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GZA

Biography

GZA, aka the Genius, was probably the most cerebral MC within the Wu-Tang Clan, and maybe probably the most acclaimed. His awesome, precise circulation and complex, literate rhymes weren’t as theatrical as Technique Guy or Ol’ Dirty Bastard, both biggest commercial celebrities to spring from your collective. But among hip-hop aficionados, GZA was revered for his perfect technique and lyrical dexterity, and was regarded as by many to become the best real rapper in the complete Clan. GZA was created Gary Grice on August 22, 1966, on Staten Isle, NY, and shuttled between other NY boroughs with numerous family members during his child years. He began learning rhymes by the initial hip-hop MCs while hanging out within the Bronx, and came back to Staten Isle to talk about them along with his cousins, who later on became referred to as Ol’ Dirty Bastard as well as the RZA. Actually, the three of these 1st teamed up in the first ’80s within an obscure group known as All in Collectively Now. Time exceeded, and GZA got a recording agreement with Chilly Chillin’, which, regrettably, was nearing the finish of its amazing work. In 1991, he became the only real potential Wu-Tang member release a a single recording before the Clan’s development, with Words from your Genius. Produced mainly by Easy Mo Bee, the recording flopped terribly and, creatively, do small to hint at GZA’s long term standing. Conflicts using the label delivered him packaging, and he reteamed having a likewise disenchanted RZA (refreshing off a failed stint with Tommy Youngster) and Ol’ Dirty Bastard to co-found the Wu-Tang Clan. Adding six various other friends and affiliates, the group became an underground feeling and got the rap globe by storm using its 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Their innovative agreement allowed each member to indication a single cope with whatever label they decided to go with, and GZA finished up on Geffen. In 1994, his initial post-Wu single monitor, “I Gotcha Back again,” appeared for the soundtrack from the film Refreshing. His second single record, Water Swords, implemented in 1995 and was hailed as a hip-hop traditional because of its coolly understated menace. Although it didn’t make him a celebrity on the amount of Technique Man, the recording do sell well, achieving the Top Ten from the Billboard 200 and dropping one spot lacking the top from the R&B/Hip-Hop graph. There have been no big mainstream strikes, but the name cut, “Chilly Globe,” and “Shadowboxin'” all do well around the rap graph. Following a Clan’s 1997 sophomore arranged, Wu-Tang Forever, GZA came back to the single industry with 1999’s Under the Surface area. While critics didn’t compliment it quite as lavishly as Water Swords, it had been another well-received work (especially in comparison to a number of the lackluster follow-ups somewhere else within the Wu-Tang camp), and it topped the Hip-Hop/R&B recording graph. After reconvening using the Wu for 2000’s The W and 2001’s Iron Flag, GZA decreased his fourth single effort, Legend from the Water Sword, in past due 2002, consolidating his status among the most skilled rappers around. Grandmasters, a collaborative task between himself and Cypress Hill DJ Muggs, premiered in 2005, adopted the next 12 months by an instrumental edition and a remix edition in 2007. A 12 months later on GZA released the single recording Pro Tools around the indie label Babygrande. It presented guest photos from Wu affiliate marketers RZA, Masta Killa, and maker Mathematics. GZA lectured at many colleges, including Harvard and Oxford, and used his academic cable connections and deep fascination with science to build up a science-meets-hip-hop plan dedicated to participating NEW YORK students. Additionally, he proved helpful toward another single record, Dark Matter, with digital music pioneer Vangelis among his collaborators.

Quick Facts


Full Name GZA
Date Of Birth August 22, 1966
Height 1.82 m
Profession Rapper, Songwriter, Lyricist
Nationality American
Music Songs 4th Chamber, Cold World, Shadowboxin', I Gotcha Back, Duel of the Iron Mic, Living in the World Today, Liquid Swords, Breaker, Breaker, Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, Investigative Reports, Swordsman, Crash Your Crew, B.I.B.L.E., Knock, Knock, Pass the Bone, Hip Hop Fury, Come Do Me, Did Ya Say That, Mic Trippin, Lyrical Swords, Sparring Minds, Amplified Sample, Highway Robbery, All in Together Now, General Principles, Stringplay, High Price, Small Reward, 0% Finance, Feel Like an Enemy, Advance Pawns, Gold, Fame
Albums Words from the Genius, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Liquid Swords, Beneath the Surface, Legend of the Liquid Sword, Grandmasters, Pro Tools, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, Grandmasters: Instrumentals
Movies Coffee and Cigarettes, Up and Above, From ATP: From Smoke, Wu-Tang Clan: Live at Montreux 2007, Dirty: The Official O.D.B. Biography, Wu-Tang Clan: The W: Vol. 1, Wu Tang Clan Presents: 18 Fatal Strikes, Don of All Dons, Hip Hop Time Capsule: The Best of RETV: 1994, AWOL One: Culturama 666, Tha Block: Vol. 3, Hip Hop Nation: Vol. 4


  • Facts
  • Filmography
  • Awards
  • Salaries
  • Quotes
  • Trademarks
  • Pictures

#Fact
1 Was the first from Wutang to get a record deal, though at first unsuccessfully. He then joined with his cousins to bring in the larger group and form the clan between Staten Island and Brooklyn, NYC.
2 Known for his witty word play. Considered one of the greatest mc's of his generation.
3 Hip-hop artist.
4 Cousin of The RZA and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard.


Soundtrack

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Nerve 2016 writer: "C.R.E.A.M." - as Gary E. Grice
Straight Outta Compton 2015 writer: "C.R.E.A.M." - as Gary Grice
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 2015 TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Man with the Iron Fists 2012 writer: "Shame On A Nigga"
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap 2012 Documentary writer: "As High As Wu-Tang Get"
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas 2011 writer: "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F'wit" - as Gary Grice
Dare 2009 performer: "Pencil" - as G. Grice / writer: "Pencil" - as G. Grice
Meet Dave 2008 writer: "Protect Ya Neck" - as Gary Grice
The Wackness 2008 writer: "Tearz" - as Gary Grice
First Sunday 2008 writer: "C.R.E.A.M." - as Gray Grice
Bling: A Planet Rock 2007 Documentary writer: "C.R.E.A.M." - as Gary Grice
Illegal Tender 2007 writer: "C.R.E.A.M."
Smokin' Aces 2006 as Gary Grice, "I Gotcha' Back" / performer: "I Gotcha' Back" - as GZA / Genius
The Boondocks 2005 TV Series performer - 1 episode
8 Mile 2002 writer: "C.R.E.A.M." - as Gary Grice
Grind Session 2000 Video Game performer: "Publicity" - as GZA
Caught Up 1998 performer: "Cross My Heart" - as GZA / writer: "Cross My Heart" - as G. Grice

Actor

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
From ATP: From Smoke 2014 Short
Coffee and Cigarettes 2003 GZA (segment "Delirium") (as GZA)
Wu-Tang Clan: Careful (Click, Click) 2001 Short
Wu-Tang Clan: Gravel Pit 2000 Short
Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style 1999 Video Game HImself (voice, as GZA)

Director

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Wu Tang: Revealed 2007 Video

Writer

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Wu Tang: Revealed 2007 Video

Producer

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Wu Tang: Revealed 2007 Video executive producer

Thanks

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Needle Drop 2014 TV Series shout out - 1 episode

Self

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 2015 TV Series Himself - Musical Guest
Park Bench with Steve Buscemi 2014 TV Series Himself
Dirty: Platinum Edition 2013 Documentary
Frames 2012 TV Series Himself
Wu-Tang Saga 2010 Video documentary Himself
All Tomorrow's Parties 2009 Documentary Himself (as GZA)
Up and Above 2008 Video documentary Himself
Rap City 2007 TV Series Himself
Wu Tang: Revealed 2007 Video Himself
In Bed with Carrie 2007 TV Series Himself
3rd Annual VH1 Hip-Hop Honors 2006 TV Movie Himself - Honoree (as Wu-Tang Clan)
Rock the Bells 2006 Documentary Himself
Wu-Tang Clan: Disciples of the 36 Chambers, Chapter 2 2004 Video Himself
Chappelle's Show 2003-2004 TV Series Himself / Himself - Musical Guest
Lyricist Lounge: Hip Hop Video Classics 2003 Video Himself (segment "C.R.E.A.M.") (as Wu-Tang Clan)
Hype Williams: The Videos, Vol. 1 2002 Video Himself (segment "Can It Be All So Simple") (as Wu-Tang Clan)
And Ya Don't Stop: Hip Hop's Greatest Videos, Vol. 1 2000 Video Himself (segment "C.R.E.A.M.") (as Wu-Tang Clan)
Wu-Tang Clan: Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off) 2000 Short Himself
Wu-Tang 1998 Video Himself
Rap Sheet's Free Expression in the '90s 1995 TV Movie Himself

Archive Footage

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan 2007 Documentary Himself (uncredited)
And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop 2004 TV Mini-Series documentary Himself
Chappelle's Show 2003 TV Series Himself

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#Quote
1 You could say we [The Wu-tang Clan] have a cult-like following. I saw this dude one night at a concert with a Wutang tattoo on his face. I've never seen anyone with a G-Unit tattoo like that. To many, we're icons.


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