Ghostface Killah
Ghostface Killah | |
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Member of | Wu-Tang Clan |
Dennis David Coles (born May 9, 1970),, Starks Enterprises.
Ghostface Killah is critically acclaimed
Early life
Ghostface grew up in the Stapleton Houses housing project in Staten Island, New York City,[18] helping with daily care of two younger brothers who had muscular dystrophy.[19] The 2019 series Wu-Tang: An American Saga depicts a feud between him and fellow Clan member Raekwon; however the feud was purely fictional and never took place in reality. Raekwon and Ghostface attended junior high school together.[20]
Career
Early work
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 and receiving nearly equal billing.[21] "It felt good to have my boy next to me, Ghostface, who basically comes from the same lifestyle as I come from. And we were able to sit down and concoct an idea that we both were able to respect and basically get everybody in the crew involved...", said Raekwon about Ghostface's involvement in the project. Raekwon intended Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... to play like a film, with himself as the "star," Ghostface Killah as the "guest star" and producer RZA as the "director."[22] 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; both songs were 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.[23][24] He readily and regularly took on the role of executive producer for many collective efforts as well along with RZA and Oli Power Grant.
In the year 2000, Ghostface released his second studio album,
Ghostface wasted little time in recording his next album, the heavily R&B-influenced Bulletproof Wallets, released a year after Supreme Clientele. Its main single, "Never Be the Same Again", featured Raekwon and Carl Thomas. It produced another minor club hit, "Flowers", which featured guest vocals from fellow Wu-Tang members Method Man and Raekwon, and a popular single, "Ghost Showers" which featured Madame Majestic, whose other key claim to fame is that she sings on the popular Wu-Tang track "Gravel Pit".[29]
Def Jam
In 2003, Ghostface signed with
In 2006, Ghostface teamed up with underground artist
In 2007, Ghostface provided the theme song for the Irish animated series Skunk Fu! that ran on Kids' WB. 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
In a May 2009 interview with Rolling Stone, Raekwon indicated that Ghostface Killah was preparing to release a new album. In response to a question asking if the Wu-Tang Clan were 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."[34] 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 which later received the title Wu-Massacre. Production began in November 2009. Wu-Massacre was released March 30, 2010 to generally positive reviews from music critics; this time, however, reviews were more mixed, with some critics objecting to the 30-minute-long album's rushed feel. 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".
In 2010, Ghostface confirmed that he would be releasing two new studio albums, 's debut single "Redemption Days".
Post Def Jam
Ghostface released a collaborative album with
In an interview with
He would later announce that the sequel to Supreme Clientele would be released between July and September 2013
A sequel to Twelve Reasons to Die, simply titled Twelve Reasons to Die II, was released on July 10, 2015.[48]
Ghostface had a string of UK and European tour dates[49] scheduled in 2016.
In 2022 he provided vocals on the song "Purple Hearts" from Kendrick Lamar's album
Lawsuits and criminal charges
In 1995, Coles was issued an arrest warrant for robbery. In December 1997, Coles was arrested for weapons possession after being pulled over for a traffic violation whereby police claimed that Coles got out of the car and became verbally abusive. He was wearing a bulletproof vest which gave them probable cause to search him and his car where they found a .357 Magnum handgun and he was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.[50] In February 1999, Coles was issued a 6-month sentence for attempted robbery,[51][52] and later pleaded guilty to an additional charge of weapons possession and was issued five years of probation with four months of prison time.[53]
In July 2011, Coles was sued by Jack Urbont for copyright violation stemming from the "improper use" of the 1960s "Iron Man" theme song, which Urbont claimed as his own. Urbont also took issue with Coles' appropriation of the Iron Man brand name.[54] Coles was granted summary judgment on the lawsuit in April 2015, which stated that Marvel Entertainment, owners of the Iron Man character and brand, owned the "Iron Man" theme song, not Urbont.[55]
In August 2011, Coles filed a lawsuit against Universal Music for unpaid royalties.[56]
Personal life
Like fellow Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, Coles is a convert to Islam. [57][58][59] Ghostface is the father of rappers Sun God,[60] Supreme,[61] and singer Infinite.[62]
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 Killer, Ghost Face Killah, or abbreviated GFK)
- Ghostface (shortened stage name during The Pretty Toney Album era)[63][64]
- Ghost Deini
- Ironman, Tony Starks, or just Starks
- Ghostface has frequently assumed the names of both Ironman and Tony Starks [sic], a reference to the Marvel Comics character Iron Man and his true identity, billionaire industrialist Tony Stark. He released a 1996 album titled Ironman. His song, "Slept On Tony With Dirt," appears in the 2008 film Iron Man, and he also appears in a deleted scene on the DVD.[65]
Discography
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Filmography
Movie appearances
- The Show (1995) as himself
- Belly (1998) cameo appearance
- Black and White (1999) as himself
- Hunter Dawson (2002) as himself
- Big Wigs (2002) as himself
- Fade to Black(2004) as himself
- Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007) as himself
- Iron Man (2008) as himself; also appearing in a music video aired on Tony Stark's private jet. (Cut in post-production, his cameo can be found in the DVD's deleted scenes section.)
- Big Pun: The Legacy (2008) as himself
- Up and Above (2008) as himself
- When in Rome (2010) as Guggenheim DJ
- Purple Tape Documentary (2016) as himself
- You're Watching Video Music Box (2021) as himself
TV series appearances
- The World According To Pretty Toney (2005 - 2007) as himself
- 30 Rock (2006) as himself (episodes "Jack-Tor" and "The Source Awards")
- Human Giant (2007) as himself (episodes "Mind Explosion" and "Mosh Pit!")
- Stinkmeaner Strikes Back")
- Rushing Jason (2008) as Big Poppa
- Mob Wives (VH1 Series) (2011) as himself
- Couples Therapy (2014) as himself
- All Souled Out")
Video game appearances
- Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style (1999) as himself
- Def Jam Vendetta (2003) as himself
- Def Jam: Fight for NY (2004) as himself
- Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover (2006) as himself
- WWE Smackdown VS. Raw 2007 (2006) Coles had his song “The Champ” on the soundtrack[68]
- Def Jam: Icon (2007) as himself
- Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009), created the theme music
References
- ^ "Ghostface Killah Biography". Hip Hop Scriptures.
- Pitchfork Media.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (November 20, 2007). "Ghostface Killah's Iron Man Obsession Lands Him A Cameo In Upcoming Comic Book Flick". MTV.
- ^ Lars Brandle (January 9, 2014). "Rapper Shyheim Franklin Arrested After New Year's Day Hit-And-Run Death". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
- ^ "ACE Repertory". ascap.com.
- ^ Overview: Ghostface Killah. AllMusic. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
- ISBN 978-1594480188.
- ISBN 978-0313343216.
- ^ Brown, Marisa (2007). "The Big Doe Rehab: Review". Allmusic. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
- ^ O'Donnell, Mallory (December 14, 2006). "More Fish". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
- ^ a b Frere-Jones, Sasha (March 20, 2006). "Ghost's World". The New Yorker. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
- EW.com. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
- ^ "The Greatest MCs Of All Time". MTV.com. March 9, 2006. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
- ^ "Top 50 MCs of Our Time: 1987 - 2007 - 50 Greatest Emcees of Our Time". Rap.about.com. January 26, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ "Ghostface Killah - Fishscale CD Album". Cduniverse.com. March 28, 2006. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ "Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge: Twelve Reasons to Die | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. April 18, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
- ^ "The Ghostface Killah Rises Again : The Record". NPR. April 22, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
- ^ "Which NYC Housing Projects Have Produced the Most Famous People?". Complex. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ Tardio, Andres (April 30, 2005). "Ghostface Killah Says "Illmatic" Made Him "Step His Pen Game Up"". Encyclopedia of Things. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "Raekwon Talks 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx' History, Wu-Tang Truths + More". YouTube. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021.
- ^ "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx: Raekwon: Music". Amazon. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ "Raekwon Announces 'Only Built For Cuban Linx 3' Album As Original Turns 25". August 1, 2020.
- ^ Artist Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine (May 9, 1970). "Ghostface Killah | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ [1] Archived July 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Ghostface Killah - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs : Dec 11, 1999 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. December 11, 1999. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ "Rap Songs : Mar 03, 2001 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. March 3, 2001. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ Bonanno, Jonathan. Return of the Dragan. The Source. March 2000. P:208. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
- ^ John Bush (November 13, 2001). "Bulletproof Wallets - Ghostface Killah | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ [2] Archived June 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Ghostface Killah Billboard chart history
- ^ "Angela Yee Speaks To Ghostface & Raekwon". Nah Right. August 5, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
- ^ "ghostface killah speaks on rb album.mp3". zSHARE. August 6, 2009. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
- ^ [3] Archived September 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Hughes, Josiah (October 12, 2010). "Ghostface Killah Announces The Apollo Kids for December 14, Lines Up Two More New Albums • News •". Exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ "Exclusive Hip Hop News, Audio, Lyrics, Videos, Honeys, Wear, Sneakers, Download Mixtapes". Hiphopgame.ihiphop.com. January 3, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 12/2/2012". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
- ^ Paine, Jake (December 12, 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. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
- ^ "Ghostface Killah and Sheek Louch Reveal 'Wu Block 2' Is Happening". January 29, 2017.
- ^ a b Horowitz, Steven J. (April 8, 2013). "Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge "Twelve Reasons To Die" Tracklist & Album Stream | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
- ^ "Twitter / AdrianYounge: @jessicalorenzo april 16". Twitter.com. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
- ^ "48. Ghostface Killah, Supreme Clientele Presents... Blue & Cream: The Wally Era — The 50 Most Anticipated Albums of 2013". Complex. January 2, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
- ^ "Interview: Ghostface Killah & Sheek Louch Talk "Wu-Block," Tour Stories, and Chris Lighty". Complex.com. November 17, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
- ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (February 19, 2013). "Ghostface Killah Confirms "Supreme Clientele 2" & MF DOOM LPs For 2013, Talks Wu-Tang Clan Reunion Album | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
- ^ Harling, Danielle (February 14, 2013). "Ghostface Killah Offers An Update On His Project With MF DOOM, Tells Fans To "Prepare" Themselves | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on April 24, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
- ^ "VH1 Heads Back to the Therapist Couch with a Fourth Season of "VH1 Couples Therapy"". The Futon Critic (Press release). November 12, 2013.
- ^ "Ghostface Killah". Pitchfork. November 11, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ^ "Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge - Twelve Reasons To Die II - album stream, producer, tracklisting". Undergroundhiphop.com. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
- ^ "Chatterbate - Free Live Sex Cams with Chaterbate Models". Archived from the original on April 22, 2016.
- ^ "Wu-Tang's Ghostface Killah Arrested On Weapons Charge". MTV. December 11, 1997. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
- ^ "Jailed Ghostface Killah To Answer Weapons Charge". MTV. February 9, 1999. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
- ^ "Ghostface Faces Charges". Rolling Stone. February 10, 1999. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
- ^ "Wu-Tang's Ghostface Killah Pleads Guilty To Attempted Robbery". MTV. January 6, 1998. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
- ^ Perpetua, Matthew (July 8, 2011). "Ghostface Killah Sued by Iron Man Composer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ^ HipHopDX (April 22, 2015). "Ghostface Killah & Sony Music Win Lawsuit Over "Iron Man Theme" Song". HipHopDX.
- ^ Gardner, Eriq (August 11, 2011). "Ghostface Sues Universal". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ^ "Ghostface Killah discusses his conversion to Islam & more in exclusive Montreality interview". mideastdynasty.com.
- ^ Sean Michaels (April 17, 2013). "Ghostface Killah plans to record 'positive album' about Allah". the Guardian.
- ^ Amanda Seales. "Ghostface Killah Interview". AllHipHop.com through WuTangCorp.com.
- ^ "Ghostface Killah's ruckus with Action Bronson is a classic Wu-Tang moment - Music - The Guardian". The Guardian. July 22, 2015.
- ^ "Ghostface Killah's Sons (Sun God And Supreme) Spit A Freestyle! (Shots At Meek Mill) - YouTube". YouTube and ForbesDVDPromo. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021.
- ^ "Infinite Coles on self-acceptance and growing up in the shadow of the Wu-Tang Clan - Crack Magazine". Crack Magazine.
- ^ Allmusic review of The Pretty Toney Album: "The Pretty Toney Album [is] the rapper's first under the just-Ghostface moniker"
- ^ [4] Archived May 22, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Introduction of Tony Starks in the song "Wu-Gambinos": the fifth verse is performed by Ghostface Killer, a.k.a. Tony Starks
- ^ Lyrics from "Ice Cream": "They call me Starky Love"
- ^ "Ghostface Killah". TV.com. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
- ^ "WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 Soundtrack | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 Guides". The SmackDown Hotel. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
External links
- Ghostface Killah at IMDb