Happy Birthday, Ghostface Killah!
Some know him as Ghost Deini. Others know him as Tony Starks. A few know him as Pretty Toney. However, Dennis Coles's official rap alias is Ghostface Killah. The Wu-Tang Clan legend celebrates his 45th birthday today (May 9).
Although all of the Wu-Tang members became breakout stars with their solo projects following the release of the group's classic 1993 album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), it was Ghostface who had the best solo career out of the nine members.
Out of his 11-album discography, Ghost only had one or two weak albums. Arguably, the Staten Island rhymer's most important album is his sophomore effort, Supreme Clientele. Critics didn't completely understood what Ghostface was talking about on the album, but it still has endless replay value.
On the collection, the Wu-Tang rapper is unpredictable and charismatic regardless of what he rapped about made any sense. Overall, it's one of the best albums in Ghost's discography.
Ghostface never strayed far from his Modus operandi. In 2006, he released another classic with Fishscale, one of his most multifaceted projects. The concept album focused on people not knowing how to act right, from bad children ("Whip You With a Strap") to unfaithful women ("Back Like That").
After 20 years in the rap game, Ghostface is still spitting hot bars. He recently dropped the comic-book concept albums Twelve Reasons to Die and 36 Seasons, which both garnered critical acclaim.
At 45 years old, Tony Starks is still a rap king.