GZA, aka The Genius, born Gary Grice August 22, 1966 in Brooklyn, New York City is an American rapper and core member of the Wu-Tang Clan, having released four albums and appearing on every group album put out by the Clan, as well as many solo efforts and affiliates' albums. br After Wu-Tang's hit 1993 debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), GZA signed with Geffen Records to release Liquid Swords, his second solo album (First under Wu-Tang Clan banner). Produced entirely by The RZA, the album saw immensely positive reviews from both critics and fans alike as well as selling more than 900,000 copies in the U.S. The album features a loosely based concept from the 1983 film The Shogun Assassin with GZA acting as the samurai "lyrical swordsman" of sorts and features samples from the film all throughout the album. Dark, atmospheric soundscapes complete with explosions, cracking noises and sinister soul samples are RZA's forte on the production side here as The GZA flexes his battle rap and braggadocio muscles on the mic as well as some very notable and highlight storytelling shown off the tracks "Gold" and "Killah Hills 10304". The album is considered to be one of the ten most lyrical showcases in hip-hop history.