I Asked Ghostface Killah About My Roller Derby Alias 'Ghostface KillHer'

Photo By Paula Youwakim

On the roller derby track, most skaters choose a nickname to skate as. Usually, they're some pun-y variation of a celebrity's name or something totally random that’s made tough like Jackie Daniels, Scald Eagle and Georgie W. Tush. For others its just a nickname or—and I include myself in this group—an alter ego. And mine, is Ghostface KillHer

I originally joined Montreal Roller Derby in 2012 and when it came time to choose a name, I knew right away that would be it. I'm 120 pounds, 5'5 and a female WASP and that's precisely why I chose to embody the most bad ass rapper in the game. I must have been eight years old when the Wu-Tang Clan came out with their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) but for some reason I remember it clearly. There was Meth, Raekwon, Ghostface and the rest of the clan dead center on my TV schooling me about the money, with “C.R.E.A.M”! And ever since then, I became a fan of rap—and more importantly the Wu. However, I never thought I'd actually get to meet the living, breathing version of Ghostface Killah. So when I heard he was playing a show in Montreal, I jumped at the chance to sit down with one of the founding members.

For 20 years, Ghostface Killah has been in the rap game and he’s still going strong. Whether it’s working with the Wu, going solo or collaborating with emerging artists like Toronto’s BADBADNOTGOOD, there’s no such thing as slowing down for him. “I love music and I got an ear for it,” Ghost tells me. “When I see something that I know that’s worth something, I go after it. I refuse to let my ear get old.” According to Ghost, his creativity is god-given; something that was put in him from birth by Allah. See, Ghost is a convert to Islam and when I ask him about the anti-Muslim sentiment that seems to be bubbling up in Canada, he definitely got a little heated. “Terrorism is not related to Islam. We as people hurt each other every day. Whether it’s just being outside or out in the hood, people are hurting each other,” he says. Clearly, not learning my lesson, I then followed up by asking him what he thought about European anti-Muslim group, PEGIDA, who in recent times have started making their way to Canada.

Photo By Paula Youwakim

“First you have to understand our religion, you know what I mean? I mean, I can’t talk about Christianity if I don’t know it. You can’t talk about Muslims or Islam if you don’t know it,” Ghost says, “You gotta look at the situation and see what makes these people react the way they act. Are we over in their country doing good things?” Before the interview waded deeper into dangerous territory, I decided it was time to go through with the big reveal. I’d worn my roller derby team jersey (The New Skids On The Block, in case you were curious) under my shirt, complete with my derby name stamped on the back. I have to admit, Ghost looked a little uncomfortable sitting beside me while I started to undo my shirt. But when I turned around and showed him my name, he broke out in a huge grin. “I appreciate that so much,” he said, reaching out to touch my back. “Just the thought alone, man…for people to embrace you, even for you to put my name on the back of your jersey, I’m from the block! I don’t take that for granted and I respect that, thank you so much.” His gratittude was almost too much for me to accept. I never thought I’d get to meet my derby namesake, let alone have him thank me. Shortly after the chat wrapped up I decided my next course of action: get him to blow the first whistle at one my games. Pretty Toney for life!

Sarah Leavitt’s favourite roller derby song by Ghostface is “Push” - @sarahleavittcbc