Killarmy

{{Short description|American hip hop group}} {{More citations needed|date=July 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = Killarmy | caption = | image = | image_size = | origin = [[Steubenville, Ohio]] [[Staten Island]], [[New York (state)|New York]] | genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]] | years_active = 1995–present | label = {{hlist|[[Wu-Tang Records|Wu-Tang]]|[[Priority Records|Priority]]|[[EMI]]|[[Loud Records|Loud]]|[[Relativity Records|Relativity]]}} | current_members = [[9th Prince]] Killa Sin Dom Pachino Islord Kinetic 9 Shogun Assason [[4th Disciple]] | past_members = }}

'''Killarmy''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|ɪ|l|ə|ˈ|ɑr|m|i}}) is an American [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] group that is affiliated with [[Wu-Tang Clan]].<ref name="wu-international.com">{{cite web | url=http://wu-international.com/misc_albums/Interviews/9thPrince%20Interview2.htm | title=WU-International.com – 9th Prince Interview | publisher=wu-international.com | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720021150/http://wu-international.com/misc_albums/Interviews/9thPrince%20Interview2.htm | archive-date=July 20, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> It is one of the earliest and most successful of the many [[List of Wu-Tang Clan affiliates|Wu-Tang affiliates]]<ref name="wu-international.com"/> along with [[Sunz of Man]].

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]].<ref name="wu-international.com"/> The group's instrumentals are usually somber with ominous dark undertones and a raw, gritty production style provided by [[4th Disciple]].<ref name="Larkin90">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=2000|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0427-8|page=218}}</ref>

==Career== Originally consisting of New York rappers [[9th Prince]] ([[RZA]]'s younger brother<ref name="wu-international.com"/>), [[Islord]], Dom Pachino, [[Killa Sin]], and [[Ohio]]-based producer [[4th Disciple]]; it added [[Beretta 9]] (a.k.a. Kinetic 9) and Shogun Assason to its membership in 1996, also from [[Ohio]].<ref name="Larkin90"/>

Killarmy released numerous singles from 1995 to 1997, including "Swinging Swords" and "Camouflage Ninjas" and appeared on the [[Sunz Of Man]] collaborations "Wake Up" and "Soldiers of Darkness". The group's debut album, ''[[Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars]]'', was released in 1997,<ref name="Larkin90"/> just after the release of [[Wu-Tang Clan]]'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]], (where several members and [[Wu-Tang Clan]] members such as 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, [[List of Wu-Tang Clan affiliates|Wu-Tang affiliates]]' projects, non-[[Wu-Tang Clan]]-related albums such as [[Onyx (group)|ONYX]] – ''[[Shut 'Em Down (album)|Shut 'Em Down]]''; ''[[Vordul Mega|Vordul Mega – Verbal Relaxation]]''; and movie soundtracks such as ''[[Soul in the Hole (soundtrack)|Soul in the Hole]]''.

The group's second album, ''[[Dirty Weaponry]]'', was released in 1998,<ref name="Larkin90"/> and its third 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 called "One Shot" produced by [[4th Disciple]]. A greatest-hits album was released weeks later by the Wu Music 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 called “The Truth is Even Darker” with San Francisco-based producer [[Sticky Ricardo]].

In 2020, Killarmy released its 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|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.

In February 2024, Killarmy released a new single, "Winter Wars 2", which was produced by [[9th Prince]] and features [[Cappadonna]] (Wu-Tang Clan), [[La the Darkman|La The Darkman]], [[Killah Priest]], [[Shyheim]], and Young Dirty Bastard.

==Discography== {| class="wikitable" |- ! colspan=2 | Group Discography |- ! Album title ! Album Info |- | ''[[Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars]]'' | * Released: August 5, 1997 * Billboard 200 chart position: No. 34<ref name="Larkin90"/> * R&B/Hip Hop chart position: No. 10 * Singles: "Swinging Swords", "Camouflage Ninjas"/"Wake Up", "Wu-Renegades"/"Clash of the Titans" |- | ''[[Dirty Weaponry]]'' | * Released: August 11, 1998 * Billboard 200 chart position: No. 40<ref name="Larkin90"/> * R&B/Hip Hop chart position: No. 13 * Singles: "Red Dawn"/"Where I Rest At", "The Shoot-Out" |- | ''[[Fear, Love & War]]'' | * Released: September 11, 2001 * Billboard 200 chart position: No. 122 * R&B/Hip Hop chart positions: No. 34 * Singles: "Street Monopoly"/"Monster", "Feel It"/"Militant", "Nonchalantly" |- | ''Full Metal Jackets''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hiphopdx.com/news/id.55183/title.killarmy-announces-comeback-album-full-metal-jackets|title=Killarmy Announces Comeback Album 'Full Metal Jackets'|last=Ivey|first=Justin|website=Hiphopdx.com|date=March 29, 2020|access-date=March 30, 2020}}</ref> | * Released: April 10, 2020 * Billboard 200 chart position: – * R&B/Hip Hop chart positions: – * Singles: "Musical Terrorist", "The Shoot-Out Pt. II" |- |}

==Guest appearances (Killa Sin)== {| class="wikitable" |+ !Artist !Title !Year ! |- |O.C., Raekwon, Notorious B.I.G., Ron G., KRS-One |Stop the Breaks<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tidal.com/album/111363650|title=O.C. - The O-Zone Files: Rare Demos and Unreleased Tracks|date=January 4, 2019|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Tidal.com}}</ref> |? |{{N/a}} |- |Real Live, Cappadonna, Ghostface KIllah, Lord Tariq |Real Live Shit (Remix)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tidal.com/album/86353405|title=Real Live - The Turnaround: A Long Awaited Drama|date=October 1, 1996|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Tidal.com}}</ref> | rowspan="2" |1996 |The Turnaround |- |Shyheim, Rubbabandz, Madman |Young Gods<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tidal.com/album/51829462|title=Shyheim - The Lost Generation (Digital Remaster)|date=May 28, 1996|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Tidal.com}}</ref> |The Lost Generation |- |Timbo King, Dreddy Kruger, Shyheim, Tekitha |Soul in the Hole |1997 |Soul in the Hole OST |- |Killah Priest, Antonio |Moanin'<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Killah-priest-moanin-lyrics|title=Killah Priest (Ft. Antonio Chance & Killa Sin) – Moanin'|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Genius.com}}</ref> | rowspan="6" |1998 |One Step 12" |- |Funkmaster Flex, Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck |Wu-Tang Cream Team Line Up<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tidal.com/album/5012851|title=Funk Flex - The Mix Tape Volume III - 60 Minutes Of Funk - The Final Chapter|date=August 11, 1998|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Tidal.com}}</ref> |''[[The Mix Tape, Vol. III]]'' |- |Onyx, Method Man, Raekwon |The Worst<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Onyx-and-wu-tang-clan-the-worst-lyrics|title=Onyx & Wu-Tang Clan (Ft. Killa Sin, Method Man, Raekwon & X1) – The Worst|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Genius.com}}</ref> |Shut Em Down / [[Ride (soundtrack)]] |- |La the Darkman |Heist of the Century<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tidal.com/album/328027700|title=La the Darkman - Heist of The Century|date=October 20, 1998|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Tidal.com}}</ref> |Heist of the Century |- |Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Streetlife, Raekwon |Spazzola<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/17E5KPiB8zSIq49hSkhcGy|title=Spotify – Web Player|website=Open.spotify|access-date=September 8, 2025}}</ref> |Tical 2000: Judgement Day |- |RZA, Black Knights |Terrorist |Bobby Digital: In Stereo |- |Inspectah Deck, La the Darkman, Baretta 9, Streetlife |9th Chamber<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tidal.com/album/34167932|title=Inspectah Deck - Uncontrolled Substance (Explicit)|date=October 5, 1999|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Tidal.com}}</ref> |1999 |Uncontrolled Substance |- |RZA, Kinetic 9, Method Man |La Rhumba<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Rza-la-rhumba-lyrics|title=RZA (Ft. Killa Sin, Kinetic 9, Method Man & Ndira) – La Rhumba|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Genius.com}}</ref> | rowspan="3" |2001 | rowspan="2" |Digital Bullet |- |RZA, Solomon Childs |Fools<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Rza-fools-lyrics|title=RZA (Ft. Killa Sin & Solomon Childs) – Fools|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Genius.com}}</ref> |- |Ghostface KIllah |Strawberry |Bulletproof Wallets |- |Inspectah Deck, Kool G Rap |Framed<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Inspectah-deck-framed-lyrics|title=Inspectah Deck (Ft. Killa Sin & Kool G Rap) – Framed|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Tidal.com}}</ref> |2003 |The Movement |- |Streetlife |Lay Down<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tidal.com/album/12852517|title=Street Life - Street Education (Method Man Presents Street Life)|date=June 21, 2005|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Tidal.com}}</ref> |2005 |Street Education |- |Masta KIlla, Free Born, Victorious |East MCs | rowspan="2" |2006 |Made in Brooklyn |- |Ghostface KIllah, Trife, Cappadonna |Gunz n Razors<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tidal.com/album/336132|title=Ghostface Killah - More Fish|date=December 19, 2006|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Tidal.com}}</ref> |More Fish |- |Ghostface, Roc Marciano |The Black Diamonds<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tidal.com/album/332824828|title=Wu-Tang Clan - Legendary Weapons|date=July 26, 2011|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Tidal.com}}</ref> |2011 |Legendary Weapons |- |{{N/a}} |The Archer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tidal.com/album/42733265|title=Various Artists - The Man with the Iron Fists (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)|date=October 22, 2012|access-date=September 8, 2025|website=Tidal.com}}</ref> |2012 |''Man with the Iron Fists OST'' |- |Method Man, Hanz, Streetlife, Carlton Fiske |Symphony |2015 |The Meth Lab |- |Ghostface Killah, Apollo Brown |Revenge Is Sweet; Murder Spree |2018 |The Lost Tapes |}

==Videography== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan=4 | Videography |- ! 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-Tang Clan|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 (group)|ONYX]] | ''[[Shut 'Em Down (album)|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 |}

==See also== *[[List of Wu-Tang Clan affiliates]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:African-American musical groups]] [[Category:Priority Records artists]] [[Category:Loud Records artists]] [[Category:Five percenters]] [[Category:Hip-hop groups from New York City]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1995]] [[Category:Wu-Tang Clan affiliates]]