Ghostface Killah

Rap City launched in 2010 with DJ Premier, The Beatnuts, Masta Ace & Edo G, selling out shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide! Now in 2012 Rap City is expanding nationally to include Brisbane and Perth. The concept of Rap City is to bring high profile Hip Hop acts out together on one stage, and this year we welcome the co-founder of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah returning after a successful solo Australian tour in 2009. Joining him is raps most revered supervillain DOOM and the “Puerto Rican Rhyme Slayer” Chino XL!

GHOSTFACE KILLAH The man of many aliases which includes Tony Starks, Ironman & Pretty Toney; Ghostface Killah is a founding member of one of rap’s most influential groups, the Wu-Tang Clan. As the most prolific and productive record maker from the Wu pantheon, Ghostface has had a successful career in his own right. His first solo LP Ironman, which was release in 1996, received platinum certification and hit #2 on the Billboard pop charts. In 2006, Ghostface teamed up with underground artist & Rap City compadre DOOM to produce several songs for Ghostface’s 2006 album Fishscale, which debuted strongly in the #4 position on the U.S. charts and was voted Album of the Year in many notable Hip Hop publications.

With a career spanning 20 years and 16 album releases to-date, Ghostface has become noted for both his up-tempo, stream-of-consciousness rap and, later in his career, for his emotionally charged raps and smooth constant flow. His collaboration roll call includes the likes of the Wu family, Redman, Busta Rhymes, The Game, Black Thought (The Roots), Mary J Blige, Styles P, Jadakiss and many more.

After the success of Fishscale and the later release Fish, it was announced that Ghostface and DOOM would team up for the collaboration album, Swift & Changeable under the moniker “DOOMStarks”. A highly anticipated project; they released their first single last year entitled Victory Laps and are putting the finishing touches on the album.

DOOM Following a sold out Australian tour last year, the masked lyricist, DOOM, is back to showoff his superpowers of genius intellect and multi-syllabic rhyming! Dominating the underground rap scene for close to 20 years, the New York native has a passion for Hip Hop, storytelling, comic books and science fiction.

DOOM’s early career was tumultuous to say the least; after the accidental death of his brother and collaborator Subroc in 1993, he retreated from the Hip Hop scene for several years – disillusioned by the music business. Since that unfortunate time period, he has taken his revenge against the industry through numerous successful releases including his solo albums as MF DOOM, Viktor Vaughn, and King Geedorah.

DOOM has also been a part of very successful collaborations including the critically acclaimed Madvillain (with Madlib), Danger DOOM (with Danger Mouse), and Sniperlite (aka Dilla Ghost DOOM, with J Dilla and Ghostface Killah). During his career he has joined forces with other big name artists, including De La Soul, Rza, Talib Kweli, Prince Paul, Vast Aire, Peanut Butter Wolf, MF Grimm, OhNo, Thom Yorke (Radiohead) and many more.

Over the last few years it is speculated that imposters have performed in his place. Although there has been no confirmation of this, one can guess that it may be true due to the fact that it keeps in line with the story of Dr Doom’s comic books. A frequent plot device in those comics was to reveal, at a story’s end, that the heroes were actually fighting one of DOOM’s many robot doubles, either working on his behalf, or a DOOMbot gone rogue impersonating him. However, Australia can rest assured knowing that DOOM’s robot doubles will have to stay and wreak havoc in his homeland.

CHINO XL One of the most widely recognised names in the rap game, avid body builder and member of MENSA; Chino XL is known for his technically accomplished style, consisting of self-consciously over-the-top punchlines, exaggerated egotism and complex rhyme schemes.

From local talent shows at 12 years old to travelling alongside some of Hip Hop’s most celebrated artists, including Afrika Bambaataa and Ice-T, Chino quickly emerged as one of the best lyricists in his neighborhood. His demos eventually caught the ear of Def Jam founder Rick Rubin, who signed Chino to Def American Records when he was still a teen. Chino’s first solo album “Here to Save You All” had an instant impact on the Hip Hop charts, and solidified his image as an MC who gave no second thought to speaking his mind.

Chino XL received rave reviews in magazines such as Source Magazine & NME, and it wasn’t too long before he was beckoned into the studio by some of the most respected artists in the Hip Hop community, such as Paul Wall, Ras Kass, Bun B, Common, Canibus and RZA.

After some time off to pursue an acting career and a handful of releases under his belt, Chino XL’slong-awaited new release is set for May 15 – just in time for the Rap City tour. This 38 track, double album boasts guest appearances from Immortal Technique, Tech9nine, Travis Barker, B-Real (Cypress Hill), Rakka Iriscience(Dilated Peoples), Roc Marciano and the late Big Pun.