Gary Grice (born August 22, 1966), better known by his stage name GZA (pron… Read Full Bio ↴Gary Grice (born August 22, 1966), better known by his stage name GZA (pronounced /ˈJizzah/) and The Genius, is an American hip hop artist best known as a founding member of the seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan and for his inclusion on their group albums, his group mates' solo releases and a successful solo career.

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

Beneath The Surface
GZA/Genius Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Here I sit and watch the crowds go by

Papa da papa papa yeah

But there's only one face I can see

If only they would understand

Papa da papa papa yeah

I'd open the door and let him in

How long can I hide what I'm feeling inside?

My love is a river that's got to make its way into sea

This feeling can't hide, Lord knows I've tried

Beneath the surface

Beneath the surface

I try though I know I'm hanging on a string

Papa da papa papa yeah

You're the only one thing on my mind

Keeps floating to a distant shore

Papa da papa papa yeah

As I go on denying myself

How long can I hide what I'm feeling inside?

My love is a river that's got to make its way into sea

This feeling can't hide, Lord knows I've tried

Beneath the surface

Beneath the surface

Oh, keeps turning round in my mind

Oh, round and round in my mind

Here I sit and watch the crowds go by

Papa da papa papa yeah

But there's only one face I can see

How long can I hide what I'm feeling inside?

My love is a river that's got to make its way into sea

This feeling can't hide, Lord knows I've tried

How long can I hide what I'm feeling inside?

My love is a river that's got to make its way into sea

This feeling can't hide, Lord knows I've tried

Beneath the surface

Beneath the surface

Beneath the surface

Beneath the surface

Beneath the surface

...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to GZA's song "Beneath The Surface" express the internal struggles of someone who is hiding their true feelings for another person. The person is sitting and watching the crowds around them, but all they can see is the one face that they can't get out of their mind. However, despite their strong feelings, they are denying themselves and keeping their love hidden.

The repetition of "papa da papa papa yeah" throughout the song gives it an almost chant-like quality, as if the person is trying to convince themselves to keep their feelings buried beneath the surface. But in the end, they know that their love is like a river that must make its way to the sea and that their feelings cannot remain hidden forever.

Overall, the song is an emotional and introspective reflection on the struggle of hiding one's feelings and the desire to finally let them out.

Line by Line Meaning

Here I sit and watch the crowds go by
I am watching people and their activities

Papa da papa papa yeah
Repetitive sounds of the crowd

But there's only one face I can see
I am thinking of only one person

If only they would understand
I wish people around me could understand me

I'd open the door and let him in
I want to let the person I am thinking of inside my life

My love is a river that's got to make its way into sea
I feel consumed with feelings of love

How long can I hide what I'm feeling inside?
I am keeping my emotions hidden

This feeling can't hide, Lord knows I've tried
I am struggling to keep my emotions concealed

Beneath the surface
My true emotions are hidden

I try though I know I'm hanging on a string
I am trying to keep my emotions under control