Ghostface Killah (b. 1970)

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Biography

Dennis David Coles, better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and a member of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang , the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success. Ghostface Killah debuted his solo career with Ironman, which was well received by music critics, in 1996. He has enjoyed continued success in the years that have followed, releasing 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 The Mystery of Chess Boxing. He is the founder of his own record label, Starks Enterprises.

Timeline

The story of Ghostface Killah, told in moments.

1970 Birth

Born Dennis Coles in Staten Island. Grew up in the Stapleton Houses project. Tight with Raekwon from the block. They rapped together before Wu-Tang existed.

What was Stapleton like growing up? Was Raekwon always your closest ally?

1993 Event

Wu-Tang Clan released Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Nine MCs from the same projects. Ghostface stood out for raw, stream-of-consciousness verses that jumped between street storytelling and surreal imagery.

What made your verse style different from the other eight? Did stream-of-consciousness come naturally?

1996 Event

Ironman, his solo debut. He rapped in a bathrobe on the cover. The album was dense with Blaxploitation samples and guest verses from every Wu-Tang member.

Why a bathrobe on the album cover? What were the Blaxploitation samples bringing to Ironman?

2000 Event

Supreme Clientele released. Critics called it the best Wu-Tang solo album. He'd been living in his grandmother's apartment while recording it.

Is Supreme Clientele really the best Wu-Tang solo album? What was your grandmother's apartment like during recording?

2006 Event

Fishscale continued the streak. By then he'd built a persona around Tony Montana references and gold eagle bracelets. The braggadocio was performance. The craft was real.

How much of the Tony Montana persona is performance? Where does Ghostface end and Dennis begin?

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