Killarmy
Killarmy (/ˌkɪləˈɑːrmi/) is an American hip hop group, that is known through its affiliation with Wu-Tang Clan[1] It is one of the earliest and most successful of the many Wu-Tang affiliates[2] along with Sunz of Man.
Killarmy | |
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Origin | Steubenville, Ohio Staten Island, New York |
Genres | Hip hop |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels | Wu-Tang/Priority/EMI Loud/Relativity Records |
Associated acts | Wu-Tang Clan Sunz of Man |
Members | 4th Disciple 9th Prince Kinetic 9 Islord Killa Sin ShoGun Assasson |
Past members | Dom Pachino |
Killarmy's music consists of lyrics and songs focused on the themes of military combat and war, terrorism and conspiracy theories.[3] The group's instrumentals are usually somber with ominous dark undertones and a raw, gritty production style provided by 4th Disciple.[4]
Career
Originally consisting of New York rappers: 9th Prince (RZA's younger brother[5]), Islord, Dom Pachino, Killa Sin, and Ohio-based producer 4th Disciple; it added Beretta 9 (a.k.a. Kinetic 9) and ShoGun Assasson to its membership in 1996, also from Ohio.[4]
Killarmy released numerous singles from 1995 to 1997, including "Swinging Swords" and "Camouflage Ninjas" as well as appearing on the Sunz Of Man collaborations "Wake Up" and "Soldiers of Darkness." The album, Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars, was released in 1997,[4] just after the release of Wu-Tang Clan's second album, as well as a 12-inch single containing two tracks from the album, which were "Wu-Renegades" and "Clash of the Titans."
In 1997, the group's manager "General Wise" was shot dead in Steubenville, Ohio, (where several members and Wu-Tang Clan members like the RZA had spent time in their youth), but the group pressed on undeterred, appearing on the Wu-Tang Killa Bees: The Swarm compilation and each making numerous appearances on other Wu-Tang Clan projects, Wu-Tang affiliates' projects, non-Wu-Tang Clan related albums such as ONYX – Shut 'Em Down, Vordul Mega – Verbal Relaxation and movie soundtracks such as Soul in the Hole.
The group's second album, Dirty Weaponry, was released in 1998,[4] and their third and final album, Fear, Love & War was released on September 11, 2001. In 2010, 9th Prince confirmed that a new album was in the works between the five remaining members (besides Killa Sin) with the first single to be called "The Sound Of Gunz" produced by Bronze Nazareth dropping that June. However, production problems and inner dealings have not allowed for the album to be completed. In April, 2011, Killarmy released a new single "One Shot" produced by 4th Disciple. A Greatest Hits album was released weeks later under the WuMusic Group label.
In March 2019, Killarmy member, Kinetic 9, was featured in the song "Death 13" on Cryptik Soul's album Killer's Blood.
In January 2020, Kinetic 9 and ShoGun Assason released a seven track EP, “The Truth is Even Darker” with San Francisco based producer, Sticky Ricardo .
Discography
Group Discography | |
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Album Title | Album Info |
Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars |
|
Dirty Weaponry |
|
Fear, Love & War |
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Full Metal Jackets[6] |
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Videography
Videography | |||
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Artist(s) | Album Info | Video Title(s) | Release Date |
Sunz of Man | 12" Single | Soldiers of Darkness (featuring Killa Sin, 9th Prince, various Wu-Tang Clan cameos) | 1995 Wu-Tang Records |
WU All Stars | Soul in the Hole (Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Soul in the Hole (featuring Killa Sin, Dreddy Kruger, Shyheim, Timbo King, Tekitha) | 1997 Loud/RCA/BMG Records |
Killarmy | Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars | Swinging Swords Wake Up (featuring Hell Razah, Prodigal Sunn and various Wu-Tang Clan cameos) Fair, Love & War Wu-Renegade |
1997 Wu-Tang/Priority/EMI Records |
Killarmy | Dirty Weaponry | The Shoot-Out (featuring Rza) | 1998 Wu-Tang/Priority/EMI Records |
ONYX | Shut 'Em Down | The Worst (featuring Killa Sin, Method Man, Raekwon, Shyheim, X-1) | 1998 Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records |
Killarmy | Fear, Love & War | Feel It | 2001 Loud/Relativity Records |
Bizz | Realist Spittin (featuring Kinetic 9) | 2009 Blakglobe |
References
- "WU-International.com – 9th Prince Interview". wu-international.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012.
- "WU-International.com – 9th Prince Interview". wu-international.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012.
- "WU-International.com – 9th Prince Interview". wu-international.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012.
- Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 218. ISBN 0-7535-0427-8.
- "WU-International.com – 9th Prince Interview". wu-international.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012.
- Ivey, Justin (March 29, 2020). "Killarmy Announces Comeback Album 'Full Metal Jackets'". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 30, 2020.