Gary Grice (born August 22, 1966), better known by his stage name GZA (pron… Read Full Bio ↴Gary Grice (born August 22, 1966), better known by his stage name GZA (pronounced /ˈJizzah/) and The Genius, is an American hip hop artist best known as a founding member of the seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan and for his inclusion on their group albums, his group mates' solo releases and a successful solo career.

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

big acts little acts
GZA/Genius Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, perverted monk representin'
You know what I'm sayin'?

No need for cappin' this, brave boys, I break your back with this
Practice, math this, lyrical theatrics
You'll never, ever brave the weather, I'm too clever
Conjurin sandstorms, I'll freeze ya then I'll melt ya
You know I dealt the, on impact, shots hit the ceiling

These [Incomprehensible], I'm wieldin', straight echoes through the building

Enemies efforts are foreseen in the mental
I make steel wrinkle at the blink of a eye
Terminate, unrighteous conscious states
Imitate the stars while they constellate
The heart rate of my social eloquence makes sense
Intense, with the roughage, you couldn't budge this
Mountainous, type of figure
So check it out, now you know when you lookin' at a real nigga

You know we rip it up, hit the mic like a virus
We never hide this, unique rhymes styles is righteous
Who wanna battle, which rapper thinkin' they the nicest
Straight up and down, these rhyme styles is priceless

You eggshell niggas get cracked in half
My armed force throw a road block in your path
Beats smash from True Mast, my shots blast
Shatter glass, crowd watch, the sound sets clash
Quick fast, I let the darts off, with no doubt
Your bitch ass, you head north and break out
The snakes out, hissin', shots missin', observe and respect and listen
And if you get stung twice, that means he's rollin' wit loaded dice
It's like gettin' stabbed with ice and watch the evidence melt
Immediately the blow is felt

Commissioner revoke the belt, the microphone
Microphone flower, fresh shower
Of the rugged garments, break the bread like Noah
I'm holdin', ride the 808 rollin'
Write til my hand's swollen, your no comp ya
Huh, I stomp ya, the monster
Worldwide record launcher, multiply and conquer

You know we rip it up, hit the mic like a virus
We never hide this, unique rhymes styles is righteous
Who wanna battle, which rapper thinkin' they the nicest
Straight up and down, these rhyme styles is priceless

We rip it up, hit the mic like a virus
We never hide this, unique rhymes styles is righteous
Who wanna battle, which rapper thinkin' they the nicest
Straight up and down, these rhyme styles is priceless

Nemesis, bringer of disaster
With more moves than the Tai Chi Master
Killa and I get illa, cerebral warlord
My name's Afu-Ra, step too quick and your thought's floored
Fury portrayed, sharper than the fuckin' cactus
Conquerin' globes and universes with Galactus

Tongue lashes, it rattles, never sliver
Optimus Prime, fatal bites as I deliver
Lyrically deadly, mic flow heavenly
In dwellin' intelligence, choose my weaponry
Battle strategy, bishop cover angles
Knights move next, L shapes, the vortex
Forces break down, now I got the nitty gritty
You think it's a stalemate but now I'm yellin' checkmate
Ultra rhymer, stop breaths like anacondas

You know we rip it up, hit the mic like a virus
We never hide this, unique rhymes styles is righteous
Who wanna battle, which rapper thinkin' they the nicest
Straight up and down, these rhyme styles is priceless

We rip it up, hit the mic like a virus
We never hide this, unique rhymes styles is righteous

Who wanna battle, which rapper thinkin' they the nicest
Straight up and down, these rhyme styles is priceless

Overall Meaning

In "Big Acts Little Acts," GZA/Genius raps about his skills as a lyricist and how he can take down any challenger who comes his way. From the start, his lyrics seem to be a warning shot to any who think they can compete with him. He boasts about his talents, saying he will destroy them in a battle until they are broken-backed. He also references his abilities to "conjure" a sandstorm and "freeze" people. He seems to be saying that he is not just a talented rapper but a force of nature.

GZA/Genius goes on to say that he sees through his enemies' attempts to distract him and bring him down. He is too skilled and focused to be misguided by their malicious actions. He speaks about the metaphorical mountain he is in the rap game, and how nobody can move or distract him from his goals. He talks about his unique style, which is priceless, and cannot be imitated. He also warns that anyone who tries to battle him will not succeed and will get destroyed.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, perverted monk representin'
Introduction, announcing the artist GZA/Genius as the 'perverted monk' who is representing.

No need for cappin' this, brave boys, I break your back with this Practice, math this, lyrical theatrics
GZA/Genius is confident in his skills and does not need to put on a front. He can easily break down his opponents with his practice and lyrical abilities.

You'll never, ever brave the weather, I'm too clever Conjurin sandstorms, I'll freeze ya then I'll melt ya
The opponent can never overcome GZA/Genius as he is too clever and can control the elements to defeat them.

You know I dealt the, on impact, shots hit the ceiling These [Incomprehensible], I'm wieldin', straight echoes through the building
GZA/Genius's powerful rhymes hit hard and are so loud they echo through the building.

Enemies efforts are foreseen in the mental I make steel wrinkle at the blink of a eye
GZA/Genius can predict his opponent's moves and he can easily defeat them with his mentality alone.

Terminate, unrighteous conscious states Imitate the stars while they constellate
He will destroy those who have bad intentions and those who try to imitate others, while also highlighting the beauty of the stars.

The heart rate of my social eloquence makes sense Intense, with the roughage, you couldn't budge this Mountainous, type of figure
GZA/Genius's strong and intelligent communication skills cannot be shaken, making him a powerful figure in society.

You know we rip it up, hit the mic like a virus We never hide this, unique rhymes styles is righteous Who wanna battle, which rapper thinkin' they the nicest Straight up and down, these rhyme styles is priceless
GZA/Genius is confident in his unique rhyming style and is calling out other rappers to battle him.

My armed force throw a road block in your path Beats smash from True Mast, my shots blast Shatter glass, crowd watch, the sound sets clash
GZA/Genius's team is powerful like an armed force and he can cause destruction with his beats and rhymes, causing the crowd to watch and feel the impact.

Quick fast, I let the darts off, with no doubt Your bitch ass, you head north and break out The snakes out, hissin', shots missin', observe and respect and listen And if you get stung twice, that means he's rollin' wit loaded dice It's like gettin' stabbed with ice and watch the evidence melt Immediately the blow is felt
GZA/Genius is quick to take action and defeat his opponents. He warns his foes to listen and observe, and if they get stung twice it's because he is cheating. His style is so cold that it's like getting stabbed with ice and the effects are felt immediately.

Commissioner revoke the belt, the microphone Microphone flower, fresh shower Of the rugged garments, break the bread like Noah I'm holdin', ride the 808 rollin' Write til my hand's swollen, your no comp ya Huh, I stomp ya, the monster Worldwide record launcher, multiply and conquer
GZA/Genius creates a powerful image of holding the microphone like a belt and describing it as a fresh shower. He wears rugged clothing and compares his rhymes to breaking bread like Noah in biblical times. He works tirelessly until his hand is swollen and is confident in destroying his competition and creating a global following.

Nemesis, bringer of disaster With more moves than the Tai Chi Master Killa and I get illa, cerebral warlord My name's Afu-Ra, step too quick and your thought's floored Fury portrayed, sharper than the fuckin' cactus Conquerin' globes and universes with Galactus
Afu-Ra is introduced as a fierce opponent who is a cerebral warrior with a powerful, sharp demeanor. He is compared to the comic book villain Galactus, who can conquer entire universes.

Tongue lashes, it rattles, never sliver Optimus Prime, fatal bites as I deliver Lyrically deadly, mic flow heavenly In dwellin' intelligence, choose my weaponry Battle strategy, bishop cover angles Knights move next, L shapes, the vortex Forces break down, now I got the nitty gritty You think it's a stalemate but now I'm yellin' checkmate Ultra rhymer, stop breaths like anacondas
Afu-Ra uses aggressive and precise rhymes, comparing them to a rattling tongue and the fierce bites of the Transformer Optimus Prime. His intelligence helps him strategically choose his weapons and battle plans, even covering his angles like a bishop in chess. He may be in a deadlock, but he remains confident in his ability to yell 'checkmate' and end the game. He is an 'ultra rhymer' that can stop breaths like an anaconda's grip.

We rip it up, hit the mic like a virus We never hide this, unique rhymes styles is righteous Who wanna battle, which rapper thinkin' they the nicest Straight up and down, these rhyme styles is priceless
The song ends on a reprise of the chorus, solidifying GZA/Genius and Afu-Ra's confidence in their unique and righteous rhyming styles, daring other rappers to battle them as they know their rhymes are priceless.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: AARON OCOSICE PHILLIP, DERRICK R. L. HARRIS, GARY E. GRICE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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