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Pro Tools

GZA the Genius

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iTunes Review

GZA the Genius is one of the devoted scholars of rhyme-writing, and his sixth album, Pro Tools, proves once again that he is in the business for a love of words. That’s not to say the beats here aren’t good. Mathematics, True Master, and Bronze Nazareth are all on hand to help conjure the inimitable atmosphere of Wu-Tang. Even RZA shows up, contributing one track that evokes the icy soul of Liquid Swords (“Paper Plate”), and one that showcases his more recent interest in cinematic soundscapes (the Gary Numan-sampling “Life Is A Movie”). But regardless of musical backdrop, GZA’s rhymes alone are more than enough to demand the listener’s attention. His writing style is so sophisticated that one wonders if he spends his days in ascetic seclusion, deciphering ancient codes and solving formulas that will further his craft. He is perhaps the only MC who can admonish his junior competition without sounding grumpy, and when he decries the dumbed-down state of hip-hop lyricism he does it with convincing style: “You ain't nothing but a pig in the blanket / Hog head, the deadliest food at the banquet / All this rap crap that's trapped in your colon / Only means, get rid of the wack shit you holding.”

Customer Reviews

GZA continues to prove why he is one of the best ever

This album is simply amazing. Everyone continues to think the Wu isn't capable of greatness and GZA comes out & shows them why they are wrong. Honestly this is a bonafide classic. This is even better than Grandmasters which I thought was classic. Every track is amazing. I could have gone without the Firehouse track since it was basically a Ka solo track but it was okay. Pencil, Groundbreaking, Short Race, Paper Plate, Columbian Ties & Path of Destruction are all Wu Bangers. Alphabets is amazing. 0% Finance continues GZA's great run of name dropping theme tracks like Labels, Fame & Queen's Gambit. Cinema has that perfect eerie feel and the collab w/ Black Milk on 7 Pounds is amazing. GZA is the Genius! Support GZA & Wu-Tang, Buy this album!

GZA is amazing

The lyrical genius of GZA is very apparent in this album. The tracks are sick. The most disappointing part of the album is that there is NOOOOOOO emotion in the delivery of these lyrics. GZA seems uninterested in putting any sort of passion into his songs which comes across to me as him just trying to make some money. Listen to his hunger in Liquid Swords, even in Beneath the Surface, and then listen to this

GZA-Pro Tools

Wu member GZA delivers his fifth solo album with Pro Tools. With a decent release in 8 Diagrams, he shows his solo side. Pencil: Mathematics delivers a solid backdrop for GZA, Masta Killa & RZA to display their lyrical abilities. RZA spits a vivid story with good description, GZA holds his own and Masta Killa drops a solid verse. Straight bars, no hook, each emcee shines. 3.5/5 Alphabets: True Master’s low key production that thumps nicely is a nice compliment to GZA’s stunning lyricism here. I have to say, the way GZA breaks it down on here is amazing, as the hook has GZA spitting down the alphabet “Allah (A) be born (B) see (C) divine (D) equality (E), father (F) and after that the (G)-O-D, here (H), (I) is Islam, then justice (J), kingdom (K) love (L) hella right we still exist, master (M) now (N) in sight over (O) power (P) with the queen (Q), the ruler (R) say (S) witchu universal (U) victory (V) wisdom (W) unknown why zig zag zig (Z) and now I’m back home.” 4/5 Groundbreaking: Simplistic drum pattern and unique strings pluck behind, as GZA fires a fluid flow with son, Justice, as they trade back and forth on the second verse. Solid. 3.5/5 7 Pounds: Black Milk’s sample in the production is solid, as GZA drops a great comparison with “emcees are like sp*rm cells, a gang of us, fightin to reach the egg, fightin to lose a leg, odds are like 1 in 10 million a thin thread, one in a thousand speaks in its own voice, the other 999 imitate thou’s joist”. Another quality lyrical track here. 3.5/5 0% Finance: This I think is my favorite track, as Choco’s constant guitar thump creates an intense listen with spurts of horns. What really makes this track though is the vivid story that GZA spits, a lot of detail and classic Wu. 4.5/5 Short Race: Strings shriek while light plucks off keyboard keys create the odd beat. Roc Mariano drops the hook and a verse, as both GZA and Roc do well. A little less interesing here, but a decent track. 3/5 Paper Plate: The infamous diss track from GZA to 50 Cent and G-Unit, it isn’t bad. A lot more interesting than you’d think, as RZA’s zoned out production eerily lurks, among GZA’s disses. 3.5/5 Columbian Ties: Another solid story by GZA, as True Master’s hook is all about karma and the classic “what goes around, comes around”, with GZA spitting vivid narratives. 4/5 Firehouse: Strings tremolo, as this orchestral track smoothly glides with a low key bassline. Ka’s gritty flow fits the track, as GZA trades sets of bars with him. Decent. 3.5/5 Path Of Destruction: Decent production here, but it is a bit dull. GZA however continues to use his flow and incredible lyricism to create a picture perfect story. 3.5/5 Cinema: Frantic strings play lightly, while two loud strings act as heartbeats. A whispered flow from GZA adds to this movie scene, as well as his son, Justice providing a scared kid’s paranoia with a whispered talking and stuttering. Excellent track here that shines from its lyricism and overall feel of a scene. 4.5/5 Life Is A Movie: High flowing track right here, RZA starts things off which then ensues into a back and forth amongst excellent production by RZA. Solid ender that features both solid lyricism and production. 4/5 Elastic Audio: Bonus track here that features a live performance, that mainly shows GZA’s lyricism and some awesome acapella. Good bonus. 4/5 GZA’s fifth effort is clearly focused and well thought out. In a day and age when old school hip hop rarely exists, its refreshing to hear GZA and the whole Wu sound that has become so classic. The album, top to bottom is strictly Wu formula that continues to work through all these years. Gripping narratives over scene creating beats make for a very enjoyable listen. GZA delivers the excellent “Alphabets”, the thump of “0% Finance”, the G-Unit diss track “Paper Plate” where they are described as “flea unit” and “Pencil” are just a few of the solid tracks. The true movie scenes that shine are “Cinema” which succeeds with its whole horror feel, from the beat to GZA’s whispered lyrics to his son, Justice’s paranoia on the hook, it all works. “Life Is A Movie” is another exceptional piece of work with RZA creating a high flowing beat with a fitting back and forth set of bars between GZA & RZA. Overall it stays true to the Wu and will definitely have you pushing the repeat button, to fully comprehend the lyrical mazes by GZA. Solid offering and one for the WU fans! Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Biography

Born: August 22, 1966 in Brooklyn, NY

Genre: Hip Hop/Rap

Years Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

The Genius, aka the GZA, was the most cerebral MC in the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as perhaps the most acclaimed. His cool, precise flow and intricate, literate rhymes weren't as theatrical as Method Man or Ol' Dirty Bastard, the two biggest commercial stars to spring from the collective. But among hip-hop aficionados, the Genius was revered for his flawless technique and lyrical dexterity, and was considered by many to be the best pure rapper in the entire Clan. The Genius was born Gary Grice on August...
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