Who

A rapper and member of the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah has perhaps the best bling in all of hip-hop. He's a Sunni Muslim these days.

Backstory

Born in Staten Island, Ghostface Killah (or Dennis D. Coles to the Department of Motor Vehicles) was one of the founders of the Wu-Tang Clan in the early 1990s. Working with eight other members, including RZA, GZA, Method Man, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard, Ghostface served as executive producer on the group's 1993 debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), which introduced the group's gritty sound and kung fu movie imagery to the masses. Like the other members of the Clan, he's since launched a solo career—his 2006 record, Fishscale, landed on many best-of lists for the year; however, his 2007 record The Big Doe Rehab met with poor sales and worse reviews. Ghostface has also continued to record periodically with the Clan, most recently on 8 Diagrams in 2007.

For the record

Ghostface took his name from a kung fu movie, 1979's The Mystery of Chess Boxing, although it's changed a bit over the years. He's been known as "Ghostface Killer," "Ghostface Killah," and plain old "Ghostface." During the Wu-Gambino period when Wu members were obsessed with the Mob, he went by Tony Starks.

The look

Ghostface is partial to elaborate jewelry, like his signature gold "avenging eagle" bracelet, which once weighed four pounds. (He's since had it melted down.) He's also regularly seen with a plate-sized Versace logo hanging around his neck. In earlier days, he performed wearing a fencing mask, supposedly because he was wanted by the police, but he later said he just wore it because "Ghostface Killah sounds like a man who should have a mask on."

Grudge

On account of a high-profile beef—well documented in his lyrics—Ghostface once broke the jaw of rapper Mase. He's also warred with 50 Cent over the years and they've accused each other of various physical assaults, although neither rapper has ever ended up in jail or the hospital as a result.

No joke

True Wu-Tang fans will want to snag the limited edition Ghostface Killah doll, which spouts catchphrases and sports a real 14-karat gold chain, Swarovski crystals, and replicas of Ghostface's eagle bracelet and Versace medallion. Cost: $500. Protective headgear not included.

Personal

Ghostface lives with his gold chains and medallions in a Staten Island apartment. His modestly named son, Sun God, is also a rapper, and has collaborated with dad on a few tracks.