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 with GZA 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 If you're not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!