GZA

GZA (pronounced The Gizza, aka The Genius, born Gary Grice August 22, 1966 in Staten Island, New York City) is an American rapper and member of The Wu-Tang Clan. GZA is, along with Ghostface Killah, widely considered the best rapper in the nine-person clan, and his solo work has been critically acclaimed.

After recording as All in Together Now with future Wu-Tangers Ol' Dirty Bastard and RZA, GZA released a solo album, Words from the Genius[?], in 1991 (see 1991 in music). The album was a flop and the trio of friends formed the Wu-Tang Clan with six others. Their debut together was Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), which took the hip hop world by storm. All nine members became a hot commodity and were allowed to sign with whatever record label they wished for a solo career, due to an unusual clause in their contract. GZA signed to Geffen Records.

GZA's first post-Wu-Tang solo album was Liquid Swords (1995, 1995 in music) and was widely acclaimed; it is still remembered as one of the pre-eminent Wu-Tang solo LPs. The Wu-Tang Clan's second album together, Wu-Tang Forever[?], GZA released Beneath the Surface[?] in 1999 (see 1999 in music). The album received good reviews, but failed to live up to reputations. GZA's latest solo album is Legend of the Liquid Sword[?] in 2002 (see 2002 in music).