The song "Heard It All Before" by Ghostface Killah is a track from his album "Supreme Clientele" released in 2000. The song features Ghostface Killah expressing his lyrical prowess, confidence, and addressing his competition. In the lyrics, Ghostface Killah starts by acknowledging a fan who won a pair of Theodore (his alter ego) drawers as a prize. He then introduces himself as the "Mighty Joe Young of rap" and boasts about his success, wealth, and influence in the music industry. Ghostface Killah uses vivid imagery to describe his lavish lifestyle, including having two porsches, a large ranch, and expensive jewelry. He also mentions going through multiple divorces and facing rumors and gossip about his personal life. Throughout the song, Ghostface Killah emphasizes his lyrical skill, claiming to "kill music with no hands" and leaving his competition without words. He uses wordplay, metaphors, and clever rhymes to convey his dominance in the rap game. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "all your talk is poor" to address those who claim to be tough or impressive but fail to deliver in their rhymes or actions. Ghostface Killah asserts that he had to "shut them down" and prove his superiority. In the second verse, Ghostface Killah describes his approach to writing rhymes and his ability to captivate audiences. He mentions being influenced by the police and how he overcomes adversity. He also references his successful career, mentioning accolades such as being recognized by the New York Times and Rolling Stone. He concludes by criticizing those who imitate his style and warns against letting success go to their heads. The outro of the song features Ghostface Killah hyping up the crowd at a live event, specifically calling out Staten Island for their support. He encourages the audience to celebrate and acknowledge his alter ego Theodore. The song ends with energetic ad-libs and audience participation. Overall, "Heard It All Before" showcases Ghostface Killah's lyrical prowess, confidence, and ability to entertain and engage his fan base. The song also serves as a commentary on the rap industry, addressing competition and imitation.
