Whether judged strictly by his work with Wu-Tang Clan or as a solo artist, Ghostface Killah is an indisputable giant. A masterful storyteller whose range extends from graphic crime fantasies to stirring autobiographical recollections, the rapper first appeared with his Staten Island group’s trail-blazing Enter the Wu-Tang (1993) and started building a vast solo discography with Ironman (1996). His platinum-certified debut strengthened a partnership with the RZA, whose bracing mutations of dusty soul have either soundtracked or influenced much of his best output. After an occasionally commercial early period with Epic that yielded a second classic, Supreme Clientele (2000), Ghost moved to Def Jam, where he released six additional solo LPs highlighted by his fourth Top Ten pop album, Fishscale (2006). Throughout the following decade, Ghost added to his legacy with a series of creatively unrestricted works, many of which were whole-album collaborations, conceived with the likes of the RZA-inspired Adrian Younge, BadBadNotGood, and Czarface. These included the two-volume Twelve Reasons to Die (2013 and 2015), Sour Soul (2015), and Ghostface Killahs (2019). A smattering of featured appearances and other one-off collaborations preceded the guest-heavy Set the Tone (Guns & Roses).

Support on the night came from Inspectah Deck.

One of Wu-Tang Clan’s lower-profile members, rapper and producer Inspectah Deck earned the first part of his nickname as the group’s quiet, watchful figure in the corner. That reputation has translated to Deck’s recordings in and apart from Wu-Tang, typified by complex, metaphor-packed rhymes delivered with understated skill. A crucial voice on Wu-Tang classics such as “Protect Ya Neck” and “Triumph,” Deck has also built a substantial solo discography with albums including the Top 20 debut Uncontrolled Substance (1999) and Chamber No. 9 (2019), and has recorded extensively as a member of Czarface (with 7L & Esoteric). An accomplished if under-recognized beatmaker, he has contributed to numerous Wu-Tang and related projects.

Our @Jonsyshots caught up with the international superstars when they performed at Liverpool’s Camp and Furnace venue on the 19th November 2004.

All photos featured in this photo gallery are the work of @Johnsyshots shot exlcusively for The Songbird HQ – please do not share or reuse without expression permission.

Artist bios from spotify