- Masta Killa
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Masta Killa 
Masta Killa performing in San Francisco, California.Background information Birth name Elgin Turner Born August 18, 1969 [citation needed] Origin Brooklyn, New York City Genres Hip hop Occupations Rapper Years active 1990–present Labels Nature Sounds Associated acts Wu-Tang Clan, Julez Dirt Website www.myspace.com/mastakilla Jamel Arief (born Elgin Turner; August 18, 1969), better known as Masta Killa, is an American rapper and member of the Wu-Tang Clan.[1] Though one of the lesser-known members of the group (he was featured on only one track on their 1993 debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)), he has been prolific on Clan group albums and solo projects since the mid-1990s, and released his debut album No Said Date in 2004 to positive reviews.
Contents
Biography
“ I never performed until we launched Wu-Tang. That was my first time as an MC. I have history since elementary school doing talent shows. Breaking and shit like that. I was that kind of dude. I loved to pop. That was me. Always doing shit around music. As far as with a mic in my hand, Wu-Tang was the first time. There never was next level for me. It was Wu-Tang and that was it. I never tried to get on. Never looked for any of this, because it was never my vision. I'm kinda like hanging out with GZA, and just stumbled across some shit. Oh word? And I was like, maybe I can do this. When I was young going to clubs, I was just hanging out. I never went in there like I was trying to be an MC. I never tried to get a record deal, or pass out tapes. It's just been Wu-Tang and I'm here.[2] ” Born in Brooklyn, New York, 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 who was not a 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 the closing verse to "Da Mystery of Chessboxin". 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 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.[3]
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 (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 with the title No Said Date; critically acclaimed, it became independent label Nature Sounds' best-selling album, notable for featuring every core member of the Wu-Tang Clan on the album after a period in the group's history that lacked unity. His second album, Made in Brooklyn, was released on 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 a vegetarian.[4] In a 2004 "Rock the Bells" documentary the head orgainizer of the event - the man that had booked the Wu-Tang Clan to perform - mistakes Masta Killa for a nobody.
In September 2009, news surfaced of a planned Masta Killa album entitled Loyalty is Royalty and the first single "Things Just Ain't the Same" was released to the Internet. Recently in an interview with HipHopDX, Masta Killa mentioned he will be releasing a live album and hopefully release Loyalty Is Royalty in 2011 with production from 9th Wonder, P.F. Cuttin' and True Master.
Personal life
Masta Killa is known for being the most quiet and mysterious member of the Wu-Tang Clan, and little is still known about him. He 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.[5] ” In his personal downtime he listens to Gladys Knight, Patty LaBelle, Barry White, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Ohio Players. In an interview with nobodysmiling.com, he even said, "I listen to all kinds of things. Like... I listen to nothing, I might listen to the wind today.[6] ""
Along with a number of the members of the Wu-Tang Clan, Masta Killa is vegetarian.[7]
Moniker and aliases
Masta Killa gets his name from the 1978 kung fu movie Shaolin Master Killer, also known as the 36th Chamber of Shaolin. His stage name is also said to be derived from the term "Dutch Masta Killa" because of his above average blunt rolling ability.[citation needed] He is also known as Noodles, and is often referred to as Jamel Irief.[8]
Discography
Albums
Year Title Chart positions[9][10] RIAA
certifications[11]U.S. Hot 100 U.S. R&B U.S. Rap 2004 No Said Date - Released: June 1, 2004
- Label: Nature Sounds
136 31 2006 Made in Brooklyn - Released: August 8, 2006
- Label: Nature Sounds
176 42 23 2011 Loyalty is Royalty - Released: TBA
- Label: Nature Sounds
Live albums
Year Title 2010 Live[12] - Released: March 30, 2010
- Label: Gold Dust
Singles and EPs
- 2003 "No Said Date" b/w "Digi Warfare"
- 2004 "D.T.D." b/w "Queen"
- 2006 "Ringing Bells"
- 2006 "It's What It Is" b/w "Brooklyn King"
- 2006 "Iron God Chamber" b/w "Street Corner"
- 2010 "Things Just Ain't The Same"
Appearances
- 1995 "Snakes" (from the Ol' Dirty Bastard album Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version)
- 1995 "Glaciers of Ice" & "Wu-Gambinos" (from the Raekwon album 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 "Execute Them" (from the Wu-Tang Killa Bees: The Swarm compilation)
- 1997 "5 Stars" (from the Killarmy album Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars)
- 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 "Fast Shadow" (by Wu-Tang Clan) & "The Man" (from the Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (soundtrack))
- 2000 "Wu Banga 101" (from the Ghostface Killah album Supreme Clientele)
- 2001 "Mortal Kombat" (from the Afu-Ra album Body of the Life Force)
- 2001 "Eyes A Bleed (RZA Remix)" with Bounty Killer (from the Wu-Tang Clan compilation Wu-Chronicles, Chapter 2)
- 2001 "Glocko Pop" & "Brooklyn Babies" (from the RZA album Digital Bullet)
- 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 "Musketeers of Pig Alley" (from the Raekwon album The Lex Diamond Story)
- 2004 "Chains" (from the R.A. The Rugged Man album Die, Rugged Man, Die)
- 2004 "Black Mamba" (by Wu-Tang Clan) (from the Kill Bill Vol. 2)
- 2005 "Just The Thought" (from the Prefuse 73 album Surrounded By Silence)
- 2005 "USA" & "Break That" (from the Mathematics album The Problem)
- 2005 "Living Like Dat" (from the Afu-Ra album State Of The Arts)
- 2005 "Unstoppable Threats" (from the DJ Muggs vs. GZA album Grandmasters)
- 2006 "9 Milli Bros." (from the Ghostface Killah album Fishscale)
- 2006 "Sound Of The Slums." (from the Inspectah Deck album The Resident Patient)
- 2006 "Ringing Bells" (from the Nature Sounds compilation Natural Selection)
- 2007 "King Toast Queen" & "Wu Banga (Remix)" (from the Mathematics album Mathematics Presents Wu-Tang Clan & Friends Unreleased)
- 2007 "In The Name Of Allah" (from the Cilvaringz album I)
- 2007 "Killa Lipstick" (from the Ghostface Killah album The Big Doe Rehab)
- 2008 "The PJ's" (from the Pete Rock album NY's Finest)
- 2008 "Change The Game" (from The BossFather's album Future Legends)
- 2008 "Eat Ya Food" (from the Brooklyn Zu album Chamber #9, Verse 32)
- 2008 "Pencil" (from the GZA album Pro Tools)
- 2009 "Fire" (from the Cappadonna album Slang Prostitution)
- 2009 "We Will Rob You" (from the Raekwon album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II)
- 2009 "Kiss The Ring" (from the Raekwon album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II)
- 2011 "The Road" (from the Bronze Nazareth album School For The Blindman)
References
- ^ "Masta Killa on MSN Music". Music.msn.com. http://music.msn.com/music/artist/masta-killa/. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
- ^ "MVRemix Urban Interviews - Masta Killa | Online Rap Magazine | US and Canadian Underground Hip Hop and Soul - exclusive interviews, reviews, articles". Mvremix.com. http://www.mvremix.com/urban/interviews/masta_killa_06.shtml. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
- ^ RapReview Feature for October 3, 2006 - Masta Killa Interview
- ^ peta2 // Out There // Masta Killa Says, 'Go Veg for Life'
- ^ Masta Killa Biography at Wu-Tang Corp. - The Official Site of the Wu-Tang Clan
- ^ http://www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/interview/86569.php
- ^ Reskin, Lauren (2010-06-16). "Meatless in Miami: Vegetarians in Popular Song - Miami Restaurants and Dining - Short Order". Blogs.miaminewtimes.com. http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/shortorder/2010/06/meatless_in_miami_vegetarians.php. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
- ^ http://www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/interview/86565.php
- ^ Billboard chartings. Retrieved October 29, 2007.
- ^ UK Album chartings. Retrieved November 10, 2007.
- ^ Searchable Database. RIAA. Retrieved October 29, 2007.
- ^ Gold Dust Media Releases
External links
Live albums Related articles Categories:- African American rappers
- Members of the Nation of Gods and Earths
- People from Brooklyn
- American vegetarians
- 1969 births
- Living people
- Wu-Tang Clan members
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