Happy Birthday to Ghostface Killah! The New York-native turns 48 today (May 9).

Since the dawning of Wu-Tang Clan and their collective debut album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Ghostface has amassed a solid following through his string of well-received solo offerings as well as, participation in subsequent Wu-Tang members’ solo releases.

After receiving acclaim for his startling contribution to Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linxopus, Ghost would go on to garner the same reaction for his 1996 freewheeling debut Ironman. Though the former was a platinum awarded critical achievement, Ghost would take about four years to unleash the album's strong follow-up Supreme Clientele. Overcoming the intimidating sophomore slump, SC solidified Ghostdini's "Ironman" moniker as he was able to steer clear of 2000's à la mode and produce an album that perfectly embodied the Wu's authentic sound—by reason of RZA.

Going on to release a few more gems including 2009's Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City and 2010’s Apollo Kids, the man famous for his stream of conscious narratives and loud-hailing flow has proved time and time again why he's considered one of the game's greats.

While Killah still remains in hip-hop's public eye, he and a newer rapper got into a few years ago when it came to biting flows. Queens rapper Action Bronson ignited a mini-beef with the Sun God when he said Killah doesn't "really rap" anymore. After a few minced words and diss freestyles, the two luckily declared the beef officially squashed in September 2016.

At 48 years old, Ghost is still very much in the hip-hop world and drops music sporadically. The Staten Island legend even hit the road earlier this year to go on a headlining Glorious Days Tour.

Starting off 2018 the right way, Ghost and producer Apollo Brown both teamed up to re-release their joint project, The Brown Tape, in January. On a hilarious note, Ghost joined Method Man on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert acted in a sketch where he and Meth battled against Attorney General Jeff Sessions for possession of the sole copy of Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album. Good to see he's still having so much fun out here.

XXL wishes Ghostface Killah a very happy G day. Salute!

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