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
The Mexican
GZA/Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sleeping on his guns
Shot rare coins for practice
Map to the fortune, hidden up under the mattress
A lead belt attaches with holsters
Waiting area, two blazing toasters
Hit the stage coach on stallions
Heavily pursued by the local governor, a southerner
Sought after by the whole battalion
Fell out a snake within the handshake
Get the drop on them then he exploited the mistake
Protecting his gold he sold by the plates
Ready to shoot while his horses drank from the lake
Deputy saved by the badge on the blazer
A warning shot from one that had the aim of a laser
Trait by the neighbor a gambler
Who would stack the deck, plus he marked cards wit a razor
Chico Fernandez
Sleepin' on his gun
Dreams of Santa Anna
Fighting in the sun
Drums so loud from outside
Makes it hard to dream
A rain is fallin' hard and fast
Makes it all seem real
Mornin', come mornin'
A Chico's gotta have his share
Mornin', sad mornin'
What a laugh, and I cried
And I cry, cry, cry, cry, cried
He used to move weight but then became a grower
Constricted boa, the most of Sinaloa
Cooperating along in mining zones
For mostly silver and other shining stones
Abandoned political rebel
He moved with a group of pistolevils flashing heavy metals
Clash with the law triggered intense reactions
Hard labor gave them multiple contractions
Lawmen turned to outlaw, gunfighter cattle rustlers
Hustlers ruff riders useless connections
Everything traversal
Cross stone socio-economic circles
Señorita pining
Chico come on home
Santa Anna's losing
You'll be first to go
Sam Houston's laughing
Davy Crockett too
When Anna takes the Alamo
The first to go is you
Mornin', come mornin'
A Chico's gotta have his share
Mornin', sad mornin'
Heaven will be there
Mornin', sad mornin'
What a laugh and out loud
Ha ha ha ha ha
"The Mexican" by GZA/Genius is a story about Chico Fernandez, a Mexican bandit who is on the run from both the law and the governor of the southern state where he resides. Chico is portrayed as a man who is fiercely protective of his hidden fortune, which he has stashed under his mattress. The song describes Chico's life as a bandit, his clashes with the law and his enemies, and his ultimate demise.
The first verse describes Chico's modus operandi as a bandit. He practices shooting rare coins, in preparation for future robberies. He is armed with a lead belt and holsters and waits for his targets with two blazing toasters. Chico and his gang mainly target stagecoaches and are always on the lookout for Federal Reserve notes and gold medallions. However, Chico is heavily pursued by the southern governor and his entire battalion. He knows that he is no match for them and is always ready to shoot while his horses drink from the lake. In one instance, Chico successfully gets the drop on his enemies, who fall for a trap he set up.
In the second verse, the song shows Chico's life in a more personal light, highlighting his dreams of Santa Anna and fighting in the sun. However, the drums from outside, along with the pouring rain, make it hard for him to dream. Chico has lived a hard life, moving from being a drug dealer to a grower, dealing mostly in silver and other shining stones. He even worked in the mines for some time. But things took a turn for the worse, and Chico became an outlaw, fleeing from the law, and joining a group of pistolevils who clashed with the authorities. The lawmen eventually turned into outlaws themselves, and everyone was out to get Chico.
The song also references other historical figures, such as Davy Crockett and Sam Houston, and makes a passing reference to the Alamo, where Chico is destined to be the first to go. The song ends on a slightly humorous note, with Chico thinking of heaven while crying out aloud.
Line by Line Meaning
Chico Fernandez
Introduction of the singer, whose story the song tells.
Sleeping on his guns
The singer is always alert and prepared for any danger.
Shot rare coins for practice
The singer is a skilled marksman and practices with valuable targets.
Map to the fortune, hidden up under the mattress
The artist has a treasure map and hides it in a safe place.
A lead belt attaches with holsters
The artist carries his guns with him at all times, strapped to his belt and holsters.
Waiting area, two blazing toasters
The singer expects a shootout and is ready with two loaded guns.
Hit the stage coach on stallions
The singer and his accomplices rob a stagecoach while riding horses.
Looking for Federal Reserve notes and gold medallions
The artist seeks valuable items to steal, including paper money and gold coins.
Heavily pursued by the local governor, a southerner
The artist is being chased by a powerful official, the governor of his region who is from the southern part of the country.
Sought after by the whole battalion
The artist is wanted by a large military force.
Fell out a snake within the handshake
The singer discovers a hidden danger while dealing with a seemingly friendly person.
Get the drop on them then he exploited the mistake
The artist gains the upper hand in a confrontation and takes advantage of his enemy's mistake.
Protecting his gold he sold by the plates
The singer guards his stolen gold, which he intends to sell by weight.
Ready to shoot while his horses drank from the lake
The singer is always alert and ready to shoot, even while his horses are drinking.
Deputy saved by the badge on the blazer
A law enforcement officer is saved because he is wearing his official badge.
A warning shot from one that had the aim of a laser
An expert marksman shoots a warning shot that is very accurate.
Trait by the neighbor a gambler
The artist is betrayed by someone he thought he could trust, a neighbor who is a gambler.
Who would stack the deck, plus he marked cards wit a razor
The betrayer cheated at cards by stacking the deck and using a razor to mark the cards.
Dreams of Santa Anna
The singer dreams of his homeland, where Santa Anna is a prominent historical figure.
Fighting in the sun
The artist has fought in many battles in his homeland, where the sun is hot and oppressive.
Drums so loud from outside
The sound of war drums echoes outside the artist's home.
Makes it hard to dream
The noise from the war drums makes it difficult for the artist to sleep and dream peacefully.
A rain is fallin' hard and fast
It is raining heavily outside, adding to the bleak atmosphere.
Makes it all seem real
The harsh reality of war and violence is brought home by the sound of the rain and the war drums.
He used to move weight but then became a grower
The singer used to be a drug dealer but switched to growing plants instead.
Constricted boa, the most of Sinaloa
The singer cultivates high-quality marijuana from the Sinaloa region, which is known for producing potent strains.
Cooperating along in mining zones
The singer works with others to mine valuable minerals from specific areas.
For mostly silver and other shining stones
The artist and his accomplices mine silver and other precious stones for profit.
Abandoned political rebel
The artist was once involved in political rebellion but has since abandoned that cause.
He moved with a group of pistolevils flashing heavy metals
The singer has associated with a group of criminals who carry guns and other weapons.
Clash with the law triggered intense reactions
The singer and his group have had violent conflicts with law enforcement officials.
Hard labor gave them multiple contractions
The artist and his accomplices have experienced hard labor and physical injury as a result of their criminal activities.
Lawmen turned to outlaw, gunfighter cattle rustlers
The artist and his group have become outlaws who steal guns and cattle.
Hustlers ruff riders useless connections
The artist has made connections with criminal ruffians and hustlers, but those connections are ultimately useless to him.
Señorita pining
A woman is longing for the singer's return.
Chico come on home
The woman wants the artist to return home to her.
Santa Anna's losing
The situation in the singer's homeland is deteriorating, and Santa Anna's forces are losing.
You'll be first to go
The woman is worried that the singer will be killed in the conflict.
Sam Houston's laughing
Sam Houston, a prominent historical figure from Texas, is amused by the events unfolding in the singer's homeland.
Davy Crockett too
Davy Crockett, another historical figure from Texas, is also laughing at the artist's situation.
When Anna takes the Alamo
When Santa Anna captures the Alamo, a significant historical event, it will be a major setback for the artist's side.
Heaven will be there
The singer hopes to find peace and redemption in the afterlife, regardless of his life's deeds.
What a laugh and out loud
The song concludes with a bitter laugh, highlighting the absurdity of the singer's life and death struggles.
Ha ha ha ha ha
The laughter is repeated, emphasizing the irony and tragedy inherent in the song's narrative.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY E. GRICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A. J.
A few people complained about his flow slacking on this. But anybody with an ear can tell he's riding that dancehall bass. Skillful af
Randy MacKenzie
He don't slack
Alley Viper
GZA is a true lyricist...love anything hes on or creates.
Thomas Craighead
Alley Viper my favorite emcee
Turtle Anton
Alley Viper yeah
George Troxel
He has a show on Netflix called Liquid Science you should check it out.
Charles-Eric Ringuette
yes a contemplatist for sure
Nelson Segarra
One of the illest mc's out here fo sho
MM B
GZA and Tom Morello need to work together on more projects. GZA featuring with Prophets of Rage would be massive.
Samurai 6
GZA FT RAGE AGAINST 2🔥2🔥