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
Shimmy Shimmy Ya
GZA/Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, baby, I like it rawww...
Yeah baby, I like it raawww!!!
Ooh, baby, I like it raww...
Yeah baby, I like it rawww!!!
Sh...
Shimmy shimmy ya, shimmy yam, shimmy yay
Off on a natural charge, bon voyage
Yeah, from the home of the Dodgers, Brooklyn squad
Wu-Tang Killerrr Bees on a swarm!
Rain on ya dollar's ass, disco dorm!
For you to even touch my skill
You gotta have the one Killer Bee and he ain't gonna kill. Now
My producer slam, my flow is like bam!
Chop that down, pass it all around!
Lyrics get hard, quick cement to the ground!
For any MC in any fifty two states
I gets psycho killerrrr Norman Bates!
My producer slam, sharp like bam!
Jump on stage, and then I dun-daaaah!
[I like the way you come]
Hey, baby, I like it rawww...
Yeah baby, I like it rawww!!!
Ooh, baby, I like it raww...
Yeah baby, I like it rawww!!!
(Repeat)
The lyrics to GZA/Genius's song "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" are presented in a playful, lighthearted tone, but conceal a deeper, more intricate meaning. The opening lines, "Oh, fuck, you can't even sing. Hey, baby, I like it raw!" can be seen as a rejection of conventional pop music and an embrace of unfiltered expression. The chorus, with the repeated refrain of "Yeah, baby, I like it raw!" can be interpreted as a demand for authenticity and a rejection of any attempts to conceal one's true self.
The verses continue this theme of raw, unfiltered expression as GZA raps about his skills as an MC and his loyalty to the Wu-Tang Clan. The line, "For you to even touch my skill, you gotta have the one Killer Bee and he ain't gonna kill" is a testament to the level of skill and talent required to even attempt to compete with GZA. The imagery of rain on a dollar's ass and a disco dorm add to the playful, irreverent tone of the song.
Overall, "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" can be seen as a celebration of unfiltered expression and true talent, while rejecting the superficiality and shallowness of mainstream pop culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, fuck, you can't even sing
Wow, you have absolutely no talent whatsoever when it comes to singing.
Hey, baby, I like it rawww...
Hello there, I have a strong preference for unrefined, unprocessed experiences.
Yeah baby, I like it raawww!!!
Indeed, I have a great fondness for things in their natural and unadulterated state.
Ooh, baby, I like it raww...
Oh my, I quite enjoy experiences that have not been refined or processed.
Yeah baby, I like it rawww!!!
Yes, I indeed have a strong preference for things in their natural and unadulterated state.
Shimmy shimmy ya, shimmy yam, shimmy yay
I perform the shimmy dance, with enthusiasm and energy.
Gimme the mic so I can take it away
Give me the microphone so that I can show off my talent and ability to captivate my audience.
Off on a natural charge, bon voyage
I am filled with a strong sense of energy and am ready to embark on a journey of creativity and performance.
Yeah, from the home of the Dodgers, Brooklyn squad
I hail from Brooklyn, the proud home of the Dodgers and a community with a strong sense of unity and identity.
Wu-Tang Killerrr Bees on a swarm!
My music collective, the Wu-Tang Killer Bees, are active and vibrant, making a big impact in the industry.
Rain on ya dollar's ass, disco dorm!
My music reigns supreme, and I am making a lot of money and enjoying the lifestyle that comes with that success.
For you to even touch my skill
You would have to be very talented to even come close to matching my skill and ability.
You gotta have the one Killer Bee and he ain't gonna kill. Now
If you want to perform at my level, you would have to be part of my collective, but even then, you would not surpass me.
My producer slam, my flow is like bam!
My producer is incredible, and my rap style is explosive and powerful.
Chop that down, pass it all around!
Spread my message and music around as much as possible.
Lyrics get hard, quick cement to the ground!
My lyrics are tough and unyielding, leaving a lasting impact on those who hear them.
For any MC in any fifty two states
I am confident in my abilities and believe I could outperform any other rapper in any state in the United States of America.
I gets psycho killerrrr Norman Bates!
I am capable of going to extreme, almost psychotic measures to defend my music and reputation.
My producer slam, sharp like bam!
My producer is truly amazing, and I am grateful for his/her talent and dedication to my music.
Jump on stage, and then I dun-daaaah!
I take to the stage with enthusiasm and energy, wowing my fans with my performance.
I like the way you come
I appreciate the unique and individual ways in which different people express themselves and approach life.
Hey, baby, I like it rawww...
Greetings, once again, I have a strong preference for experiences that are unrefined and unprocessed.
Yeah baby, I like it rawww!!!
Yes, I am quite fond of things in their natural state and am not swayed by artificial or overly refined experiences.
Ooh, baby, I like it raww...
Hmm, I really do enjoy experiences that are unadulterated and in their natural state.
Yeah baby, I like it rawww!!!
Yes, once again, I am very fond of experiences that are unrefined and authentic.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RUSSELL JONES, ROBERT DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind