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
Rough Cut )
GZA/Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh-huh, GZA, uh, RZA, uh
[Armel]
Listen, if ya'll can spit, we can spit, please get it together
Cuz anything you can do, I can do better
Your imagine material looks, hotter behind looks
Raise the fear, no one, but self, who's shook?
Who's spot you took? Duke off the hook
I'm from the land of the crook, life quit the end
Better known as the Brook, rather tape then lend
There's a lot of wack records, but this ain't one of them
DJ's off the books, go 'head put the gun at them
All groupie M.C.'s, I'm bout to start stunnin' 'em
Don't matter what crew, every last one of 'em
It's gettin' crowded in here, some acts got to go
Let's start by eliminatin' groups that can't flow
I better meal my deal, my career with no fear
That none of ya'll group can touch what's over here
[Chorus: GZA]
These rough cut metal tapes
Quick to break your label mates, won't hesitate
Negotiate your table stakes, you can't flow right
Or fuck with me on no night
Fuck the slow light, you need to get your show right
[Prodigal Sunn]
Yo Justice, how many M.C.'s must get pistol whipped?
Crack faces with bottles of Crys', hollow tips gobble lips
That's the penalty for poppin' that shit
Vanish in a colorless whip, bags of grip
Doo-rags and clips, tag the strip
You had the chance to advance, I'm sorry for the holes in
your hip
Son, It's the way of the street merchant, live by the laws,
die by the rules
My gleam play the part of a fool
Now hear these jewels from a wise king, see what my eyes seen
Ten year supreme, the theme, we sizzle-line and triple CREAM
My grip'll off that digital bream, visual scene
Roll footage on your video screen
Globe patrol, Two On The Road, we never fold
Snub react, GZA mack eliminate tracks
Stimulate phat, Sunzini, nigga, gifted and black
Now watch me mack to the kingdom of rap
[12 O'Clock]
Give me a beat, nigga dealin' battles like a thief
Done killed more niggas than Jason in part 3
Stay Wu, on the graveyard and this label
Dum dums, that battle 12 O'Clock, now it's able
So what, looked up and made the bitches clap
That was because my style's clothes, not the raps
Ain't that shit, props for the clothing
Should of brought a mirror, cuz lyric wasn't rollin'
My rhymes is all that and yours ain't shit
And at a party, your bitch takin' crazy flicks of me
She said I was nigga celebrity
But I'm from the slums, with the bums drinkin' Hennesey
Take a sip of some Jamaican rum
Put fire to my lung, tongue, teeth and gums
When it comes out my mouth, shit's hot and it burns
Make fools out of bitches like I'm Howard Stern
[Chorus 2X]
The song "Rough Cut" by GZA/Genius explores the art of rap and lyricism, showcasing the skills of various Wu-Tang Clan members. In the first verse, Armel sets the tone by challenging other rappers to step up their game and prove themselves. He denounces "wack records" and asserts that he reigns supreme in the rap world. The chorus reiterates the power and skill of these rappers, emphasizing their ability to quickly break down and dominate their competition.
Prodigal Sunn continues this theme in the second verse, boasting about his own talent while also acknowledging the harsh realities of street life. He drops out gems of wisdom and experience, ultimately asserting his place as king in a world of struggling and striving rappers. Finally, 12 O'Clock raps about his own prowess on the mic, insisting that his rhymes are better than anyone else's. He is confident and unapologetic, acknowledging his own fame and the influence he has on his fans.
Overall, "Rough Cut" is a song that celebrates the art of rap and the skills of these talented artists. They each have their own unique voice and story to tell, but they all share a love of language and an ability to wield it with power and grace.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen, if ya'll can spit, we can spit, please get it together
If you can rap, then we can too, let's come together and show what we've got
Cuz anything you can do, I can do better
I'm just as talented, if not more so, than you or anyone else
Your imagine material looks, hotter behind looks
Your image may be attractive, but it doesn't make up for a lack of talent
Raise the fear, no one, but self, who's shook?
I am not afraid of anyone, but are you?
Bring the plague like the revelations in the holy book
I can come in and take over the rap scene, like a plague taking over a town
Who's spot you took? Duke off the hook
Whose place on the scene did you take? And now you're off the hook, meaning you're in trouble
I'm from the land of the crook, life quit the end
I'm from a place where there are a lot of criminals, and life can end at any moment
Better known as the Brook, rather tape then lend
The area I come from is called the Brook, and I'd rather record my music than lend money
There's a lot of wack records, but this ain't one of them
There are a lot of bad rap songs out there, but mine isn't one of them
DJ's off the books, go 'head put the gun at them
Some DJs are not doing a good job, so it's like they're not even hired, and we might as well just get rid of them
All groupie M.C.'s, I'm bout to start stunnin' 'em
All these unskilled rappers who are only famous because of their looks or image, I'm about to show them how it's really done
Don't matter what crew, every last one of 'em
It doesn't matter what group they belong to, I can take on any and all of them
It's gettin' crowded in here, some acts got to go
There are too many mediocre rappers out there, and it's time for some of them to go
Let's start by eliminatin' groups that can't flow
The first ones to go should be the groups who can't rap well
I better meal my deal, my career with no fear
I'm confident in my abilities and not afraid to take risks in my career
That none of ya'll group can touch what's over here
No other rap group can match the talent and skill of me and my crew
These rough cut metal tapes
This music may not be polished, but it's raw and authentic
Quick to break your label mates, won't hesitate
I will quickly surpass other rappers on my label and won't hold back
Negotiate your table stakes, you can't flow right
I will outdo you and negotiate better deals because your rapping skills are lacking
Or fuck with me on no night
Don't even try to compete with me, because you won't win
Fuck the slow light, you need to get your show right
Stop being lazy and work harder to improve your rap performances
That's the penalty for poppin' that shit
If you talk smack, there will be consequences
Vanish in a colorless whip, bags of grip
Disappear in a nondescript car with a lot of money
Doo-rags and clips, tag the strip
Wear doo-rags and hold guns while tagging your gang's territory
You had the chance to advance, I'm sorry for the holes in your hip
You could have made it in the rap game, but now you're injured and can't perform
Son, It's the way of the street merchant, live by the laws, die by the rules
This is just how it is in the streets, you have to abide by the laws and know there will be consequences for breaking them
My gleam play the part of a fool
My jewelry makes me look foolish, but it symbolizes my wealth and success
Now hear these jewels from a wise king, see what my eyes seen
Listen to the wise words of someone who has seen and experienced a lot in life
Ten year supreme, the theme, we sizzle-line and triple CREAM
We have been on top for ten years, our theme is to make hits, and we make a lot of money
My grip'll off that digital bream, visual scene
My hold on the microphone will create a vivid scene in your mind
Roll footage on your video screen
Watch me perform in your music videos
Globe patrol, Two On The Road, we never fold
We travel the world and perform, and we never back down from a challenge
Snub react, GZA mack eliminate tracks
I will quickly and easily eliminate other rappers on tracks
Stimulate phat, Sunzini, nigga, gifted and black
We make great music that gets people excited, Sunzini is also gifted and black
Now watch me mack to the kingdom of rap
Watch me become even more successful in the world of rap
Give me a beat, nigga dealin' battles like a thief
Put on a beat, and I'll rap battle anyone like it's a sneaky fight
Done killed more niggas than Jason in part 3
I have defeated more rappers than the killer in the third movie of the Friday the 13th franchise
Stay Wu, on the graveyard and this label
I am loyal to the Wu-Tang Clan and this recording label, even if it becomes difficult
Dum dums, that battle 12 O'Clock, now it's able
Those foolish rappers who challenged me have now been defeated
So what, looked up and made the bitches clap
I achieved success and made the women in the audience cheer
That was because my style's clothes, not the raps
People liked my fashion sense more than my rapping
Ain't that shit, props for the clothing
That's not enough, I should be praised for more than just my clothes
Should of brought a mirror, cuz lyric wasn't rollin'
You should have looked at yourself before trying to rap, because your lyrics were terrible
My rhymes is all that and yours ain't shit
My rapping skills are great, and yours are terrible in comparison
And at a party, your bitch takin' crazy flicks of me
Even your girlfriend was impressed with my rap skills and took pictures with me at a party
She said I was nigga celebrity
She called me a black celebrity
But I'm from the slums, with the bums drinkin' Hennesey
Even though I come from a poor area, I still have achieved great success
Take a sip of some Jamaican rum
I like to drink rum from Jamaica
Put fire to my lung, tongue, teeth and gums
When I smoke, it feels like fire in my mouth and lungs
When it comes out my mouth, shit's hot and it burns
When I rap, it's intense and passionate
Make fools out of bitches like I'm Howard Stern
I am able to embarrass people and make them look foolish, like the famous radio host Howard Stern
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY E. GRICE, ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind