Disco de GZA/Genius: “Beneath the Surface”

Alot of people would argue with me for considering "Beneath the Surface" to be Genius's best work to date. His flow is just as well executed as "Liquid Swords" yet his lyrical content is decidely more mature and enlightening than the previous album. The gritty braggadio and war stories are replaced with a more complex focus on reflection and analyzation. The production, though Rza is phenomenal in his own right, fits the refined mentality of the Genius. In the place of hard breaks and chaotic atmosphere are lush strings and dark contemplative beats that act as the background for this prolific album. Genius's lyrics have never been more lucid or progressive as displayed on this masterpiece of an album.

This is a good follow up by GZA. Could have had more production by RZA. But its all good. Good beats and lyrics make this a good album. Not better than Liquid Swords but very good really good.

#1.Intro

#2.Amplified Sample - 8/10

#3.Beneath The Surface - 8.5/10

#4.Skit 1

#5.Skit 2

#6.Crash Your Crew - 8/10

#7.Breaker,Breaker - 9.5/10

#8.High Price, Small Reward - 10/10

#9.Hip Hop Fury - 10/10

#10.Skit 3

#11.1112 - 10/10

#12.Skit 4

#13.Victim - 10/10

#14.Publicity - 10/10

#15.Feel Like An Enemy - 10/10

#16.Stringplay (Like This, Like That) - 8.5/10

#17.Mic Trippin - 9/10

#18.Outro - 10/10

Hott album. GZA rips on it. Cop It

I gotta apologize for repeating what's been said before, but it just gotta be said that a)this is GZA's third album, not a 2nd one, b)itz 180 degrees different from that lunatic Swizz and... oliver wang. Listen to me earthlings: BENEATH THE SURFACE IS A TREMENDOUS HIP HOP MASTERPIECE, GREATEST SOLO OF ALL TIMES, THE MOST UP-TO-DATE RELEASE OF 1999 AND AN UNDYING WORK OF ART. Wu is my favorite click, and Gary Grice is my favorite Wu-Tanger, and I swear every time he steps up he elevates a 1000 kilometers higher. First of all, the producers work is extremely perfect. Those who say it smells pop - punch'em in da eye, they're just jealous they can't create same unique melodies with majestic pianos, violins and guitar flows. The sounds sculptured by Arabian Knight, John the Baptist, Mathematics, Inspectah Deck (magician, magician!) and RZA himself capture you from the first moment to the last one. People often catch me bobbin my head at work singin "Scratch underneath the surface, where does your purpose lie..." As for GZA, yall shorties can quit attending skool after buying this one. The Genius offers you everything from Aesopus-style metaphors to straight-to-ya-face blasts, all embodied in monumental rhyming rattatatat delivered by that unique freezing baritone. As for guests, the elders (RZA, ODB, Masta, Killah Priest and especially Iron Lung) show their teeth strong enough to bite off george w bush's head, and the youngsters do 200% of what they ever did B4. Now for the choice: if yall want sumthin murderous, check AMPLIFIED SAMPLE, CRASH YOUR CREW, HIGH PRICE & FEEL LIKE AN ENEMY. Wisdom over magnificent melody - BENEATH THE SURFACE, HIP HOP FURY, 1112, VICTIM, MIC TRIPPIN. Shadowboxin part 2 - STRINGPLAY.... Labels part 2 - PUBLICITY. BREAKER BREAKER is an underground dessert. Skits are wise, worth listening several times. OUTRO is an independent song by itself. And for kids - don't discriminate, GZA doesn't curse much! P.S. I give this a 5 star, and I'd give a 55 if I could.

Four years after his classic "Liquid Swords" the genius wordsmith returns with some more fire. A little less quality than his "Liquid Swords", it is still a very strong album. Out of the 13 songs on here, GZA has 4 solos, and 2 songs he isn't on. The guests are all Wu-related (except for a few ladies who sing some hooks). Production is mostly handled by Arabian Knight & Mathematics (with one song by each by: RZA, Inspectah Deck, and John the Baptist) and they do a good job. There are 2 classics, 3 great songs, 4 good songs, and 2 that I skip. A must have album for all rap fans.

#2 - 9.5 (great beat)

#3 - 8 (f/ killah priest & RES)

#6 - 10 (classic w/ great beat --- f/ Ol' Dirty {R.I.P.})

#7- 8

#8 - 7 (f/ Masta Killa)

#9 - 9 (f/ Hell Razah, Royal Fam & RZA)

#11 - 8 (f/ masta killa, killah priest, njeri)

#13 - 8.5 (f/ njeri)

#14 - 10 (classic w/ great beat)

#15 - 9 (no GZA on this song -- masta killa, hell razah, trigga, prodigal son -- good beat)

#16 - 6 (f/ method man)

#17 - 8.5

#18 - 5 (no GZA --- LA the Darkman & Royal Fam)

Gary Grice -- b. 8/22/66 -- Staten Island, NY

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As I type this review right now, the average rating reads four stars. Four stars!? The GZA is nothing less than perfect on everything he does. This album is very good - no matter what phony rap fans think. People expected the Genius to compare to his masterpiece, Liquid Swords. And...He does! If you don't get this album you are missing out and cheating your ears. I love the awesome "Outro," "1112," "High Price, Small Reward," "Hip Hop Fury," "Crash Your Crew," "Beneath The Surface," "Breaker, Breaker," "Publicity," & "Victim." The GZA tears it up yet again, and all rap fans should get this tremendous work of art.