Sitting down with rap's genius...
The GZA. Hip Hop icon, chess lover and Kung Fu nut. 'The Genius' is many things but most importantly he's a true original. Inspiring an army of fans and artists over the past two decades The GZA as both a founding member of Wu Tang Clan and as a respected solo artist in his own right has truly changed the game.
Practicing his rhymes in the various boroughs of New York as a youth, GZA and cousins RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard brought gritty tales of the streets to their music not to showboat but simply to talk about the life they knew. In a time when gangsta rap tried to sell violence (and records) through lyrics the Clan and its members struck a chord of truth and menace that unsettled many of their imitators.
With another sequel to his iconic 'Liquid Swords' L.P shelved for an all new collection of material GZA's hitting the road for a select few live shows. Clash caught up with the man to discuss, Martial Arts, Writing and Bill Murray. Bring Da Ruckas.
- - -
First and foremost, how are you today?
I'm great, thanks.
You've put Liquid Swords 2 on the shelve for a while, how is work on the all new LP going?
It’s very exciting. I'm deeply inspired and my pen is on fire.
Would you say your prefer the studio setting or performing live?
They’re completely different experiences with completely different goals so it doesn't make sense to compare them. The studio is for creating, the stage is for performing those creations.
How do you find the crowds in the UK as opposed to Stateside?
The UK crowds can be more enthusiastic than the US crowds because they don't have the same volume of hip hop shows as audiences do in the States. The UK has supported me since the beginning and I'm always happy to be back.
What influences your writing nowadays?
I draw inspiration from so many different sources but as of lately because of my visit with all the amazing minds at MIT, I am largely inspired by science--marine biology, genetics, quantum physics.
Which current artists do you feel are helping progress hip hop as a genre?
I'm in writing mode right now so I haven't been listening to much current stuff but I'm confident that there are always artists out there pushing the boundaries and being disruptive, which is what any artform needs to remain vital and relevant.
You're often credited with being the most 'cerebral member' of Wu Tang. Do you feel a lot of the old wit and intelligence that could be found in the genre has died out in the mainstream?
Firstly, all my brothers are cerebral, iIjust happened to get the title of the Genius over 20 years ago from ODB (RIP) and RZA but I never actually wanted it. I don't think wit and intelligence are missing from the mainstream, there are a number of artists who have both qualities. However, I do find the subject matter has gotten very narrow but that can't be blamed on the artists, that's more about what the industry has chosen to supply and therefore what the audience has chosen to demand.
How was your experience giving a lecture at Harvard? How did you go about preparing for it as opposed to readying yourself for a performance?
Lecturing at Harvard was a little nerve-wracking but exhilarating. To be able to deliver my first lecture at one of the world's greatest learning institutions was an honor and a privilege. When Iperform a show the material is already written but going into my first lecture I had to start Tabula Rasa. I look forward to doing it again at many different universities and colleges.
You've used a lot of Kung Fu and Eastern themes in both your solo work and with Wu Tang. With Liquid Swords sampling the film 'Shogun Assassin', do you have any clear favorite martial arts movie?
It’s impossible to narrow down to one but the first one that comes to mind is "Five Deadly Venoms," a classic. And obviously I have a soft spot for "Shogun Assassin" considering the role it played on "Liquid Swords."
Many will remember your appearance in independent picture 'Coffee & Cigarettes'. How was it working with Jim Jarmusch and Bill Murray alongside RZA?
That was an amazing experience--it was fun and funny and inspiring. We ad-libbed a lot of that segment which was like freestyling.
You've been in the game for a long time now. If you could go back and give a young Gary Grice some advice what would it be?
Stay In school.
How does GZA spend his time when away from music?
I spend time with my family, play chess, read, watch TV networks like National Geographic, Discovery, and the History Channel.
Finally, any release date for a new Wu Tang album?
None yet.
Words by Sam Walker-Smart
- - -
GZA is set to play the following shows:
January
27 Sheffield O2 Academy 2
28 Oxford O2 Academy 2
29 Liverpool O2 Academy 2
30 Bournemouth The Old Firestation
31 Islington O2 Academy
Click here to buy tickets for GZA!
Practicing his rhymes in the various boroughs of New York as a youth, GZA and cousins RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard brought gritty tales of the streets to their music not to showboat but simply to talk about the life they knew. In a time when gangsta rap tried to sell violence (and records) through lyrics the Clan and its members struck a chord of truth and menace that unsettled many of their imitators.
With another sequel to his iconic 'Liquid Swords' L.P shelved for an all new collection of material GZA's hitting the road for a select few live shows. Clash caught up with the man to discuss, Martial Arts, Writing and Bill Murray. Bring Da Ruckas.
- - -
First and foremost, how are you today?
I'm great, thanks.
You've put Liquid Swords 2 on the shelve for a while, how is work on the all new LP going?
It’s very exciting. I'm deeply inspired and my pen is on fire.
Would you say your prefer the studio setting or performing live?
They’re completely different experiences with completely different goals so it doesn't make sense to compare them. The studio is for creating, the stage is for performing those creations.
How do you find the crowds in the UK as opposed to Stateside?
The UK crowds can be more enthusiastic than the US crowds because they don't have the same volume of hip hop shows as audiences do in the States. The UK has supported me since the beginning and I'm always happy to be back.
What influences your writing nowadays?
I draw inspiration from so many different sources but as of lately because of my visit with all the amazing minds at MIT, I am largely inspired by science--marine biology, genetics, quantum physics.
Which current artists do you feel are helping progress hip hop as a genre?
I'm in writing mode right now so I haven't been listening to much current stuff but I'm confident that there are always artists out there pushing the boundaries and being disruptive, which is what any artform needs to remain vital and relevant.
You're often credited with being the most 'cerebral member' of Wu Tang. Do you feel a lot of the old wit and intelligence that could be found in the genre has died out in the mainstream?
Firstly, all my brothers are cerebral, iIjust happened to get the title of the Genius over 20 years ago from ODB (RIP) and RZA but I never actually wanted it. I don't think wit and intelligence are missing from the mainstream, there are a number of artists who have both qualities. However, I do find the subject matter has gotten very narrow but that can't be blamed on the artists, that's more about what the industry has chosen to supply and therefore what the audience has chosen to demand.
How was your experience giving a lecture at Harvard? How did you go about preparing for it as opposed to readying yourself for a performance?
Lecturing at Harvard was a little nerve-wracking but exhilarating. To be able to deliver my first lecture at one of the world's greatest learning institutions was an honor and a privilege. When Iperform a show the material is already written but going into my first lecture I had to start Tabula Rasa. I look forward to doing it again at many different universities and colleges.
You've used a lot of Kung Fu and Eastern themes in both your solo work and with Wu Tang. With Liquid Swords sampling the film 'Shogun Assassin', do you have any clear favorite martial arts movie?
It’s impossible to narrow down to one but the first one that comes to mind is "Five Deadly Venoms," a classic. And obviously I have a soft spot for "Shogun Assassin" considering the role it played on "Liquid Swords."
Many will remember your appearance in independent picture 'Coffee & Cigarettes'. How was it working with Jim Jarmusch and Bill Murray alongside RZA?
That was an amazing experience--it was fun and funny and inspiring. We ad-libbed a lot of that segment which was like freestyling.
You've been in the game for a long time now. If you could go back and give a young Gary Grice some advice what would it be?
Stay In school.
How does GZA spend his time when away from music?
I spend time with my family, play chess, read, watch TV networks like National Geographic, Discovery, and the History Channel.
Finally, any release date for a new Wu Tang album?
None yet.
Words by Sam Walker-Smart
- - -
GZA is set to play the following shows:
January
27 Sheffield O2 Academy 2
28 Oxford O2 Academy 2
29 Liverpool O2 Academy 2
30 Bournemouth The Old Firestation
31 Islington O2 Academy
Click here to buy tickets for GZA!
