I’m a big urban fiction/urban romance fan but this year I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and get into some non-fiction reads. I was never big on memoirs unless I’m interested in the person. I love Wu-Tang Clan so I was super excited to read about the infamous Ghostface Killah.

He speaks on his childhood, his health and bad habits. He also speaks on how the famous group Wu-Tang clan came about. He really spoke about a lot and gave a glimpse on a lot in his life. I don’t want to spoil it but if you are a Wu-Tang fan you would definitely love this.

Chapter 13 had to be my favorite chapter of this memoir. You got to see the real Dennis Coles and not Ghostface Killah or Tony Starks. I also loved hearing him speak about his clan members and it also showed how they all was in their own way.

Overall I give this 4 stars because I did enjoy getting to see the real him. Seeing the photos from back in the day was cool too but I also had a hard time understanding and there was a lot of repetition. I really hope there is a audiobook version in his voice because it would definitely give a better insight and more enjoyable for readers and fans.

This book is set to release on May 14, 2024.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an digital advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I'm not typically an autobiography reader, but am a massive fan of WTC so I knew I wanted to read this one. It was a very interesting look into GFK's early life and the early days of WTC. The included photos were a great addition! I did read the entire thing with his voice in my head, so I hope an audio version of the book with him narrating comes out as well. I think hearing him tell his stories would make this book even better.

Rise of a Killah is the memoir of Ghostface Killah, one of the founding members of the legendary hip hop phenomenon known as the Wu-Tang Clan. This book introduces the reader to the man behind the mask, Dennis Cole. No holds are barred as Ghostface tells his truth in his own words and his own way. He honestly shares his struggles with family relationships, finances, and crime during his upbringing in Staton Island, NY and shares stories of his rise to collective and solo musical success around the world. He openly discusses his health challenges, spirituality, and perceived failures. Lyrics from his songs introduce each chapter and may entice the reader to listen to such classics as “Nutmeg”, “All That I Got Is You”, and “Cherchez LaGhost”. Photographs of performances and memorabilia peppered throughout the book add additional flavor to this good read. A situation involving a robbery plot and a cup of bleach retold through graphic art is a special treat! This book is not just for Wu-Tang or Ghostface Killah fans. Anyone that loves a great rags to riches story told in the voice of the person that is living the story will find this book refreshing.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advance copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book is scheduled to be released on May 14, 2024.

I am a self-admitted book worm, and I have been the majority of my life. I also love music. My dream job (when I was younger) would have been an A&R. As a music fan, I don’t remember a time that I haven’t been a fan of the Wu-Tang Clan (both as a collective and individually). The member that I have always been most intrigued by is Ghostface Killah. Because of this, I was extremely excited to have the opportunity to read this book.

I tend to gravitate more towards fiction books; however, I do like to read memoirs when the person is one that I actually know things about. Going into this book, I thought that I would have a pretty good grasp of what was going to be talked about. I can honestly say that I was completely wrong about that.

Overall, I did enjoy getting a glimpse into Ghostface’s life, starting with his childhood. My main complaint is that, for some reason, I had a hard time getting into this book. Normally, I’m able to read books pretty quickly. With this book, I found myself re-reading chapters because I didn’t feel like I grasped it the way that I was meant to.

I really wanted to give this book five stars, but I just couldn’t. What is preventing me from giving it three stars is that, ultimately, I liked that, not only did we get Ghost’s point of view on certain things, we got the point of view of people that are closest to him. In my opinion, I feel that those other perspectives added a depth to the book that would not have otherwise been there. I do recommend that music fans (not just fans of hip-hop) read this book. You will definitely get quite a bit out of it!

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

If you are a Ghostface Killah or Wu-Tang Clan fan, you will enjoy this book. Ghostface gives great detail into his life and his journey from early childhood through his successful rap career. There is a lot of insight into the years where Wu-Tang began to make their mark on the music industry.

For those who are already fans, it will be an easy and enjoyable read as it feels like he is speaking directly to you in a casual conversation.

Rise of a Killah is a memoir written by Ghostface Killah, Dennis Coles. In this book, he documents his life from growing up in West Brighton, Staten Island. He details his early life being raised by young parents, caring for his siblings and what it was like having to grow up quickly after his father leaves. We also learn about his health journey as Ghost suffers from diabetes. He describes his journey to Africa and the natural treatments he receives for his condition.

Readers also get a look into the early formation of Wu-Tang and how Ghost first crosses paths with his future clan members. There are also some inside looks into Ghost's solo career. His jump from smaller labels to his rise with Def Jam. Sections of the book are told from the perspective of Mike Caruso, his long time friend and producer. In these sections we get the inside scoop on their international tours and some backstage anecdotes of how Ghostface Killah came to be on Beyoncé's Summertime track. The final chapter contains small personal tributes to each of Wu-Tang Clan members. Putting many of their relationships into perspective.

I'm going to start with this book has A LOT of explicit language. This is not a radio edit, [insert Parental Advisory sticker here]. I think I would have enjoyed this more as an audiobook, assuming Ghost himself was narrating. Growing up around the music of the Wu-Tang Clan and its individual members, I could hear his words in my head, but there were still some sections that I had to reread to understand. It was interesting to hear about Ghost's encounters with Jay Z while under Def Jam, his performance at MSG with Beyoncé and the multiple stories of his hustle at first to keep his family going and later to keep himself relevant.

I expect that this book will be enjoyed by readers who are fans of Ghostface Killah and the Wu-Tang clan.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of Rise of a Killah. Opinions are my own.