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
Breaker Breaker ft. Inspectah Deck & Masta Killa
GZA/Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
MC's should expect the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
This is not a test, it's difficulty
Picture closely, the ignorant mostly
Blind, deaf, dumb, your mind left numb
In the bottom of your bomb shelter, still felt the
Heavy blast that blew off the masks of twelve welders
The math of an elder, praise the Lord, thank you Genius
Operation: Project English
Commander-n-chief of flight style, check the aircraft
Glide like the frisbee, Digi look Disney
To check fault in oneself is pure loveliness
You break the mirror that remind you of your ugliness
So when I bust, no one is untouched
Some returning with the mic clutched, like such
Who plan but never execute
He had the heat in his hand, but yo he didn't shoot
Therefore; your mechanism of material better be sickly
Or let your lead spread incredibly quickly
I move bravely, travellin' on a horse
On the battlefield, surrounded by the lost
Of those who plotted with the brains of animals
My high molecular structure be untangible
The name ring a bell, killable two syllable
The Wu is comin' through, the outcome is critical
To be blunt, the beef was cooked up like coke goods
The rhyme first came to me in the oak woods
Up to no good, rap icon
"Milk" the industry like the Wall Street junk bond
You see the bright stone, I got your height sewn
Direct current, that move through the mic-phone
Key contributor, well known major factor
Rhyme distributor, the drive of a tractor
Who run ya down if you don't wanna move or wanna linger
[Chorus: Repeat 2X]
The immortality of my fame is the measure of other's torture
Burnt offer, from a flamin' author
The falconer who flies enough birds for the chase
Strictly excel in what is excellence with grace
The significance was not the vulgar applause of interest
But the feelin' that exit, completion of a sentence
With age and experience, my reason ripens
I strike on you Vikings, slash like a hyphen
If you enter the house of fortune by the gate of pleasure
You will leave by sorrow, the flow measures
Everything fails with the unfortunate
Learned that recordin' it, so my mind broaden it
Track records, ranks us, with the exceptional
Extreme complex physics, high technical
The truth is usually seen and rarely heard
What's more dangerous than hatred, is the word
You wild cards, Jack of all trades
Those who parade their positions, show their Spades
A large flock of MC's, they figure to be taught
It ain't hard to see why I'm vigorously sought
[Chorus: Repeat 2X]
Breaker, breaker, one nine
Breaker, breaker, one nine
The lyrics of "Breaker Breaker" by GZA/Genius and Santi White heavily focus on the MC's rap skills and their ability to stand out among the crowd. With the lyrics "Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes," the MC's are making it clear that they are in control and have the upper hand in the rap world. Throughout the song, GZA/Genius and Santi White convey a sense of power and confidence, stating that they shoot first and aren't afraid to call out those who lack skill.
The lyrics also touch on deeper themes, such as the idea of ignorance and its consequences. GZA/Genius raps, "Blind, deaf, dumb, your mind left numb / Lost soul who failed to hear the roll of the drum." Here, he suggests that those who are ignorant are essentially dead inside, unable to truly experience life. The MC's also touch on the idea of self-reflection, suggesting that it's important to recognize one's faults before they can improve themselves. Overall, the lyrics of "Breaker Breaker" showcase the MC's skills and self-assurance, while also exploring deeper philosophical themes.
Line by Line Meaning
Breaker, breaker, one nine, clear the line
Requesting all communication channels to be open for a transmission
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
Asking if the message is being received and implying that the MC's rhymes were stolen
MC's should expect the worst
Advising other MC's to prepare themselves for the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
Being cautious and ready to take action
This is not a test, it's difficulty
Stating that this is a real challenge and not a simulated one
Picture closely, the ignorant mostly
Observing that the ignorant are the main ones affected
Blind, deaf, dumb, your mind left numb
Being unable to sense, understand, or react, leaving the mind in a state of numbness
Lost soul who failed to hear the roll of the drum
A soul that did not heed the warning or call to arms
In the bottom of your bomb shelter, still felt the
Even in a secure location, the impact was still felt
Heavy blast that blew off the masks of twelve welders
A powerful blast that even removed protective gear
The math of an elder, praise the Lord, thank you Genius
Acknowledging knowledge from an elder and being grateful
Operation: Project English
Project focused on enhancing the use of the English language
Commander-n-chief of flight style, check the aircraft
Being the leader of a unique style and ensuring it is operating smoothly
Glide like the frisbee, Digi look Disney
Moving swiftly and smoothly while appearing modern and sleek
To check fault in oneself is pure loveliness
Recognizing one's own flaws is a beautiful thing
You break the mirror that remind you of your ugliness
Breaking a mirror that reflects one's flaws and insecurities
So when I bust, no one is untouched
Implying that everyone will be impacted when the artist performs
Some returning with the mic clutched, like such
Referring to MC's who become inspired to create after seeing the artist perform
Who plan but never execute
Describing individuals who have great ideas but do not follow through
He had the heat in his hand, but yo he didn't shoot
Implying that someone had the opportunity to act, but failed to do so
Therefore; your mechanism of material better be sickly
Advising other artists to have a strong content strategy
Or let your lead spread incredibly quickly
Implied to be a reference to either gunfire or a metaphor for success spreading rapidly
I move bravely, travellin' on a horse
Moving forward courageously, like a rider on horseback
On the battlefield, surrounded by the lost
In what can be likened to a warzone, with people who are lost
Of those who plotted with the brains of animals
Describing people who think or act foolishly
My high molecular structure be untangible
Implied to be a reference to the artist's unique qualities or style
The name ring a bell, killable two syllable
A unique name known for only having two syllables
The Wu is comin' through, the outcome is critical
Referring to the artist collective Wu-Tang Clan and implying that they are about to make a big impact
To be blunt, the beef was cooked up like coke goods
Being frank about an issue with another artist, and implying that it was artificially created
The rhyme first came to me in the oak woods
Recalling the inspiration for the lyric
Up to no good, rap icon
Admitting to a bit of mischief, while alluding to the artist's status as an influential figure in rap
"Milk" the industry like the Wall Street junk bond
Making money and taking advantage of the rap industry, much like Wall Street does with finance
You see the bright stone, I got your height sewn
Referring to having a shining reputation or being successful
Direct current, that move through the mic-phone
A metaphorical reference to the artist's energy and skill on the microphone
Key contributor, well known major factor
Acknowledging the artist's importance and influence
Rhyme distributor, the drive of a tractor
Distributing rhymes, and doing so with the determination of a hardworking farmer
Who run ya down if you don't wanna move or wanna linger
Being persistent and determined, perhaps indicating a desire for others to follow suit
The immortality of my fame is the measure of other's torture
Stating that the artist's lasting fame brings pain to others
Burnt offer, from a flamin' author
Suggesting that the person responsible for causing the pain is somewhat significant or notable
The falconer who flies enough birds for the chase
A metaphorical image of a he who has trained many others
Strictly excel in what is excellence with grace
Striving for excellence, and doing so with style and grace
The significance was not the vulgar applause of interest
Noting that the value of success was not just in shallow praise
But the feelin' that exit, completion of a sentence
Satisfaction in finishing a project or completing a task
With age and experience, my reason ripens
Growing wiser with time and experience
I strike on you Vikings, slash like a hyphen
Overcoming strong opposition, like a warrior taking on Vikings, and doing so with precision
If you enter the house of fortune by the gate of pleasure
Warning against seeking pleasure as a path to wealth
You will leave by sorrow, the flow measures
Implying that desire for pleasure will ultimately lead to pain, with consequences that can be measured
Everything fails with the unfortunate
Being unlucky can cause everything to fail
Learned that recordin' it, so my mind broaden it
Having learned from recording experiences, and gaining new insight or ideas from it
Track records, ranks us, with the exceptional
Past accomplishments define one's reputation in comparison to other exceptional individuals
Extreme complex physics, high technical
Using a metaphor to describe the difficulty and precision of the artist's work
The truth is usually seen and rarely heard
Truth is often observed rather than spoken
What's more dangerous than hatred, is the word
Implying that words can be more harmful than hatred
You wild cards, Jack of all trades
Addressing unpredictable or versatile individuals
Those who parade their positions, show their Spades
People who flaunt their power or status, revealing their hand
A large flock of MC's, they figure to be taught
Noting a group of MC's who seek to learn or be mentored
It ain't hard to see why I'm vigorously sought
Explaining why individuals and groups are eager to work with the artist
Breaker, breaker, one nine
Requesting all communication channels to be open for a transmission
Breaker, breaker, one nine
Requesting all communication channels to be open for a transmission
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY E. GRICE, SULAYMAN ANSARI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nickthekillerjo.7756
Breaker, breaker, one nine, clear the line
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
MC's should expect the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
This is not a test, it's difficulty
Picture closely, the ignorant mostly
Blind, deaf, dumb, your mind left numb
Lost soul who failed to hear the roll of the drum
In the bottom of your bomb shelter, still felt the
Heavy blast that blew off the masks of twelve welders
The math of an elder, praise the Lord, thank you Genius
Operation: Project English
Commander-n-chief of flight style, check the aircraft
Glide like the frisbee, Digi look Disney
To check fault in oneself is pure loveliness
You break the mirror that remind you of your ugliness
So when I bust, no one is untouched
Some returning with the mic clutched, like such
Who plan but never execute
He had the heat in his hand, but yo he didn't shoot
Therefore your mechanism of material better be sickly
Or let your lead spread incredibly quickly
I move bravely, travellin' on a horse
On the battlefield, surrounded by the lost
Of those who plotted with the brains of animals
My high molecular structure be intangible
The name ring a bell, killable two syllable
The Wu is comin' through, the outcome is critical
To be blunt, the beef was cooked up like coke goods
The rhyme first came to me in the oak woods
Up to no good, rap icon
"Milk" the industry like the Wall Street junk bond
You see the bright stone, I got your height sewn
Direct current, that move through the mic-phone
Key contributor, well known major factor
Rhyme distributor, the drive of a tractor
Who run ya down if you don't wanna move or wanna linger
Breaker, breaker, one nine, clear the line
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
MC's should expect the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
Breaker, breaker, one nine, clear the line
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
MC's should expect the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
The immortality of my fame is the measure of other's torture
Burnt offer, from a flamin' author
The falconer who flies enough birds for the chase
Strictly excel in what is excellence with grace
The significance was not the vulgar applause of interest
But the feelin' that exit, completion of a sentence
With age and experience, my reason ripens
I strike on you Vikings, slash like a hyphen
If you enter the house of fortune by the gate of pleasure
You will leave by sorrow, the flow measures
Everything fails with the unfortunate
Learned that recordin' it, so my mind broaden it
Track records, ranks us, with the exceptional
Extreme complex physics, high technical
The truth is usually seen and rarely heard
What's more dangerous than hatred, is the word
You wild cards, Jack of all trades
Those who parade their positions, show their Spades
A large flock of MC's, they figure to be taught
It ain't hard to see why I'm vigorously sought
Breaker, breaker, one nine, clear the line
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
MC's should expect the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
Breaker, breaker, one nine, clear the line
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
MC's should expect the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
Breaker, breaker, one nine
Breaker, breaker, one nine
You're welcome
@curtarmmar
The GZA's lyrical mastery is nearly impossible to challenge
@Brocuzgodlocdunfamdogson
The tracks Labels, Fame, and Publicity alone put him ahead of 95% of rappers. With the rest of his catalogue, heβs at 99.999%. There arenβt many that can hang with GZA. Kinda crazy to think homie is pushing 60 years old.
@markgillan3750
Nearly...
@a.k.a.theruggedmanchild9685
The GZA's body of work isn't considerable to be challenged
@michaelvoelkel1945
Brainstorm Materia!
@lilripTV
K rino would spank gza
@deejaybalance
"Those who parade their positions show their spades." This came out 20 years ago, and these bars still outshine most hip-hop albums.
@lawrenceofarabia5299
'Cleary brillance'
If it was one true depth soldier of signature pure aristocratic defiance & expertise it most certainly was GZA, we all could learn from him. Homeschool should've been a preceptor.
@michaelvarela8890
All you here today is mumble this mumble that aye aye ayyyyeeeee an that's basically rap today trash ass shit
@tefocus3538
Exactly!!