Born in Brooklyn, GZA spent his childhood living with various groups of relatives in the other New York boroughs. During this time began to visit the Soundview Projects in the Bronx where he became fascinated with hip hop. Influenced by the early MC’s of the time he began to write his own rhymes.
Also sharing his interest in hip-hop were his cousins Robert Diggs and Russel Jones. The three performed together as the group All In Together Now with Grice going under the alias The Genius; Diggs and Jones performed as The Scientist and The Professor respectively. After gaining some notoriety in the underground GZA and Diggs were signed as solo artists. GZA managed to ink a deal with legendary hip-hop label Cold Chillin Records. In 1990 GZA relased his debut album Words from the Genius on the label.
The album was produced by Easy Mo Bee and was heavily influenced by the style of Cold Chillin at the time, who wanted to make GZA a commercially viable artist like Big Daddy Kane. However critical reception for the album was lukewarm at best and sales were disappointing. Eventually GZA was dropped from the label. GZA’s experience with Cold Chillin was shared with Diggs’ experience at Tommy Boy Records who only managed to put out an EP under the alias Prince Rakeem.
Disillusioned with the recording industry GZA and Diggs got back together with Jones and decided that they would make the music they wanted and get to the top of the business their own way. Calling themselves the Wu-Tang Clan after a group of ancient Chinese warriors they saw in old-school Kung-Fu movies, the trio brought together the most talented MCs in the New York underground and began making music. It was at the this time that GZA took up that moniker which comes from the sound made when the word “Genius” is scratched by a DJ on a record. Also Diggs became known as RZA (Rakeem scratched) and Jones Ol’ Dirty Bastard, after a character in one of the Kung-Fu movies so influential to the group.
The group debuted in 1993 and their album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) took the music business by storm. Produced entirely by RZA, it was like nothing that had ever been heard at the time. GZA was featured throughout the album and only one of two members to a solo track. The whole album was hailed by critics as a masterpiece, and GZA was touted as the greatest lyricist of the group.
Building off of that success GZA signed a new deal with Geffen Records and in 1995 released Liquid Swords. Again produced entirely by RZA and featuring a plethora of guest appearances from his fellow Clanmate’s the album was lauded by critics as a hip-hop classic and was certified gold by the RIAA. The album took the dark, foreboding atmosphere found in previous Clan releases to a whole new level and GZA’s lyrics are still considered some of the sharpest ever, with vicious battle raps, mind-bending word-play and rich visuals. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source Magazine’s 100 Best Rap Albums.
After appearing on the Wu-Tang Clan’s second album, Wu-Tang Forever, GZA released Beneath the Surface in 1999. Reviews were mostly positive however it failed to live up to Liquid Swords acclaim and commercial success. Critics pointed to production as the albums main weakness, noting a distinct lack of RZA produced tracks, resulting a messy collage of beats rather than a cohesive sound. There were also complaints about the needless skits and the vast number of guest spots which allowed little time for the GZA to actually rap.
GZA laid low for the next few years, only appearing on the Wu-Tang Clan albums The W and Iron Flag. However in 2002 he dropped Legend of the Liquid Sword. The album was received well by critics, with some hailing it as GZA’s return to Liquid Swords form, but with most agreeing it was an improvement on it’s predecessor. The production was superior and there was less guest appearances. However the album lacked commercial success and failed to gold as his previous two releases had.
GZA spent most of 2004 touring both solo and with the Clan. He also 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 metahpor for the rap game, exercising his story-telling muscle and commenting on his place as a senior member in the hip-hop community. The album received overwhelmingly positive reviews and decent commercial success.
2005 also saw GZA ink a deal with indie label Babygrande Records to release a new GZA LP. The album was originally scheduled to drop sometime in October 2006, but since that time there is no word when it will be released. The album has been referred to at various time as The GZA Presents…, Return of the Genius and More Words from the Genius. GZA will also be featured heavily on fellow Clansmen Raekwon’s new CD the highly anticipated Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II. It is speculated that he will have the co-starring role similar to Ghostface Killah’s in the original Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.
b.i.b.l.e
Genius/GZA Lyrics
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And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt
The first shall be last and the last shall be first
The basic instructions before leaving earth
Life is a test many quest the universe
And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt
The first shall be last and the last shall be first
Knowledge this wisdom, this goes back when I was twelve
I loved doing right but I was trapped in hell
Had mad ideas, sad eyes and tears
Years of fears, but yo my foes couldn't bear
I searched for the truth since my youth
And went to church since birth, but it wasn't worth the loot
That I was paying, plus the praying
I didn't like staying cuz of busy-bodies and dizzy hotties
That the preacher had souped up with lies
Had me cooped up lookin at loot, butt, and thighs
Durin the service, he swallowed up the poor
And after they heard this, they wallowed on the floor
But I ignored, and explored my history that was untold
And watched mysteries unfold
And dropped a jewel like Solomon, but never followed men
Cause if you do your brain is more hollow than
Space oblivia, or the abyss
With no trace of trivia, left with the hiss
Does it pay to be deaf, dumb and blind?
From a slave we was kept from the mind
And from the caves he crept from behind
And what he gave, was the sect of the swine
When the bible, it condemns the pig
I don't mean to pull your hems or flip your wigs
But we used to wear a turban, but now we're in the urban
No more wearing beanies and dress like a genie
No hocus pocus cause I focus on the facts
And put it on the tracks and brought it through the wax
I speak on Jacob, it might take up some time
And too much knowledge, it might break up the rhyme
I did it anyway just to wake up the mind
Of those who kiss stones or prays on the carpet
Those who sit home, or sell books by the market
Need to chill and get their mind revived
For years religion did nothing but divide
The basic instructions before leaving earth
Life is a test many quest the universe
And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt
The first shall be last and the last shall be first
The basic instructions before leaving earth
Life is a test many quest the universe
And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt
The first shall be last and the last shall be first
The basic instructions before leaving earth
I strolled through the books of Job to unfold
And open bibles, instead of hoping on revivals
Calling on His name and screaming hallelujah
When he hardly knew ya, that's how the devil's fooled ya
See look into my eyes brethren, that's the lies of a Reverend
Why should you die to go to heaven?
The Earth is already in space, the bible I embrace
A difficult task I had to take
I studied till my eyes was swollen, and only arose when
I found out that we were the chosen
I deal with the truth, and build with the youth
And teach my son as he kneels on the stoop
Son, life is a pool of sin, corrupted with foolish men
And women with wicked minds, who build picket signs
To legalize abortion, the evil eye distortion
I quiz Son with my wisdom
Before I converted, I was perverted, and knowledge was asserted
The study of wisdom, I preferred it
The understanding, it gave me mental freedom
I even learned Caucasians were really the Tribe of Edom
The white image, of Christ, is really Cesare Borgia
And uhh, the second son of Pope Alexander
The Sixth of Rome, and once the picture was shown
That's how the devils tricked my dome
I prophesized to save a man, but no one gave a damn
For my nation the seed of Abraham
Blessed with the tongue of Hebrew
Now we're strung on needles, and some are plungin evils
So study and be wise in these days of darkness
Peace to my nephew Marcus
The basic instructions before leaving earth
Life is a test many quest the universe
And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt
The first shall be last and the last shall be first
The basic instructions before leaving earth
Life is a test many quest the universe
And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt
The first shall be last and the last shall be first
The basic instructions before leaving earth
In Genius/GZA's song B.I.B.L.E, the artist shares his observations and discoveries about life and religion through his research. He talks about the importance of seeking knowledge and wisdom to gain freedom from mental slavery. The artist shares that he was a follower of religion from childhood, but he started exploring the untold history and mysteries that helped him drop a jewel like Solomon. He explains that the Bible has been manipulated to divide people and even shares a few facts, such as the condemnation of eating pork and the image of Christ being Cesare Borgia, to support his stance. The artist encourages listeners to focus on facts and seek mental freedom through knowledge and wisdom in these times of darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
Life is a test many quest the universe
Life is a trial which many people seek to understand the universe.
And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt
I have experienced both pleasure and pain through my study.
The first shall be last and the last shall be first
The order of importance can change unexpectedly.
The basic instructions before leaving earth
The fundamental guidance for life before we die.
I loved doing right but I was trapped in hell
I desired to be virtuous but was stuck in a difficult situation.
Had mad ideas, sad eyes and tears
I had crazy thoughts and was emotionally distressed.
Years of fears, but yo my foes couldn't bear
I was afraid for many years, but my enemies could not handle my strength.
I searched for the truth since my youth
I have been seeking truth since I was young.
And went to church since birth, but it wasn't worth the loot
I have attended church all my life, but it was not worth the money.
That I was paying, plus the praying
I was paying for church and also praying, but it did not have the desired effect.
But we used to wear a turban, but now we're in the urban
We used to dress differently, but now we live in cities.
No more wearing beanies and dress like a genie
We no longer wear hats and robes like genies.
Need to chill and get their mind revived
People need to relax and renew their mental state.
For years religion did nothing but divide
Religion has caused division for a long time.
I strolled through the books of Job to unfold
I examined the Book of Job to understand it better.
And open bibles, instead of hoping on revivals
We should read the Bible instead of relying on spiritual awakenings.
Why should you die to go to heaven?
Why should anyone have to die to go to heaven?
The earth is already in space, the bible I embrace
The Earth is already located in space, and I accept the Bible as true.
Son, life is a pool of sin, corrupted with foolish men
Life is full of sin and foolish people, my son.
And women with wicked minds, who build picket signs
There are also women with wicked intentions who protest with signs.
To legalize abortion, the evil eye distortion
Legalizing abortion is a distortion of morality.
And uhh, the second son of Pope Alexander
Cesare Borgia, the second son of Pope Alexander, was the model for the white depiction of Jesus.
That's how the devils tricked my dome
That is how the devil deceived me.
Blessed with the tongue of Hebrew
I have been given the ability to speak Hebrew.
Now we're strung on needles, and some are plungin evils
We are now addicted to drugs, and some are committing evil acts.
So study and be wise in these days of darkness
Study and gain wisdom during these dark times.
Peace to my nephew Marcus
I extend my good wishes to my nephew Marcus.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS, GARY E. GRICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind