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
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
They signed the documents with the, blood of the slain
Far removed from this hip hop life, off course
But the confidence and resilience was never lost
In the think thank and research lab, I laid tracks
Seen work rule my life but it never broke my back
Destiny forever shake from the events to come
From the father 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
They hunt, for the skin, flesh, the blood, and bones
In front, want to impress with studded stones
Now who's the man who brought you the legend of the liquid swords?
Rap critics say 'Damn' you're sick with yours'
4th chamber and the shadowboxin' too
That nigga be the GZA from Wu
And if you don'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 storm with no warnin' you're drawn in, environments
Gravity that's gone mad, clouds of dust and debris
Moving at colossal speeds, they crush an MC
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
Meaning the contracts manifestly work
The hitman for hire, weapon in his hand he lurks
In spite 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
Surprisingly, as we marched lively with great size and degree
Till it spread widely
Now who's the man who brought you the legend of the liquid swords?
Rap critics say 'Damn' you're sick with yours'
4th chamber and the shadowboxin' too
That nigga be the GZA from Wu
And if you don't know
About the piroclastic flow
Hotter than the spark that made it blow
You better recognize, recognize
Yeah, yeah, GZA, yeah
In GZA/Genius's song "Liquid Swords," the lyrics describe the intensity and force of his rhymes, as he spits lyrics with an unparallel speed and accuracy that cuts through his opponents like a sharp blade. The reference to MCs snorting cocaine and acting insane before performing puts emphasis on the fact that some rappers need drugs to be able to keep up with his level of wit and intelligence. GZA then goes on to express his frustration with fake rappers who have no substance and provides a contrast to his own rap style that is natural and raw.
He uses metaphors to describe his ability to innovate musically and talk about issues ranging from crime to poverty. The line "With the impact of roundhouse kicks from black belts" infers that listening to his beats is a punch to the gut — it's hard and knocks you down. There's no denying the lyrical delivery of this song, the reference to Wu-Tang Clan and their connection to Shaolin kung-fu, and their innovative style that became iconic in the '90s.
Line by Line Meaning
When the MCs came to live out the name and to perform
When the rappers arrived to represent their art and display their skills
Some had to snort cocaine to act insane before Pete rocked it on
Some resorted to drug use to appear wild and agitated before the DJ played the beat
Now on with the mental plane to spark the brain with the building to be born
Now let's proceed with the creative process to inspire the mind and give rise to a masterpiece
Yo RZA flip the track with the what to cut
DJ RZA, change up the beat and select the best parts to create the perfect instrumental
I'm on a mission that niggas say is impossible
I'm pursuing a goal that others believe is unattainable
But when I swing my swords they all choppable
But when I unleash my verbal attacks, all opponents become vulnerable
I be the body dropper, the heartbeat stopper
I cause the demise of my opponents, stopping their very heartbeats
Child educator, plus head amputator
I'm capable of teaching the youth while also decapitating my enemies
Cause niggas styles are old like Mark 5 sneakers
Because some rappers' styles are outdated and unoriginal, like old sneakers
Lyrics are weak like clock radio speakers
Their rhymes are weak and lack substance, like clock radios
Don't even stop in my station and attack
Don't even try to step to me and attack, because you'll be shut down immediately
While your plan failed, get derailed like Amtrak
While your strategy was unsuccessful, you'll be derailed like a train off-track
What the fuck for? Down by law, I make law
What's the point? I follow the rules and also create them
I be justice, I sentence that ass two to four
I embody justice, and I'll punish you with two to four years in prison
Round the clock, that state pen time check it
24/7, constantly watching the clock ticking down your sentence in prison
With the pens I be sticking but you can't stick to crime
With my pens, I'm writing rhymes that stick to your mind, while you can't stick to a life of crime
Came through with the Wu, slid off on the DL
Entered the scene with my Wu-Tang Clan, but then disappeared without anyone noticing
I'm low-key like seashells, I rock these bells
I keep things low-key and under the radar, but I still make an impact with my music
Now come aboard, it's Medina bound
Now come join me on this journey, we're headed to the heart of the city (Medina)
Enter the chamber, and it's a whole different sound
Step into the inner circle, and you'll hear a unique, distinct sound
It's a wide entrance, small exit like a funnel
The entrance is grand and expansive, but the exit is narrow and restricted like a funnel
So deep it's picked up on radios in tunnels
The bass and intensity of my music is so profound, it's even audible underground in tunnels
Niggas are fascinated how the shit begin
People are curious and intrigued by the genesis of my success
Get vaccinated, my logo is branded in your skin
Take note and be aware, my mark of excellence is ingrained in your memory and identity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KillaSin515
Wu Tang Clan was untouchable from 93-2000
1993. Enter the 36 Chambers
1994. Method Man - Tical
1995. O.D.B. - Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
1995. Reakwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
1995. GZA - Liquid Swords
1996. Ghostface Killah - Ironman
1997. Wu-Tang Forever
1998. Cappadonna - The Pillage
1998. Method Man - Judgement Day
1998. RZA - Bobby Digital in Stereo
1999. GZA - Beneath the Surface
1999. O.D.B. - Nigga Please
1999. Method Man/Redman - Blackout!
1999. Inspectah Deck - Uncontrolled Substance
1999. U-God - Golden Arms Redemption
1999. Raekwon - Immobilarity
2000. Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele
2000. The W
@Korrupto777
2024 and still here...👐
@user-oz7sw1sz3g
love it
@UmmJannah5
Checkin in!!🤌🏾
@nacimrh9237
wu tang forever.
@juliorodriguez2655
Present
@xBonafidexProdigy
Yessirrrr
@KatiafromNice
Omg omg !! Best best song from the Genius !! LIQUID SWORDS ❤ALL THE WAY !! All DAY
@dlxinfinite7098
GZA's pen is always raw, brutal but profound. Makes you go within while bobbin ya head.
@Kevinguth
25 years ago today this album was released, instant classic, better yet, forever classic!! Wu-tang forever!!!
@markcromwell1975
My favorite album👍