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
True Fresh M.C.
GZA/Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I rock the mic at any party
And in the place to be
I'm a true, true fresh MC
I'm a true fresh MC
I work real hard to achieve my goal
From building and bringing out my true inner soul
So why live life foul when you're talented and gifted
I've changed, rearranged my total direction
Searchin' for happiness, seeking for perfection
Living the true life, a real story
To make you realize the truth, not scream Glory
Glory, hallelujah, not here to fool ya
But to replenish your souls as I school ya
With a greeting of Purified Education
Always Correcting Errors which stops the temptation
Of you doing wrong singing the same sad song
Renewing bad histories for how long
A Long long time ago
Going for mind made The Genius a pro
And as you see who I be
I be The Genius and thus a true M.C.
CHORUS
Brothers need to study some lessons
They are the blessings to keep you from guessing
the questions that is asked by the seeker
Put on the beat and let me born it through the speaker
Peace, a lot of MC's like to say it
And some that advocate it they just spray it
Out and scream and shout, beyond the shadow of a doubt
They don't know what it's about
Just to keep you informed with the significance
How can I prove this through true evidence
Some make me laugh, think they droppin' math
Show and proven is a difficult path
Within the five percent, I am the live percent
Those who perpetrate are the jive percent
I be the universal, the Biochemical
Arm, Leg, Leg, Arm, Head is the physical
That keeps rhymin' until it's unbearable
No individual is comparable
You have aproblem inform the technician
But he's not dealing with those of superstition
Those who like dealing with it superstitiously
Cross your fingers when you steppin' to me
I don't nee beefs and problems, riffs and static
Debates and arguments thats not dramatic
I need action, it speaks louder than a word
Especially when the word is loud and unheard
Word is what? My word is bond, your word is bull
Now it's your card I'm gonna pull
In GZA/Genius's song True Fresh MC, the rapper reflects on his journey towards becoming a true, authentic artist. He highlights his hard work and determination to find his true self, which is a common theme in hip-hop. GZA/Genius raps about the importance of living our lives with purpose and pursuing our passions instead of living a life of negativity and self-destruction. He encourages listeners to seek out the truth and educate themselves, rather than falling into the trap of ignorance and misinformation.
The chorus of the song is catchy and memorable, emphasizing GZA/Genius's prowess as a MC. As a true fresh MC, he can rock the mic at any party and captivate any audience. The song reflects a sense of positivity and hope, as GZA/Genius encourages listeners to be true to themselves and pursue their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
I rock the mic at any party
I excel at performing and entertaining people at any gathering where music is involved
And in the place to be
Anywhere there's a beat, I'm here to rock it and elevate the experience for all listeners
I'm a true, true fresh MC
I'm a genuine and innovative rapper with a style that's completely original and innovative
I work real hard to achieve my goal
I put a lot of effort and dedication to reach my objectives
From building and bringing out my true inner soul
Through the creative process of songwriting and performance I am able to reveal and express my true self
Which was once on a downfall and then uplifted
I overcame a difficult time in my life and have been able to transform that struggle into a positive, uplifting message in my music
So why live life foul when you're talented and gifted
Why choose to lead a negative, unhappy life when I have so much talent and skills to showcase in my music?
I've changed, rearranged my total direction
I have adjusted and fine-tuned my creative process to better align with my vision and goals as an artist
Searchin' for happiness, seeking for perfection
I'm always striving to find happiness in my life while also pursuing excellence in my craft
Living the true life, a real story
I am committed to living an authentic life and sharing it with my fans through my music, which reflects a genuine, heartfelt story
To make you realize the truth, not scream Glory
I aim to enlighten my listeners with honest insights and revelations, not just impress them with flashy tunes and empty flattery
But to replenish your souls as I school ya
Through my music and performance, I aim to nourish and replenish my fans' spirits while also teaching them life lessons
With a greeting of Purified Education
My music and message is intended to promote a pure, clean approach to self-expression and education
Always Correcting Errors which stops the temptation
I'm dedicated to correcting negative, misleading messages and helping others avoid harmful temptations by leading by example
Of you doing wrong singing the same sad song
I challenge listeners to reconsider their choices and avoid repeating the same negative patterns by breaking free of negative cycles and confronting their issues
Renewing bad histories for how long
Why continue repeating the same negative patterns or histories? It's time to forge a new, positive path forward
A Long long time ago
Throughout the course of my life and artistic journey, I have faced many obstacles and setbacks, but ultimately I've emerged victorious
Going for mind made The Genius a pro
Through achieving a strong, focused mindset, I have been able to propel myself to professional success as The Genius rapper
And as you see who I be
My fans can see me for who I truly am - an authentic, earnest artist driven by passion and creativity
I be The Genius and thus a true M.C.
I identify as a talented, deeply committed rapper who is constantly working to improve my craft and share meaningful messages with my fans
Brothers need to study some lessons
I encourage other rappers or male figures to focus on learning and personal growth in order to become better individuals and role models
They are the blessings to keep you from guessing
By embracing learning and personal growth, one can avoid confusion and uncertainty, finding clarity and purpose in their life
the questions that is asked by the seeker
When we pursue knowledge and strive to understand the mysteries of life, we open ourselves up to new questions and experiences
Put on the beat and let me born it through the speaker
When I take the stage and start rapping, I feel a deep connection to the music and am able to channel my emotions and ideas into the performance
Peace, a lot of MC's like to say it
Other rappers often use the word peace as a greeting or sign-off
And some that advocate it they just spray it
However, some individuals who claim to support peace don't truly live up to their words and may be insincere in their message
Out and scream and shout, beyond the shadow of a doubt
Many rappers try to make their message as loud and ostentatious as possible to grab attention and make a big impression
They don't know what it's about
However, many of these performers lack genuine understanding or insights into the true nature of the human experience
Just to keep you informed with the significance
I aim to educate and inform my fans on important aspects of life, such as the value of peace, truth, and personal growth
How can I prove this through true evidence
To demonstrate the validity of my message and vision, I aim to present irrefutable evidence and insights, not just empty words
Some make me laugh, think they droppin' math
I often find other rappers' performances amusing or unimpressive, as their rhymes lack depth, nuance, and intellect
Show and proven is a difficult path
In order to create truly meaningful, impactful music, it's necessary to take a challenging path that involves self-reflection, critical analysis, and hard work
Within the five percent, I am the live percent
As part of the Five Percent Nation, a movement that espouses self-knowledge and truth, I identify as an enlightened, vibrant member of the community
Those who perpetrate are the jive percent
Those who pretend or deceive others are not authentic members of the community and are often ridiculed or dismissed by true Five Percenters
I be the universal, the Biochemical
As an artist and figurehead, I represent universal principles of truth, beauty, and balance, while also embracing modern, scientific knowledge and technology
Arm, Leg, Leg, Arm, Head is the physical
This phrase, which refers to the components of the human body, represents the physical aspect of my identity as an artist and individual
That keeps rhymin' until it's unbearable
I am so committed to my craft and creative process that I am willing to keep pushing myself to create new, innovative music, even when it becomes challenging or difficult
No individual is comparable
My music and persona are completely unique and original, so there's no one who can be compared or judged against me as an artist
You have aproblem inform the technician
If you encounter any problems or issues with my music or message, you're welcome to communicate with me or my team to get feedback or support
But he's not dealing with those of superstition
However, we don't tolerate or entertain narrow-minded or superstitious views that don't align with our beliefs or principles
Those who like dealing with it superstitiously
Individuals who rely on irrational or mystical beliefs to guide their lives and decisions are not in alignment with my own experience or worldview
Cross your fingers when you steppin' to me
If you're not prepared to confront the hard truths and real-life issues that I address in my music, you may find yourself struggling to understand or accept my message
I don't need beefs and problems, riffs and static
I don't seek out or engage in conflicts or drama within the hip-hop community or elsewhere in my life
Debates and arguments thats not dramatic
While I am willing to engage in productive discussions and debates that challenge my own beliefs and views, I don't seek out controversy or conflicts for their own sake
I need action, it speaks louder than a word
I am focused on taking action and making a real impact on the world through my music and personal goals, rather than just making empty promises or grand gestures
Especially when the word is loud and unheard
Even when I am producing powerful, impactful music and messages, I remain humble and empathetic, willing to listen and learn from others
Word is what? My word is bond, your word is bull
In the world of hip-hop and beyond, it's important to be authentic and committed to your promises and values, rather than just putting on a facade or pretending to be something you're not
Now it's your card I'm gonna pull
If you're not putting in the effort and dedication to succeed and be genuine in your craft, I may call you out or challenge you in a productive way in order to help you grow and improve
CHORUS
Repeating the chorus to re-emphasize the message and themes of the song
Contributed by Caden A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.