Genius / GZA or simply GZA (pronouced 'jizza'), was born on August 22, 1966 in Brooklyn, New-York. He is an African-American rapper, member of hip-hop supergroup
Wu-Tang Clan. He is known for his elaborate metaphors and his constant use of skillful wordplay. GZA is a great chess player and he is also the oldest member of the
Wu-Tang Clan.
Before the well-acclaimed "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)", he dropped "Words From The Genius" on legendary label
Cold Chillin', but the album, however, was a flop. In 1995 he released the dark, kung-fu inspired, but still widely-acclaimed "Liquid Swords", that is considered one of the best Wu-Tang solo albums alongside
Raekwon's "Only Built For Cuban Linx". He then dropped "Beneath The Surface" and "Legend Of The Liquid Sword, in 1999 and 2002, respectively, that weren't as succesfull as his second solo album. In 2004 he appeared, with his cousin
RZA, alongside actor Bill Murray in Jim Jarmusch's "Coffee And Cigarettes", which was a movie casting actors such as Cate Blanchet and
Alfred Molina. Genius / GZA also worked with
DJ Muggs on an album named "Grandmasters" in 2005, that "confronted" GZA's sharp lyrical skills to Muggs' production mastery and his versatility. This project was critically acclaimed. Also in 2005, Genius / GZA signed with
Babygrande Records and is currently working onto another project called "The GZA Presents".