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
Stay in Line
GZA/Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Throw down ya mic son, ya gauge is empty
Plus the wack shit in the game might tempt me
Quickly drop non-stop rec shot
A mixture from up-tempo to slow grooves
8-Track figure that's mixed wit Pro Tool
I rhyme wit sense the paragraph was intense
Area's dense with the flow from the sentence
Engine powered by five hundred horses
Press by a threat of joint forces
For emcee's who spit rap to cause beef
Cause they depend on wild kill for fresh meat
On the board, you're just a piece that's captured
Weak as the lamb that's laying in the pasture
The plug that gave ya juice, I might pull it
Can't escape these endless waves of rap bullets
[Chorus: Santi White (GZA)]
They got no place for me
In my life can't you see?
I must not push or bite it tell me
Stay in line, Stay in line (Stay in line)
Stay in line, Stay in line (Stay in line son)
Stay in line, Stay in line (Stay in line kid)
Stay in line
[GZA]
I'm not insane in fact I'm kinda rational
Chrome-plated serrated swords slashing you
I shine light to the mic
That's filled with the unspoiled water that sprits with light
But um, you get high of the wealth and livin' large
We rely of the stealth of camouflage
Cut supply lines, flood ya mans market
From high altitude cover the land target
Lost in the desert, the journey is stressful
Where the rescues are unsuccessful
They perish while they search for it, intriguing treasures
Should of taken precautionary measures
The rhyme with the shank in the yard that kept stabbing ya
A shakedown from Alcatraz to Attica
Because we rock the jails
Wit it and mase write the verse on the walls of cells
[Chorus]
[GZA]
Ya out cold, ya styles old
Allah just rolled, attack his skull wit a plan less bone
Hit ya king with a Check that caused directly damage ya disco tech
Shoulda' Protect ya Neck
[Santi White]
And do they think they got me? I don't know
They seen ya picture baby? Don't think so
Now do your mission and while you were thinking
Ain't no collision that'll stop me from screaming
[GZA]
Involving movements, controlling the squares that's closed in
Wit impact, in fact ya zone is frozen
Submerged in deep blocks of ice
Sceaming a wise by the high-tech devise
The slightest fame can bring pain and torture
The author, who came with a burning offer
Published by whoever made it must own it
Is just symatomic for one chaotic moment
[Chorus]
In the song "Stay in Line" by GZA/Genius, the rapper encourages others to stay in line and not stray from the path they are on. He begins by saying that he has the skills to take on anyone who challenges him and that he will not be tempted by the "wack shit" in the game. He has a mixture of songs from up-tempo to slow grooves and is powered by five hundred horses, with a flow from the sentence. He threatens emcees who spit rap to cause beef, as they rely on wild kill for fresh meat. On the board, they are just a piece that's captured, weak as the lamb that's laying in the pasture. The plug that gave them the juice, he might pull it, and they cannot escape the endless waves of rap bullets from him.
In the chorus, Santi White sings that there is no place for her in her life, and she must not push or bite it. GZA then raps that he is not insane, in fact, he's kind of rational. He's ready to fight with his chrome-plated serrated swords and shine his light on the mic, filled with unspoiled water that sprits with light. He relies on the stealth of camouflage and cuts supply lines, flooding the handler's market. But when they get lost in the desert, their journey is stressful, and the rescues are unsuccessful, they perish while they search for the treasures that should have taken precautionary measures.
Line by Line Meaning
Throw down ya mic son, ya gauge is empty
Your flow is weak, your rhymes are spent, it's time to step aside.
Plus the wack shit in the game might tempt me
The low quality and uninspired hip-hop being produced nowadays is tempting me to drop fire.
Quickly drop non-stop rec shot
I'm spitting with speed and precision that never lets up.
What I took on the road on the lap and desktop
I garnered inspiration from my travels and created music both on the road and at home.
A mixture from up-tempo to slow grooves
My music is versatile and ranges from fast-paced to mellow vibes.
8-Track figure that's mixed wit Pro Tool
My sound may be influenced by an earlier generation of music, but I use modern technology to produce the best sound possible.
I rhyme wit sense the paragraph was intense
My verses have substance and are full of meaning.
Area's dense with the flow from the sentence
The lyrics are so packed that the area they're in is denser for it.
Engine powered by five hundred horses
My flow is powerful, fueled by an unstoppable energy.
Press by a threat of joint forces
The rap world is threatened by the power formed between myself and other talented artists.
For emcee's who spit rap to cause beef
Some rappers try to start drama with beef and rivalry, but I'm above that.
Cause they depend on wild kill for fresh meat
They rely on creating drama for relevance.
On the board, you're just a piece that's captured
In the grand scheme of things, you're just a small piece in the greater game of hip-hop.
Weak as the lamb that's laying in the pasture
Your skills are nothing in comparison to the stronger artists.
The plug that gave ya juice, I might pull it
I have the power to end your career if I so choose.
Can't escape these endless waves of rap bullets
The force of my lyrics is unrelenting and unstoppable.
[Chorus: Santi White (GZA)] They got no place for me In my life can't you see? I must not push or bite it tell me Stay in line, Stay in line (Stay in line) Stay in line, Stay in line (Stay in line son) Stay in line, Stay in line (Stay in line kid) Stay in line
I must stay focused and not let drama or negativity derail me.
I'm not insane in fact I'm kinda rational
Contrary to what some may think, my approach to music is grounded in logic and reason.
Chrome-plated serrated swords slashing you
My rhymes are sharp and deadly, cutting through weak competition.
I shine light to the mic
My words bring illumination and insight to the hip-hop world.
That's filled with the unspoiled water that sprits with light
My music is pure and refreshing, bringing new life to the industry.
But um, you get high of the wealth and livin' large
Some artists are only motivated by money and fame.
We rely of the stealth of camouflage
Others, like myself, rely on being stealthy and strategic in our moves.
Cut supply lines, flood ya mans market
I can disrupt the music scene by controlling supply and demand.
From high altitude cover the land target
My reach and impact on the industry is vast, like a bombing mission from a high altitude.
Lost in the desert, the journey is stressful
The path to success in hip-hop can be arduous and exhausting.
Where the rescues are unsuccessful
Few are able to help you find your way in the industry.
They perish while they search for it, intriguing treasures
Some artists are taken down by the pursuit of riches and fame.
Should of taken precautionary measures
Artists should be prepared for the pitfalls of the industry.
The rhyme with the shank in the yard that kept stabbing ya
My rhymes are like a weapon, constantly attacking weaker competition.
A shakedown from Alcatraz to Attica
My impact on the industry is so powerful, it's like a shakedown of a prison from one coast to another.
Because we rock the jails
My music has influence even behind bars.
Wit it and mase write the verse on the walls of cells
Prisoners find solace in our music, even writing our lyrics on their cell walls.
[Chorus]
I must stay true to myself and not get caught up in the drama.
Ya out cold, ya styles old
Your style is outdated and no longer works in the industry.
Allah just rolled, attack his skull wit a plan less bone
I'm so powerful, even a higher being like Allah couldn't stand up to me.
Hit ya king with a Check that caused directly damage ya disco tech
I can take down even the biggest names in the industry with ease.
Shoulda' Protect ya Neck
You should have been more prepared for someone like me.
[Santi White] And do they think they got me? I don't know They seen ya picture baby? Don't think so Now do your mission and while you were thinking Ain't no collision that'll stop me from screaming
My detractors may think they have me figured out, but they don't know me. No obstacle can stop me from achieving my goals.
Involving movements, controlling the squares that's closed in
My movements in the industry are calculated and strategic, controlling those around me.
Wit impact, in fact ya zone is frozen
My power and influence is so great it can render others immobile.
Submerged in deep blocks of ice
My competition is trapped in a frozen wasteland, unable to move or act.
Sceaming a wise by the high-tech devise
I'm using my intelligence and technology to bring about great things in the industry.
The slightest fame can bring pain and torture
Success in the industry can be a double-edged sword, bringing both joy and pain.
The author, who came with a burning offer
I'm here to shake up the industry and offer something new and exciting.
Published by whoever made it must own it
The creators own the music and can claim it as their own.
Is just symatomic for one chaotic moment
All of this power and influence is just temporary and fleeting, leading to chaos in the end.
[Chorus]
The only way to succeed in the industry is to stay true to oneself and not get sidetracked by the drama.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind