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
Legend Of The Liquid Swords
GZA/Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the grip tells told and rap scrolls
Perfect pitch for language that's built within
Where half the rap ink couldn't hold my pen
Meanin' When Emcees Came, To Live Out The Name
They signed the documents with the, blood of the slain
Far removed from this hip hop life off course
In the think tank and research labs I laid tracks
Seen work rule my life but it never broke my back
Destiny forever shake from the events to come
From the (?) and the chemical contents of the sun
A solid gold figure with a verse that glitters
Until the platinum beat comes increasingly bitter
They joined in a likely alliance with the rest
Schemin' with unsuccessful in a zealous Quest
We all see, with a degree of certainty
Who the fake, cowardly cats behind the curtains be,
(Yeah, yeah...)
They hunt, for the skin, flesh, the blood, and bones
In front, want to impress with studdes stones
[Chorus]
Now who's the man who brought you the Legend of the Liquid Sword?
Rap critics say "Damn" you're sick with your's
4th Chamber and the Shadowboxin' too
That Nigga be the GZA from Wu
And if you odn't know
About the piroclastic flow
Hotter than the spark that made it blow
You better recognize, recognize....
Why U-N-I-verse run like clock works forever?
Words pulled together, sudden change in the weather
The nature and the scale of events don't make sense
A story with no warnin' you're drawn in, environments
Gravity that's gone mad, clouds of dust and debree
Moving at colossal speeds, they crush an emcee
Since this rap region is heavily packed with stars
Internal mirror in the telescope, noticed the Czar
From far away, they blink as the lightnin' strolled
Great distance of space between precise globes
That travel in a circle of order
Like the tape in your cassette recorder filled with cult for slaughter
(Yeah, yeah...)
Meaning the con-tracts manifestly work
The hitman for hire, weapon in his hand he lurks
Inspite of the strange appearance he laid a clearance
on his target through a crowded market
No interference
The microphone left on the scene without a serial
Evidence consistent with organic material (Well)
Surprisingly, as we marched lively with great size and degree
'Til it spread widely
[Chorus]
The lyrics of GZA/Genius's song "Liquid Swords" speak to the artistry of rap and the challenges of the industry. The song begins with a reference to a "nationwide poll," suggesting a competitive nature to the rap game. GZA boasts about his skills with language, claiming that most "rap ink" could not hold his pen. He speaks to the contractual nature of the industry, where MCs sign documents with the "blood of the slain," meaning they must prove themselves worthy of the game. GZA also speaks to the resilience necessary to succeed in the industry, reminding us that confidence is key.
Line by Line Meaning
Who won the covenant role, based on a nationwide poll?
Who was chosen as the leader of this rap game through a public vote?
For the grip tells told and rap scrolls
For the story that the lyrics tell and for the written records of rap music
Perfect pitch for language that's built within
A unique ability to use words in a way that perfectly fits the rhythm and style of rap music
Where half the rap ink couldn't hold my pen
The other rappers don't have the same level of skill and creativity when it comes to writing lyrics
Meanin' when MC's came, to live out the name
When other rappers tried to become famous by using their stage names
They signed the documents with the, blood of the slain
They had to work really hard and sacrifice their time and energy to achieve success as rappers
Far removed from this hip hop life, off course
Living a different kind of life that doesn't involve the typical struggles and obstacles faced by many rappers
But the confidence and resilience was never lost
Still having the self-assurance and ability to withstand difficulties, despite being separated from the rap world
In the think thank and research lab, I laid tracks
Creating new music through careful planning, innovation, and experimentation
Seen work rule my life but it never broke my back
Despite working very hard, still able to maintain the strength and endurance to do what it takes to succeed
Destiny forever shake from the events to come
The future will always be unpredictable and full of surprises, which can change the course of one's life
From the father and the chemical contents of the sun
Influenced by the natural forces of the universe, including the energy of the sun and the guidance of one's ancestors
A solid gold figure with a verse that glitters
As an accomplished rapper, seen as a valuable and impressive figure whose words shine with brilliance
Until the platinum beat comes increasingly bitter
Due to industry changes and competition, the environment for rappers becomes more negative and difficult
They joined in a likely alliance with the rest
Forming partnerships with other rappers to achieve shared goals
Schemin' with unsuccessful in a zealous quest
Attempting to succeed through deceptive and selfish means, despite the fact that it is unlikely to work
We all see, with a degree of certainty
A shared understanding that certain rappers are not genuine and do not deserve respect
Who the fake, cowardly cats behind the curtains be
Identifying those who are not honest or brave, and who attempt to hide their true selves from the public eye
They hunt, for the skin, flesh, the blood, and bones
Looking to exploit and manipulate rappers for their physical and financial resources
In front, want to impress with studded stones
Using flashy accessories to try and appear impressive and wealthy, even if it is only a facade
Now who's the man who brought you the legend of the liquid swords?
Who is the rapper responsible for creating this classic work of art?
Rap critics say 'Damn' you're sick with yours'
Receiving high praise and admiration from music critics for one's exceptional talent
4th chamber and the shadowboxin' too
Referring to other popular rap songs that the artist has created
That nigga be the GZA from Wu
The artist is GZA, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan
And if you don't know
If the listener is not aware or informed about something important
About the piroclastic flow
A type of volcanic eruption that the artist will use as a metaphor for his own style of rap music
Hotter than the spark that made it blow
More intense and powerful than the initial cause that led to the volcanic eruption
You better recognize, recognize
You need to acknowledge and appreciate the artist's incredible talent
Words pulled together, sudden change in the weather
Using language in a way that creates a strong impact, leading to a sudden and unexpected shift in the tone or subject of the song
The nature and the scale of events don't make sense
The events that have occurred are difficult to understand and seem irrational or unexplainable
A storm with no warnin' you're drawn in, environments
Being caught up in a chaotic situation without any prior warning, and becoming affected by one's surroundings
Gravity that's gone mad, clouds of dust and debris
The natural forces that typically hold things in place become chaotic and uncontrollable, resulting in chaos and destruction
Moving at colossal speeds, they crush an MC
The destruction is happening so quickly and powerfully that even talented rappers are unable to escape unscathed
Since this rap region is heavily packed with stars
The rap music industry is full of many talented and famous individuals, making it a highly competitive environment
Internal mirror in the telescope, noticed the Czar
Revealing the self-image and personality of an important or powerful individual, as if seeing through a telescope and discovering a hidden truth
From far away, they blink as the lightnin' strolled
Observing from a distance as a powerful and impressive figure (represented by lightning) moves through the scene
Great distance of space between precise globes
There is a vast separation between the people involved, despite their shared pursuits or similar paths
That travel in a circle of order
Moving along a structured or planned path, despite the vastness of the universe
Like the tape in your cassette recorder
Playing and recording music in a consistent and ordered way, like tapes in an older style of music player
Filled with cult for slaughter
Intensely dedicated and passionate about creating music, even if it requires sacrifice or struggle
Meaning the contracts manifestly work
The agreements between individuals or companies are clear and effective in achieving their intended goals
The hitman for hire, weapon in his hand he lurks
A dangerous and unpredictable figure who is willing to cause harm for financial gain
In spite of the strange appearance he laid a clearance
Despite having a unique and unconventional style or demeanor, still able to achieve success and overcome obstacles
On his target through a crowded market no interference
Successfully accomplishing a task, even in the face of many obstacles or distractions
The microphone left on the scene without a serial
The artistic and musical accomplishments are left behind as a legacy and tribute, even if the individual is no longer physically present
Evidence consistent with organic material
The evidence left behind is authentic and genuine, rather than being artificial or contrived
Surprisingly, as we marched lively with great size and degree
Despite being faced with many difficulties and competitors, still able to succeed and even thrive through hard work and dedication
Till it spread widely
Achieving widespread recognition and acclaim for one's artistic and musical work
Yeah, yeah, GZA, yeah
Affirming the identity and reputation of the artist known as GZA
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
Written by: GARY E. GRICE, JONATHAN BURKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind