GZA

GZA (pronounced jizza, aka The Genius, born Gary Grice August 22, 1966 in Staten Island, New York City) is an American rapper and member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Known for his elaborate metaphors and cool, precise technique, GZA is one of the most critically acclaimed rappers in the Clan, both for his work with the group itself and for his solo albums.

Biography

Though born in Staten Island, GZA spent a childhood split between various groups of relatives in the other New York boroughs, and during this time began to visit the Soundview Projects in the Bronx where he witnessed the birth of hip hop and became enamoured with the rhymes of the earliest MCs. Sharing his enthusiasm for the new genre were his cousins, future Wu-Tangers Ol' Dirty Bastard and RZA; GZA, the oldest, would mentor RZA in the art of rhyme, and RZA would subsequently pass on the knowledge to the youngest, Ol' Dirty. The three cousins eventually formed the group All in Together Now (the three at that time going by the aliases Scientist (RZA), Professor (Ol' Dirty Bastard) and Genius (GZA)). Both RZA and GZA later attempted to launch solo careers of their own: in 1990, GZA signed to the legendary label Cold Chillin (which was at the time in decline) and released Words from the Genius in 1991 (see 1991 in music). The album's sound, produced by Easy Mo Bee, was heavily influenced by the wishes of its label Cold Chillin, who were eager to make it a commercial success. The album however was a flop, and GZA's experience with Cold Chillin, combined with a similar ordeal for his friend RZA at Tommy Boy, created a bitterness towards record labels that insured the evils of the music industry would be a prominent theme in his music for the rest of his career, and most importantly would ultimately provide the impetus for the Wu-Tang Clan's revolutionary ruthless business strategy. The trio of friends from All In Together Now formed the Wu-Tang Clan in 1992, gradually adding six other friends and associates from around Staten Island. Their debut together was Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), which took the hip hop world by storm. All nine members became a hot commodity and were allowed to sign with whatever record label they wished for a solo career, due to an unusual clause in their contract. GZA signed to Geffen Records.

Related Topics:
Soundview Projects - Bronx - Ol' Dirty Bastard - RZA - Words from the Genius - 1991 - 1991 in music - Easy Mo Bee - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) - Hip hop - Record label - Geffen Records

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His solo track "I Gotcha Back" was featured on the soundtrack to the film Fresh in 1994 and this was followed by GZA's first post-Wu-Tang solo album, the dark, foreboding Liquid Swords (1995, 1995 in music) which was widely acclaimed; it is still remembered as one of the pre-eminent Wu-Tang solo LPs. After the Wu-Tang Clan's second album together, Wu-Tang Forever, GZA released Beneath the Surface in 1999 (see 1999 in music). The understated, mysterious album received good reviews, but failed to live up to the massive expectations created by his revered debut work. GZA's last solo album was Legend of the Liquid Sword in 2002 (see 2002 in music), which was mostly well-received by critics, with the track Uncut Material marking the first time a GZA-produced beat had featured on a Wu-Tang album. In 2004 GZA released a greatest hits compilation titled Collection Of Classics, announced he was soon to be finishing work on a Wu-Tang Clan behind-the-scenes documentary, appeared opposite RZA and Bill Murray in Jim Jarmusch's Coffee & Cigarettes, toured first as a solo artist and then with the group throughout Europe and the US, and announced the forthcoming release of an album by his son. He is currently preparing the release of his next solo release, tentatively entitled The GZA Presents, on his new home Babygrande Records. He will also be dropping a collaboration album with DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill fame, titled GrandMasters, on October 25, 2005.

Related Topics:
Fresh - Liquid Swords - 1995 - 1995 in music - Wu-Tang Forever - Beneath the Surface - 1999 - 1999 in music - Legend of the Liquid Sword - 2002 - 2002 in music - Bill Murray - Jim Jarmusch - Coffee & Cigarettes - Babygrande Records - DJ Muggs - Cypress Hill - October 25 - 2005

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