Ghostface Killah On Living
November 19, 2011 9:22 PM Subscribe
In the tradition of Marcus Aurelius and Montaigne, Ghostface Killah (a.k.a. Pretty Toney) has set down his thoughts on living. (audio nsfw) (previously)
If you took the words "mother fucking" and "nigger" out of this, it would be half as long.
posted by tomswift at 9:36 PM on November 19, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by tomswift at 9:36 PM on November 19, 2011 [2 favorites]
If you took the words "mother fucking" and "nigger" out of this, it would be half as long.
And a tenth as fun.
posted by Rory Marinich at 9:48 PM on November 19, 2011 [3 favorites]
And a tenth as fun.
posted by Rory Marinich at 9:48 PM on November 19, 2011 [3 favorites]
I used to be a mopey old sad sack. I didn't know how to invent shit. But then I listened to Ghostface I got up with some new ideas and invented a new toilet bowl. Thanks, Ghostface!
posted by mcmile at 9:50 PM on November 19, 2011
posted by mcmile at 9:50 PM on November 19, 2011
"And a tenth as fun."
I want to see the work on that math...
posted by tomswift at 9:51 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
I want to see the work on that math...
posted by tomswift at 9:51 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
This contains shockingly good medical and hygienic advice.
posted by Blasdelb at 9:52 PM on November 19, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Blasdelb at 9:52 PM on November 19, 2011 [2 favorites]
Never understood if he has a face resembling that of a ghost, a face crafted of ghosts, or he is a normal man that hunts and kills ghostfaces. I will probably never know.
A lot of that adivce is from his Twitter feed, the man is a font of wisdom. Gotta be my third favorite wu-tang member after ODB and Method Man.
posted by Ad hominem at 10:00 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
A lot of that adivce is from his Twitter feed, the man is a font of wisdom. Gotta be my third favorite wu-tang member after ODB and Method Man.
posted by Ad hominem at 10:00 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yeah, this is sort of interesting... on one hand the advice is what I want the kids in my program to hear, on the other hand... sheesh, if I hear the MF and/or N words one more time....
posted by tomswift at 10:04 PM on November 19, 2011
posted by tomswift at 10:04 PM on November 19, 2011
Never understood if he has a face resembling that of a ghost, a face crafted of ghosts, or he is a normal man that hunts and kills ghostfaces. I will probably never know.
As Meth explains: "Ghostface Killah, you know what I'm sayin/ He on some now you see me, now you don't"
posted by emilycardigan at 10:06 PM on November 19, 2011
As Meth explains: "Ghostface Killah, you know what I'm sayin/ He on some now you see me, now you don't"
posted by emilycardigan at 10:06 PM on November 19, 2011
He used to kill faces, but then he died in a terrible (and tragically avoidable) face-killing accident. Now he has returned as a ghost.
posted by pompomtom at 10:07 PM on November 19, 2011 [7 favorites]
posted by pompomtom at 10:07 PM on November 19, 2011 [7 favorites]
From the Wikipedia entry detailing the movie from which he takes his name:
Lee Yi Min stars as a young boy who wants to learn kung fu so that he can avenge his father's death at the hands of the Ghost Faced Killer (Mark Long). The Ghost Faced Killer meanwhile is hunting down a number of clan leaders who all conspired to have him killed. Before attacking, the killer always throws down his "ghost face killing plate," a decorated metal plate with a red face. He then uses his distinctive five elements style.
Lee Yi Min attends a local kung fu school but is bullied by the seniors. However, the school's cook (Yuen Siu Tien) helps the boy and teaches him some moves. These prove to be adequate for his day-to-day living but cannot fulfill his deep desire for revenge. When Lee Yi Min is found in possession of the Ghost Faced Killers' symbol, he is expelled from school. Still wishing to learn kung fu, he turns to an old xiangqi (a.k.a. Chinese chess) master Chi Sue Tin (Jack Long), recommended by the cook, for training. The master is an old enemy of the Ghost Faced Killer who reveals his former identity: he was a former kung fu chief who held sway over the area with his fellow fighters, but he was forced to go into hiding after being badly injured in a fight and also coming under scrutiny by the Ghost Faced Killer. Chi Sue agrees to teach Lee his chess boxing kung fu.
Lee finally learns the strategic link between chess and kung fu. He and Chi Sue Tin team up using double horse style, a reference to xiangqi, and they defeat the Ghost Faced Killer.
So his namesake is at least associated with a ghost face.
posted by lumensimus at 10:09 PM on November 19, 2011 [3 favorites]
Lee Yi Min stars as a young boy who wants to learn kung fu so that he can avenge his father's death at the hands of the Ghost Faced Killer (Mark Long). The Ghost Faced Killer meanwhile is hunting down a number of clan leaders who all conspired to have him killed. Before attacking, the killer always throws down his "ghost face killing plate," a decorated metal plate with a red face. He then uses his distinctive five elements style.
Lee Yi Min attends a local kung fu school but is bullied by the seniors. However, the school's cook (Yuen Siu Tien) helps the boy and teaches him some moves. These prove to be adequate for his day-to-day living but cannot fulfill his deep desire for revenge. When Lee Yi Min is found in possession of the Ghost Faced Killers' symbol, he is expelled from school. Still wishing to learn kung fu, he turns to an old xiangqi (a.k.a. Chinese chess) master Chi Sue Tin (Jack Long), recommended by the cook, for training. The master is an old enemy of the Ghost Faced Killer who reveals his former identity: he was a former kung fu chief who held sway over the area with his fellow fighters, but he was forced to go into hiding after being badly injured in a fight and also coming under scrutiny by the Ghost Faced Killer. Chi Sue agrees to teach Lee his chess boxing kung fu.
Lee finally learns the strategic link between chess and kung fu. He and Chi Sue Tin team up using double horse style, a reference to xiangqi, and they defeat the Ghost Faced Killer.
So his namesake is at least associated with a ghost face.
posted by lumensimus at 10:09 PM on November 19, 2011 [3 favorites]
Never understood if he has a face resembling that of a ghost
According to Wu Tang legend, Ghostface was wanted by the police, so in early Wu Tang photos he wore a mask. Thus the name Ghostface, I guess. I have no idea if this is true or not. Could be just hype.
Still, I love Ghostface. I'll take this moment to reccomed Ghostfunk, a mashup of Ghostface and 70's African funk. It's amazing. I'm not a big fan of mashups but this one just works. One of the best albums I've listened to all year.
posted by mcmile at 10:13 PM on November 19, 2011 [3 favorites]
According to Wu Tang legend, Ghostface was wanted by the police, so in early Wu Tang photos he wore a mask. Thus the name Ghostface, I guess. I have no idea if this is true or not. Could be just hype.
Still, I love Ghostface. I'll take this moment to reccomed Ghostfunk, a mashup of Ghostface and 70's African funk. It's amazing. I'm not a big fan of mashups but this one just works. One of the best albums I've listened to all year.
posted by mcmile at 10:13 PM on November 19, 2011 [3 favorites]
My head somehow got stuck on the idea that it's actually a motto, Go, Stface Killer!, like Go Speed Racer. Not that "stface" makes any more sense, of course.
posted by argonauta at 10:17 PM on November 19, 2011
posted by argonauta at 10:17 PM on November 19, 2011
Is he in an elevator or something?
posted by mannequito at 10:41 PM on November 19, 2011
posted by mannequito at 10:41 PM on November 19, 2011
The ding dong noise is the train doors closing sound.
Protect Ya Neck for those who don't know.
posted by Ad hominem at 10:57 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Protect Ya Neck for those who don't know.
posted by Ad hominem at 10:57 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
A spiritual cousin of this important message.
Word up.
posted by xmutex at 11:07 PM on November 19, 2011
Word up.
posted by xmutex at 11:07 PM on November 19, 2011
It's a lesser known aspect of his life, but Marcus Aurelius was part of an early rap group known as 5GE.
posted by kmz at 11:14 PM on November 19, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by kmz at 11:14 PM on November 19, 2011 [3 favorites]
Train, not elevator. Diggit. Respect levels rise.
I love the Wu and I love (even more) that there's so many of them, so I can keep building my appreciation. Last month I stole Rza's Tao Of Wu book from a goth party where they were reading it aloud ironically and laughing, and I'm about half-way through it, alternating between that and DFW of all people (juxtaposition!), but what I love about GFK is he's essentially an urban-hobo/stand-up-comedian.
posted by mannequito at 11:22 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
I love the Wu and I love (even more) that there's so many of them, so I can keep building my appreciation. Last month I stole Rza's Tao Of Wu book from a goth party where they were reading it aloud ironically and laughing, and I'm about half-way through it, alternating between that and DFW of all people (juxtaposition!), but what I love about GFK is he's essentially an urban-hobo/stand-up-comedian.
posted by mannequito at 11:22 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yeah they sprung fully formed with this shaolin/shadow boxing/chess/killer bees mythology. It wasn't uncommon for rappers to have a philosophy back then but it was usually borrowed from Farrakahn. The mythology they created was pretty out there.
36 chambers was released in 1993, a year after The Chronic and a year before Ready To Die. 36 chambers had a huge impact, they had been playing the incredibly low budget video for Protect Ya Neck on Video Music Box with Ralph McDaniels and Hot 97 was playing the single. I saw them at a Hot 97 night at some club doing Protect Ya Neck. The whole thing seemed so half assed and dodgy, nobody was still making videos that shitty in 93, they had half a dozen rappers with nonsensical names. It was something totally different than the deathly serious death row is in the mother fucking house g-funk rap from the west coast and the consciousness and political rap from New York like X-Clan and that ilk. It was ramshackle and fun, in the video for Method Man he seems to be smoking a blunt and rolling a new blunt at the same time all the while having a spare tucked into the headband of the visor he is wearing. It says something that the dude went on to form a comedy team with Redman.
The album and the guys have stood the test of time. I think I might like Mecca and the Soul Brother and A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing better but 36 chambers is still in my top 20
posted by Ad hominem at 12:36 AM on November 20, 2011 [13 favorites]
36 chambers was released in 1993, a year after The Chronic and a year before Ready To Die. 36 chambers had a huge impact, they had been playing the incredibly low budget video for Protect Ya Neck on Video Music Box with Ralph McDaniels and Hot 97 was playing the single. I saw them at a Hot 97 night at some club doing Protect Ya Neck. The whole thing seemed so half assed and dodgy, nobody was still making videos that shitty in 93, they had half a dozen rappers with nonsensical names. It was something totally different than the deathly serious death row is in the mother fucking house g-funk rap from the west coast and the consciousness and political rap from New York like X-Clan and that ilk. It was ramshackle and fun, in the video for Method Man he seems to be smoking a blunt and rolling a new blunt at the same time all the while having a spare tucked into the headband of the visor he is wearing. It says something that the dude went on to form a comedy team with Redman.
The album and the guys have stood the test of time. I think I might like Mecca and the Soul Brother and A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing better but 36 chambers is still in my top 20
posted by Ad hominem at 12:36 AM on November 20, 2011 [13 favorites]
"This contains shockingly good medical and hygienic advice."
I'll say. Until now I was not aware of the dangers of corroded bacteria.
posted by nthdegx at 12:38 AM on November 20, 2011
I'll say. Until now I was not aware of the dangers of corroded bacteria.
posted by nthdegx at 12:38 AM on November 20, 2011
"Scrub your face first and then your nuts, my n----ahs"
That's what I'm always tellin' my ni--ahs.
"Sizzle that shit off..."
Indeed a very very hot wet washcloth applied to "bumps," on the face, every night and every morning, worked wonders for me with acne all through HS. But I would suggest plenty of soap and hot water applied liberally to the whole face first.
posted by Skygazer at 1:44 AM on November 20, 2011
That's what I'm always tellin' my ni--ahs.
"Sizzle that shit off..."
Indeed a very very hot wet washcloth applied to "bumps," on the face, every night and every morning, worked wonders for me with acne all through HS. But I would suggest plenty of soap and hot water applied liberally to the whole face first.
posted by Skygazer at 1:44 AM on November 20, 2011
That soap of course being Ivory. But I must admit, as Ghostface says: Dove is the soap from the heavens above, but if you already have oily teenage skin, you should stick with the Ivory, mah ni--ahs, because Dove moisturizes a bit more than necessary if you already have oily skin. YMMV of course.
If this is a viral for Dove, I don't know if that shits genius or just fucked up.
posted by Skygazer at 1:51 AM on November 20, 2011 [3 favorites]
If this is a viral for Dove, I don't know if that shits genius or just fucked up.
posted by Skygazer at 1:51 AM on November 20, 2011 [3 favorites]
What you should use for acne and indeed in general is coal tar or carbolic soap, which is mildly antiseptic, and forget all these soaps full of chemical shite.
posted by GallonOfAlan at 2:06 AM on November 20, 2011
posted by GallonOfAlan at 2:06 AM on November 20, 2011
"knickers" is now a racial epithet
posted by LogicalDash at 3:13 AM on November 20, 2011
posted by LogicalDash at 3:13 AM on November 20, 2011
"knickers" is now a racial epithet
What if I get mine in a twist? Is that racist? Or merely kinky?
posted by louche mustachio at 3:35 AM on November 20, 2011
What if I get mine in a twist? Is that racist? Or merely kinky?
posted by louche mustachio at 3:35 AM on November 20, 2011
NO I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN! PLEASE CLARIFY!!!
posted by Fizz at 4:05 AM on November 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Fizz at 4:05 AM on November 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
After I this time, I thought Ghostface Killah was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Killah.
posted by Yakuman at 4:54 AM on November 20, 2011
posted by Yakuman at 4:54 AM on November 20, 2011
Dang, mcmile, that mash-up is great. If I could I'd give you all my favorites for todayl
posted by benito.strauss at 7:15 AM on November 20, 2011
posted by benito.strauss at 7:15 AM on November 20, 2011
Never understood if he has a face resembling that of a ghost, a face crafted of ghosts, or he is a normal man that hunts and kills ghostfaces. I will probably never know.</em
Ghostface: A face resembling a ghost empty and dried of emotion. Ghostface Killah: an emotionless murderer. At least that would be the obvious etymology to me coming from what I remember of NY slang.
posted by Rubbstone at 7:17 AM on November 20, 2011
Ghostface: A face resembling a ghost empty and dried of emotion. Ghostface Killah: an emotionless murderer. At least that would be the obvious etymology to me coming from what I remember of NY slang.
posted by Rubbstone at 7:17 AM on November 20, 2011
It's a lesser known aspect of his life, but Marcus Aurelius was part of an early rap group known as 5GE.
Goodfifth Emperah?
posted by Not Supplied at 7:21 AM on November 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
Goodfifth Emperah?
posted by Not Supplied at 7:21 AM on November 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
Not only did he take the name from a martial arts flick, it also works on another level when you consider "Ghostface" is a slang term for white people.
posted by Renoroc at 7:21 AM on November 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Renoroc at 7:21 AM on November 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
Sounds like he must be related to Boomhauer. Would explain the ghostface part for sure.
posted by skbw at 9:06 AM on November 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by skbw at 9:06 AM on November 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
Marcus Aurelius and Montaigne, Ghostface Killah
♪♫One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong...♫♪
posted by Splunge at 10:55 AM on November 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
♪♫One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong...♫♪
posted by Splunge at 10:55 AM on November 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
While we're discussing good advice from brothers, D'mite thinks you really should read a book.
posted by IAmBroom at 11:03 AM on November 20, 2011
posted by IAmBroom at 11:03 AM on November 20, 2011
Ya but ... how's that magnetism thing work?
posted by Twang at 12:16 PM on November 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Twang at 12:16 PM on November 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
What you should use for acne and indeed in general is coal tar or carbolic soap
Mind that coal tar. It is closely linked to testicular cancer, as the chimney sweeps of old sadly learned.
posted by Mei's lost sandal at 2:01 PM on November 20, 2011
Mind that coal tar. It is closely linked to testicular cancer, as the chimney sweeps of old sadly learned.
posted by Mei's lost sandal at 2:01 PM on November 20, 2011
"Jenna, Ghostface Killah, and Yo-Yo Ma to the stage please, for Muffin Top."
posted by artlung at 6:30 PM on November 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by artlung at 6:30 PM on November 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
Can we start a mefi hygienic-themed mixtape with GFK as the filler between tracks?
posted by benzenedream at 9:30 PM on November 20, 2011
posted by benzenedream at 9:30 PM on November 20, 2011
In related news, GZA is giving a lecture at Harvard on December 1.
posted by argonauta at 10:55 AM on November 22, 2011
posted by argonauta at 10:55 AM on November 22, 2011
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"Think of something man, get up make a new toilet bowl, nahimsayin'?"
posted by emilycardigan at 9:25 PM on November 19, 2011