GZA (rapper)
GZA (born August 22, 1966 in Brooklyn , New York ; real name Gary Grice ) is an American rapper and member and founder of the Wu-Tang Clan . He is also known under the alias GZA the Genius .
biography
Before founding the Wu-Tang Clan, he released his debut album Words from the Genius on Cold Chillin 'Records , the label of the former Juice Crew under Marley Marl's leadership . After the merger of the clan and the classic debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) , individual members concentrated on their solo albums. So did GZA, who signed a contract with Geffen Records and released the album Liquid Swords in 1995 . It was produced almost exclusively by its cousin RZA . GZA is considered to be one of the most talented rappers and, like almost all Wu members, is an important figure in the US hip-hop scene, despite not having such great mainstream success.
GZA appeared in the film Coffee and Cigarettes with RZA and Bill Murray .
Discography
Studio albums
| year | title |
Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, rankings, weeks, awards, notes) |
Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 UK
|
 US
|
|||
| 1995 | Liquid Swords |
UK73  (1 week)UK |
US9  (24 weeks)US |
First published: November 7, 1995
|
| 1999 | Beneath the surface |
UK64 (1 week) UK |
US9  (10 weeks)US |
First published: June 29, 1999
|
| 2002 | Legend of the Liquid Sword | - |
US75 (7 weeks) US |
First published: December 10, 2002
|
| 2005 | Grandmasters | - |
US180 (1 week) US |
First published: October 25, 2005
with DJ Muggs |
| 2008 | Pro Tools | - |
US52 (2 weeks) US |
First published: August 19, 2008
|
more publishments
- 1991: Words from the Genius
Singles
| year | Title album |
Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, album , rankings, weeks, awards, notes) |
Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UK
|
US
|
|||
| 1995 | Liquid Swords Liquid Swords |
- |
US48 (7 weeks) US |
First published: October 10, 1995
|
| Cold World Liquid Swords |
- |
US97 (3 weeks) US |
First published: November 28, 1995
feat. Inspectah deck |
|
| 1996 | Shadowboxin ' Liquid Swords |
- |
US67 (13 weeks) US |
First published: March 28, 1996
feat. Method Man |
Web links
- GZA in the All Music Guide (English)
Individual evidence
Members: RZA | GZA | Method Man | Raekwon | Ghostface Killah | Inspectah Deck | U-God | Masta Killa | Cappadonna
Former members: Ol 'Dirty Bastard († 2004)
Studio albums: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993) | Wu-Tang Forever (1997) | The W (2000) | Iron Flag (2001) | 8 Diagrams (2007) | A Better Tomorrow (2014) | Once Upon a Time in Shaolin (2015)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | GZA |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Grice, Gary (real name); The Genius (pseudonym); Justice (pseudonym); Allah Justice (pseudonym); Maximillion (pseudonym); the Scientist (pseudonym); the Head (pseudonym) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | US-American rapper |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 22nd August 1966 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Brooklyn , New York , NY , USA |