Liquid Swords
GZA/Genius Lyrics
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He was the greatest samurai in the empire
And he was the Shogun's decapitator
He cut off the heads of a hundred and thirty-one lords
It was a bad time for the empire
The Shogun just stayed inside his castle and he never came out
People said his brain was infected by devils
My father would come home, he would forget about the killings
He wasn't scared of the Shogun, but the shogun was scared of him
Maybe that was the problem
Then, one night
The, the Shogun sent his ninja spies to our house
They were supposed to kill my father but they didn't
That was the night everything changed
See, sometimes you gotta flash 'em back
See niggas don't know where this shit started
Y'all know where it came from
I'm sayin', we gon' take y'all back to the source
Through knowledge, yo
When the MCs came to live out the name and to perform
Some had to snort cocaine to act insane
B-before Pete rocked it on
Now on with the mental plane to spark the brain
With the building to be born
Yo, RZA flip the track with the what to cut
Fake niggas get flipped
In mic fights I swing swords and cut clowns
Shit is too swift to bite, you record and write it down
I flow like the blood on a murder scene, like a syringe
On some wild out shit, to insert a fiend
But it was your op to shop stolen art
Catch a swollen heart from not rolling smart
I put mad pressure, on phony whack rhymes that get hurt
Shit's played like zodiac signs on sweatshirt
That's minimum and feminine like sandals
My minimum table stacks a verse on a gamble
Energy is felt once the cards are dealt
With the impact of roundhouse kicks from black belts
That attack, the mic-phones like cyclones or typhoon
I represent from midnight to high noon
I don't waste ink, nigga, I think
I drop megaton bombs more faster than you blink
'Cause rhyme thoughts travel at a tremendous speed
Through clouds of smoke of natural blends of weed
Only under one circumstance that's if I'm blunted
Turn that shit up, my clan in the front want it
When the MCs came to live out the name and t-to perform
Some had to snort cocaine t-to act insane
Before Pete rocked it on
Now on with the mental plane just to spark the brain
With the building to be born
Yo, RZA flip the track with the what, uh, chika, uh
I'm on a mission that niggas say is impossible
But when I swing my swords they all choppable
I be the body dropper, the heartbeat stopper
Child educator, plus head amputator
'Cause niggas styles are old like Mark 5 sneakers
Lyrics are weak like clock radio speakers
Don't even stop in my station and attack
While your plan failed, get derailed like Amtrak
What the fuck for? Down by law, I make law
I be justice, I sentence that ass two to four
'Round the clock, that state pen time check it
With the pens I be sticking but you can't stick to crime
Came through with the Wu, slid off on the DL
I'm low-key like seashells, I rock these bells (for the MC's)
Now come aboard, it's Medina bound
Enter the chamber, and it's a whole different sound
It's a wide entrance, small exit like a funnel
So deep it's picked up on radios in tunnels
Niggas are fascinated how the shit begin
Get vaccinated, my logo is branded in your skin
When the MCs came to live out the name and to perform
Some had to snort cocaine to act insane
Before Pete rocked it on
Now on with the mental plane just to spark the brain
With the building to be born
Yo, RZA flip the track, with the-, fuck, is it, the, uh
This gon' hit 'em, hit, hit 'em, hit 'em
The lyrics of GZA/Genius's song "Liquid Swords" speak to the artistry of rap and the challenges of the industry. The song begins with a reference to a "nationwide poll," suggesting a competitive nature to the rap game. GZA boasts about his skills with language, claiming that most "rap ink" could not hold his pen. He speaks to the contractual nature of the industry, where MCs sign documents with the "blood of the slain," meaning they must prove themselves worthy of the game. GZA also speaks to the resilience necessary to succeed in the industry, reminding us that confidence is key.
Line by Line Meaning
Who won the covenant role, based on a nationwide poll?
Who was chosen as the leader of this rap game through a public vote?
For the grip tells told and rap scrolls
For the story that the lyrics tell and for the written records of rap music
Perfect pitch for language that's built within
A unique ability to use words in a way that perfectly fits the rhythm and style of rap music
Where half the rap ink couldn't hold my pen
The other rappers don't have the same level of skill and creativity when it comes to writing lyrics
Meanin' when MC's came, to live out the name
When other rappers tried to become famous by using their stage names
They signed the documents with the, blood of the slain
They had to work really hard and sacrifice their time and energy to achieve success as rappers
Far removed from this hip hop life, off course
Living a different kind of life that doesn't involve the typical struggles and obstacles faced by many rappers
But the confidence and resilience was never lost
Still having the self-assurance and ability to withstand difficulties, despite being separated from the rap world
In the think thank and research lab, I laid tracks
Creating new music through careful planning, innovation, and experimentation
Seen work rule my life but it never broke my back
Despite working very hard, still able to maintain the strength and endurance to do what it takes to succeed
Destiny forever shake from the events to come
The future will always be unpredictable and full of surprises, which can change the course of one's life
From the father and the chemical contents of the sun
Influenced by the natural forces of the universe, including the energy of the sun and the guidance of one's ancestors
A solid gold figure with a verse that glitters
As an accomplished rapper, seen as a valuable and impressive figure whose words shine with brilliance
Until the platinum beat comes increasingly bitter
Due to industry changes and competition, the environment for rappers becomes more negative and difficult
They joined in a likely alliance with the rest
Forming partnerships with other rappers to achieve shared goals
Schemin' with unsuccessful in a zealous quest
Attempting to succeed through deceptive and selfish means, despite the fact that it is unlikely to work
We all see, with a degree of certainty
A shared understanding that certain rappers are not genuine and do not deserve respect
Who the fake, cowardly cats behind the curtains be
Identifying those who are not honest or brave, and who attempt to hide their true selves from the public eye
They hunt, for the skin, flesh, the blood, and bones
Looking to exploit and manipulate rappers for their physical and financial resources
In front, want to impress with studded stones
Using flashy accessories to try and appear impressive and wealthy, even if it is only a facade
Now who's the man who brought you the legend of the liquid swords?
Who is the rapper responsible for creating this classic work of art?
Rap critics say 'Damn' you're sick with yours'
Receiving high praise and admiration from music critics for one's exceptional talent
4th chamber and the shadowboxin' too
Referring to other popular rap songs that the artist has created
That nigga be the GZA from Wu
The artist is GZA, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan
And if you don't know
If the listener is not aware or informed about something important
About the piroclastic flow
A type of volcanic eruption that the artist will use as a metaphor for his own style of rap music
Hotter than the spark that made it blow
More intense and powerful than the initial cause that led to the volcanic eruption
You better recognize, recognize
You need to acknowledge and appreciate the artist's incredible talent
Words pulled together, sudden change in the weather
Using language in a way that creates a strong impact, leading to a sudden and unexpected shift in the tone or subject of the song
The nature and the scale of events don't make sense
The events that have occurred are difficult to understand and seem irrational or unexplainable
A storm with no warnin' you're drawn in, environments
Being caught up in a chaotic situation without any prior warning, and becoming affected by one's surroundings
Gravity that's gone mad, clouds of dust and debris
The natural forces that typically hold things in place become chaotic and uncontrollable, resulting in chaos and destruction
Moving at colossal speeds, they crush an MC
The destruction is happening so quickly and powerfully that even talented rappers are unable to escape unscathed
Since this rap region is heavily packed with stars
The rap music industry is full of many talented and famous individuals, making it a highly competitive environment
Internal mirror in the telescope, noticed the Czar
Revealing the self-image and personality of an important or powerful individual, as if seeing through a telescope and discovering a hidden truth
From far away, they blink as the lightnin' strolled
Observing from a distance as a powerful and impressive figure (represented by lightning) moves through the scene
Great distance of space between precise globes
There is a vast separation between the people involved, despite their shared pursuits or similar paths
That travel in a circle of order
Moving along a structured or planned path, despite the vastness of the universe
Like the tape in your cassette recorder
Playing and recording music in a consistent and ordered way, like tapes in an older style of music player
Filled with cult for slaughter
Intensely dedicated and passionate about creating music, even if it requires sacrifice or struggle
Meaning the contracts manifestly work
The agreements between individuals or companies are clear and effective in achieving their intended goals
The hitman for hire, weapon in his hand he lurks
A dangerous and unpredictable figure who is willing to cause harm for financial gain
In spite of the strange appearance he laid a clearance
Despite having a unique and unconventional style or demeanor, still able to achieve success and overcome obstacles
On his target through a crowded market no interference
Successfully accomplishing a task, even in the face of many obstacles or distractions
The microphone left on the scene without a serial
The artistic and musical accomplishments are left behind as a legacy and tribute, even if the individual is no longer physically present
Evidence consistent with organic material
The evidence left behind is authentic and genuine, rather than being artificial or contrived
Surprisingly, as we marched lively with great size and degree
Despite being faced with many difficulties and competitors, still able to succeed and even thrive through hard work and dedication
Till it spread widely
Achieving widespread recognition and acclaim for one's artistic and musical work
Yeah, yeah, GZA, yeah
Affirming the identity and reputation of the artist known as GZA
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Robert F. Diggs, Gary E. Grice, Felix Cavaliere, Edward J. Brigati Jr., Josef Erich Zawinul
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KillaSin515
Wu Tang Clan was untouchable from 93-2000
1993. Enter the 36 Chambers
1994. Method Man - Tical
1995. O.D.B. - Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
1995. Reakwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
1995. GZA - Liquid Swords
1996. Ghostface Killah - Ironman
1997. Wu-Tang Forever
1998. Cappadonna - The Pillage
1998. Method Man - Judgement Day
1998. RZA - Bobby Digital in Stereo
1999. GZA - Beneath the Surface
1999. O.D.B. - Nigga Please
1999. Method Man/Redman - Blackout!
1999. Inspectah Deck - Uncontrolled Substance
1999. U-God - Golden Arms Redemption
1999. Raekwon - Immobilarity
2000. Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele
2000. The W
@Korrupto777
2024 and still here...๐
@user-oz7sw1sz3g
love it
@UmmJannah5
Checkin in!!๐ค๐พ
@nacimrh9237
wu tang forever.
@juliorodriguez2655
Present
@xBonafidexProdigy
Yessirrrr
@KatiafromNice
Omg omg !! Best best song from the Genius !! LIQUID SWORDS โคALL THE WAY !! All DAY
@dlxinfinite7098
GZA's pen is always raw, brutal but profound. Makes you go within while bobbin ya head.
@Kevinguth
25 years ago today this album was released, instant classic, better yet, forever classic!! Wu-tang forever!!!
@markcromwell1975
My favorite album๐