Killarmy () is an American hip hop group that is affiliated with

Wu-Tang Clan Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its original members include RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. Close affili ...

It is one of the earliest and most successful of the many

Wu-Tang affiliates The following is a list of Wu-Tang Clan's associated acts and affiliates, known as the Killa Beez, the Midwest Wasps, and the Wu Fam. At times, they are directly funded, supported, or produced by Clan members, are formed as extension groups origin ...

along with

Sunz of Man Sunz of Man is a New York-based Wu-Tang Clan affiliated group that currently consists of Prodigal Sunn, Killah Priest, Hell Razah and 60 Second Assassin. The group's first incarnation also included Shabazz the Disciple, 7th Ambassador and pr ...

. Killarmy's music consists of lyrics and songs focused on the themes of military combat, war, terrorism, conspiracy theories, and the teachings of the

Five-Percent Nation The Five-Percent Nation, sometimes referred to as the Nation of Gods and Earths (NGE/NOGE) or the Five Percenters, is a Black nationalist movement influenced by Islam that was founded in 1964 in the Harlem section of the borough of Manhattan, ...

. The group's instrumentals are usually somber with ominous dark undertones and a raw, gritty production style provided by

4th Disciple Selwyn Bougard, now known as El-Divine Amir Bey (born May 23, 1974), better known by his stage name 4th Disciple, is a record producer and audio engineer who was one of the founding members of Killarmy and one of the best-known Wu-Tang-affiliat ...

Career

Originally consisting of New York rappers

9th Prince Terrance Hamlin, better known as 9th Prince, is an American rapper and one of the founding members of rap group Killarmy. He was initially responsible for bringing the various members together, under the guide of his brother. He released his so ...

(

RZA Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (born July 5, 1969), better known by his stage name the RZA ( ), is an American rapper, actor, filmmaker, and record producer. He is the ''de facto'' leader of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, having produced most albums ...

's younger brother),

Islord Islord is a rapper and a member of the hip hop group Killarmy. Islord was named Rodney Stevenson at birth, but he, as all members of Killarmy, is a Five Percenter, and, thus, changed his name to Islord. The first three letters of his name: I, S, ...

, Dom Pachino,

Killa Sin Jeryl Grant (born April 2, 1976) better known by his stage name Killa Sin is considered the best-known member of Killarmy and is regarded as one of the most skilled Wu-Tang Clan affiliates. Biography ''Killa Sin'' has appeared on gold and plat ...

, and

Ohio Ohio () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated. The sta ...

-based producer

; it added

Beretta 9 Kinetic 9 or Beretta 9 (born Samuel Craig Murray) is a member of the hip-hop group Killarmy, a group affiliated with The Wu-Tang Clan. He is also a member of the group Achozen alongside Shavo Odadjian and The RZA. Killarmy went on to record th ...

(a.k.a. Kinetic 9) and ShoGun Assasson to its membership in 1996, also from

. Killarmy released numerous singles from 1995 to 1997, including "Swinging Swords" and "Camouflage Ninjas" and appeared on the

Sunz Of Man Sunz of Man is a New York-based Wu-Tang Clan affiliated group that currently consists of Prodigal Sunn, Killah Priest, Hell Razah and 60 Second Assassin. The group's first incarnation also included Shabazz the Disciple, 7th Ambassador and pr ...

collaborations "Wake Up" and "Soldiers of Darkness". The group’s debut album, ''

Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars ''Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars'' is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Killarmy. It was released on August 5, 1997 through Wu-Tang Records, Wu-Tang/Priority Records. Recording sessions took place at 36 Chambers Studio in Manhattan a ...

'', was released in 1997, just after the release of

's second album and 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 Steubenville is a city in and the county seat of Jefferson County, Ohio, United States. Located along the Ohio River 33 miles west of Pittsburgh, it had a population of 18,161 at the 2020 census. The city's name is derived from Fort Steuben, a 1 ...

, (where several members and

members such as the

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

projects,

' projects, non-

-related albums such as

ONYX Onyx primarily refers to the parallel banded variety of chalcedony, a silicate mineral. Agate and onyx are both varieties of layered chalcedony that differ only in the form of the bands: agate has curved bands and onyx has parallel bands. The c ...

– '' Shut 'Em Down''; '' Vordul Mega – Verbal Relaxation''; and movie soundtracks such as '' Soul in the Hole''. The group's second album, ''

Dirty Weaponry ''Dirty Weaponry'' is the second studio album by American hip hop group Killarmy. It was released on August 11, 1998 through Wu-Tang/Priority Records. Production was mainly handled by member 4th Disciple, except for two tracks that were produced ...

'', was released in 1998, and its third album, ''

Fear, Love & War ''Fear, Love & War'' is the third studio album by the American hip hop group Killarmy. It was released on September 11, 2001, through Loud Records. Recording sessions took place at 36 Chambers Studio in New York City. Production was handled primar ...

'' was released on September 11, 2001. In 2010,

confirmed that a new album was in the works between the five remaining members (besides

) with the first single to be called "The Sound of Gunz" produced by

Bronze Nazareth Bronze Nazareth (born Justin Cross; December 8, 1979 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a hip hop music producer and emcee associated with the Wu-Tang Clan. He has a solo career as an emcee and is also a part of the hip-hop group Wisemen along with ...

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 called "One Shot" produced by

. A greatest-hits album was released weeks later by the Wu Music Group label. In March 2019, Killarmy member,

Kinetic 9 Kinetic 9 or Beretta 9 (born Samuel Craig Murray) is a member of the hip-hop group Killarmy, a group affiliated with The Wu-Tang Clan. He is also a member of the group Achozen alongside Shavo Odadjian and The RZA. Killarmy went on to record th ...

, was featured in the song "Death 13" on Cryptik Soul's album '' Killer's Blood''. In January 2020,

and

ShoGun Assason The following is a list of Wu-Tang Clan's associated acts and affiliates, known as the Killa Beez, the Midwest Wasps, and the Wu Fam. At times, they are directly funded, supported, or produced by Clan members, are formed as extension groups origin ...

released a seven track EP called “The Truth is Even Darker” with San Francisco-based producer Sticky Ricardo. In 2020, Killarmy released its long awaited fourth album, "''Full Metal Jackets''", which was produced by 9th Prince and featured Prodigal Sunn, Killah Priest, and 60-Second Assassin (Sunz Of Man); Timbo King (Royal Fam); Cappadonna (Wu-Tang Clan); La The Darkman; Reverend William Burk; Ill Bill (Non Phixion); William Cooper (Black Market Militia); Stic Man (Dead Prez); Masta Ace; Planet Asia; Ras Kass; Willie the Kid; and El Camino.

Discography

Videography

References

{{Authority control African-American musical groups Priority Records artists Loud Records artists Five percenters Hip hop groups from New York City Musical groups established in 1995 Wu-Tang Clan affiliates

Career

Discography

Videography

See also

References