Masta Killa

Biography

Jamel Irief (born Elgin Evander Turner; August 18, 1969), better known by his stage name Masta Killa, is an American rapper and member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He was only featured on one track on their 1993 debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), but has been prolific on Clan group albums and solo projects since the mid-1990s. He released his debut album No Said Date×No Said Date1 June 2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Born Chamber (intro)1:172Grab the Microphone2:593No Said Date2:444Last Drink4:035Love Spell4:146The Future (skit)1:287D.T.D4:138Whatever2:549Secret Rivals3:2910Skit0:2511Digi Warfare4:0712Old Man2:4613Queen3:4114School3:1215Silverbacks3:2716Masta Killa2:52 in 2004 to positive reviews, and has since released four additional albums.

Career

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.

Born in Brooklyn, New York City, 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 Killa only appeared on one track on the Wu-Tang Clan's first album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), 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. 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. During the time period that Enter the Wu-Tang was being written, Masta Killa was still developing his skills as a rapper. Since the other members of Wu-Tang were far more experienced, his verse from "Da Mystery of Chessboxin", was the only thing Masta Killa had written, that was fine tuned to the point that it fit with the verses from the rest of the members.
During the first round of solo projects, he made several appearances on Wu-Tang tracks, 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 Wu-Tang's member fondest of Chinese martial arts imagery. In 1997, 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, and was the first Wu-Tang solo album since GZA's Liquid Swords to feature guest appearances from all 9 original Clan members. His second album, Made in Brooklyn×Made in Brooklyn8 August 2006 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Then and Now3:332E.N.Y. House2:373Brooklyn King2:404It's What It Is3:245Nehandra & Cream4:126Iron God Chamber3:507Pass the Bone (remix)4:048Older Gods, Part 25:249Let's Get Into Something4:0010Street Corner4:1311Ringing Bells3:1412East M.C.'s5:0013Lovely Lady5:12, 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.
In December 2012 he released his third album titled Selling My Soul×Selling My Soul11 December 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Skit0:502Intro1:423Soul & Substance2:474R U Listening2:585Things Just Ain't the Same3:206Part 21:257Cali Sun2:328What U See2:189Food3:2310Skit0:5911All Natural2:3912Wise Words3:3513Divine Glory2:3414Skit0:2715Dirty Soul4:5716Wisdom2:54, an LP with heavy soul grooves and guests including Kurupt and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. The album was intended as a precursor to his long-awaited album Loyalty is Royalty×Loyalty Is Royalty29 September 2017 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Intro0:512Return of Thee Masta Kill3:213Loyalty Is Royalty (R.I.F. - Rapping Is Fundamental)2:374Therapy3:055OGs Told Me3:306Wise Words by the RZA1:387Trouble2:388Skit0:559Down With Me3:4610Tiger and the Mantice2:4111Real People2:5212Flex With Me3:2513Calculated4:4214Noodles, Pt. 13:2815Noodles, Pt. 22:1116Outro1:47, first announced in 2010 and eventually released in 2017.

Personal life

On the Wu-Tang Corp. website, Masta Killa stated, "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." He is a fan of Princess Diana, Patti LaBelle, Barry White, Parliament-Funkadelic and Ohio Players.
He is a vegan.
He is a cousin of the late Marvin Gaye.

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. He is often referred to as Jamel Irief.

Studio albums

No Said Date (2004)
Made in Brooklyn (2006)
Selling My Soul (2012)
Loyalty is Royalty (2017)
Balance (2025)

Collaborative albums

The Godbody LP (with Rakim and Kurupt) (2026)