Episode 95: David Ma on GZA’s “Liquid Swords” (1995)

Episode notes

The Album: GZA Liquid Swords (1995)

Music journalist David Ma has been in the game for a long time, writing for The Guardian, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, The Source, and many, many others. He’s also the host of Dad Bod Rap Pod, a hip-hop roundtable discussion show from the Bay area. When he told us he wanted to talk about GZA’s debut solo effort, Liquid Swords, we knew we were in for a good conversation.
We talk about GZA’s new jack swing beginnings, his role within the Wu-Tang Clan, and his seemingly endless vocabulary. Even within the Wu’s solo efforts, Liquid Swords stands out, with its gritty production, complex lyricism, and hard-hitting flow. It stood the test of time and still bounces, Shogun Assassin samples included.

More on David Ma

• David’s talk withGZA about Liquid Swords (WaxPoetics)
• Dad Bod Rap Pod
• Twitter | Website

More on Liquid Swords

• 20 Years, 20 Questions: GZA Revisits Liquid Swords (Spin)
• Why the GZA’s ‘Liquid Swords’ Is the Embodiment of the Wu-Tang Brand (Complex)

Show Tracklisting (all songs from Liquid Swords unless indicated otherwise):

• I Gotcha Back
• Liquid Swords
• Wu-Tang Clan: 7th Chamber – Part II – Conclusion
• GZA: Come Do Me
• Swordsman
• Gold
• Raekwon: Ice Cream
• Method Man: I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need
• Notorious BIG: The What
• Shadowboxin’
• Dr. Dre: Stranded on Death Row
• Liquid Swords
• Willie Mitchell: Groovin’
• Liquid Swords
• Cannonball Adderly: Aries
• Gold
• Ann Peebles: Trouble, Heartaches, & Sadness
• Shadowboxin’
• Gold
• 4th Chamber
• Labels
• B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)
• The Genius: Feel the Pain
• Wu-Tang Clan: Clan In Da Front

Here is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find there
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