Jump to content

Ghostface Killah: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Reverting possible vandalism by 114.164.124.85 to version by 207.237.243.98. False positive? Report it. Thanks, ClueBot NG. (1689220) (Bot)
Undid revision 564924017 by ClueBot NG (talk) False positive
Tag: nowiki added
Line 20: Line 20:


==Career==
==Career==
A roommate of Wu-Tang founder [[RZA]], Ghostface helped bring together the other seven members. 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 (film)|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 (Ghostface Killah album)|Ironman]]'', in 1996. The album, which debuted at #2 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], had a more pronounced [[soul music|soul]] influence (particularly 1970s soul) than previous Wu-Tang releases, and Ghostface's future albums would continue to feature this stylistic trait.

In 2000 he would release his second studio album ''[[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 (Ghostface Killah single)|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 (Ghostface Killah song)|Never Be the Same Again]]", featured [[Carl Thomas (singer)|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]]".


===Def Jam===
===Def Jam===
In 2003, Ghostface signed with [[Def Jam Records]]. After temporarily dropping "Killah" from his stage name, Ghostface released ''[[The Pretty Toney Album]]'' 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 (Ghostface Killah song)|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.<ref>[http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/38230-staff-list-top-50-albums-of-2004/page_5 "MMTV 2004: The 50 Best Albums"], [[Pitchfork Media]]. Retrieved April 30, 2006.</ref> Ghostface also appeared on the track "On My Knees" by [[United Kingdom|UK]] R&B group [[The 411]], which became a hit in the UK and [[Australia]], and released an album titled ''[[718 (album)|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 2003, Ghostface signed with [[Def Jam Records]]. After temporarily dropping "Killah" from his stage name, Ghostface released ''[[The Pretty Toney Album]]'' in April 2004. The album, while containing two [[RZA]] productions, featured none of the [[Wu-Tang Clan]]; instead, it featured collaborations with [[Missy Elliott]], [[D-Block]] and [[Jacki-O]]. The singles "[[Tush (Ghostface Killah song)|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.<ref>[http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/38230-staff-list-top-50-albums-of-2004/page_5 "MMTV 2004: The 50 Best Albums"], [[Pitchfork Media]]. Retrieved April 30, 2006.</ref>
[[File:Ghostface Killah - Virgin Festival.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Ghostface at the [[Virgin Festival]] in 2007.]]
[[File:Ghostface Killah - Virgin Festival.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Ghostface at the [[Virgin Festival]] in 2007.]]
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,<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=ghostface killah|chart=all}} Ghostface Killah Billboard chart history]</ref> 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. On December 4, 2007, Ghostface released his seventh solo studio album, ''[[The Big Doe Rehab]]''.
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.<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=ghostface killah|chart=all}} Ghostface Killah Billboard chart history]</ref>


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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nahright.com/news/2008/08/05/angela-yee-speaks-to-ghostface-raekwon/#more-6652 |title=Angela Yee Speaks To Ghostface & Raekwon |publisher=Nah Right |date=August 5, 2008 |accessdate=August 19, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zshare.net/audio/16564278512b2daf/ |title=ghostface killah speaks on rb album.mp3 |publisher=zSHARE |date=August 6, 2009 |accessdate=August 19, 2010}}</ref> 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 (American singer)|Chris Brown]] controversy.
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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nahright.com/news/2008/08/05/angela-yee-speaks-to-ghostface-raekwon/#more-6652 |title=Angela Yee Speaks To Ghostface & Raekwon |publisher=Nah Right |date=August 5, 2008 |accessdate=August 19, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zshare.net/audio/16564278512b2daf/ |title=ghostface killah speaks on rb album.mp3 |publisher=zSHARE |date=August 6, 2009 |accessdate=August 19, 2010}}</ref>


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.''"<ref>[http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/05/14/raekwon-talks-cuban-linx-ii-return-of-the-wu-tang-clan/ ]{{dead link|date=August 2010}}</ref> Ghostface appeared on a total of 8 songs on Raekwon's highly anticipated release of ''[[Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II]]''.
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 <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Method Man]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> 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."<ref>[http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/05/14/raekwon-talks-cuban-linx-ii-return-of-the-wu-tang-clan/ ]{{dead link|date=August 2010}}</ref>


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 2 studio albums with the first one out near December called ''[[Apollo Kids (Ghostface Killah album)|Apollo Kids]]'' & releasing a sequel to his 2000 album [[Supreme Clientele]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hughes |first=Josiah |url=http://exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=148&csid2=844&fid1=50300 |title=Ghostface Killah Announces The Apollo Kids for December 14, Lines Up Two More New Albums • News • |publisher=Exclaim.ca |date=October 12, 2010 |accessdate=March 30, 2012}}</ref> In 2011, Ghostface Killah featured on UK artist [[Josh Osho]]'s debut single 'Redemption Days'.
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 (producer)|Mathematics]], and the RZA who produced the album's lead single, "Our Dreams". Recently he confirmed that he will be releasing 2 studio albums with the first one out near December called ''[[Apollo Kids (Ghostface Killah album)|Apollo Kids]]'' & releasing a sequel to his 2000 album ''[[Supreme Clientele]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hughes |first=Josiah |url=http://exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=148&csid2=844&fid1=50300 |title=Ghostface Killah Announces The Apollo Kids for December 14, Lines Up Two More New Albums • News • |publisher=Exclaim.ca |date=October 12, 2010 |accessdate=March 30, 2012}}</ref>


===Post Def Jam===
===Post Def Jam===
Ghostface released a collaborative album with [[D-Block]] member [[Sheek Louch]] called ''[[Wu Block]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hiphopgame.ihiphop.com/index2.php3?page=sheek%20louch |title=Exclusive Hip Hop News, Audio, Lyrics, Videos, Honeys, Wear, Sneakers, Download Mixtapes |publisher=Hiphopgame.ihiphop.com |date=January 3, 2011 |accessdate=March 30, 2012}}</ref> The album was released on November 27, 2012, on [[E1 Music]] and debuted at number 73 on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 8,600 copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22105/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-12-2-2012 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 12/2/2012 |publisher=''HipHopDX'' |accessdate=December 5, 2012}}</ref> It fell to #152 in its second week selling 4,200 more copies.<ref>[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22184/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-12-9-2012 Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 12/9/2012 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales | HipHop DX<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Ghostface released a collaborative album with [[D-Block]] member [[Sheek Louch]] called ''[[Wu Block]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hiphopgame.ihiphop.com/index2.php3?page=sheek%20louch |title=Exclusive Hip Hop News, Audio, Lyrics, Videos, Honeys, Wear, Sneakers, Download Mixtapes |publisher=Hiphopgame.ihiphop.com |date=January 3, 2011 |accessdate=March 30, 2012}}</ref> The album was released on November 27, 2012, on [[E1 Music]] and debuted at number 73 on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 8,600 copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22105/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-12-2-2012 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 12/2/2012 |publisher=''HipHopDX'' |accessdate=December 5, 2012}}</ref> It fell to #152 in its second week selling 4,200 more copies.<ref>[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22184/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-12-9-2012 Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 12/9/2012 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales | HipHop DX<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


Recently in an interview with [[Complex (magazine)|Complex Magazine]] on November 17, 2012, Ghostface Killah confirmed that he has left Def Jam, making ''[[Apollo Kids (album)|Apollo Kids]]'' his last album on the label. In the same interview he also stated that ''Blue & Cream'', the sequel album to his critical acclaimed [[Supreme Clientele]], is 80-85 % done. The album will be released in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/11/interview-ghostface-killah-sheek-louch-wu-block-tour-stories-chris-lighty/page/4 |title=Interview: Ghostface Killah & Sheek Louch Talk "Wu-Block," Tour Stories, and Chris Lighty |publisher=Complex.com |date=November 17, 2012 |accessdate=November 17, 2012}}</ref> On February 14, 2012 Ghostface announced he would release a collaboration album with [[MF Doom]] with tracks being currently put together.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harling |first=Danielle |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22924/title.ghostface-killah-offers-an-update-on-his-project-with-mf-doom-tells-fans-to-prepare-themselves |title=Ghostface Killah Offers An Update On His Project With MF DOOM, Tells Fans To "Prepare" Themselves &#124; Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=February 14, 2013 |accessdate=April 17, 2013}}</ref> On April 16, 2013 Ghostface released his tenth album ''[[Twelve Reasons to Die]]'' which was produced by [[Adrian Younge]] and executive produced by RZA.<ref name="hiphopdx.com">{{cite web|last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22927/title.ghostface-killah-adrian-younge-announce-twelve-reasons-to-die-lp-executive-produced-by-rza/ |title=Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge "Twelve Reasons To Die" Tracklist & Album Stream &#124; Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=April 8, 2013 |accessdate=April 17, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AdrianYounge/status/298592970670735361 |title=Twitter / AdrianYounge: @jessicalorenzo april 16 |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=2013-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/01/the-50-most-anticipated-albums-of-2013/ghostface-killah |title=48. Ghostface Killah, Supreme Clientele Presents... Blue & Cream: The Wally Era — The 50 Most Anticipated Albums of 2013 |publisher=Complex |date=January 2, 2013 |accessdate=April 17, 2013}}</ref> The album was released in various formats such as [[CD]], [[vinyl]] and [[Compact Cassette|cassette]]. The deluxe digital and CD versions also come with a comic book.<ref name="hiphopdx.com"/>
Recently in an interview with [[Complex (magazine)|Complex Magazine]] on November 17, 2012, Ghostface Killah confirmed that he has left Def Jam, making ''[[Apollo Kids (album)|Apollo Kids]]'' his last album on the label. In the same interview he also stated that ''Blue & Cream'', the sequel album to his critical acclaimed ''[[Supreme Clientele]]'', is 80-85 % done. The album will be released in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/11/interview-ghostface-killah-sheek-louch-wu-block-tour-stories-chris-lighty/page/4 |title=Interview: Ghostface Killah & Sheek Louch Talk "Wu-Block," Tour Stories, and Chris Lighty |publisher=Complex.com |date=November 17, 2012 |accessdate=November 17, 2012}}</ref> On February 14, 2012 Ghostface announced he would release a collaboration album with [[MF Doom]] with tracks being currently put together.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harling |first=Danielle |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22924/title.ghostface-killah-offers-an-update-on-his-project-with-mf-doom-tells-fans-to-prepare-themselves |title=Ghostface Killah Offers An Update On His Project With MF DOOM, Tells Fans To "Prepare" Themselves &#124; Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=February 14, 2013 |accessdate=April 17, 2013}}</ref> On April 16, 2013 Ghostface released his tenth album ''[[Twelve Reasons to Die]]'' which was produced by [[Adrian Younge]] and executive produced by RZA.<ref name="hiphopdx.com">{{cite web|last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22927/title.ghostface-killah-adrian-younge-announce-twelve-reasons-to-die-lp-executive-produced-by-rza/ |title=Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge "Twelve Reasons To Die" Tracklist & Album Stream &#124; Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=April 8, 2013 |accessdate=April 17, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AdrianYounge/status/298592970670735361 |title=Twitter / AdrianYounge: @jessicalorenzo april 16 |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=2013-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/01/the-50-most-anticipated-albums-of-2013/ghostface-killah |title=48. Ghostface Killah, Supreme Clientele Presents... Blue & Cream: The Wally Era — The 50 Most Anticipated Albums of 2013 |publisher=Complex |date=January 2, 2013 |accessdate=April 17, 2013}}</ref> The album was released in various formats such as [[CD]], [[vinyl]] and [[Compact Cassette|cassette]]. The deluxe digital and CD versions also come with a comic book.<ref name="hiphopdx.com"/>


He would shortly later announce that the Supreme Clientele sequel will be released somewhere between July and September 2013. He would also say that his collaboration with MF DOOM will be released around [[Halloween]] 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22976/title.ghostface-killah-confirms-supreme-clientele-2-mf-doom-lps-for-2013-talks-wu-tang-clan-reunion-album |title=Ghostface Killah Confirms "Supreme Clientele 2" & MF DOOM LPs For 2013, Talks Wu-Tang Clan Reunion Album &#124; Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=February 19, 2013 |accessdate=April 17, 2013}}</ref>
He would shortly later announce that the ''Supreme Clientele'' sequel will be released somewhere between July and September 2013. He would also say that his collaboration with MF Doom will be released around [[Halloween]] 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22976/title.ghostface-killah-confirms-supreme-clientele-2-mf-doom-lps-for-2013-talks-wu-tang-clan-reunion-album |title=Ghostface Killah Confirms "Supreme Clientele 2" & MF DOOM LPs For 2013, Talks Wu-Tang Clan Reunion Album &#124; Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=February 19, 2013 |accessdate=April 17, 2013}}</ref>


==Controversy==
==Controversy==
Line 111: Line 106:
* ''[[The Boondocks (TV series)|The Boondocks]]'' (2007) as himself (episode "[[Stinkmeaner Strikes Back]]")
* ''[[The Boondocks (TV series)|The Boondocks]]'' (2007) as himself (episode "[[Stinkmeaner Strikes Back]]")
* ''Rushing Jason'' (2008) as Big Poppa
* ''Rushing Jason'' (2008) as Big Poppa
* ''Mob Wives (VH1 Series)'' (2011) as Himself
* ''Mob Wives (VH1 Series)'' (2011) as himself


===Video game appearances===
===Video game appearances===

Revision as of 13:49, 19 July 2013

This article is about the rapper. For the Scream killer, see Ghostface (Scream).
Ghostface Killah
Background information
Also known asGhostface,[1] Tony Starks[2]
Born (1970-05-09) May 9, 1970 (age 54)
OriginStaten Island, New York City, New York, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Years active1992–present
LabelsStarks Enterprises, Soul Temple Records (present)
Razor Sharp, Epic, Def Jam (former)
Websitewww.GhostfaceKillah.com

Dennis Coles (born May 9, 1970),[3] better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan.[4] 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.[5] He is the founder of his own label Starks Enterprises.

Ghostface Killah is critically acclaimed[6][7] for his loud, fast-paced flow,[5] and his emotional stream-of-consciousness narratives containing cryptic slang and non-sequiturs.[5][8] In 2006, MTV included him on their honorable mention list of The Greatest MCs of All Time,[9] while the editors of About.com placed him on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007), calling him "one of the most imaginative storytellers of our time."[10] Q magazine called him "rap's finest storyteller."[11] Pitchfork Media stated that, "Ghostface has unparalleled storytelling instincts; he might be the best, most colorful storyteller rap has ever seen."[12] NPR called him "a compulsive storyteller," and that "His fiction is painterly."[13]

Career

Def Jam

In 2003, Ghostface signed with Def Jam Records. After temporarily dropping "Killah" from his stage name, Ghostface released The Pretty Toney Album in April 2004. The album, while containing two RZA productions, featured none of the Wu-Tang 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.[14]

Ghostface at the Virgin Festival in 2007.

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.[15]

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.[16][17]

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."[18]

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 2 studio albums with the first one out near December called Apollo Kids & releasing a sequel to his 2000 album Supreme Clientele.[19]

Post Def Jam

Ghostface released a collaborative album with D-Block member Sheek Louch called Wu Block.[20] The album was released on November 27, 2012, on E1 Music and debuted at number 73 on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 8,600 copies in the United States.[21] It fell to #152 in its second week selling 4,200 more copies.[22]

Recently in an interview with Complex Magazine on November 17, 2012, Ghostface Killah confirmed that he has left Def Jam, making Apollo Kids his last album on the label. In the same interview he also stated that Blue & Cream, the sequel album to his critical acclaimed Supreme Clientele, is 80-85 % done. The album will be released in 2013.[23] On February 14, 2012 Ghostface announced he would release a collaboration album with MF Doom with tracks being currently put together.[24] On April 16, 2013 Ghostface released his tenth album Twelve Reasons to Die which was produced by Adrian Younge and executive produced by RZA.[25][26][27] The album was released in various formats such as CD, vinyl and cassette. The deluxe digital and CD versions also come with a comic book.[25]

He would shortly later announce that the Supreme Clientele sequel will be released somewhere between July and September 2013. He would also say that his collaboration with MF Doom will be released around Halloween 2013.[28]

Controversy

In July 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 taken issue with Coles' appropriation of the Iron Man brand name.[29]

In August 2011, Coles filed a lawsuit against Universal Music for unpaid royalties.[30]

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 Album era.[31][32]
  • Ghost Deini[33] alternately Ghostdini
  • Ironman, Tony Starks, or just Starks
Ghostface has frequently assumed the names of both Ironman and Tony Starks, a reference to the Marvel Comics character Iron Man and his true identity, billionaire industrialist Tony Stark (note the variant spellings). He released a 1996 album titled Ironman. His song, "Slept On Tony With Dirt," appears in the 2008 film, and he even appears in a deleted scene on the DVD.[34]
  • Starky Love[35]
  • Pretty Toney, P Tone[36]
The name "Pretty Toney" was taken from a character from the 1973 blaxploitation film "The Mack".
  • The Wally Champ, The Wallabee Kingpin[37]

Discography

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ghostface_Killah&oldid=564924189"