GZA displays superior lyricism throughout Liquid Swords. RZA lifts snippets of dialogue from the 1980 film Shogun Assassin, with characters from the film providing memorable narration throughout the album, giving us such memorable moments as “People said his brain was infected by devils…” and a lengthy soliloquy about the sound made by one’s own throat being cut. The beats are grimy, filled with distorted electric guitars and evocative vocal samples. It’s the darkest and most grim Wu-Tang release to that point, more so than even Method Man’s Tical (1994). The pair had a special alchemy that was rarely shared by any of the other members of the Clan’s core.ĭuring Wu-Tang’s early years, Clan members recorded their albums in a studio in RZA’s basement, and the subterranean sounds permeate Liquid Swords. It’s a near flawless artistic statement, combining GZA’s deadly lyricism and the RZA’s most distinctive production undertakings. It’s also among the 20 greatest hip-hop albums ever released, and pretty close to the top 15. It’s no worse than the third best solo album to come out of the Wu, and arguably the best, depending on how I feel on any given day. Both of their experiences with labels functioned as lessons about the wrong path to success and with this shared knowledge, they retooled their approach and developed the Wu-Tang Clan, a crew that created its own image and determined its own destiny.Īn integral piece of the crew’s legacy is Liquid Swords, GZA’s second album, released 25 years ago. The RZA, then known by his previous stage name Prince Rakeem, faced similar issues during his brief stint with Tommy Boy. The problems GZA faced while on Cold Chillin’ shaped how the Wu-Tang Clan would assert their own independence. However, there were things to like about Words, namely Easy Mo Bee’s production and The Genius’ obvious talents as an emcee. Mostly remembered for the overly slick, dance friendly, and pretty forgettable “Come Do Me,” the album was a commercial dud, but not altogether bad. Cold Chillin’ tried to market Genius in the Big Daddy Kane-esque smooth player mode, which didn’t fit his personality. He was signed to Cold Chillin’ Records in the early ’90s and released Words From The Genius (1991) under The Genius moniker. GZA was also the first member of the Clan to record and release a full-length album, a few years before the collective became a proper entity. He’s also an underrated storyteller, able to compose meticulous narratives simultaneously wide in scope and narrow in focus.
He was one of the most gifted lyricists of the 1990s and early ’00s, weaving together complex imagery, intricate rhyme patterns, multi-faceted metaphors effortlessly.
The group’s elder statesman always got the final word, often out-shining everyone that preceded him in the process.Īs an emcee, GZA shines brightly even outside the realm of the Wu-Tang Clan. It’s no surprise during the crew’s first few years of existence, if GZA appeared on a Wu-Tang track, he was going last. Now and eternally the Voltron-esque head of the Wu, GZA is the crew’s sharpest pure lyricist, and everyone in the crew recognizes it. Gary Grice enjoys rarified air in Wu-Tang Clan lore. Happy 25th Anniversary to GZA’s second studio album Liquid Swords, originally released November 7, 1995.
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