Review: GZA: Liquid Swords Tour, SWX

A founding father of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, GZA is revered as one of the most unique and talented lyricists of his time. With a 2014 data study citing GZA to have the second most expansive vocabulary in hip hop, his seminal 1995 album Liquid Swords is exemplary of such skill.

Produced in a Staten Island basement studio with fellow Wu-Tang founder RZA, GZA’s unique esoteric lyrical content and tight knit delivery was the perfect match for RZA’s mesmeric instrumentals and combative martial-arts atmosphere.

The foreboding Shogun Assassin film sample on Duel of the Iron Mic awakens the crowd from slumber, beckoning the danger of lyrical combat as imminent. The tack piano sounding sample creates the air of a kung fu saloon brawl, as GZA’s lyrical finesse strikes the beat running with “murderous rhymes tight from genuine craft”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO1Tmr5S2BQ

Aurally enveloped by RZA’s disorientating and nightmarish instrumental on Gold, GZA’s imaginative depiction of the life of a lucrative hustler is no typical street story. Possessing a brilliantly cryptic style of narrative delivery, GZA’s lyrical imagery flits between the outlandish idea of “dropping keys on snowmobiles”, and the more sobering concept of sleeping homeless wearing wires to eavesdrop.

The hook of “no neighbourhood is rough enough” is by his own admission a brilliantly sombre inversion on Diana Ross’ Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, and the crowd bellow out in support on the chorus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFjGd2s8ndo

As another fantastically eerie and mystifying Shogun Assassin intro looms on The 4th Chamber, the crowd are on their toes as the unnerving synth sets in. Another WTC anthem featuring sublime verses from Ghostface and GZA, while RZA’s choice electric guitar sample accentuates the tracks riotous energy. Never one to “hesitate to detonate”, GZA lands another lyrical haymaker, plundering the crowd into a rapturous ruckus as overly malleable plastic pint glasses eject their contents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOQGhC5nzus

With no Wu-Tang gig complete without celebration of those not present, GZA reminisces with some WTC classics, displaying an impressive lyrical memory bank to cover the verses of ODB, Methodman and Raekwon on Protect Ya Neck and Da Mystery of Chessboxin.

Back in with his own brand of microphone martial artistry, GZA drops Liquid Swords, bearing a “flow like blood off a murder scene”, his bragging stands as clear warning to rival swordsman. Closing the penultimate leg of his UK tour before a final date in Brighton, GZA crowns off in apt fashion with Triumph, as the crowd are left galvanised for a frenetic finale.

With Wu-Tang’s body of works possessing an enduring cult following, GZA’s Liquid Swords is a highly-prized gem amidst their gleaming discography. Capturing the quintessential ethos of the Wu-Tang style, GZA paints vivid imagery of life on the streets through an enigmatic rhyming style that encompasses subjects as diverse as martial arts, philosophy and eastern mysticism. Feeding off the elation of a full house throughout, his vigorous performance of lyrical dexterity reminds all his unique genius and legacy remain unrivalled.

GZA played SWX Bristol on Saturday, September 1. 

Top pic: Patrick O’Reilly