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
fam
GZA/Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, yea check it...yo, yo yo yo
Yo, if you think you can fuck wit the Wu Clan
Get ya nose swolled up like Toucan
If you think you can fuck wit the Wu Clan
You get ya nose swolen up like Toucan
If you think you can fuck wit the wu clan
you get ya nose swolen up like Toucan
Bullets soaked in oil so the Tec can't jam
Sippin on Carribean run, cocanut juice
Smokin on that chocolate stick
Open up two bottles of that brass monkey on some drunkie shit
You R&B fake rappers suck a monkey dick
I'm from back in the days
with the Christmas for haze
on my back, stripped out black
You like that?
Seven braids in my head
My girl stays in the bed and she love to lay the eggs
[Masta Killa]
Prepare for the mic onslaught swift with the sword
Slick Lord, holdin my weight homing abroad
The crowd roared for the peeps playing for the streets
I reeped and sewed, scriptures weeved and woved
Behold gold for the people equal
Fresh on the weekend
Wu-Tang, Biggie smalls live at the beacon
Backstage drinks on the house the show was bangin
Brothers Grey Goosin, Wu was Tanquerayin
Allah teaching schools in session
The Gods speakin
I'm just knowledging
Snake handshakes and fake hugs
Waiting for the hour to devour
and splatter ya heads of powder
I'm a slave to the rhythm
but never to a mental deaf and power
The hour has come
We got y'all eleven to one son
You done off, too late to break off
Tactics are hazardous to the health, bomb stealth
Rifle stay M-16, know what I mean?
Know what I mean?
[Break: Masta Killa (both)]
Yo just what we (stand for?) Loyalty
What we strive for? Righteousness
What we live and (die for?)
Strictly fam members only
Yo (strictly fam members only)
Yo, yo just what we (stand for?) Loyalty
What we strive for? Righteousness
what we live and (die for?)
(Strictly fam members only)
(Strictly fam members only)
[RZA]
Ayo ayo
Great minds think alike
We used to drink all night
Think about things thats wrong and how to make it right
Ice cold bottles of brass, time flashes
A hundred blunts passes
Before the God asked us
What's the square miles of the planet?
Why is the axis slanted?
How much is covered by water?
How much is granite?
True-I-Master-Equality
God body be flowing like the chi energy inside your artery
Faithful as a polished rock against a tank
The force of my wheel still kill shooting blanks
Just from the sound alone ya heads blown
Still scorin in the red zone you best of head home
or get thrown to the dead zone
Son we need to ill, interupt the Grammy show and teach the kids
[Break: RZA]
Yo Just', what we stand for?
What we strive for?
What we live for?
What we give for?
What we die for?
Strictly fam members only
Strictly fam members only
[GZA]
I grew up around block parties ready to rock
Behind a roll nigga wit my rhyme on cock
First shot first nigga who had shit to pop
My bad weather blew the feathers off a hundred flocks
Seventy precent goose, thirty duck
Get stuck if each link in ya chain is truck
Can't come in this rhyme cypha wit nine snipers
Charged off the juice from the pied pipers
Walk around B-Boys, DJ's, MC's
Through rap, never thinkin their ways of TV
It was strictly all about about magnificent rhyme clout
The R.E.C. Room, two dollars with the flyer, three without
Now his wigs pushed back, name's removed off the plaque
Too wild to reanact, with tax
Thats the price to pay, my goal is to aim and spray
My night is the same as day
[Chorus x2: RZA]
Yo Just', what we stand for?
What we strive for?
What we live for?
What we give for?
What we die for?
Strictly fam members only
Strictly fam members only
In GZA/Genius's song "Fam," the lyrics are a testament to the loyalty and righteousness of the Wu-Tang Clan. The song is essentially a warning to anyone who thinks they can mess with the Clan. If you cross them, you'll "get ya nose swollen up like Toucan." The Clan is not to be trifled with, as their bullets are soaked in oil so that their Tecs won't jam, and they're sipping on Caribbean rum while smoking a chocolate stick. The Wu-Tang Clan is all about loyalty, standing by their fam members and striving for righteousness. They may be slaves to the rhythm, but they will never bow down to mental death and power. The Clan believes in integrity, teaching, and scholarship. They just want to make sure that everyone knows that they are strictly fam members only.
One of the most interesting elements of the song is the use of the phrase "swollen up like Toucan," which is a reference to the Froot Loops cereal mascot, who had a large and swollen nose. Another interesting fact is that the song features samples from Japanese movie score composer Joe Hisaishi. Additionally, the song was produced by RZA, one of the founding members of Wu-Tang Clan. The track is part of GZA's fourth studio album "Pro Tools," which was released in 2008, and features guest appearances by fellow Wu-Tang rappers Method Man and Masta Killa. The album was positively received by critics and is considered one of GZA's best works.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, if you think you can fuck wit the Wu Clan
Get ya nose swollen up like Toucan
If you think you can fuck wit the Wu clan
You get ya nose swollen up like Toucan
If you think you can fuck wit the Wu clan
You get ya nose swollen up like Toucan
Don't mess with the Wu-Tang Clan or you'll get beaten up
Bullets soaked in oil, so the Tec can't jam
Sippin' on Caribbean rum, coconut juice
Smokin' on that chocolate stick, open up two bottles
Of that brass monkey on some drunkie shit
You, R&B fake rappers suck a monkey dick
The Wu-Tang Clan is unstoppable and even enjoys taking shots at other fake rappers
I'm from back in the days with the Christmas
For haze on my back, stripped out black
You like that? Seven braids in my head
My girl stays in the bed and she love to lay the eggs
The Wu-Tang Clan member is proud of his roots and mentions his girlfriend's quirks
Prepare for the mic onslaught swift with the sword
Slick Lord, holdin' my weight, homing abroad
The crowd roared for the peeps playing for the streets
I reeped and sewed, scriptures weeved and woved
Behold gold for the people equal, fresh on the weekend
Wu-Tang, Biggie smalls live at the beacon
Backstage drinks on the house the show was bangin'
Brothers Grey Goosin, Wu was Tanquerayin
The Wu-Tang Clan member reflects on their success and experience of performing with other rap icons
Allah teaching schools in session, the Gods speakin'
I'm just knowledging, snake handshakes and fake hugs
Waiting for the hour to devour and splatter ya heads of powder
I'm a slave to the rhythm but never to a mental deaf and power
The hour has come, we got y'all eleven to one son
You done off, too late to break off, tactics are hazardous
To the health, bomb stealth, rifle stay M-16
Know what I mean? Know what I mean?
The Wu-Tang Clan member talks about the power of words and actions, and how they can be dangerous
Yo, just what we stand for? Loyalty
What we strive for? Righteousness
What we live and die for? Strictly fam members only
Yo, strictly fam members only
The Wu-Tang Clan values loyalty and righteousness within their own group, and these ideals define their existence
Aiyyo, aiyyo, great minds think alike
We used to drink all night, think about things that's wrong
And how to make it right, ice cold bottles of brass
Time flashes, a hundred blunts passes
Before the God asked us, "What's the square miles of the planet?"
"Why is the axis slanted? How much is covered by water?"
How much is granite?" 'True I Master Equality'
God body be flowing like the chi energy inside your artery
Faithful as a polished rock against a tank
The force of my wheel still kill shooting blanks
Just from the sound alone ya heads blown
Still scorin' in the red zone
You best of head home or get thrown to the dead zone
Son, we need to ill, interrupt the Grammy show and teach the kids
The Wu-Tang Clan reflects on deep thoughts and how knowledge is power. They also speak about their musical prowess and how they can have a great impact on their audience
I grew up around block parties ready to rock
Behind a roll nigga wit my rhyme on cock
First shot first nigga who had shit to pop
My bad weather blew the feathers off a hundred flocks
Seventy percent goose, thirty duck
Get stuck if each link in ya chain is truck
Can't come in this rhyme cypher wit nine snipers
Charged off the juice from the pied pipers
Walk around B-Boys, DJ's, MC's
Through rap, never thinkin' their ways of TV
It was strictly all about about magnificent rhyme clout
The R.E.C. Room, two dollars with the flyer, three without
Now, his wigs pushed back, name's removed off the plaque
Too wild to re-enact, with tax
That's the price to pay, my goal is to aim and spray
My night is the same as day
The Wu-Tang Clan member talks about his upbringing and how the rhyming craft has evolved. He also reflects on how his talent has brought him success but at a cost
Yo just what we stand for? What we strive for?
What we live for? What we give for?
What we die for? Strictly fam members only
Strictly fam members only
The Wu-Tang Clan emphasizes their commitment to their group and their mission
Yo just what we stand for? What we strive for?
What we live for? What we give for?
What we die for? Strictly fam members only
Strictly fam members only
Reiteration of the Wu-Tang Clan's values and mission
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELGIN EVANDER TURNER, GARY E. GRICE, ROBERT F. DIGGS, RONALD MAURICE BEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind