express a sense of confusion and dismay about the current state of the world, and sets the tone for the rest of the song. The rest of the lyrics describe the fashion, music and lifestyle of the late 80s and early 90s, emphasizing its unique and distinct nature that is not present in contemporary hip hop.
Mentions of specific clothing brands such as British Walkers, Sergio Tacchini and Fila and their respective materials like leather and suede show the importance of fashion in hip hop culture during the time. Also, mentions of classic hip hop groups and artists like Run-DMC, Wu-Tang Clan, KRS-One, and Slick Rick highlight the quality of hip hop being created in that era. You can also sense the romanticism of walking around the streets of New York City, particularly the parks and avenues.
The letter mentioned towards the end of the song adds an emotional touch to it, revealing a personal connection between the singer and a jailed friend. The lyrics portray a sense of yearning for the past, for a world where things were simpler and less chaotic.
Line by Line Meaning
What's this whole world, coming to
Reflecting on the state of society and wondering where everything is headed
Things just ain't the same...
Nostalgic for the past when things were simpler and more pure
Leather gooses, sheep skin coats and bombers
List of popular fashion styles from the past
British walkers, shark skin tailor made
More examples of flashy clothing trends from the past
Playboys black suede, three finger rings
Accessories that were fashionable at the time
Name plate, rope chains, BVD nylon
More examples of accessories that defined the era
Gazelle frames, matching with the Kangol hat
List of specific items that were popular
You couldn't have that, brothers might snatch that
Acknowledges that some people would steal to acquire these items
Flashback, 1-90 E, with the mock neck
Nostalgic memory of a particular fashion trend
Lease suits, 25, nigga, we shoot
Reference to a violent lifestyle and the cost of suits at the time
Fresh blue and white Puma, or the track night
More references to popular clothing and sneaker brands
Shelltoe Adidas, with the fatter, no laces
Name-dropping another popular brand of shoe
Late night, summer time jam, we in the park
Recounts a memorable experience from the past
DJ cutting, MC spitting his dart
Describes elements of a hip hop performance
A Sergio Tacchini brown suede ballet
Another example of a high-end clothing brand from the past
Jay cross town to Delancey, jew the jew now
Describes a location and a possible activity that took place there
Fresh leather winter weather, maximum spoiler kit
More references to fashionable clothing and car accessories
Legendary deuce flicks, Slick Rick
Mentions a rapper who was popular at the time
Run-DMC, Jam Master Jay, hah
Nostalgic memory of popular hip hop artists
Wu-Tang Clan, Scott LaRock, KRS-One
More references to popular hip hop artists
Damn, brothers like Pun, hah
Mentions another rapper who was popular at the time
I had a Jaz-O tape, me and my crew, hah
Personal memory of listening to a Jaz-O tape with friends
Walk the avenue, sky was blue, half past two
Recounts a specific memory from the past
Used to Cold Crush, M-O Dee, Treacherous Three
More references to popular hip hop artists
Spoonie Gee, Busy 'Killa' Bee
Mentions more specific hip hop artists from the time
Crack never kept him high longer than five minute
Commentary on the addictive nature of crack cocaine
Wallabee Clarks of course, silk and linen
References to fashionable clothing items from the past
Jumbos two for five, come and get it
Mentions a specific food item from the past
Mama cried, tears of fear, when I was wilding
Acknowledges the fear and worry that some parents had for their children
Saying 'please don't wear that, people getting killed for that'
Reason that parents were scared for their children
Latin Quarter, Union Square, you had to be there
Mentions popular locations from the past
Ripping the armory, this is hip hop to me.
Reflection on what hip hop meant to the author at the time
A few years ago, a friend of mine
Beginning of a personal story
He had to go away and do some time
Explains why the friend was no longer present in the author's life
Before I kick this rhyme that I'm about to say
Introduction to the story the author is about to share
I got a letter he wrote, and it went this way
Describes the source of the story the author is about to share
Yo, let's shoot the fair one, take it to the back of the building
Phrase that suggests a one-on-one fight in a secluded area
A Train to the Junction where the Gods is building
Reference to a specific train line and location
Valor Fila suit, fresh from Simon's
Describes a particular type of clothing
Canal Street jewelry, door knocker earrings
Describes specific accessories that were popular at the time
Leather skirt, Louis Vitton, Yves Saint Laurent
References to high-end fashion brands
Polo goose weather, Benetton, Audi or the rag top Jetta
More references to fashionable items from the past
Lumberjack, mink Jew hat, suede front sweater, quarter filled leathers
Describing more fashionable clothing items from the time
Triple beams used to measure, waves to the side
References to specific hairstyles and drug activity
Three sixty round the back, before the flat top
More references to popular hairstyles from the past
Stone love classics, silver hawk athlete
Mentions specific music and fashion items from the past
Live at the Biltmore, my flow cocoa libio
Recalls a specific performance at a particular location
You can never catch my super rhyme Kurtis flow
Confident statement about the author's own performance style
I fifty two head to toe, crazy hummer side
More references to fashion and transportation trends from the past
Tomahawk, streets I walk, Hardy Boy sex boys take money
Describing the author's environment and some of the criminal activity that occurred there
Riker's Isle, nobody smiling, jolly stompers
Describes a specific location and the mood of the people there
Sing Sing Spotford, TNT NARCs, they rush and try to knock us
More references to specific locations and police activity
Halloween masked up, buck fifty stitch cut
Reference to violent criminal activity
Lands of the kings and Tuts, peace Sauron
Mentions a specific neighborhood and a call for peace
Latif, little Shareef, brother AD
Names of specific people the author knew
High school cutting out to Coney Island Beach
Recounts a specific memory from the author's past
I prepared this lesson, and read directions.
Acknowledges the effort the author put into this work
Writer(s): jamel irief
Contributed by Skyler O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-gg9zb6ml8m
Masta is the most underrated member of the Wu
@Quake2815
+Θύμιος ΤΓΚ i think u god is
@adamgordon2572
Θύμιος ΤΓΚ : I think Inspectah Deck then Masta Killa 💯
@thetuffament
@Adam Gordon its between U God and Masta Killa in My opinion
@charoulis17
και ένας από τους καλύτερους 🎼
@Stalker-dj9cg
Word!
@georgekalts3848
The definition of Hip-Hop both the track and the video!
Respect to Masta Killa!
@johannsimonot
I like his "sleepy" rappin flow. The instrumental is just perfect. WuTang4Ever
@Titanic19127
Masta is my fav member of the Wu.. Lyrical genius
@calm808
+M&N Distribution Gza is the genius