Masta Killa
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Masta Killa (b. Elgin Turner, born August 18, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African American rapper. He is a member of the Wu-Tang Clan.
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Biography
Masta Killa only appeared on one track on the Wu-Tang Clan's first album, due to being incarcerated at the time, though his only verse on the album, the closing verse to "Da Mystery Of Chessboxin", is considered one of its most memorable. Unlike the other 8 members, Masta Killa was not an aspiring rapper at the time; however, he was mentored by the group's oldest member GZA and soon became a regular on the group's recordings. During the first round of solo projects, he made several appearances on tracks now considered 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 laidback, in contrast to the more manic, forceful styles of members like Inspectah Deck or Ghostface Killah. GZA's influence has always been very apparent in this laidback yet menacing style, and the two are probably the only two Wu-Tang members who could be confused with one another. Masta Killa is also the Clansman fondest of Chinese martial arts imagery. In 1997 (1997 in music), 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 M.C. name is derived from the 1983 kung fu film Shaolin Master Killer.
Aliases
- Jamel Irief (pron. Juh-mel I-reef)
- High Chief
- Noodles
Discography
Albums
- 2004 No Said Date
Singles & EPs
- 2003 "No Said Date"
- 2004 "Old Man"
Appears on
- 1993 Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
- 1995 "Snakes" (from the Ol' Dirty Bastard album Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version)
- 1995 "Wu-Gambinos" & "Glaciers Of Ice" (from the Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx)
- 1995 "Duel Of The Iron Mic" (from the GZA album Liquid Swords)
- 1995 "Assassination Day" & "Winter Warz" (from the Ghostface Killah album Ironman)
- 1997 Wu-Tang Forever (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
- 1997 "Illusions" (from the Sunz Of Man album The Last Shall Be First)
- 1998 "Spazzola" (from the Method Man album Tical 2000: Judgement Day)
- 1998 "Element Of Surprise" (from the La the Darkman album Heist Of The Century)
- 1998 "Resurrection" (from the Public Enemy soundtrack to He Got Game)
- 1999 "Mantis" (from the RZA album Bobby Digital In Stereo)
- 1999 "Friction" (from the Inspectah Deck album Uncontrolled Substance)
- 1999 "The Table" (from the Raekwon album Immobilarity)
- 1999 "High Price Small Reward" & "1112" (from the GZA album Beneath The Surface)
- 1999 "The Man" (from the Ghost Dog: Way Of The Samurai soundtrack)
- 2001 "Mortal Kombat" (from the Afu-Ra album Body Of The Life Force)
- 2000 The W (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
- 2001 "Brooklyn Babies" (from the RZA album Digital Bullet)
- 2001 Iron Flag (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
- 2002 "Fam (Members Only)" (from the GZA album Legend Of The Liquid Sword)
- 2003 "Grits", "The Whistle" & "Koto Chotan" (from the RZA album Birth Of A Prince)
- 2003 "Always NY" (from the Mathematics album Love, Hell & Right)
- 2003 "Muskateers Of Pigs" (from the Raekwon album The Lex Diamonds Story)
- 2004 Disciples of the 36 Chambers: Chapter 1 (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
- 2005 "Just The Thought" (from the Prefuse 73 album Surrounded By Silence)
- 2005 "USA" & "Break That" (from the Mathematics album The Problem)
External links
- Official Site (http://www.mastakilla.net)