Over 20 years have passed since the hit record Liquid Swords debuted, and in 2016, many would argue that not a single album could match its blend of blunt expressions and mind-bending literature woven within each track. Today, fans and hip-hop enthusiasts alike celebrate the birth of the mastermind behind this magnum opus, GZA.
Also known as “the Genius”, iconic rapper Gary Grice endured several obstacles as he progressed through the Hip-hop scene. Many fans still remember Grice’s debuting Words From the Genius back in 1990 released under Cold Chillin’ Records, and how the album met the dissatisfaction of its listeners. More so, the young rapper admitted to several unsatisfactory encounters while he was touring at that time.
Nevertheless, the rapper/lyricist pressed on, and in 1992, Grice’s intrinsic poetry won the attention and applause of many, while working with Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard in the Wu-Tang Clan. Aside from Method Man, GZA became the only member to earn a solo track in the collective’s debut record 36 Chambers: Enter the Wu-Tang, signifying his role as a master writer.
GZA’s most-monumental work Liquid Swords released in 1995, and became recognized as “Wu-Tang’s finest solo albums besides Raekwon’s Only Build 4 Cuban Linx”. The album solidifies GZA’s ingenuity through intricately-written melodic-poetry expressing his thoughts fashioned within a rather enigmatic ambience.
The album accomplished number 9 on the Billboard 200 chart, and also earning the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums number 2 spot. Even 20 years after its release, Liquid Swords certified platinum sales by the Recording Industry Association of America.
By Jods Arboleda for RAPStation.com
