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Masta Killa

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Masta Killa (born Elgin Turner, born August 18, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York) 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.

Contents

Biography

Masta Killa was the last member to join the Wu-Tang Clan (excluding semi-member Cappadonna); consequently he did not appear on the group's debut single "Protect Ya Neck" and was the only member not included in the group roll call at the start of that single's B-side, "M.E.T.H.O.D. Man". He was also the only member not to be already an experienced rapper at the time of the group's formation; he was extensively mentored by the GZA during his early days with the group. 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 favour of Killah Priest.

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 laidback, in contrast to the more manic, forceful styles of members like Inspectah Deck or 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, to be titled Made In Brooklyn, is scheduled to be released in August 8 2006, and has been rumored to include production from Pete Rock and DJ Premier as well as the RZA. "Ringing Bells", the Bronze Nazareth-produced lead single from the album, will be 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. [link]

Kung Fu Movie Reference

Masta Killa takes his name from the 1978 film by Lau Kar-leung called Master Killer also known as The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. The main character in the movie is played by Gordon Liu who can be seen in many other films including a double role in Kill Bill.

Samples

Aliases

Discography

Albums

Album Name Release Date Status
No Said Date June 6, 2004
Made In Brooklyn August 8, 2006

Singles and EPs

Appears on

External links

Wu-Tang Clan ([http://encycl.opentopia.com/ edit])
9 core members
Ghostface Killah - GZA - Inspectah Deck - Masta Killa - Method Man - Ol' Dirty Bastard - Raekwon - RZA - U-God
Albums
Affiliated artists and groups
Cappadonna - Gravediggaz - Killah Priest - Killarmy - Mathematics - others

 

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