When it comes to thought provoking, street-bred raw lyricism, the Wu-Tang Clan's fountain of wisdom, GZA takes his job very seriously. The way he crafts his double-edged rhyme flow mirrors the skill and precise technique of one who works with fine ceramics. GZA's metaphoric and multi-layered lyrics are often touted by critics as his rap name implies; genius.
Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in every borough of New York City, The GZA's workmanship can be found three albums deep with classics dating back to 1991 including the albums Words From The Genius, the gold-selling Liquid Swords and Beneath The Surface. Before his days of microphone notoriety, GZA found himself, during the early ages of rap music, travelling throughout New York City sharpening his rap skills in scattered rhyme battles. "I've studied rap in every borough," the GZA says proudly. "I've been rhyming before a lot of these cats out here were born. We've [Wu Tang Clan] always drank, ate and slept hip-hop. I love it." On his latest blockbuster album Legend Of The Liquid Sword, The GZA makes reference to his hip- hop foundation on the reflective Fam (Members Only) "I grew up around B-Boys, DJs, MCs, through rap, never thinking in ways of TV," the Genius raps. "It was strictly all about magnificent rhyme clout."
During GZA's travels, he encountered other rap veterans that recognized his promise and helped to nurture his talent. "I watched a lot of people come up that are big now," Genius says earnestly. "I used to make demo tapes with cats that rocked with Russell Simmons and people like that. The history goes so far back; I've always been really focused on writing dope rhymes."
The GZA's dream of perfection has been realized once again on his fourth album to date. Legend Of The Liquid Sword not only regains the powerful momentum started by the last three releases, it adds to the Genius' verbal legacy with uncompromising integrity. Heat-seeking darts like the introspective, Auto Bio where GZA breaks down the elements of his life that created the man he is and the crime thriller Luminal.
What has always set The GZA apart from the ordinary is his ability to create complex images with simple context. In the same way it's said that a picture is worth a thousand words, Genius assembles his words to create thousands of vivid pictures. "I don't like to just be simple," he explains. "Even though some of my stuff can seem simple at times, I like to write in a way that when you listen to it over and over again, you hear something new and it requires you to think." Legend Of The Liquid Sword does just that. Whether the listener gets captured by the vocal acrobatics of Santi White (who has written songs for Res) on GZA's Stay In Line or the authentic old school soul production on the masterpiece Animal Planet, Genius weaves satisfying brain food through his lyrics. In his phenomenally cerebral use of metaphors, The Genius flawlessly equates human city dwellers to animals in the jungle onAnimal Planet , which was produced by rhythm doctor Bink (who has produced heavyweight joints for Fat Joe, Nate Dogg, Mr. Cheeks and Faith Evans). With beats by fellow Wu Tang brother RZA, Jaz-O (Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt album), DJ Muggs (who has produced for Cypress Hill, Mobb Deep), Wu producer Mathematics (Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Sunz of Man), Arabian Knight and other sonic masterminds, GZA's talents come across even heavier. On the adrenaline raising Hip Hop call to arms, Knock, Knock (the album's shining debut single), The GZA asks on the chorus, "knock, knock, who the f*** is banging at my door, is it abstract, commercial or hardcore?" In his signature way of ill rhyme construction, GZA further defines the parameters of whatrap music should be.
Don't call GZA's comeback just a comeback, it's a return of an entirely revolutionary thought process. "When we did Back In The Game on the Wu-Tang Iron Flag album, I did a verse about gambling," he explains solidly. "I didn't want to be 'back in the game' or 'back on the block,' that's typical. I made it all metaphorical." It's those same metaphors that makes the Genius' liquid sword a living legend in it's own time.
Name: GZA/Genius
Real Name: Gary Grice
Label: N/A
Web: N/A
0% Finance
GZA/Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Took her off the showroom floor, no money down
Near the Chrysler Building, the heart of Midtown
Two hundred horsepower under the hood
Junk in the trunk, that be far from damaged goods
Designer frames, the windshield's stay tinted
The most beautiful thing someone invented
A Wrangler had a sticker on the bumper
Rear view mirror, that of Serena Williams
Staring with the crime and the look to kill 'em
Brushless showers and the Brazilian wax
Cash in the glove department, freeze from tax
Low mileage, on the odometer
A graduate, with more degrees than a thermometer
Spark plugs for great conversation
She would Focus on the finish line and destination
Steering in the right direction, made sure
I wore a seatbelt, and had airbags for protection
In her tank, she love to stash my tool
I kept it full, super unloaded fuel
She had a room full of skirts and rims
The old ones, used to swing off ropes, that often hung from limbs
A temp at the Ford Modeling Agency
Suburban area, where the Caucasians be
Her great grandfather was a Cherokee Indian
Exploring Navigator, traveling then begin
Sharpening his arrows on Plymouth Rock, commanding chief
Who weighs cattle, only selling the livestock
King of the Frontier, rider of thoroughbreds
He was just as sharp as a needle without thread
Legend in truth, but known to run the herds
His sons were Oldsmobiles who drink Thunderbird
Land Cruisers sitting on fertile soil
With equipment that ran off expensive oil
Folks bragging, said a horse pulled the Volkswagen
They love Mustang Sally and lolly gagging
Fished in Lake Tahoe, cooking Barracuda's
Hundred Impala's with the six shooters
From a long range with the dog Rover
It was something else to see him out and over
Some got caught in the Crossfire, a bunch of rabbits
Indicating these dudes should retire
One was oddball, rocking a sunroof
A gas guzzler, in his grill was one tooth
A strong Accent and a beard like Lincoln
Who hated the Golf course, but he love drinking
Avenger, used to pick up chicks
He had Magnums, that was laying tough but thick
Wore a Blazer, and where he used to hide the ruger
For encounters with the Jaguars and Cougars
A veteran move and salute, sing the anthem
In Accord with the plan, he was a Phantom
He had a fat lady, they called Hummer
And um, she needed bodywork for the whole summer
She had a few friends, who used to stay in the pound
Abandoned parking lots and junkyard down
Regulars in rest areas and truck stops
Cassette player, known to make the tape pop
Gold diggers, who wanted cream like well's Fargo
In Vegas, they circle around a Montecarlo
You know the snakes with the fangs of Vipers
Bloodsuckers, who will use the piss from hiking
Met the Cavaliers at the Outback Steakhouse
Chicken cutlet supreme, just for takeout
One of them was forced to live in Astoria
'cause at the auction they had Crown Victoria
Since then, her friends charged with battery
Had her running off the sweets flattery
She kept a loud muffler, couldn't trust her
Police used to always pull over his duster
A pothead, who some called the Firebird
A foul mouth who could of used wiser words
Her man used to hustle and ran the crack corner
So insecure, he kept Low Jack on her
Peeping with his visors low, high beaming
Temper would accelerate, private eyes scheming
He would check his console for rubber
She would pass the inspection with flying colors
She would turn left, if he said right
On a cycle, he would often run a red light
His voice Echoed if she Dodged a Convoy
A previous owner, all he did was bone her
Some drove her crazy, she was just a loner
He had a leaking transmission fluid
Said it was an accident, didn't mean to do it
No insurance, but a grill to cage
She sobbed uncontrollably and still stayed
Another total Eclipse for the heart
Like the freezing weather that never gave her a start
Plus, he had a Sidekick in his garage
And if he needed a Boost, she would give him a charge
He was sentence for running an Escort service
Escaped from prison but made a few nervous
His baby mother and wife, the BMW
Number one on her list, who he brought trouble to
She done everything to regain her Liberty
Tried to be Audi, but went into delivery
Moved to Aspen, survived the Avalanche
A different Element, inside a cattle ranch
Far away when she changed the pattern
The distance was light from Mercury to Saturn
The song "0% Finance" by GZA is an intricate depiction of owning a luxurious car, with GZA vividly describing the car's features and specifications in each verse. The song can also be interpreted as a metaphor for relationships, with GZA personifying the car as a woman who is beautiful, independent, and strong. He goes into detail about the car's past owners and their personalities, highlighting their flaws and how they mistreated her. GZA then provides insight into how he treats her better, offering her love, respect, and protection. The last verse is a fascinating twist, where GZA reveals that the car is not actually his, but of someone he knows, and that the car has been abandoned and left to rust away.
The lyrics of "0% Finance" provide a glimpse into GZA's creative and storytelling abilities. He showcases his mastery of wordplay, metaphors, and similes, and his ability to paint intricate pictures with his words. He also tackles a universal theme of relationships and how we treat those we love, subtly urging the listener to reflect on their own behavior and how they treat their partners.
Line by Line Meaning
Took her off the showroom floor, no money down
Acquired her without making any initial payment
Near the Chrysler Building, the heart of Midtown
Located close to a prominent landmark in the city
Two hundred horsepower under the hood
Possessing a powerful and efficient engine
Junk in the trunk, that be far from damaged goods
Having a well-shaped posterior that is desirable
Designer frames, the windshield's stay tinted
Equipped with stylish glasses and tinted windows
The most beautiful thing someone invented
Considered as an exceptional creation and aesthetically pleasing
A Wrangler had a sticker on the bumper
A Jeep Wrangler had a warning sign on its rear
A sign in case tow trucks tried to dump her
A precautionary sign to deter any attempts of towing or abandoning
Rear view mirror, that of Serena Williams
The rearview mirror reflected a powerful and focused persona
Staring with the crime and the look to kill 'em
Gazing intently with a menacing demeanor
Brushless showers and the Brazilian wax
Showering without using a brush and having a Brazilian wax
Cash in the glove department, freeze from tax
Keeping money in the glove compartment to avoid being taxed
Low mileage, on the odometer
Having driven for a relatively short distance
A graduate, with more degrees than a thermometer
Being highly educated and surpassing the number of degrees in a thermometer
Spark plugs for great conversation
Having engaging and stimulating discussions
She would Focus on the finish line and destination
Maintaining a strong focus on achieving goals and reaching destinations
Steering in the right direction, made sure
Ensuring the path taken is correct and purposeful
I wore a seatbelt, and had airbags for protection
Valuing safety by using a seatbelt and having airbags
In her tank, she love to stash my tool
Keeping valuable possessions hidden in her fuel tank
I kept it full, super unloaded fuel
Ensuring the fuel tank is always full and using premium unleaded fuel
She had a room full of skirts and rims
Having a collection of skirts (clothes) and rims (car accessories)
The old ones, used to swing off ropes, that often hung from limbs
Referring to older skirts that were flirtatious and wild
A temp at the Ford Modeling Agency
Working as a temporary employee at a prestigious modeling agency
Suburban area, where the Caucasians be
Residing in a suburban neighborhood predominantly inhabited by Caucasian people
Her great grandfather was a Cherokee Indian
Having Native American heritage through her great grandfather
Exploring Navigator, traveling then begin
Embarking on explorations using a Navigator vehicle, symbolizing the start of a journey
Sharpening his arrows on Plymouth Rock, commanding chief
Preparing for battle by sharpening arrows on a historically significant rock, assuming the role of a powerful leader
Who weighs cattle, only selling the livestock
Experienced in weighing and selling livestock but not engaging in other activities
King of the Frontier, rider of thoroughbreds
Regarded as a frontier king and skilled at riding high-quality horses
He was just as sharp as a needle without thread
Being incredibly sharp and focused, comparable to a needle without thread
Legend in truth, but known to run the herds
Gaining legendary status for being truthful, while also leading and controlling groups of animals
His sons were Oldsmobiles who drink Thunderbird
His sons, symbolized as Oldsmobile cars, consume alcoholic beverages named Thunderbird
Land Cruisers sitting on fertile soil
Land Cruisers (vehicles) positioned on productive and fertile land
With equipment that ran off expensive oil
Using machinery that required costly oil as fuel
Folks bragging, said a horse pulled the Volkswagen
People boastfully claimed that a horse was capable of pulling a Volkswagen car
They love Mustang Sally and lolly gagging
Having a strong affection for Mustang Sally and leisurely loitering
Fished in Lake Tahoe, cooking Barracuda's
Engaged in fishing activities in Lake Tahoe and preparing cooked barracudas
Hundred Impala's with the six shooters
Owning numerous Impala cars equipped with powerful firearms
From a long range with the dog Rover
Using a long-range weapon alongside a faithful dog named Rover
It was something else to see him out and over
Witnessing his remarkable skills and dominance
Some got caught in the Crossfire, a bunch of rabbits
Certain individuals became trapped and affected in conflicts, resembling a group of vulnerable rabbits
Indicating these dudes should retire
Suggesting that these individuals should retire from their current activities
One was oddball, rocking a sunroof
One person stood out as unusual, flaunting a sunroof on their vehicle
A gas guzzler, in his grill was one tooth
Driving a vehicle that consumes excessive fuel, characterized by having a single tooth on its grille
A strong Accent and a beard like Lincoln
Having a noticeable accent and sporting a beard similar to Abraham Lincoln's
Who hated the Golf course, but he love drinking
Disliking golf courses but having a penchant for consuming alcoholic beverages
Avenger, used to pick up chicks
Using an Avenger car to attract and impress women
He had Magnums, that was laying tough but thick
Possessing Magnums, suggesting he owned large-caliber guns that were powerful and intimidating
Wore a Blazer, and where he used to hide the ruger
Wearing a Blazer vehicle and concealing a Ruger firearm in it
For encounters with the Jaguars and Cougars
Prepared for interactions with luxurious car models (Jaguars) and older women (Cougars)
A veteran move and salute, sing the anthem
Demonstrating experienced actions and respect, and singing the national anthem
In Accord with the plan, he was a Phantom
Aligning perfectly with the plan, he operated discreetly like a Phantom
He had a fat lady, they called Hummer
He possessed a large and powerful vehicle known as a Hummer
And um, she needed bodywork for the whole summer
Referring to the Hummer needing extensive repairs and maintenance during the entire summer
She had a few friends, who used to stay in the pound
She had a group of acquaintances who spent time in jail
Abandoned parking lots and junkyard down
Frequenting deserted parking spaces and rundown junkyards
Regulars in rest areas and truck stops
Often found in rest areas and locations where trucks stop
Cassette player, known to make the tape pop
Using a cassette player that occasionally caused the tape to stop playing
Gold diggers, who wanted cream like well's Fargo
Referring to materialistic individuals seeking wealth, similar to Wells Fargo's cream (money)
In Vegas, they circle around a Montecarlo
In Las Vegas, these individuals repeatedly surround a Monte Carlo car
You know the snakes with the fangs of Vipers
Referring to deceptive individuals with harmful intentions
Bloodsuckers, who will use the piss from hiking
Describing parasitic individuals who would exploit any opportunity for their own gain
Met the Cavaliers at the Outback Steakhouse
Interacting with the Cavaliers (likely basketball players) at an Australian-themed restaurant chain
Chicken cutlet supreme, just for takeout
Ordering a supremely delicious chicken cutlet for takeaway
One of them was forced to live in Astoria
One individual was compelled to reside in Astoria, a neighborhood in New York
'cause at the auction they had Crown Victoria
The reason for the living situation was due to a Crown Victoria being available at an auction
Since then, her friends charged with battery
Subsequently, her acquaintances faced legal charges related to assault
Had her running off the sweets flattery
Manipulated her with false compliments and flattery
She kept a loud muffler, couldn't trust her
Her car had a conspicuously noisy exhaust, leading to doubts about her reliability
Police used to always pull over his duster
Law enforcement frequently stopped his Plymouth Duster car
A pothead, who some called the Firebird
Referring to an individual who frequently smoked marijuana, known by the nickname Firebird
A foul mouth who could of used wiser words
Having a vulgar vocabulary and lacking discretion in choosing words
Her man used to hustle and ran the crack corner
Her partner used to engage in illicit activities and controlled a specific area for selling crack cocaine
So insecure, he kept Low Jack on her
Due to his lack of trust, he installed a tracking device (LoJack) on her
Peeping with his visors low, high beaming
Secretly observing situations with lowered sun visors, while illuminating the area with high beams
Temper would accelerate, private eyes scheming
His anger would rapidly escalate, and he would plot secretive strategies
He would check his console for rubber
He would frequently inspect his car's console for condoms
She would pass the inspection with flying colors
She would easily pass any scrutiny or examination
She would turn left, if he said right
Choosing the opposite direction of his instruction, demonstrating defiance
On a cycle, he would often run a red light
While riding a motorcycle, he frequently disregarded traffic signals by crossing on a red light
His voice Echoed if she Dodged a Convoy
His voice resounded with rage when she avoided a group of vehicles traveling together
A previous owner, all he did was bone her
A former partner who only used her for sexual gratification
Some drove her crazy, she was just a loner
Certain people caused her immense frustration, leaving her feeling isolated
He had a leaking transmission fluid
His car had a problem with the transmission, causing fluid to leak
Said it was an accident, didn't mean to do it
Claiming that the leakage was unintentional and occurred accidentally
No insurance, but a grill to cage
Lacking insurance coverage but possessing a protective barrier in the front of the car
She sobbed uncontrollably and still stayed
Despite feeling overwhelmed with tears, she remained in the situation
Another total Eclipse for the heart
Experiencing another instance of heartbreak or emotional pain
Like the freezing weather that never gave her a start
Similar to the cold weather that never allowed her to begin anew
Plus, he had a Sidekick in his garage
Additionally, he owned a Sidekick vehicle stored in his garage
And if he needed a Boost, she would give him a charge
If he required assistance or an energy boost, she would provide it
He was sentence for running an Escort service
He received a legal punishment for operating a service involving escorts
Escaped from prison but made a few nervous
Managed to break free from prison, causing unease among certain individuals
His baby mother and wife, the BMW
Referring to his child's mother and wife as high-status and luxurious, resembling a BMW car
Number one on her list, who he brought trouble to
Considering her the most important person in his life, although being a source of problems for her
She done everything to regain her Liberty
She made considerable efforts to regain her freedom and independence
Tried to be Audi, but went into delivery
Attempting to end the relationship and move on, but ultimately became pregnant
Moved to Aspen, survived the Avalanche
Relocated to Aspen and managed to survive a destructive avalanche
A different Element, inside a cattle ranch
Living in a distinct environment, specifically within a ranch for cattle
Far away when she changed the pattern
Being physically distant when she altered and deviated from the usual routine
The distance was light from Mercury to Saturn
The physical separation was immense, similar to the distance between Mercury and Saturn in space
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Dungeon287
For a song that's 100% about cars, the lyricism and wordplay are astounding. GZA never disappoints.
@sdewey4152
I was going to reply to you but I couldn't word it better without rambling for thousands of words.
@kerner82
Similar to “Fame”
@randys2669
@T.J. Kerner In Labels he names various record labels and in Queen's Gambit he names every NFL team.
@clubfillerspinkknickers9791
@Randy S What is wordplay?
@markgillan3750
Pro
@LSGNA45
If GZA hooked up with MF doom that would be the sickest album ever
@bostoncarlyle4315
couldn't agree more literally my 2 top mic melters \m/
@jaywood6542
🙋💯👍
@SuperMoss15
Won't be happening in this lifetime.