Wikipedia

GZA

For other uses, seeGZA (disambiguation).

Gary Eldridge Grice[2](born August 22, 1966), better known by his stage namesGZA(/ˈdʒɪzə/JIZ-ə) andthe Genius,[3]is an American rapper. A founding member of thehip hopgroupWu-Tang Clan,GZA is the group's "spiritual head", being both the first member in the group to receive a record deal and being the oldest member.[4]He has appeared on his fellow Wu-Tang members' solo projects, and has maintained a successful solo career starting with his second albumLiquid Swords(1995).

GZA
GZA at Jiffy Lube Live in 2022
GZA atJiffy Lube Livein 2022
Background information
Birth nameGary Eldridge Grice
Also known asThe Genius
Born(1966-08-22)August 22, 1966(age 58)
New York City,U.S.
GenresEast Coast hip-hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active1990–present[1]
Labels
Member ofWu-Tang Clan

His lyrical style often dismisses typical rap story lines in favor of science and wide-ranging philosophies and has been characterized as "armed with sharp metaphors and a smooth flow".[5][6][7][8]An analysis of GZA's lyrics found that he has one of the largest vocabularies in popular hip hop music.[9][10]He teamed up with an education group to promote science education in New York City through hip hop.[11]

Early life

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GZA was born Gary Grice inBrooklyn,New York City, on August 22, 1966. He developed an interest in hip-hop by attending block parties as a child in the early 1970s, becoming involved inbreakdance,graffiti,and DJing. Early on he developed an interest in writing, studyingMother Gooseandnursery rhyme.In 1974–1976, before moving fromBrooklyntoStaten Island,he listened toThe Last Poets;[12]however, he was attracted byprofanityrather than content, and didn't understand the underlying messages until many years later. The Last Poets, as well as songs byThe Isley Brothers,theCommodores,and theO'Jayshad a big part in his early life, especially regarding the tone and cadence of speech.[13]Later on, he began to listen to hip hop and R&B, for example bySecret WeaponandGrandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.[14]In 1982, Grice dropped out of high school in the tenth grade.[15]

He formed a three-man group with his cousins, Robert Diggs and Russell Jones, who would later be known asRZAandOl' Dirty Bastard.At the time he didn't like the sound of his voice.[13]The group, FOI: Force of the Imperial Master, and later All in Together,[16]saw the three rapping and DJing, switching names and performing local shows; since they lived in different boroughs, GZA and Ol' Dirty would travel fromBrooklynout toStaten Islandto meet up with their cousin RZA, after which the three would travel across New York City and challenge other MCs to battles.[17]He left school in the 10th grade, but nurtured his affection for science as he developed his skills as a lyricist.[18]

After some years of this, GZA was signed toCold Chillin' Recordsas a solo artist under the name The Genius.[19]He released his debut album,Words from the Genius(1991), produced mostly byEasy Mo Bee,but it failed to sell due to lack of promotion. This, combined with his rocky experience on tour, caused GZA to feel fed up and so he asked if he could be released from the label.[12][20]The album's beat selection is similar to the classicboom-bapsound of the early 1990s, while the lyricism subject is the everyday situations of an individual living in the parts of New York.[21]At the time he worked as a bicycle messenger.[17]

Wu-Tang Clan

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In 1992, GZA joined theWu-Tang Clan,a group of nine, formed by his cousinRZA.GZA had some high-profile appearances on the group's debut album,Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)(1993), including a solo track, "Clan in da Front".[22]This, combined with appearances on other Clan members' albums such asReturn to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version(1995) andOnly Built 4 Cuban Linx...(1995) brought him much recognition. According toMethod Man,"we form likeVoltronand GZA happens to be the head ".[22]

Solo career

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1995–1999:Liquid Swords,Beneath the Surface

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These guest appearances were followed up in 1995 with GZA's second studio album,Liquid Swords,produced and recorded entirely in the basement studio by RZA, with the participation of all original Clan members. It was released on November 7 byGeffen Records.[22]The album's complex composition included dialogue sampled from the filmShogun Assassin.The album was met with positive reviews and sold well. It is considered to be one of the best albums from the Wu-Tang camp. It peaked at the #9 spot on the Billboard 200 chart and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.[23]On October 8, 2015, theRecording Industry Association of Americaannounced that the album had earned aPlatinum certificationfor having sold more than 1 million copies. It became the first Wu-Tang-related album to get certified since 2004, whenMethod ManandGhostface Killahboth earned plaques.[19]In addition, he directed music videos for four album singles.[16]

After appearing on the Wu-Tang Clan's second album,Wu-Tang Forever(1997), his third studio albumBeneath the Surfacewas released byMCA Recordsin 1999. The album and its singles "Crash Your Crew" and "Breaker, Breaker" met with critical acclaim.[24]The album earned aGold certificationby RIAA,[19]peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200 chart, and topped the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.[25]

2000–2009:Legend of the Liquid Sword,Pro Tools

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GZA in 2000

In 2000 the single "Ich lebe für Hip Hop"was released withDJ Tomekkand placed 11th in the German charts.

In 2002, a sequel to his second solo album was released,Legend of the Liquid Sword.[13]It was well-received by critics, yet did not sell well and failed to go Gold. GZA spent 2004 touring, both solo and with the Clan, and made an appearance with RZA inJim Jarmusch's filmCoffee and Cigarettes,oppositeBill Murray.The two also appeared on theChappelle Show's skits "Wu Tang Financial" and "Racial Draft".[26]

In 2005, GZA andDJ Muggs(the producer for hip-hop groupCypress Hill) released collaboration albumGrandmasters.Muggs provided all the production for the album, which saw GZA using chess as a metaphor for the rap game, with most of the songs having a chess-themed title.[4][27]

GZA performing atPaid Duesin New York City, 2008

In the summer of 2008, his fifth solo studio albumPro Toolswas released byBabygrande Records.It featured production fromBlack Milkand Jay "Waxxx" Garfield, RZA,MathematicsandTrue Master.A very controversial song on the album was entitled "Paper Plate", a smooth flowing response aimed at rival rapper50 Cent.[20]After the release, GZA toured various parts of Europe on a "Liquid Swords Tour", where he performed songs fromLiquid Swordsas well asPro Tools.[20]He later toured parts of the US.[28]

2010–present:Dark Matter

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In 2010, he spoke atHarvard University,[17]and since then has visited, among others,MIT,Oxford,USC,NYU,Cornell,where he met with scientists such asDavid KaiserandSallie W. Chisholm[14][29]to seek inspiration.[30][31][32]In 2012, he talked "hip-hop and science" withNeil deGrasse Tyson.[33][18]

To improve science education in New York City and beyond in late 2012, with the assistance ofColumbia University's professorChristopher Emdinand websiteRap Genius,he began work on a pilot program called Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S. (Bringing Attention to Transforming, Teaching and Learning Science). This initiative motivates young high school students, especially African-American and Latino students, who together make up 70 percent of New York City's student body, to learn science through hip hop, creating scientific raps and engaging in a rap competition.[34][35][36][37]

In the meantime, he continued to work on a related, new studio album calledDark Matter,which is based on a journey throughspacetime,universeandphysics.[29][38]In late 2015, GZA canceled European tour dates to focus on working on the album with composerVangelis.[16][39][40]It is planned to be one in a series of albums related to Earth, with the following conceived aroundoceans.[18]GZA hinted that the albums will be without parental advisory, profanity and nudity.[18]

In February 2015, GZA released a single "The Mexican" (a cover ofBabe Ruth'ssong), featuring guitaristTom Morelloand singer Kara Lane. They performed the song live along withThe RootsonThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[41]On June 30, 2016, he released a new space-themed track, "The Spark", produced byPaul Ryder,forNASA's project "Destination: Jupiter", in celebration of the agency's ongoingJuno Mission.[42][43][44]

In 2020, GZA provided a voice role in Netflix'sKipo and the Age of Wonderbeastsas Bad Billions, and contributed a song to the series.

Discography

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Main article:GZA discography

Studio albums

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Collaboration albums

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References

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  1. ^"TODAY IN HIP HOP HISTORY: GZA RELEASES 'WORDS FROM THE GENIUS' 25 YEARS AGO".The Source.February 19, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 6,2019.
  2. ^DeLuca, Dan (February 16, 2023). "5 great concerts to shake the Super Bowl Blues".The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  3. ^Sarah Marie Pittman (May 25, 2011)."Rock The Bells Announce 2011 Lineup".Pollstar.RetrievedMarch 29,2012.
  4. ^abPeter Larson (September 15, 2014)."I Played Chess with GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan".Vice Media.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  5. ^"Top 50 MCs of Our Time: 1987 – 2007 – 50 Greatest Emcees of Our Time".Rap.about.com. January 26, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon January 17, 2013.RetrievedMarch 30,2012.
  6. ^Hao Nguyen (October 6, 2016)."Part 3 of the 50 greatest rappers of all time".Stop The Breaks.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  7. ^Kofi Bofah (November 2, 2016)."The 10 Greatest Rappers of All Time".Cheat Sheet. Archived fromthe originalon November 30, 2016.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  8. ^"The Source's Top 50 Lyricists Of All Time **Complete List Inside**".ThisIs50.com. Archived fromthe originalon December 31, 2013.RetrievedJuly 5,2013.
  9. ^Matt Daniels (2014)."The Largest Vocabulary in Hip hop".RetrievedMarch 26,2015.
  10. ^Killian Young (May 5, 2014)."Aesop Rock and GZA Have the Largest Vocabularies in Hip-Hop – Rolling Stone".Rolling Stone.RetrievedMarch 26,2015.
  11. ^Nathaniel Janowitz (2014)."Ranked: Every Member of Wu-Tang Clan".Nerve.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  12. ^abHarriet Gibsone (June 19, 2015)."Introducing the band: Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite interviews Wu-Tang's GZA".The Guardian.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  13. ^abcReyan Ali (June 14, 2012)."Q&A: GZA On Wrestling, His Hip-Hop Beginnings, Chess Metaphors, And The Chances of a Wu-Tang Kung Fu Flick".The Village Voice.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  14. ^abPhillip Mylnar (January 27, 2012)."GZA Plans More Ivy League Lectures, Sitcom Pilot And Virus Names".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2016.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  15. ^John Leland (November 16, 2012)."A Hip-Hop Experiment".The New York Times.RetrievedJanuary 10,2022.
  16. ^abcCorbin Reiff (November 6, 2015)."20 Years, 20 Questions: GZA Revisits 'Liquid Swords'".Spin.RetrievedNovember 2,2016.
  17. ^abcJames M. Acer (December 2, 2011)."Wu-Tang Clan Member Visits Harvard".The Harvard Crimson.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  18. ^abcdAnna Louie Sussman (May 30, 2012)."A Rapper Finds His Muse in the Stars".The Wall Street Journal.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  19. ^abcGary Suarez (October 8, 2015)."GZA Gives Wu-Tang Clan First Platinum Album In More Than A Decade".Forbes.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  20. ^abcVish Khanna (October 26, 2008)."GZA The Exclaim! Questionnaire".Exclaim!.RetrievedNovember 4,2016.
  21. ^Kiah Fields (February 19, 2016)."Today In Hip Hop History: Gza Releases" Words From The Genius "25 Years Ago".The Source.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  22. ^abcPologod (November 7, 2015)."Today In Hip Hop History: Wu Tang Clan's GZA Drops His Debut Album 'Liquid Swords' 20 Years Ago".The Source.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  23. ^Kiah Fields (January 11, 2016)."Today In Hip Hop History: GZA's 'Liquid Swords' Certified Gold 20 Years Ago".The Source.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  24. ^John Bush."AllMusic Review of Beneath the Surface".AllMusic.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  25. ^Cristopher Oconnor (July 13, 1999)."GZA/Genius Digs Up Hit LP Beneath the Surface".Forbes.Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2016.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  26. ^"GZA – Postponed".Howard Theatre.2016. Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2016.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  27. ^"Gza of Wu-tang: Rap, Hip-Hop Interview".Archived fromthe originalon March 3, 2016.RetrievedMarch 26,2015.
  28. ^"GZA – 2008 'Liquid Swords' Tour Dates (some w/ RZA)".BrooklynVegan.June 17, 2008.RetrievedNovember 4,2016.
  29. ^abMatthew Perpetua (April 3, 2012)."GZA Talks Lectures, Science and 'Dark Matter'".Rolling Stone.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  30. ^Andrew Martin (March 9, 2012)."GZA Announces New Album," Dark Matter "".Complex.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  31. ^Jeff Weiss (March 21, 2012)."Taking Physics Class with Professor GZA".LA Weekly.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  32. ^Matt Whitlock (March 24, 2014)."Watch GZA Drop Science On High Scholl Youth With New Program, Science Genius".The Source.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  33. ^Watch GZA talk hip-hop and science with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson,FACT,December 13, 2012
  34. ^John Leland(November 16, 2012)."A Hip-Hop Experiment".The New York Times.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  35. ^Martin Rand (November 19, 2012)."Professor: Enter the Wu-Tang to teach high school science".CNN.Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2016.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  36. ^"Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S. Judges Choose Winning Science Rap".Teachers College, Columbia University.June 26, 2013.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  37. ^Angela Watercutter (July 1, 2013)."Video: How Rap Battles Are Helping High Schoolers Learn to Love Science".Wired.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  38. ^Merrill Schwerin (March 27, 2013)."School House Rapping With Wu-Tang Clan's GZA".PBS.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  39. ^Evan Minsker (August 29, 2015)."GZA Working With Vangelis on New Album".Pitchfork.RetrievedNovember 2,2016.
  40. ^Paley Martin (August 31, 2015)."GZA Hits Studio With 'Rare' Collaborator Vangelis, Cancels Tour Dates".Billboard.RetrievedNovember 4,2016.
  41. ^Evan Minsker (March 4, 2015)."GZA and Tom Morello Perform" The Mexican "With the Roots on" The Tonight Show "".Pitchfork.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  42. ^Corbin Reiff (July 2, 2016)."GZA Drops New Song" The Spark "for NASA".Complex.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  43. ^Laurent Fintoni (July 2, 2016)."GZA recorded a song with The Happy Mondays' Paul Ryder for NASA".Fact.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
  44. ^Andy Gensler (July 4, 2016)."Trent Reznor, Weezer, GZA & More Partner With Apple-NASA Collaboration as Juno Reaches Jupiter".Billboard.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
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