Masta Killa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Masta Killa | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Elgin Turner |
| Born | August 18, 1969 |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York City, New York |
| Genre(s) | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Label(s) | Loud Records Nature Sounds |
| Associated acts | Wu-Tang Clan |
| Website | MastaKilla.net |
Elgin Turner (born August 18, 1969), better known as Masta Killa, is an American rapper and member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Though one of the lesser-known members of the group and largely absent from their debut album, 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.
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[edit] Biography
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, though his only verse on the album, the closing verse to "Da Mystery of Chessboxin", is considered by many fans to be one of its most memorable. 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.[1]
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 (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 second album, Made in Brooklyn, was released in 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 vegetarian.[2]
He is known for being the most quiet and mysterious member of the Wu-Tang Clan, and little is still known about him. He rarely speaks in Wu-Tang interviews, and 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," says Masta Killa.[3]
[edit] Moniker
Masta Killa gets his name from the 1978 Kung-Fu Classic "Shaolin Master Killer" , also known as the 36th Chamber of Shaolin, often hailed as one of the greatest Kung-Fu movies of all time.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Album Name | Release Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| No Said Date | June 1, 2004 | |
| Made in Brooklyn | August 8, 2006 |
[edit] Singles and EPs
- 2003 "No Said Date"
- 2004 "High School"
- 2004 "Old Man" b/w "Silverbacks"
- 2005 "D.T.D." b/w "Queen"
- 2006 "Ringing Bells"
- 2006 "It's What It Is" b/w "Brooklyn King"
[edit] 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 "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)
- 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)
- 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 "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 "Attic Sounds Productions" (from the J Dot album Future Legends)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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