Gza the genius

GZA is most widely recognized as the co-founder of the Wu-Tang clan along side Ol‘ Dirty Bastard.  After the 36 Chambers arrived, GZA was widely viewed as the purest lyricist of the Clan.  He was featured throughout the album, unlike the rest of the Clan.  His style was different than anyone else in the hip-hop world.  He viewed his words as a deadly sword throughout many of his verses and also used very complex metaphors and similes. 

GZA’s success in the group album lead to his critically acclaimed album titled Liquid Swords, which arrived in 1995.  The album was almost immediately proclaimed a classic and reached platinum status in 1998.

Following the Clan’s sophomore album Forever, GZA released Beneath The Surface.  The album received fairly mixed reviews which was mostly due to the production and numerous guest appearances.  People weren’t used to GZA without The RZA producing his tracks and fans felt that the beats didn’t fit his style as well as RZA’s mixture of cohesive sounds.  The GZA contributed to the next two Wu-Tang albums but shied away from the solo scene for a while.

In 2002 GZA released Legend of the Liquid Swords.  The album received impressive reviews, however the album failed to find commercial success.  It was his first album that failed to reach the gold status, a first for GZA. 

GZA has plans to release a number of upcoming collaboration albums, including an album with his son Young Justice and another with Killah Priest.  RZA will be producing the albums.