Ghostface Killah
Encyclopedia
Dennis Coles better known by his stage name
Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper
and prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan
. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
, the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success. Ghostface Killah debuted his solo-career with Ironman
in 1996, which was well received by music critics. He has continued his success over the following years with critically acclaimed albums such as Supreme Clientele
(2000) and Fishscale
(2006). His stage name was taken from one of the characters in the 1979 kung fu film Mystery of Chessboxing
.
Ghostface Killah is critically acclaimed for his loud, fast-paced flow, and his emotional stream-of-consciousness narratives containing cryptic slang
and non-sequiturs. In 2006, MTV
included him on their honorable mention list of The Greatest MCs of All Time, while the editors of About.com
placed him on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007), praising him as "one of the most imaginative storytellers of our time." Ghostface's storytelling
abilities have widely been praised, with Q magazine
calling him "rap's finest storyteller."
on all the Wu-Tang Clan releases.
In 1995, Ghostface guest-starred extensively on fellow Clan member Raekwon
's debut album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
, appearing on almost every song. He also contributed songs to the Sunset Park
and Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood
soundtracks, which would be included on his first solo LP, Ironman
, in 1996. The album, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200
, had a more pronounced soul
influence (particularly 1970s soul) than previous Wu-Tang releases, and Ghostface's future albums would continue to feature this stylistic trait.
Ghostface became well-known for both his up-tempo, stream-of-consciousness rap and, later in his career, for his emotionally charged raps and smooth constant flow. In 1996, he discovered that he was diabetic, a condition that would weaken his health. According to "Trials of Life", a 2007 song with fellow New York rapper Prodigy
(himself a sickle-cell anaemic), Ghostface assumed he had been stricken by a sexually transmitted disease
until he received the diabetes diagnosis.
Ghostface was incarcerated for attempted robbery in 1999, a situation that was never publicly commented on by the Wu-Tang Clan or Ghostface (the charge dated from 1995). It would lead to a delay in his next album in 2000 with his follow-up to Ironman, Supreme Clientele
. The album was well-received by critics and was placed #2 on Hip Hop Connection
s list of "The 100 Greatest Rap Albums 1995-2005". It included "Apollo Kids", a popular single which featured Raekwon
and had a sample of "Cool Breeze" by Solomon Burke
. "Cherchez LaGhost
", another single off the album, became a minor club hit. The album also notably included the sentimental "Child's Play" which brought numerous comparisons to Slick Rick
. Supreme Clientele
would be a turning point in RZA's influence on his sound, as only six songs are produced by the RZA
, compared to Iron Man, its predecessor where every song but one is produced by him. Though he contributed fewer beats to the project, RZA personally oversaw the mixing and production of the album as a whole, contributing to Supreme Clientele's unified sound
Ghostface wasted little time in recording his next album, the heavily R&B-influenced Bulletproof Wallets
, released a year after Supreme Clientele. Its feature single, Never Be the Same Again
, featured Carl Thomas and Raekwon
. He had another minor club hit with Flowers, which featured guest vocals from fellow Wu-Tang members Method Man
and Raekwon, and a popular single Ghost Showers
which featured Madame Majestic, who also sung on the popular Wu-Tang track Gravel Pit
. It was well received, but never really matched its predecessor in popularity or renown.
in April 2004. The album, while containing two RZA productions, featured none of the Clan; instead, it featured collaborations with Missy Elliott
, D-Block
and Jacki-O
. The singles "Tush
" and "Run", the collaborations with Missy and Jadakiss
respectively, achieved moderate success in the clubs and charts, and the album was featured on numerous "best of the year" lists, including number nine on Pitchfork Media
's. Ghostface also appeared on the track "On My Knees" by UK
R&B group The 411
, which became a hit in the UK and Australia
, and released an album titled 718
(after the Staten Island area code) with a group of his protégés, the Theodore Unit
. Ghostface also appeared on "He Comes" by De La Soul, on The Grind Date. In November 2005, Ghostface and Theodore Unit's breakout star Trife Da God released a joint project, Put It On The Line
.
In 2006, Ghostface teamed up with underground artist MF Doom
for a still unreleased album entitled Swift & Changeable
. MF Doom also produced several songs for Ghostface's 2006 album Fishscale
, which was once again attributed to "Ghostface Killah". The album debuted strongly, in the #4 position on the U.S. Billboard 200
and at #2 on the R&B charts, the rapper's most auspicious chart showing since the heyday of the Wu-Tang Clan and the release of his solo debut. The album also nearly unanimously received positive reviews. Ghostface embarked on a limited-date tour of US venues in support of the album, performing several of his concerts together with most members of the Wu-Tang Clan.
He has worked with 4Cast to produce his own action figure
.
In December 2007 Ghostface appeared on Spinner.com's comedy show The DL to do a holiday commercial for his action figure.
On December 4, 2007, Ghostface released his seventh solo studio album, The Big Doe Rehab
.
In a May 2008 interview, Ghostface Killah stated that he would make an R&B-inspired album in the vein of tracks he had done before with artists such as Ne-Yo
and Jodeci
. That album would become his eighth studio album Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City
to good reviews. It featured singles such as "Baby" and "Do Over". In March 2009, Ghostface also recorded a song called "Message from Ghostface" dedicated to women who were abused in relationships after the Rihanna
/ Chris Brown controversy.
Raekwon, in a May 2009 interview with Rolling Stone indicated that Ghostface Killah is preparing to release a new album. In response to a question asking if the Wu-Tang Clan are going to release a follow up to 8 Diagrams
, Raekwon stated "Everybody's doing different things right now — you got Meth [Method Man] coming out with an album, you got Ghostface coming out with an album, some guys working on their projects, some guys getting into the film world, everybody is multi-tasking right now." Ghostface appeared on a total of 8 songs on Raekwon's highly anticipated release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II.
Shortly after the release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, Def Jam contracted Raekwon to work with their label artists Method Man and Ghostface Killah on an album later titled Wu-Massacre
. Production began in November 2009. Wu-Massacre was released March 30, 2010 to generally positive reviews from most music critics with some mixed criticism due to the album's rushed feel clocking in at a mere 30 minutes of music. With heavy promotion, it sold 37,900 units in its first week. It has sold 64,000 units as of May 12, 2010. It features production from Scram Jones, Mathematics, and the RZA who produced the album's lead single, "Our Dreams". Recently he confirmed that he will be releasing 3 studio albums with the first one out near December called Apollo Kids, the second called Blue & Cream and finally he will be releasing a sequel to his 2000 album Supreme Clientele
. He recently confirmed a collabo album with D-Block
member Sheek Louch
as well called Wu-Block.
In August of 2011, Coles filed a lawsuit against Universal Music for unpaid royalties.
Collaboration albums
Compilation albums
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
and prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Enter the Wu-Tang is the debut album of American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released November 9, 1993, on Loud Records and distributed through RCA Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Firehouse Studio in New York City, and it was mastered at The Hit Factory...
, the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success. Ghostface Killah debuted his solo-career with Ironman
Ironman (album)
Ironman is the solo debut album by American hip hop artist and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released October 29, 1996, on Epic Records...
in 1996, which was well received by music critics. He has continued his success over the following years with critically acclaimed albums such as Supreme Clientele
Supreme Clientele
Supreme Clientele is the second studio album of American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released January 25, 2000 on Epic Records. The album was recorded at several studios in New York and Florida, with the sessions taking place in 1999...
(2000) and Fishscale
Fishscale
FishScale is the fifth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released March 28, 2006 on Def Jam in the United States. The album features guest appearances from every member of the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as Ghostface Killah's Theodore Unit...
(2006). His stage name was taken from one of the characters in the 1979 kung fu film Mystery of Chessboxing
Mystery of Chessboxing
Mystery of Chessboxing is a kung fu film released in 1979 and directed by Joseph Koo, starring Mark Long, Jack Long and Lee Yi Min.-Plot:...
.
Ghostface Killah is critically acclaimed for his loud, fast-paced flow, and his emotional stream-of-consciousness narratives containing cryptic slang
Slang
Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...
and non-sequiturs. In 2006, MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
included him on their honorable mention list of The Greatest MCs of All Time, while the editors of About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
placed him on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007), praising him as "one of the most imaginative storytellers of our time." Ghostface's storytelling
Storytelling
Storytelling is the conveying of events in words, images and sounds, often by improvisation or embellishment. Stories or narratives have been shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation and in order to instill moral values...
abilities have widely been praised, with Q magazine
Q (magazine)
Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology...
calling him "rap's finest storyteller."
Career
A roommate of Wu-Tang founder The RZA, Ghostface helped bring together the other seven members, and would function as executive producerExecutive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
on all the Wu-Tang Clan releases.
In 1995, Ghostface guest-starred extensively on fellow Clan member Raekwon
Raekwon
Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
's debut album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... is the solo debut album of American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, released August 1, 1995, on Loud Records in the United States...
, appearing on almost every song. He also contributed songs to the Sunset Park
Sunset Park (film)
Sunset Park is a 1996 basketball film. It stars Rhea Perlman as the head coach of a high school boy's basketball team from the Sunset Park neighborhood in New York City. The film also stars rapper Fredro Starr and an early film appearance from Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard...
and Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood is a 1996 parody film by Shawn and Marlon Wayans. Similarly to I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, the film spoofs a number of black, coming-of-age, 'hood films' such as Juice, Jungle Fever, South Central, Higher Learning, Do the Right...
soundtracks, which would be included on his first solo LP, Ironman
Ironman (album)
Ironman is the solo debut album by American hip hop artist and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released October 29, 1996, on Epic Records...
, in 1996. The album, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, had a more pronounced soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
influence (particularly 1970s soul) than previous Wu-Tang releases, and Ghostface's future albums would continue to feature this stylistic trait.
Ghostface became well-known for both his up-tempo, stream-of-consciousness rap and, later in his career, for his emotionally charged raps and smooth constant flow. In 1996, he discovered that he was diabetic, a condition that would weaken his health. According to "Trials of Life", a 2007 song with fellow New York rapper Prodigy
Prodigy (rapper)
Lance Albert Johnson Banks, better known as Prodigy, is an American rapper and one half of the hip-hop and rap duo Mobb Deep....
(himself a sickle-cell anaemic), Ghostface assumed he had been stricken by a sexually transmitted disease
Sexually transmitted disease
Sexually transmitted disease , also known as a sexually transmitted infection or venereal disease , is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of human sexual behavior, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex...
until he received the diabetes diagnosis.
Ghostface was incarcerated for attempted robbery in 1999, a situation that was never publicly commented on by the Wu-Tang Clan or Ghostface (the charge dated from 1995). It would lead to a delay in his next album in 2000 with his follow-up to Ironman, Supreme Clientele
Supreme Clientele
Supreme Clientele is the second studio album of American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released January 25, 2000 on Epic Records. The album was recorded at several studios in New York and Florida, with the sessions taking place in 1999...
. The album was well-received by critics and was placed #2 on Hip Hop Connection
Hip Hop Connection
Hip Hop Connection is the longest running monthly periodical devoted entirely to hip hop culture. HHC has earned international recognition and was described by Chuck D as "the best magazine in the world".-History:...
s list of "The 100 Greatest Rap Albums 1995-2005". It included "Apollo Kids", a popular single which featured Raekwon
Raekwon
Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
and had a sample of "Cool Breeze" by Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke was an American singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, mortician, and an archbishop of the United House of Prayer For All People. Burke was known as "King Solomon", the "King of Rock 'n' Soul", and as the "Bishop of Soul", and described as "the Muhammad Ali of soul", and as "the most...
. "Cherchez LaGhost
Cherchez LaGhost
"Cherchez LaGhost" is a song from Supreme Clientele, the second album by rapper Ghostface Killah, and features fellow Wu-Tang Clan member U-God and singer Goldie.It was released as the album's second single, with an accompanying music video....
", another single off the album, became a minor club hit. The album also notably included the sentimental "Child's Play" which brought numerous comparisons to Slick Rick
Slick Rick
Richard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper...
. Supreme Clientele
Supreme Clientele
Supreme Clientele is the second studio album of American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released January 25, 2000 on Epic Records. The album was recorded at several studios in New York and Florida, with the sessions taking place in 1999...
would be a turning point in RZA's influence on his sound, as only six songs are produced by the RZA
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA , is an American Grammy-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, author, emcee, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in Hip Hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost...
, compared to Iron Man, its predecessor where every song but one is produced by him. Though he contributed fewer beats to the project, RZA personally oversaw the mixing and production of the album as a whole, contributing to Supreme Clientele's unified sound
Ghostface wasted little time in recording his next album, the heavily R&B-influenced Bulletproof Wallets
Bulletproof Wallets
Bulletproof Wallets is the third studio album by Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, an American hip hop artist.-Album information:Despite a relatively positive critical reception, the album did not perform well in the charts, struggling to sell more than 100,000 in its first week...
, released a year after Supreme Clientele. Its feature single, Never Be the Same Again
Never Be the Same Again (Ghostface Killah song)
"Never Be the Same Again" is the lead single off the album Bulletproof Wallets by Ghostface Killah. The single features fellow Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon and Carl Thomas...
, featured Carl Thomas and Raekwon
Raekwon
Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
. He had another minor club hit with Flowers, which featured guest vocals from fellow Wu-Tang members Method Man
Method Man
Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
and Raekwon, and a popular single Ghost Showers
Ghost Showers
"Ghost Showers" is the second single off the album Bulletproof Wallets by Ghostface Killah.The song was later added to his greatest hits album Shaolin's Finest.-Lyrical content:...
which featured Madame Majestic, who also sung on the popular Wu-Tang track Gravel Pit
Gravel Pit
"Gravel Pit" is a single released by the Wu-Tang Clan for their album The W. It was not as popular in the U.S. as other Wu-Tang Clan singles like "C.R.E.A.M." and "Uzi ". It did, however, receive major radio play, and topped the music video show 106 and Park for two weeks straight. It is also the...
. It was well received, but never really matched its predecessor in popularity or renown.
Def Jam
In 2003, Ghostface signed with Def Jam Records. After temporarily dropping "Killah" from his stage name, Ghostface released The Pretty Toney AlbumThe Pretty Toney Album
The Pretty Toney Album is the fourth studio album by American hip hop artist Ghostface, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan.It is the only album from the artist to be released solely under the title of "Ghostface", ; however, it is otherwise a normal Ghostface Killah release in line with the rest of his...
in April 2004. The album, while containing two RZA productions, featured none of the Clan; instead, it featured collaborations with Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
, D-Block
D-block
The d-block is the portion of the periodic table that contains the element groups 3-12. These groups correspond to the filling of the atomic d-orbital subshell, with electron configurations ranging from s2d1 to s2d10...
and Jacki-O
Jacki-O
Angela Kohn , better known as Jacki-O, is a Haitian American rapper from Miami, Florida, who is currently signed to her own label Jack Movement Entertainment. She got her first break in 2003 with the bawdy sex rap "Nookie" which garnered the MC comparisons to fellow Southern rappers Mia X and Trina...
. The singles "Tush
Tush (Ghostface Killah song)
"Tush", censored as the alternate title "Push", is the first single by Ghostface Killah off the album The Pretty Toney Album and features vocals by Missy Elliott...
" and "Run", the collaborations with Missy and Jadakiss
Jadakiss
Jason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
respectively, achieved moderate success in the clubs and charts, and the album was featured on numerous "best of the year" lists, including number nine on Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
's. Ghostface also appeared on the track "On My Knees" by UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
R&B group The 411
The 411
The 411 were a four-piece English female R&B group formed late in 2003. The band formed after a couple of the members sang backup vocals on Lemar's version of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together". The band took its name after the Mary J...
, which became a hit in the UK and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and released an album titled 718
718 (album)
718 is a mixtape by Theodore Unit, composed of Kryme Life, Cappadonna, Shawn Wiggs, Ghostface Killah, Du-Lilz, Trife Da God and Solomon Childs....
(after the Staten Island area code) with a group of his protégés, the Theodore Unit
Theodore Unit
Theodore Unit is a loose collective of Staten Island rappers associated with the Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah. The name "Theodore" is derived from "The Open Door", meaning the group acts as an open door to rappers who can prove themselves....
. Ghostface also appeared on "He Comes" by De La Soul, on The Grind Date. In November 2005, Ghostface and Theodore Unit's breakout star Trife Da God released a joint project, Put It On The Line
Put It on the Line
Put It on the Line is an album by Ghostface Killah & Trife Da God, released on Ghostface's own Starks Enterprises label on November 18, 2005 . According to Trife's Myspace profile, the album has sold over 100,000 copies independently. Trife's former T.M.F...
.
MF Doom
Daniel Dumile is a hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for metal face, and for tracks he has produced, metal fingers...
for a still unreleased album entitled Swift & Changeable
Swift & Changeable
Swift & Changeable was the name given to an unfinished collaboration album between MF DOOM and Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah which was announced in 2006 as a 2007 release...
. MF Doom also produced several songs for Ghostface's 2006 album Fishscale
Fishscale
FishScale is the fifth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released March 28, 2006 on Def Jam in the United States. The album features guest appearances from every member of the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as Ghostface Killah's Theodore Unit...
, which was once again attributed to "Ghostface Killah". The album debuted strongly, in the #4 position on the U.S. Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and at #2 on the R&B charts, the rapper's most auspicious chart showing since the heyday of the Wu-Tang Clan and the release of his solo debut. The album also nearly unanimously received positive reviews. Ghostface embarked on a limited-date tour of US venues in support of the album, performing several of his concerts together with most members of the Wu-Tang Clan.
He has worked with 4Cast to produce his own action figure
Action figure
An action figure is a posable character figurine, made of plastic or other materials, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, video game, or television program. These action figures are usually marketed towards boys and male collectors...
.
In December 2007 Ghostface appeared on Spinner.com's comedy show The DL to do a holiday commercial for his action figure.
On December 4, 2007, Ghostface released his seventh solo studio album, The Big Doe Rehab
The Big Doe Rehab
The Big Doe Rehab is the seventh studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released December 2007 on Def Jam Records.- Album information :The album was released on December 4, 2007...
.
In a May 2008 interview, Ghostface Killah stated that he would make an R&B-inspired album in the vein of tracks he had done before with artists such as Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
and Jodeci
Jodeci
Jodeci is an American band, whose repertoire includes R&B, soul music, and new jack swing. The group consists of two pairs of brothers from Hampton, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina: Cedric & Joel Hailey and Donald & Dalvin DeGrate, all respectively known by their stage names: K-Ci & Jojo,...
. That album would become his eighth studio album Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City
Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City
Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City is the eighth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan-member Ghostface Killah, released September 29, 2009 on Def Jam Recordings in the United States. He first announced the album in a May 2008 interview, describing it as an R&B-inspired album,...
to good reviews. It featured singles such as "Baby" and "Do Over". In March 2009, Ghostface also recorded a song called "Message from Ghostface" dedicated to women who were abused in relationships after the Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
/ Chris Brown controversy.
Raekwon, in a May 2009 interview with Rolling Stone indicated that Ghostface Killah is preparing to release a new album. In response to a question asking if the Wu-Tang Clan are going to release a follow up to 8 Diagrams
8 Diagrams
8 Diagrams is the fifth studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released December 11, 2007 on SRC/Universal Motown Records. The album was released three years after the passing of Ol' Dirty Bastard, and six years after the group's previous LP Iron Flag, for which many group members...
, Raekwon stated "Everybody's doing different things right now — you got Meth [Method Man] coming out with an album, you got Ghostface coming out with an album, some guys working on their projects, some guys getting into the film world, everybody is multi-tasking right now." Ghostface appeared on a total of 8 songs on Raekwon's highly anticipated release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II.
Shortly after the release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, Def Jam contracted Raekwon to work with their label artists Method Man and Ghostface Killah on an album later titled Wu-Massacre
Wu-Massacre
Wu-Massacre is a collaboration studio album by American rappers and Wu-Tang Clan members Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, released March 30, 2010 on Def Jam Recordings...
. Production began in November 2009. Wu-Massacre was released March 30, 2010 to generally positive reviews from most music critics with some mixed criticism due to the album's rushed feel clocking in at a mere 30 minutes of music. With heavy promotion, it sold 37,900 units in its first week. It has sold 64,000 units as of May 12, 2010. It features production from Scram Jones, Mathematics, and the RZA who produced the album's lead single, "Our Dreams". Recently he confirmed that he will be releasing 3 studio albums with the first one out near December called Apollo Kids, the second called Blue & Cream and finally he will be releasing a sequel to his 2000 album Supreme Clientele
Supreme Clientele
Supreme Clientele is the second studio album of American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released January 25, 2000 on Epic Records. The album was recorded at several studios in New York and Florida, with the sessions taking place in 1999...
. He recently confirmed a collabo album with D-Block
D-block
The d-block is the portion of the periodic table that contains the element groups 3-12. These groups correspond to the filling of the atomic d-orbital subshell, with electron configurations ranging from s2d1 to s2d10...
member Sheek Louch
Sheek Louch
Sean Divine Jacobs, better known as Sheek Louch , is an African American rapper and member of The LOX , along with Styles P and Jadakiss.-Personal life and career:...
as well called Wu-Block.
Controversy
In July of 2011, Coles was sued by Jack Urbont for copyright violation, stemming from the improper use of Urbont's 1960's Iron Man theme song. Urbont has also notably taken issue with Coles appropriation of the Iron Man brand name.In August of 2011, Coles filed a lawsuit against Universal Music for unpaid royalties.
Aliases
Ghostface Killah, like most members of the Wu-Tang clan, rapped under several personae, each with their own name, mythology and influences. Some recurring aliases:- Ghostface Killah (occasionally spelled Ghostface Killer, Ghost Face Killah, or abbreviated GFK)
- Ghostface
-
- His shortened stage name during The Pretty Toney AlbumThe Pretty Toney AlbumThe Pretty Toney Album is the fourth studio album by American hip hop artist Ghostface, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan.It is the only album from the artist to be released solely under the title of "Ghostface", ; however, it is otherwise a normal Ghostface Killah release in line with the rest of his...
era.- Ghost Deini alternately Ghostdini
- Ironman, Tony Starks, or just Starks
- His shortened stage name during The Pretty Toney Album
- Ghostface has frequently assumed the persona of both Ironman and Tony Starks, a reference to the Marvel ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
character Iron ManIron ManIron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
and his true identity, billionaire industrialist Tony StarkIron ManIron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
(note the variant spellings). He released a 1996 album titled IronmanIronman (album)Ironman is the solo debut album by American hip hop artist and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released October 29, 1996, on Epic Records...
and has drawn deeply on the Iron Man mythology. His song, "Slept On Tony With Dirt," appears in the 2008 filmIron Man (film)Iron Man is a 2008 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film stars Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark, an industrialist and master engineer who builds a powered exoskeleton and becomes the technologically advanced superhero, Iron...
, and he even appears in a deleted scene on the DVD.- Starky Love
- Pretty Toney, P Tone
- The Wally Champ, The Wallabee Kingpin
Discography
Studio albums- IronmanIronman (album)Ironman is the solo debut album by American hip hop artist and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released October 29, 1996, on Epic Records...
(1996) - Supreme ClienteleSupreme ClienteleSupreme Clientele is the second studio album of American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released January 25, 2000 on Epic Records. The album was recorded at several studios in New York and Florida, with the sessions taking place in 1999...
(2000) - Bulletproof WalletsBulletproof WalletsBulletproof Wallets is the third studio album by Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, an American hip hop artist.-Album information:Despite a relatively positive critical reception, the album did not perform well in the charts, struggling to sell more than 100,000 in its first week...
(2001) - The Pretty Toney AlbumThe Pretty Toney AlbumThe Pretty Toney Album is the fourth studio album by American hip hop artist Ghostface, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan.It is the only album from the artist to be released solely under the title of "Ghostface", ; however, it is otherwise a normal Ghostface Killah release in line with the rest of his...
(2004) - FishscaleFishscaleFishScale is the fifth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released March 28, 2006 on Def Jam in the United States. The album features guest appearances from every member of the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as Ghostface Killah's Theodore Unit...
(2006) - More FishMore FishMore Fish is the sixth studio album by rapper Ghostface Killah, released on December 12, 2006 through the Def Jam label.The album's name derives from Ghostface's earlier 2006 release, Fishscale. The track "Good", featuring Ghostface's fellow Theodore Unit member Trife Da God and Mr. Maygreen, and...
(2006) - The Big Doe RehabThe Big Doe RehabThe Big Doe Rehab is the seventh studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released December 2007 on Def Jam Records.- Album information :The album was released on December 4, 2007...
(2007) - Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald CityGhostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald CityGhostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City is the eighth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan-member Ghostface Killah, released September 29, 2009 on Def Jam Recordings in the United States. He first announced the album in a May 2008 interview, describing it as an R&B-inspired album,...
(2009) - Apollo KidsApollo Kids (album)Apollo Kids is the ninth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan-member Ghostface Killah, released on December 21, 2010 on Def Jam Recordings. The album's first single "2getha Baby" was released on November 8, 2010....
(2010) - Supreme Clientele Presents... Blue & Cream: The Wally Era (2012)
Collaboration albums
- 718718 (album)718 is a mixtape by Theodore Unit, composed of Kryme Life, Cappadonna, Shawn Wiggs, Ghostface Killah, Du-Lilz, Trife Da God and Solomon Childs....
(with Theodore UnitTheodore UnitTheodore Unit is a loose collective of Staten Island rappers associated with the Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah. The name "Theodore" is derived from "The Open Door", meaning the group acts as an open door to rappers who can prove themselves....
) (2004) - Put It on the LinePut It on the LinePut It on the Line is an album by Ghostface Killah & Trife Da God, released on Ghostface's own Starks Enterprises label on November 18, 2005 . According to Trife's Myspace profile, the album has sold over 100,000 copies independently. Trife's former T.M.F...
(with Trife Da God) (2005) - Wu-Massacre (with Method ManMethod ManClifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
and RaekwonRaekwonCorey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
) (2010) - Wu-Block (with RaekwonRaekwonCorey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
, CappadonnaCappadonnaDarryl Hill best known by his stage name Cappadonna, is an American rapper and oftentimes member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He is also a member of rap duo Wu South, along with Ratchet Rush.-Biography:...
, and D-BlockD-blockThe d-block is the portion of the periodic table that contains the element groups 3-12. These groups correspond to the filling of the atomic d-orbital subshell, with electron configurations ranging from s2d1 to s2d10...
) (2012) - Swift and Changeable (with MF DoomMF DoomDaniel Dumile is a hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for metal face, and for tracks he has produced, metal fingers...
) (2011)
Compilation albums
- Shaolin's FinestShaolin's FinestShaolin's Finest is a best-of collection by Ghostface Killah, featuring singles from the albums Ironman, Supreme Clientele, and Bulletproof Wallets...
(2003) - The Wallabee ChampThe Wallabee ChampThe Wallabee Champ is a compilation album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah. The album is a collection of b-sides and remixes.-Track listing:...
(2008) - GhostDeini the GreatGhostDeini the GreatGhostDeini The Great is a compilation album by American rapper Ghostface Killah. It was released on December 16, 2008. The album includes singles as well as new and remixed tracks like "Be Easy " featuring Ice Cube and "Kilo " featuring Raekwon and Malice. Some versions also contain a DVD.-Track...
(2008)
Movie appearances
- Black and WhiteBlack and White (1999 film)Black and White is a 1999 American film directed by James Toback, starring Robert Downey, Jr., Gaby Hoffmann, Allan Houston, Jared Leto, Scott Caan, Claudia Schiffer, Brooke Shields and a number of rap musicians, namely members of the Wu-Tang Clan and Onyx .The...
(1999) as himself - Hunter Dawson (2002) as himself
- Scary Movie 3 (2003) gang member (Raekwon and RZA were alongside him)
- Fade to BlackFade to Black (documentary)Fade to Black is a 2004 documentary about the career of US rapper Jay-Z. Filmed around the time of The Black Album, the movie also features many other famous names in hip hop music...
, (2004) as himself - Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox StoryWalk Hard: The Dewey Cox StoryWalk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is a 2007 music comedy film written and produced by Judd Apatow and Jake Kasdan, directed by Kasdan and starring John C. Reilly...
(2007) as himself - Iron ManIron Man (film)Iron Man is a 2008 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film stars Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark, an industrialist and master engineer who builds a powered exoskeleton and becomes the technologically advanced superhero, Iron...
(2008) as a Dubaian sheik; cameo. (Though it was cut in post-production, his cameo can be found in the DVD's deleted scenes section.) - When in Rome (2010) as Guggenheim DJ
TV series appearances
- 30 Rock30 Rock30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
(2006) as himself (episodes "Jack-Tor" and "The Source Awards") - Human GiantHuman GiantHuman Giant is a sketch comedy show on MTV, starring writer/performers Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer and directed primarily by Jason Woliner.The show has completed two seasons. The status of a third season is unknown...
(2007) as himself (episodes "Mind Explosion" and "Mosh Pit!") - The BoondocksThe Boondocks (TV series)The Boondocks is an American animated series created by Aaron McGruder on Cartoon Network's late night programing block, Adult Swim, based on McGruder's comic strip of the same name...
(2007) as himself (episode "Stinkmeaner Strikes BackStinkmeaner Strikes Back"Stinkmeaner Strikes Back" is the fourth episode of the second season of the Adult Swim animated television series The Boondocks and the nineteenth episode overall. It originally aired on October 29, 2007.-Plot:Colonel H...
") - Rushing Jason (2008) as Big Poppa
- Mob Wives (VH1 Series) (2011) as Himself
Video game appearances
- Wu-Tang: Shaolin StyleWu-Tang: Shaolin StyleWu-Tang: Shaolin Style - aka Wu-Tang: Taste the Pain in PAL regions - is a four-player, 3D fighting game for the PlayStation. The basis for the game's story and setting is the real-life rap group the Wu-Tang Clan, featuring characters based on their stage personas and the martial arts themes of...
(1999) as himself - Def Jam VendettaDef Jam VendettaDef Jam Vendetta is a professional wrestling video game that combined hip hop with pro wrestling. It was released for the PlayStation 2 and GameCube. It was Electronic Arts' first attempt at a wrestling game since the widely-panned WCW Backstage Assault...
(2003) as himself - Def Jam: Fight for NYDef Jam: Fight for NYDef Jam: Fight for NY is the sequel to Def Jam Vendetta, a hip hop-influenced 3D fighting game released for the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox and is followed by Def Jam: Icon...
(2004) as himself - Def Jam: IconDef Jam: IconDef Jam: Icon is a fighting game, and is the third in Electronic Arts's Def Jam-licensed hip hop video game series. The game was developed by EA Chicago, developers of Fight Night Round 3 and is the first Def Jam game not to be developed by AKI Corporation. Unlike the previous games in the series,...
(2007) as himself