Genius / GZA - Liquid Swords

Following the Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), RZA, self-proclaimed leader of the group, planned to release a series of solo albums for each member in the group. After obtaining contracts for many of the Clan’s members on different record labels, RZA went to work on producing some of hip-hop’s classic albums.

GZA, the only Wu-Tang member to have some success as a solo artist before the formation of the group, started working on Liquid Swords with RZA after Raekwon released Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… in 1995. As on OB4CL, RZA handled all of the production (except for the last track), crafting an album that featured a gritty, city-like atmosphere.

Liquid Swords became the fourth solo release from members of the Clan following 36 Chambers, and GZA’s second solo release overall. The album was instantly regarded as a classic, cementing GZA’s reputation as a lyrical mastermind and furthering RZA’s reputation as a producer. It featured all 9 members of the Clan as well as Wu-affiliate Killah Priest.