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
Fame )
GZA/Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They was told not to ride in Patty's +Hearse+
and stay out of Charles' +Manson+
Took Abraham's +Lincoln+ through the Todd +Bridges+ espansion
Willis +Reid+s a map that marks the spot showin
On his left George +Burns+ a blunt William's holdin
Tara +Bank+ed the money that Chaka +Khan+ed the poor
Alicia +Key+ed his car for givin Melbourne +Moore+
As Debora +Cox+ the gun 'cause she beat Kelly's +Price+
When Rosa +Park+ed the truck on the farm that Kim +Fields+
Linda +Tripp+ed for tryna to walk in Lauryn's +Hills+
Water dripped outta Farrah's +Fawcett+ in the glass
She was "Superfly", Curtis +Mayfield+ her ass
Chris +Tucker+ to a show, Ted +Turner+ to a hoe
Robert +Diggs+ the beat, but ain't feelin the flow
But he signed it fast, for half of Johnny's +Cash+
+Nia Long+ed for the album to drop, cameras flashed
Tom +Sawyer+ at the Lucielle +Ball+ up at the foyer
He confronted Richard +Pryor+ to hiring his lawyer
Suge's +Knight+ removed the rook off the board
Donna +King+ was checked and Al +Sharpton+ the sword
"Wettin cream, I ain't wettin fame"
"Fame is the measure"
"Rap celebs"
"The place where stars are born"
[Verse 2]
The saints marched in, Kurtis +Blow+ing his horn
Tom +Cruise+d the boulevard, Chris +Rock+ed the song
For the hundredth time, they pressed rewind to the beginning
They toast to the rhyme, the juice spilt from John's +Lennon+
They took her to Elizabeth +Taylor+ to dry clean
The lone seamstress, who was schemin on Al's +Green+
You know they shoot for the stars and buckwild
Like the kids in the yard who play with +Jane's Child+
A beautician laced Erykah's +Badu+
Sean +Comb+ed through the evidence, just to get a clue
The needle in the haystack, from outta earth this kid
The Tiger +Wood+ kill him once thrown in Brad's +Pitt+
Jesse +Owen+ the money from the weed Bubba +Sparxxx+
They was journeys seen far as he walked in Dick's +Clark+
Jeffery +Lyons+ stuck with a thorn from George's +Bush+
Paul +Pierce+d in the heart as the crowd pushed
Acting alone... Drew +Barrymore+ bones
of the victims, three blocks from Jim's +Brownstone+
They shared the same bowl, he caught Natalie's +Cole+d
The producer, threw the butter on Esther's +Rolle+
Dempsey +Russel+ed him down, got his jaw wide
In a instant, Brooke +Shields+ him from the gunfire
Angie +Stone+d him to death, with those vocals
Keith +Sweat+ from the workout, just from runnin local
"With CREAM I ain't with the fame"
"Fame is the measure"
"Rap celebs"
"The place where stars are born"
[Verse 3]
Larry's +Bird+ flew outta Nicholas' +Cage+
Joe +Tex+ messages from Satchel's +Paige+
Betty +Wright+ letters with ink from Sean's +Penn+
Infinite bars, you couldn't tell where the song end
Glenn +Close+ enough to quickly duck the tapes
Richard +Gere+ ripped while he was climbin Bill +Gates+
He was a southerner, posing as a, native New Yorker
The Jason +Kidd+ took his first steps in Jimmy's +Walker+
He stayed on line chattin with rap celebs
Used Bernie's +Mack+ to search Veronica's +Webb+
It cost them their life for the advice you gave
Now Pete +Rose+ lay on Vanessa's +Redgrave+
"With CREAM I ain't with the fame"
"Fame is the measure"
"Rap celebs"
"The place where stars are born"
"With CREAM I ain't with the fame"
"Fame is the measure"
"Rap celebs"
"The place where stars are born"
The lyrics to GZA/Genius's song "Fame" seem to be a collection of references to various celebrity scandals and controversies. The verses are essentially a litany of well-known names from pop culture, strung together in a series of vaguely connected, fragmented images. Each name is like a piece of a puzzle, a clue to a larger story that the listener is left to imagine or piece together.
The first verse, for example, references such diverse names as Patty Hearst (an heiress who was kidnapped by a radical political group in the 1970s), Charles Manson (a notorious cult leader who ordered several murders in the late 1960s), Abraham Lincoln (the 16th President of the United States, who was assassinated in 1865), Todd Bridges (an actor best known for his role on the TV show "Diff'rent Strokes"), George Burns (a comedian who died in 1996), Chaka Khan (a singer), Alicia Keys (a singer), and Redd Foxx (an actor and comedian who died in 1991).
Taken together, these names suggest a narrative of fame, power, and corruption, where celebrity status is often mixed up with scandal and controversy. The song's refrain, "With CREAM I ain't with the fame/Fame is the measure/Rap celebs/The place where stars are born," echoes this theme, suggesting that success in the entertainment industry comes at a price and that fame is often more trouble than it's worth.
Some possible interpretations of the song might include a critique of celebrity culture, a commentary on the darker side of the music industry, or simply a collection of random musings and observations about fame and power. Whatever the case, "Fame" is a complex and thought-provoking song that rewards repeated listens and close attention.
Line by Line Meaning
They was told not to ride in Patty's +Hearse+ and stay out of Charles' +Manson+
They were advised to avoid associating with dangerous people and situations.
Took Abraham's +Lincoln+ through the Todd +Bridges+ espansion
They drove Abraham Lincoln's car through a neighborhood known for its expansion project led by Todd Bridges.
Willis +Reid+s a map that marks the spot showin
Willis Reed shares a treasure map that indicates a specific location.
On his left George +Burns+ a blunt William's holdin
George Burns is smoking a marijuana joint that belongs to William.
Tara +Bank+ed the money that Chaka +Khan+ed the poor
Tara deposited money that Chaka Khan donated to help the poor.
Alicia +Key+ed his car for givin Melbourne +Moore+
Alicia stole his car as an act of revenge for what Melbourne Moore did to him.
For the Redd +Foxx+ who bought off the block, but though twice
Redd Foxx purchased a property, but had second thoughts about the decision after the fact.
As Debora +Cox+ the gun 'cause she beat Kelly's +Price+
Debora Cox pulled out a gun after winning a fight against Kelly Price.
When Rosa +Park+ed the truck on the farm that Kim +Fields+
Rosa Parks parked the truck on a farm where Kim Fields was present.
Linda +Tripp+ed for tryna to walk in Lauryn's +Hills+
Linda Tripp stumbled while attempting to walk in Lauryn Hill's shoes or emulate her lifestyle.
Water dripped outta Farrah's +Fawcett+ in the glass
Farrah Fawcett's tears dripped into a glass.
She was "Superfly", Curtis +Mayfield+ her ass
She was really cool or impressive, just like the character 'Superfly', portrayed by Curtis Mayfield.
Chris +Tucker+ to a show, Ted +Turner+ to a hoe
Chris Tucker went to a show, while Ted Turner went to meet a prostitute.
Robert +Diggs+ the beat, but ain't feelin the flow
Robert Diggs created the beat, but wasn't happy with how it flowed with the rest of the song.
He signed it fast, for half of Johnny's +Cash+
He quickly signed the contract for half of Johnny Cash's money.
+Nia Long+ed for the album to drop, cameras flashed
Nia Long was eagerly anticipating the album's release, while cameras were constantly taking pictures.
Tom +Sawyer+ at the Lucielle +Ball+ up at the foyer
Tom Sawyer met Lucielle Ball at the entrance hall or lobby.
He confronted Richard +Pryor+ to hiring his lawyer
He challenged Richard Pryor for hiring his lawyer.
Suge's +Knight+ removed the rook off the board
Suge Knight played a strategic move by taking out an opponent's rook on the chess board.
Donna +King+ was checked and Al +Sharpton+ the sword
Donna King was challenged, while Al Sharpton acted as a weapon in the situation.
"Wettin cream, I ain't wettin fame"
I'm not interested in fame, only in making money.
"Fame is the measure"
Being famous is a way to gauge success or status.
"Rap celebs"
Famous rappers or hip-hop artists.
"The place where stars are born"
The music industry, where new stars are discovered.
The saints marched in, Kurtis +Blow+ing his horn
The saints (presumably referring to famous musicians) arrived in style, with Kurtis Blow playing his horn.
Tom +Cruise+d the boulevard, Chris +Rock+ed the song
Tom Cruise drove down the street, while Chris Rock jammed out to the music.
The juice spilt from John's +Lennon+
The drink or juice spilled from John Lennon's cup or glass.
They took her to Elizabeth +Taylor+ to dry clean
They brought her to Elizabeth Taylor to clean and mend her clothes.
The lone seamstress, who was schemin on Al's +Green+
The only available seamstress had ulterior motives for scheming on Al's money.
You know they shoot for the stars and buckwild
They aim high and act recklessly or unpredictably, like children playing in a yard.
Like the kids in the yard who play with +Jane's Child+
Children who play with toys that belong to Jane's child.
A beautician laced Erykah's +Badu+
A beautician styled and groomed Erykah Badu's hair.
Sean +Comb+ed through the evidence, just to get a clue
Sean Combs thoroughly examined the evidence in order to uncover a clue or solve a mystery.
The needle in the haystack, from outta earth this kid
This kid was like finding a needle in a haystack or extremely rare or unique.
The Tiger +Wood+ kill him once thrown in Brad's +Pitt+
Tiger Woods would be unstoppable and successful even if he were thrown into a situation with Brad Pitt.
Jesse +Owen+ the money from the weed Bubba +Sparxxx+
Jesse Owens won a lot of money from playing poker with Bubba Sparxxx, who used money earned from selling marijuana.
They was journeys seen far as he walked in Dick's +Clark+
As he walked into Dick Clark's office or studio, there were many opportunities for his career in the entertainment industry.
Jeffery +Lyons+ stuck with a thorn from George's +Bush+
Jeffery Lyons was pricked by a thorn from George Bush's garden.
Paul +Pierce+d in the heart as the crowd pushed
Paul Pierce was emotionally affected as he was pushed around by the crowd.
Acting alone... Drew +Barrymore+ bones
Drew Barrymore stepped out and did something daring or unexpected on her own.
Of the victims, three blocks from Jim's +Brownstone+
The victims were found dead three blocks away from Jim's brownstone apartment building.
They shared the same bowl, he caught Natalie's +Cole+d
They both smoked from the same pipe, and he caught a buzz after smoking with Natalie Cole.
The producer, threw the butter on Esther's +Rolle+
The producer made a sudden move or change during a recording session with Esther Rolle.
Dempsey +Russel+ed him down, got his jaw wide
Dempsey tackled him with great force, causing his jaw to gape open in shock or pain.
In a instant, Brooke +Shields+ him from the gunfire
Brooke Shields shielded him from the gunfire in a split second.
Angie +Stone+d him to death, with those vocals
Angie Stone sang with such intensity and emotion that it was overwhelming or lethal.
Keith +Sweat+ from the workout, just from runnin local
Keith Sweat got a great workout just from running around in his local area.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC , SONY ATV MUSIC PUB LLC, TINTORETTO MUSIC , UNIDISC MUSIC , Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY E. GRICE, SULAYMAN ANSARI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind