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
Knock Knock
GZA/Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Risin' y'all that wise words is much slicker
Under circumstances label advances
Ample opportunity, infinite chances
I seen many killed for inifinte-e-less
Ya, raps need a clips that packed with lies
Cowardlessly ya shot up those innocently wise
In extra long verses hundred bars the lim'
The percentage of the truth in the rhyme is one tenth
A solid mass of minerals, easily broke down
Hard rock MC's ya nothin' but compound
Sparked by the endless greed of CEO's
In the videos with those questionable flows
Take it twenty-six, cut it down to four bars, make it a hook
If it's not I'm sure to send a book
Knock, knock, who the fuck is bangin' at my door?
Is it abstract commercial or hardcore?
Better know who the fuck they lookin' for
'Cuz they don't want more
Yo knock, knock, who the fuck is bangin' at my door?
Is it abstract commercial or hardcore?
Better know who the fuck they lookin' for
They don't want more
The cream of the crop, we run circles that remain symmetrical
With lightnin' victories that's highly electrical
My microphone is just too hot to handle
Plus, I don't fill ya ears with the Pennister's scandal
I gift wrap the sawed-off, the DeeJay pump it
March to the sounds of Armstrong's trumpet
Great things satisfied great minds
You want me to paint scenes describe it in eight lines
Check it, conceptional breakthrough, incomprehensible
Rap that make you, convinced it's invincible
Lease up my words, powerful hazardous
The most dedicated research the data
This info tempo is gatherin' momentum
A thousand rounds of ammo one of them was spentin'
Applied science to, vocals we flyin' through
Victorious always because I am who?
Knock, knock, who the fuck is bangin' at my door?
Is it abstract commercial or hardcore?
Better know who the fuck they lookin' for
'Cuz they don't want more
Yo knock, knock, who the fuck is bangin' at my door?
Is it abstract commercial or hardcore?
Better know who the fuck they lookin' for
They don't want more
I wrote this rhyme with a Sharpie, you see this dark key
Ignition's for those with keys, who wanna start me up?
That's where nature and nightmare come merge
Put ya hole in so much inside ya gotta splurge
On these snakes with the things that, poke through your denim
When ya move it accelerates the action of the venom
But the purity and sacrifice gettin' stung twice
From those who know dikes to cars that deep right
'Cuz rhyme travelers are light years beyond
The Clan had a bomb that made the world respond
Considering my own future, I'm used to
Damaging MC's then pollyin' with producers
Whose main makin' cereal from two tracks of serial
Hold, that song's playin' weak ass material
We all peak at a singular point in time
Till you see the sign, decide
Knock, knock, who the fuck is bangin' at my door?
Is it abstract commercial or hardcore?
Better know who the fuck they lookin' for
'Cuz they don't want more
Yo knock, knock, who the fuck is bangin' at my door?
Is it abstract commercial or hardcore?
Better know who the fuck they lookin' for
They don't want more
In "Knock Knock," GZA/Genius explores the state of hip-hop music in the late 90s, criticizing the commercialization of the genre and the lack of substance in many popular songs. He positions himself as a "scene slang kicker," or someone who uses thoughtful and thought-provoking lyrics in contrast to the empty and often violent content found in many popular rap songs. He emphasizes the importance of wisdom and truth in his rhymes, and contrasts this with the "packed with lies" content of many commercial rappers.
GZA also critiques the greed and questionable flows of CEOs, and compares the "hard rock MCs" to easily broken-down compounds, a metaphor for their lack of substance. He uses the metaphor of knocking on a door to ask whether the person behind it represents the authentic, hardcore roots of hip-hop or the more commercial, watered-down version. He emphasizes that he and his fellow rappers are focused on creating high-quality, authentic rap that speaks truth to power.
Overall, "Knock Knock" presents a scathing indictment of the state of hip-hop music in the late 90s and positions GZA/Genius as an artist dedicated to preserving the integrity and substance of the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the out scene slang kicker with no parental sticker
I am a rapper known for my unique style and language, without any explicit warning
Risin' y'all that wise words is much slicker
I'm better than other rappers because my lyrics are wiser and more clever
Under circumstances label advances
My record label has provided opportunities for me to succeed
Ample opportunity, infinite chances
I have many opportunities to create successful music
The rhyme, the unrelated beef, I don't stress
I don't worry about the conflicts and drama that occur in the rap industry
I seen many killed for inifinte-e-less
I have observed many aspiring rappers fail and not achieve success
Ya, raps need a clips that packed with lies
Many rap songs contain false or exaggerated claims
Cowardlessly ya shot up those innocently wise
Some rappers unfairly mock and criticize others who are smarter or wiser than them
In extra long verses hundred bars the lim'
Long rap verses often contain only a small amount of truth or meaningful content
The percentage of the truth in the rhyme is one tenth
Most rap lyrics only contain about ten percent true or meaningful content
A solid mass of minerals, easily broke down
Many rappers appear to be tough and confident, but can be easily broken down
Hard rock MC's ya nothin' but compound
Tough-guy rappers are really just simple and unsophisticated
Sparked by the endless greed of CEO's
The rap industry is driven by the greed of record label executives
In the videos with those questionable flows
Many music videos contain rappers with questionable or unimpressive styles
Take it twenty-six, cut it down to four bars, make it a hook
Some rappers produce simplistic, formulaic hooks in order to make a popular song
If it's not I'm sure to send a book
If a rapper's song does not have a catchy hook, it is likely to be unsuccessful
Knock, knock, who the fuck is bangin' at my door?
Who is trying to contact me and for what purpose?
Is it abstract commercial or hardcore?
Is this person promoting mainstream or underground rap?
Better know who the fuck they lookin' for
It's important to understand the intentions and motives of those who approach you
'Cuz they don't want more
If they are not true fans, they will not be interested in continuing to support you
The cream of the crop, we run circles that remain symmetrical
The best rappers form a tight-knit group of equals who support each other
With lightnin' victories that's highly electrical
These rappers have frequent and impressive successes that energize their fans
My microphone is just too hot to handle
My rap skills are so impressive that others can't match them
Plus, I don't fill ya ears with the Pennister's scandal
I don't waste time talking about irrelevant or unimportant topics
I gift wrap the sawed-off, the DeeJay pump it
I provide raw, powerful lyrics that DJs amplify for the best effect
March to the sounds of Armstrong's trumpet
I create music that is as iconic and influential as Louis Armstrong's trumpet playing
Great things satisfied great minds
Successful rappers are satisfied with their own great accomplishments and achievements
You want me to paint scenes describe it in eight lines
Others want me to create detailed, artful descriptions in a limited amount of space
Check it, conceptional breakthrough, incomprehensible
My creative ideas are so innovative and unique that they may be difficult for others to understand
Rap that make you, convinced it's invincible
My rapping is so powerful and impressive that it creates a sense of invincibility for the listener
Lease up my words, powerful hazardous
My words are energetic and potentially risky or challenging
The most dedicated research the data
Rappers must carefully and diligently research their subject matter to produce the best lyrics
This info tempo is gatherin' momentum
As rappers gather more information and insights, their skills and popularity increase
A thousand rounds of ammo one of them was spentin'
My rapping skills are so impressive that it's like having a large supply of ammunition, but only using one of those rounds
Applied science to, vocals we flyin' through
Rappers often use scientific or technical concepts in their lyrics, and their words can move quickly and effortlessly
Victorious always because I am who?
I am consistently successful because of my unique talents and skills
I wrote this rhyme with a Sharpie, you see this dark key
I created these lyrics with a bold and permanent marker, as a symbol of their importance and lasting impact
Ignition's for those with keys, who wanna start me up?
My impressive lyrics are like a powerful ignition system that can only be activated by professionals who have the right keys
That's where nature and nightmare come merge
My lyrics often blend together natural and fearful elements to create powerful and memorable images
Put ya hole in so much inside ya gotta splurge
My lyrics affect listeners so powerfully that they may feel overwhelmed and inspired to take action
On these snakes with the things that, poke through your denim
Rappers and others in the music industry may be sneaky or dishonest, and their actions can sometimes cause harm to others
When ya move it accelerates the action of the venom
The actions of these dishonest individuals can exacerbate negative consequences for those around them
But the purity and sacrifice gettin' stung twice
Rappers who focus on creating truly exceptional music may face additional challenges and obstacles
From those who know dikes to cars that deep right
Many different kinds of people listen to rap music, and there is no limit to the range of backgrounds and experiences that can inform a rapper's lyrics
We all peak at a singular point in time
Each rapper has their own unique creative peak that they reach during their career
Till you see the sign, decide
Listeners must carefully evaluate and decide whether or not they are true fans of a particular rapper's music
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Thizzfather
"I'm the obscene slang kicker with no parental sticker, advising y'all that wise words are much slicker". After starting like that I had to pause it and go grab some popcorn before proceeding.
@sunnyboy7033
After reciting his verse you should have said after the popcorn I had to restart it!!! If you go back and add that to the end of what you said he said it goes perfectly!!
@thedarksideoftheforce6658
Eating popcorn like Michael Jackson in thriller scene
@InspectahDeck718
GZA didnβt start the track to spar with you, instead he came out dropping haymakers. They didnβt call him the Genius for nothing
@petefunk
Dont forget the fire extinguisher, shits about to be ablaze
@Cubanlink73
I canβt say it. Fucking genius
@argentino39
People like GZA and Rakim have MASTERED flow. It seems simple, and yet, it's so complex and laced with knowledge
@metadata5638
argentino39 agreed and both do not try to pack verses with too many syllables ,wisdom first technique second
@fredpowell6330
Nice
@SKARAMANGA1
Don't forget Black Thought