Born in Staten Island, Grice developed an interest in hip-hop by attending block parties as a child in the late '70's. He formed a three-man group with his cousins, who would later be known as RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard. The group, All in Together Now, saw the three rapping and DJing, switching off names and performing local shows; since they lived in different boroughs, RZA and Dirty would travel out to Staten Island to meet up with their cousin, after which the three would travel across NYC and challenge other MCs to battles. After some years of this, GZA was signed to Cold Chillin' Records as a solo artist under the name The Genius. He put together an album called Words from the Genius, produced mostly by Easy Mo Bee, but after it failed to sell--and his rocky experience on tour--Grice became fed up and asked for release from the label[1].
After joining the Wu-Tang Clan, a group of nine which included himself, RZA and ODB, GZA boasted some high-profile appearances on the group's debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, including a solo track, "Clan in da Front." This was followed up in 1995 with GZA's sophomore solo effort, Liquid Swords, produced entirely by RZA; the album was met with critical and commercial acclaim, and is still considered one of the best albums to come out of the Wu-Tang camp[2]; in 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source Magazine's 100 Best Rap Albums of all time.
After appearing on the Wu-Tang Clan's second album, Wu-Tang Forever, GZA released Beneath the Surface in 1999. Reviews were mostly positive, though it failed to live up to Liquid Swords' acclaim or commercial success. Like the sophomore projects of many Clan members, critics decried the album's lack of RZA production, claiming the underground producers and Wu-Elements used did not live up to the producer's skill level. Grice put in appearances on The W, Iron Flag and some of his group members' solo projects, but did not release another of his own until 2002 with Legend of the Liquid Sword. The album was received well by critics, but did not achieve commercial success, failing to go gold as his previous release had. GZA spent 2004 touring, both solo and with the Clan, and made an appearance with RZA in Jim Jarmusch's film Coffee & Cigarettes, opposite Bill Murray.
In 2005, GZA and DJ Muggs (the producer for Cypress Hill) released the LP Grandmasters. Muggs provided all the beats for the album, which saw GZA using chess as a metaphor for the rap game,[3]. The album received very positive reviews[4] and modest commercial success. He then partook in the recording of groupmate Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, originally stating that he was heavily featured along with Inspectah Deck, though he was later unsure about his status on the project[5].
2007 saw GZA teaming up with his Wu-Tang Clan to record the group album 8 Diagrams, and in the ensuing controversy, defended both Raekwon and Ghostface Killah's rights to speak their mind, and RZA's production job on the album.[6] In the summer of 2008, he released the album Pro Tools which featured production from Black Milk and past collaborators Jay "Waxxx" Garfield, RZA, Mathematics and True Master. GZA also stated his wish to record another full album with RZA[7].
Breaker Breaker
GZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
MC's should expect the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
This is not a test, it's difficulty
Picture closely, the ignorant mostly
Blind, deaf, dumb, your mind left numb
In the bottom of your bomb shelter, still felt the
Heavy blast that blew off the masks of twelve welders
The math of an elder, praise the Lord, thank you Genius
Operation: Project English
Commander-n-chief of flight style, check the aircraft
Glide like the frisbee, Digi look Disney
To check fault in oneself is pure loveliness
You break the mirror that remind you of your ugliness
So when I bust, no one is untouched
Some returning with the mic clutched, like such
Who plan but never execute
He had the heat in his hand, but yo he didn't shoot
Therefore; your mechanism of material better be sickly
Or let your lead spread incredibly quickly
I move bravely, travellin' on a horse
On the battlefield, surrounded by the lost
Of those who plotted with the brains of animals
My high molecular structure be untangible
The name ring a bell, killable two syllable
The Wu is comin' through, the outcome is critical
To be blunt, the beef was cooked up like coke goods
The rhyme first came to me in the oak woods
Up to no good, rap icon
"Milk" the industry like the Wall Street junk bond
You see the bright stone, I got your height sewn
Direct current, that move through the mic-phone
Key contributor, well known major factor
Rhyme distributor, the drive of a tractor
Who run ya down if you don't wanna move or wanna linger
[Chorus: Repeat 2X]
The immortality of my fame is the measure of other's torture
Burnt offer, from a flamin' author
The falconer who flies enough birds for the chase
Strictly excel in what is excellence with grace
The significance was not the vulgar applause of interest
But the feelin' that exit, completion of a sentence
With age and experience, my reason ripens
I strike on you Vikings, slash like a hyphen
If you enter the house of fortune by the gate of pleasure
You will leave by sorrow, the flow measures
Everything fails with the unfortunate
Learned that recordin' it, so my mind broaden it
Track records, ranks us, with the exceptional
Extreme complex physics, high technical
The truth is usually seen and rarely heard
What's more dangerous than hatred, is the word
You wild cards, Jack of all trades
Those who parade their positions, show their Spades
A large flock of MC's, they figure to be taught
It ain't hard to see why I'm vigorously sought
[Chorus: Repeat 2X]
Breaker, breaker, one nine
Breaker, breaker, one nine
The lyrics of "Breaker Breaker" by GZA are dense and vivid, showcasing his mastery of wordplay, metaphor, and storytelling. The song starts with GZA speaking through a CB radio, asking if anyone can hear him, and then declaring his superiority over other MCs who he claims he has extorted for their rhymes. He warns that MCs who fail to expect the worst will be left blind, deaf, and dumb, and unable to hear the sound of the "roll of the drum." GZA's mastery of rhyme and cadence is evident in these opening lines, as he plays with the sound of words and builds the momentum of the song.
GZA then shifts to a series of powerful images that speak to his philosophical and poetic sensibility. He references the "math of an elder" and the "roll of the drum," suggesting a respect for tradition and history. He then invokes the metaphor of a bomb blast to describe the impact of his rhymes, suggesting that they are explosive and destructive. He notes that some MCs fail to execute their plans, and also implicates the materialistic and ego-driven nature of the rap industry. He ends with a warning to those who would try to oppose him, invoking a range of images that suggest he is a force to be reckoned with.
Line by Line Meaning
Breaker, breaker, one nine, clear the line
Can you hear me? Let's get started
MC's should expect the worst
Rappers should be prepared for anything
Picture closely, the ignorant mostly
People who are unaware are the ones causing problems
Lost soul who failed to hear the roll of the drum
Those who ignored the message and warning are struggling now
The math of an elder, praise the Lord, thank you Genius
Wisdom of the elders is valuable and should be appreciated
To check fault in oneself is pure loveliness
Being able to admit to being wrong is a great quality to have
Therefore; your mechanism of material better be sickly
Your skills and equipment should be top-notch to compete
The Wu is comin' through, the outcome is critical
Wu-Tang Clan is making an important move
The immortality of my fame is the measure of other's torture
The price of fame is a heavy burden
The significance was not the vulgar applause of interest
The true value was the satisfaction of completing a project
The truth is usually seen and rarely heard
Actions speak louder than words
Those who parade their positions, show their Spades
Those who flaunt their power are showing their hand
It ain't hard to see why I'm vigorously sought
It's easy to see why people want me to perform
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY E. GRICE, SULAYMAN ANSARI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nickthekillerjo.7756
Breaker, breaker, one nine, clear the line
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
MC's should expect the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
This is not a test, it's difficulty
Picture closely, the ignorant mostly
Blind, deaf, dumb, your mind left numb
Lost soul who failed to hear the roll of the drum
In the bottom of your bomb shelter, still felt the
Heavy blast that blew off the masks of twelve welders
The math of an elder, praise the Lord, thank you Genius
Operation: Project English
Commander-n-chief of flight style, check the aircraft
Glide like the frisbee, Digi look Disney
To check fault in oneself is pure loveliness
You break the mirror that remind you of your ugliness
So when I bust, no one is untouched
Some returning with the mic clutched, like such
Who plan but never execute
He had the heat in his hand, but yo he didn't shoot
Therefore your mechanism of material better be sickly
Or let your lead spread incredibly quickly
I move bravely, travellin' on a horse
On the battlefield, surrounded by the lost
Of those who plotted with the brains of animals
My high molecular structure be intangible
The name ring a bell, killable two syllable
The Wu is comin' through, the outcome is critical
To be blunt, the beef was cooked up like coke goods
The rhyme first came to me in the oak woods
Up to no good, rap icon
"Milk" the industry like the Wall Street junk bond
You see the bright stone, I got your height sewn
Direct current, that move through the mic-phone
Key contributor, well known major factor
Rhyme distributor, the drive of a tractor
Who run ya down if you don't wanna move or wanna linger
Breaker, breaker, one nine, clear the line
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
MC's should expect the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
Breaker, breaker, one nine, clear the line
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
MC's should expect the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
The immortality of my fame is the measure of other's torture
Burnt offer, from a flamin' author
The falconer who flies enough birds for the chase
Strictly excel in what is excellence with grace
The significance was not the vulgar applause of interest
But the feelin' that exit, completion of a sentence
With age and experience, my reason ripens
I strike on you Vikings, slash like a hyphen
If you enter the house of fortune by the gate of pleasure
You will leave by sorrow, the flow measures
Everything fails with the unfortunate
Learned that recordin' it, so my mind broaden it
Track records, ranks us, with the exceptional
Extreme complex physics, high technical
The truth is usually seen and rarely heard
What's more dangerous than hatred, is the word
You wild cards, Jack of all trades
Those who parade their positions, show their Spades
A large flock of MC's, they figure to be taught
It ain't hard to see why I'm vigorously sought
Breaker, breaker, one nine, clear the line
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
MC's should expect the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
Breaker, breaker, one nine, clear the line
Can you read me? Extorted your rhymes
MC's should expect the worst
I stay alert and shoot first
Breaker, breaker, one nine
Breaker, breaker, one nine
You're welcome
@curtarmmar
The GZA's lyrical mastery is nearly impossible to challenge
@Brocuzgodlocdunfamdogson
The tracks Labels, Fame, and Publicity alone put him ahead of 95% of rappers. With the rest of his catalogue, he’s at 99.999%. There aren’t many that can hang with GZA. Kinda crazy to think homie is pushing 60 years old.
@markgillan3750
Nearly...
@a.k.a.theruggedmanchild9685
The GZA's body of work isn't considerable to be challenged
@michaelvoelkel1945
Brainstorm Materia!
@lilripTV
K rino would spank gza
@deejaybalance
"Those who parade their positions show their spades." This came out 20 years ago, and these bars still outshine most hip-hop albums.
@lawrenceofarabia5299
'Cleary brillance'
If it was one true depth soldier of signature pure aristocratic defiance & expertise it most certainly was GZA, we all could learn from him. Homeschool should've been a preceptor.
@michaelvarela8890
All you here today is mumble this mumble that aye aye ayyyyeeeee an that's basically rap today trash ass shit
@tefocus3538
Exactly!!