@camron shean, please don't try an expose this young man to that gimmicky trash. I've never in my life heard anyone listening to the insane clown posse
1995 was THE YEAR OF THE WU. Ol Dirty Bastard’s Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, GZA’s Liquid Swords. Ol’ Dirty Bastard collaborated with Mariah Carey on “Fantasy” (remix), Method Man collaborated with Redman for the first time on “How High” and also collaborated with Mary J Blige on the remix to “All I Need” (which earned him a grammy), and the official launch of the Wu Wear brand and Wu Wear stores.
@@flaquis2729 Facts. Aside from the Wu albums I mentioned, Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, Tupac’s Me Against The World, Smiff-N-Wessun’s Da Shinin, AZ’s Doe Or Die, Big L’s Lifestyles Of Da Poor & Dangerous, LL Cool J’s Mr Smith, Cypress Hill’s Temples Of Boom, Group Home’s Living Proof, KRS One’s album, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s E 1999 Eternal, Showbiz & AG’s Goodfellas, The Dog Pound’s Dogg Food, the Friday soundtrack, The Show soundtrack. I know I’m missing a bunch more but those are the ones I remember off top.
@@RAA10382 Luniz Operation Stackola, DJ Quik Safe n Sound, E-40 In a Major Way, Ray Luv Forever Hustlin, Goodie Mob Soul Food, 8ball & MJG On Top of the world
fun fact: GZA is a scientist. He’s educated in quantum physics and has given lectures at MIT and Harvard. Which explains why he’s always rapping about astrology. He’s also a great chess player and gives lessons to grade school kids. 👐🏾
Feel you on that. Even though, the influence of gangtsa/drug dealing rape was around. The Wu kept true HIP HOP form by using the music to influence positive chance for all..........
The intro is from the kung fu flick "Shogun Assassin". After Cuban Linx dropped, I thought the Wu had peaked. When this dropped a few months later, I was mind blown again! Great reaction to classic material!
Killah Priest was a monster rapper! He had a couple of appearances on some Gravediggaz stuff too! Killed it on there aswell! Gravediggaz will give kids nightmares!!💯
He was supposed to have Masta Killa spot in Wu but he fell asleep writing his verse on Mystery of Chessboxing and then Masta came with one of the best verses on that whole album. Anyways, yeah Heavy Mental stayed in my rotation for almost 20 years straight.
Just a little note in case you never caught this. Rza used to drop lines that spelled out the word "peace". He did it on 4th Chamber when he said "Protons, Electrons Always Cause Explosions". He said others like "Positive Energy Always Correct Errors" and "Positive Energy Activates Constant Elevation". In 1995, it was mind-blowing, especially when he put it at the end of the verse, because he's essentially saying "peace" and he's out. Others spelled out Wu-Tang "We Usually Take All N***** Garments" and "Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game". Now imagine this is a time when you couldn't always find the lyrics online, so a lot of times you heard a bar over and over and then one day put together in your head that they were spelling out words. Truly next level. I used to think of them like cyborgs from the future.
When they came out, I was 10 years old. I didn't understand five percent of what they were saying, especially Rae & Ghost. As I aged and gained street experience, the lyrics just kept getting clearer and more amazing as my wisdom grew. That's why Wu is the all-time greatest to me.
@@enlightenme3673 To think though, they weren't that aged as well when you were 10. So just think of how high of a level these dudes was on at the time!
GZA and RZA elevated the whole rap culture with this album. They even surpassed anything created among themselves with the WU. This album put RZA on another level of producing.
When 36 Chambers dropped then Tical dropped then Return to Da 36 the Dirty Version then Cuban Linx then Liquid Swords then Ironman and then Wu Tang Forever it was the most magical ride. Young brother I appreciate you and your channel for showing love and respect to the great hip hop music that came out before your time. Most young people don’t do that. But man I wish you was there when these projects originally dropped and the impact that it had and the lasting impact that it has still had for the people that were there. It was truly a magical ride.
Yep. You add in BIG and Pac's music, some early Nas and Jay, Dr. Dre The Chronic, Snoops Doggystyle all the Boot Camp Click music, Redman first three solo joint, some early OutKast and Goodie Mob music and some Mobb Deep and that was an unbelievable era right there!!!!!!!
Ok only 93 to 96 era because Wu Tang Forever was wack even Rae said that was their ugly child and Rza production was not that as should be like before. That was the beginning of the end of Wu only Ghostface Supreme Clientele was hope that Wu is back on top but rest is still wack to this day.
@@dariuszkopec2567 Dude I would be embarrassed to make verifiably absurd claims like "Wu-tang Forever is wack" in public. You are absolutely part of what is a barely existent superminority of people who express a contrary or ridiculous opinion or they make absurd claims that do not in any way reflect reality. I'm guessing you watched the Raekwon interview with Vlad, and in that interview he didn't call Forever wack or trash. He said he was 50/50 on it being either a certified classic or just an average/forgettable effort by the Wu, and what played into his reasoning was the politics of who was chosen to be on what tracks. He felt as if some members were getting passed over in certain instances in favor of other members. But even if Raekwon said Forever IS 100% a wack or a trash final product, that wouldn't and shouldn't be a reason for YOU to feel it is wack.. and Raekwon holding that opinion is not proof that it is wack. Forever is THE highest selling Wu-tang project ever. People absolutely LOVE Forever. How many times platinum is it again? That love flies in the face of what you are claiming. Since Forever dropped in 1997 I haven't heard a single person dismiss Forever as being "wack" and not even worth being included with the Wu's prior works until I read your RUclips comment today ALSO flies in the face of your dubious claim. If you are going to make a ridiculous claim that NOBODY ELSE is making, I'm going to challenge you on it and I am going to ask you to provide proof. All indicators say you can't, and that its just a purely subjective allegation that relies on omission of the surrounding facts and information to make it seem more legitimate. Instead you brought in Raekwon's nuanced 50/50 opinion on whether Forever is a classic or not because he felt the politics were making the work suffer, as a way to bolster an unpopular position that nobody holds but you.
I always think about the music that was lost when RZA's basement flooded. The way they talk that was better than what we got. Deck's original 1st album was lost, wish I could've heard that.
The beauty of this and many album from the 90’s is that as you can listen 100 times and still pick up some new bar! I’ve listening to this album for nearly 30 years it still blows my mind
This was.. November of '95. I was in high school in New York and this album will forever to the soundtrack to that winter. I'm mixed raced and my love for all things Wu-Tang introduced me to a whole new group of friends from all races that helped changed my perspective on society and the world at large. I'm grateful for those years tough as they were, and for this album being the bridge that connected to me to different groups of people all just trying to get by, dealing with whatever circumstances they were dealt. This and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx are the definitive Wu-Tang albums, as much as I love Tical, sonically Liquid Swords and Cuban Linx are just Wu's sound perfected.
Easily in the top 5 greatest albums of all time! This came out in 1995 - I'm still listening to this and I hope they do a 30th anniversary edition of it! I listened to this in my car so much when it first came out that my son, who was always with me has this etched into his brain from hearing it from his car seat! He's an adult now and also knows this is one of the greatest albums ever! So iconic and is up there with Enter the Wu Tang.... That song Labels is one of the reasons he's the damn Genius! A whole song about and including all of the existing record labels at the time!
I love Wu Tang and grew up with their music, but top 5 all time? Cuban Linx is better and imo so is 36 Chambers. This album is a classic but I'd rank it somewhere closer to #15-20 ... Cuban Linx top though (along with Infamous, Ready to Die, Marshall Mathers LP, All Eyez on Me).
Liquid Swords is a mandatory rap staple. Def in my top 5 albums of all time. Much respect to the review! You got to keep going with Wu Reviews. Next up, do a review on Cappadonna - The Pillage! 🔥
All the skits are from "Shogun Assassin" it was originally banned because of the violence but that was short. It is originally a series of 6 episodes called "Lone Wolf and Cub". The 1st 3 episodes were cut into the movie. If you like Samurai movies check them both. The Wu are the greatest.
Liquid Swords is nothing short of a masterpiece. Add it to the masterpieces from the collection of real emcees known as the Wu-Tang Clan. Kudos to King Ahmad and those that appreciate lyrical skill on the mic. Still have my copy on CD!
Meth will always be my favourite, Gfk, gza, inspectah deck close tho Raekwon, masta killa, odb rza at times follow U god n Capa still dope but don't compare to the others
I came back just to say it is always refreshing to see young men growing up and listening to the exact same thing I was listening to at that age and feeling like it's like watching how I reacted
@@danielwilson9724anyone with common sense would but honestly I’d agree GZA is underrated kind of as well. If I brought him up to anyone they’d be like who???
I remember I had the Shadow Boxin’/4th Chamber Cassette single back in mid 95’. I would play it over and over and listen to the shadow boxin instrumental ALL DAY! Still my favorite RZA beat for its simplicity & addicting bass.
This album is definitely one of those in the soundtrack to my life! I was 13, rocking this album in 1995! One of the greatest albums of all time! Sonically, The Rza was locked in, all the way, on the production! Gza gave us a masterpiece with, Liquid Swords. 💯 Lyrics & beats are immaculate! Pure Hiphop! In its purest form! 👐🏾 #StudentOfTheWu
The movie clips and samples on Duel of the Iron Mic and 4th Chamber are mostly from a movie called "Shogun Assassin" It was a US dub of Lone Wolf & Cub that combined the first two movies into one film. Nowadays you can just see the whole series of six Lone Wolf & Cub films on their own in stuff like the Criterion collection, but I still consider the Shogun Assassin version iconic and was happy to find it on DVD back in the day. This kinda deep cut martial arts movie stuff is how RZA and Quentin Tarantino got along so well to work together on Kill Bill. It was actually based on an incredible 5000+ page manga series, by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima, which was also a really big influence on Frank Miller, the guy who created Sin City, 300, Batman: The Dark Knight etc. The art style and storytelling was way different than modern anime. Related fact: The cover of Liquid Swords is by a comic book artist named Denys Cowan who helped found Milestone comics in the 90's, which was basically a black comic book label in the 90's, focusing on some cool black heroes like Static aka Static Shock. 👍
So glad to see you enjoy this so much. Liquid Swords is in my Top 5 albums of all time; it’s such a perfect work of art. I copped it on CD in 1999 and it changed my life. It warrants multiple listens to hear all of the subtleties, nuances and double (even triple) meanings. It still sounds like something that was found on an ancient scroll.
Shit, I ain’t mad at you for picking Liquid Swords as your favorite. Those are my top 3 Wu solo albums. Sometimes its The Purple Tape at #1, sometimes its Liquid Swords, and sometimes it’s Supreme Clientele. But yea those are my top 3.
@@RAA10382 You have good taste. My top three as well. For me it's Liquid Swords Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Supreme Clientele Return to da 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
1. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (Raekwon) or Liquid Swords (GZA). When one of these is # 1 the other is at # 2. 2. see above 3. Supreme Clientele (Ghostface Killah) 4. either Ironman (Ghostface Killah) or Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (ODB) 5. see above 6. Tical (Method Man) 7. The Pillage (Cappadonna) 8. Bobby Digital In Stereo (RZA) 9. No Said Date (Masta Killa) 10. Fishscale (Ghostface Killah) or Only Built 4 Cuban Linx part 2 (Raekwon).
@@RAA10382 I know Supreme Clientele is more critically acclaimed than Ironman but I feel Ironman has more reply value. I enjoyed Supreme Clientele first time listen but I find myself coming back to 12 songs out of 17 from Ironman while in Supreme Clientele I come back to 9 songs out of 20 songs that I revisit
Absolutely warms my heart to see a young man loving and appreciating this music. I've been the biggest Wu fan since 92 and this album in particular is really close to my heart. My fondest memories as a kid were having weeks of anticipation for the next Wu project and then cutting school with my boys, going back to one of our cribs and spending the day taking in these masterpieces that were pioneering hip hop every time. I was 13 when this album dropped and it changed my friggin life. Cold World and 4th Chamber are my faves on this one. Peace and love, Ahmad! You give me hope that this generation isn't all dickheads.
IMO Liquid Swords is the best hip-hop album of all time. Been listening to it for almost a quarter-century and it STILL bangs; I still hear little knowledge darts I hadn't picked up on before. Gza is just the one.
Can't blame you for placing it in that category. It's why I felt insulted when 50 cent tried to diss GZA. The audacity of an inferior MC coming at him like that 😂. I still blast this out of my truck.
Glad you feeling better I hope you continue to get better. This album is constantly in the top 3 of ALL WU-Tang albums. I always listened to it as a season piece (Liquid Swords is the winter album) Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is the summer album. ☺. Thanks for posting. Always quality from this channel.
That’s the way it was back them. Lyrics was held at a standard so that’s why you hear so many intelligent rappers from this era. Kendrick Lamar & J Cole would’ve fit in just fine in the baggy Jean era. Keep up the good work with your channel ✌🏾.
This is a great album for bars and depth of lyrics. 3 other great tunes to listen to are GZA - Animal planet BIG L & HURB MCGRUFF - 560. This is some rugged newyork rap. D.I.T.C - Big L, Lord Finese, 2 of the greatest lyricists to ever come out of newyork
So great to see you review this epic album! Next Wu project should be Ghostface-Supreme Clientelle You should do A Tribe called midnight marauders as well
Mr Grieco in The Killah Hills/hells wind staff skit, is S N Fernando. He is a hip hop historian who last year wrote From the Streets of Shaolin. It's an entire book about Wu Tang Clan. It's so informative and has chapters on all the landmark group and solo albums, like intentions of songs, and every samples used. I'd think you'd really enjoy it because it's fun reading it while relistening to all the albums. Love the content keep up the good work.
Was gonna post this if no-one else had. Great book, well worth a purchase! His story about getting roped into doing the part of Mr Greico is funny as hell
Greetings, I am from Peru, but I am proud to have grown up listening to wu tang clan, my father was a big fan of wu tang clan, the first time I heard wu tang clan was when I was 5 years old and from there I understood that wu tang clan they were lyrical murderers
Killah Priest was supposed to be an original Wu member but he was sleeping in the studio when it was time to record Mystery of Chessboxin and Masta Killa was ready with a verse. The rest is history.
Yo Ahmad! Just to let you know, Method Man got a hip hop quotable in "The Source" magazine back in the day for that 1st verse on "Shadowboxing"... That was still an honor back in '95. Killah Priest had one as well a few yrs later. I can't remember what for...
Man I’m really stoked that younger cats are appreciating the 90s era hip hop I grew up with in high school. This is a legendary album. Not quite Cuban Lynx imo but man mid 90s wu had it locked
Classic!! The WU had the game on lock back then. Two months prior Cuban Linx came out and a few months before that was return of the 36 chambers by ODB.
This was always my favorite of that first round of solos from the Clan, it just has that vibe, and "Cold World" is one of the illest tracks of all time. Glad to be back with ya, since the Pink Floyd days you've been rocking it right, all love man.
Another great emcee with great vocabulary lyrics is Pharoahe Monch, I recommend listening to his first solo album "Internal Affairs", you'll love that too
4th Chamber (Choose the Sword) is in my top ten favorite hip hop songs of all time. That beat is SINISTER. I’m so glad I listened to this stuff as a kid back then. Wild stuff even for the time
When I heard Liquid Swords for the first time it was so good that I replayed the entire CD immediately after it was finished. I have never done that for any album before until I heard this album. This album put me in a trance I love this album!
great review of a certified hip hop classic. whenever i watch these, you always take me back to when i first bought and heard these albums in the '90s. your description of rza's production on this project as "cold, dark" is perfect. rza can definitely make the case for being hip hop's greatest producer, because he truly oversaw/executive produced these classic wu projects from top to bottom. wasn't no emailing beat-packs back then. the wu cooked up everything in the studio together. loved your reactions, especially, to both duel of the iron mic and gold, two of my fav songs on the album. masta killa definitely bodied his duel of the iron mic verse. gza's pen throughout this album was exceptional. not a wasted word can be found on this album. the concept for "labels" and the storytelling on "killah hills 10304" is absolutely elite. emcees, ever since that era, have rarely, if ever, put words that are that vivid together. overall, this album still stands the test of time. it's undoubtedly a 5/5 mic album. i have it third, behind supreme clientele and only built for cuban linx, respectively, as my fav wu project.
Was doing the dishes today while watching this reaction to one of my favourite albums of all time and rapping along with the wu on every song. Greetings from Germany 👐
Killah Priest is an absolute revelation you need to go check his discography. He has a TON of material but let me recommend you: his debut album Heavy Mental, Psychic World of Walter Reed (double disc with NO filler), and 3rd Eye in Technicolor. If you like these, you can dive into his other stuff.
My 2nd favorite album ever. A real masterpiece that will always stand the test of time. This album has a lot of time specific references....mainly of the 80s/90s so if you aren't familiar with that period and some of the events that occurred during that time It might help to read up on the lyrics to understand the history of this album. Protons Electrons Always Cause Explosions.....PEACE!
If you liked how he put all the record labels into that track you should check out his song Fame where he does the same but weaves a story out of celebrity names.
The opening clip is from "Shogun Assassin" (really good movie)....that clip is also in the movie "Kill Bill Pt. 2" (it shows up towards the end once she catches up with Bill, right before their talk and showdown).
it's ABOUT TIME!!!! salute this album is one of the greatest rap albums EVER.... I used to turn if the lights out on my headphones and zone out listening to this album
Enjoyed this, and appreciate you not having an issue admitting some things were over your head and need another listen. 20+ years of having this album in my rotation and I'm still just discovering what certain lines mean lol. GZA definitely one of my top 5 all time lyricist.
I listened to this CD so much I believe it began to melt so I bought it again.....again. 1995 was that year! Killah Hills 10304 "Chaos outside Sparks Steak House" John Gotti oversaw the assassination of boss Paul Castellano at Sparks Steak House in December 1985. I like how he threw that line in.
I had the tape as a kid and Bible wasn't included as it was a cd exclusive track. Heard it years later and blew my mind! Ya gotta check out Killah priests debut heavy mental, nuttin but jewels on there! Peace fam.
@@richlong4119 oh ya that's right I remember that! I had the infamous tape for years then I got the cd version and was surprised it was on there. I actually heard it first on the dont be a menace soundtrack, thought it was an exclusive track! The opposite was the case for nas it was written cassette. It had silent murder on the tape but not cd! I love bonus tracks! 🤣
The clips are from the movie Shogun Assassin aka Lone Wolf and Cub. I dug watching your reaction to listening to this for the first time. I vividly remember picking this cassette up the day it was released. It blew my mind!
When that album came out it stayed in my tape deck 😳for about a month straight….in my car it was all I listened to during that time….🖤WuTang 4ever kid!🥶
Had this poster and the 36 Chambers poster on my wall in college. Never liked the album as much as some other cats, but it is solid and rounded out RZA's arsenal as it was geared towards GZA perfectly.
The Marshal Mathers LP review is up next…. 🔥🔥🔥💯
Dre's Chronic! / Fugees - The Score!!
@camron shean, please don't try an expose this young man to that gimmicky trash. I've never in my life heard anyone listening to the insane clown posse
@@tzahibar4617 he reviewed the chronic already
@@FryPoorGreedo 😶oops. wellI I know what Im gonna watch tonight
Yesss!Very excited for that👑👑Just don't become and eminem channell please
One of the greatest albums ever!! GZA to me is a mixture of a street poet/M.I.T. professor. This album was just made beautifully well
Has has done many lectures at M.I.T
💯💯💯💯
Well said Hissan
No doubt
One of the greatest emcees ever period and definitely one of the greatest albums ever
1995 was THE YEAR OF THE WU. Ol Dirty Bastard’s Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, GZA’s Liquid Swords. Ol’ Dirty Bastard collaborated with Mariah Carey on “Fantasy” (remix), Method Man collaborated with Redman for the first time on “How High” and also collaborated with Mary J Blige on the remix to “All I Need” (which earned him a grammy), and the official launch of the Wu Wear brand and Wu Wear stores.
Yep exactly.
Overall I'd say 95 was one of the best in history. Just look up which albums released that year.
@@flaquis2729 Facts. Aside from the Wu albums I mentioned, Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, Tupac’s Me Against The World, Smiff-N-Wessun’s Da Shinin, AZ’s Doe Or Die, Big L’s Lifestyles Of Da Poor & Dangerous, LL Cool J’s Mr Smith, Cypress Hill’s Temples Of Boom, Group Home’s Living Proof, KRS One’s album, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s E 1999 Eternal, Showbiz & AG’s Goodfellas, The Dog Pound’s Dogg Food, the Friday soundtrack, The Show soundtrack. I know I’m missing a bunch more but those are the ones I remember off top.
@@RAA10382 Luniz Operation Stackola, DJ Quik Safe n Sound, E-40 In a Major Way, Ray Luv Forever Hustlin, Goodie Mob Soul Food, 8ball & MJG On Top of the world
@@RAA10382also 4,5,6 by Kool G Rap
I wish Inspectah Deck's first 🥇 album wasn't affected with the floods.
Honestly, killing me to know what couldve been. Guys been criminally underrated and had shit luck all his life lol
@@michaelsahami6061check out all those Czarface albums. Deck,7L and Esoteric with some ill features.
Me too
Rebel the GOAT
From what I’ve heard it was going to be a play on Spider-Man somehow….just the concept sounds dope
Preach!! dude has been underrated his whole career! One of my favorite MC's
4th Chamber still gives me goosebumps. Hardest track RZA ever produced.
Agreed. If you haven't already check out 4th Chamber by El Michels Affair.
Me and my boys used to almost get into fist fights arguing over who's verse was hardest on that track
@@FryPoorGreedo To me it’s prolly Ghost or RZA
The mandolin/guitar riff combo so crazy!
@@cmoney0Qnah GZA had the best verse his rhyme scheme and way of thinking is fucking insane.
Liquid Swords: 0:59
Duel of the Iron Mic: 5:25
Living in the World Today: 9:32
Gold: 13:28
Cold World: 17:17
Labels: 22:02
4th Chamber: 24:58
Shadowboxin': 30:05
Hell's Wind Staff / Killah Hills 10304: 33:40
Investigative Reports: 37:54
Swordsman: 41:17
I Gotcha Back: 43:48
B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth): 47:27
💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
fun fact: GZA is a scientist. He’s educated in quantum physics and has given lectures at MIT and Harvard. Which explains why he’s always rapping about astrology.
He’s also a great chess player and gives lessons to grade school kids. 👐🏾
He was just here in Baltimore teaching and playing chess with children that are advanced in the game at their schools
@@dannytarver4533 Wu Tang is for the children. 👐🏾
I just noticed it looks like they’re standing on a chess board on the album cover.
@@robertmatthews9650 yep 👍🏾
And if you look deeper, all those things lead to satanism, the chess playing is masonic, have you ever heard him claim Jesus as God?
Gold is such an underrated track. The storytelling with that incredibly sinister beat
Same w Killa Hills those 2 tracks are my fave storytelling rap songs of all time
One of my favourite hooks to
The joy of watching this young kid hear what WE enjoyed when WE were young…that’s the best part of these videos
It’s really an amazing genre.
i agree. i felt all of this when i 1st heard this. the 90s was truly amazing 4 hip hop
Feel you on that. Even though, the influence of gangtsa/drug dealing rape was around. The Wu kept true HIP HOP form by using the music to influence positive chance for all..........
The intro is from the kung fu flick "Shogun Assassin". After Cuban Linx dropped, I thought the Wu had peaked. When this dropped a few months later, I was mind blown again! Great reaction to classic material!
It's not a Kung Fu flick. It's a sword fighting/samurai movie. Japanese people don't do Kung fu, they do karate....
This album is one of the best albums I ever heard, remember the first time listening to it.... It's like a movie.
Killa Priests first album "Heavy Mental" is beyond words. If you thought the Wu members were aliens then Priest is driving the goddamn spaceship 🤯🛸
💯
Killah Priest was a monster rapper! He had a couple of appearances on some Gravediggaz stuff too! Killed it on there aswell! Gravediggaz will give kids nightmares!!💯
He was supposed to have Masta Killa spot in Wu but he fell asleep writing his verse on Mystery of Chessboxing and then Masta came with one of the best verses on that whole album. Anyways, yeah Heavy Mental stayed in my rotation for almost 20 years straight.
@@seanyoung9014 true story, I saw an interview where he said "with that verse MK had to get that spot"! Salute homeboy.
Yeah highly recommend that album review.!!! Highly!!!!!!shits crazy….
Just a little note in case you never caught this. Rza used to drop lines that spelled out the word "peace". He did it on 4th Chamber when he said "Protons, Electrons Always Cause Explosions". He said others like "Positive Energy Always Correct Errors" and "Positive Energy Activates Constant Elevation". In 1995, it was mind-blowing, especially when he put it at the end of the verse, because he's essentially saying "peace" and he's out. Others spelled out Wu-Tang "We Usually Take All N***** Garments" and "Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game". Now imagine this is a time when you couldn't always find the lyrics online, so a lot of times you heard a bar over and over and then one day put together in your head that they were spelling out words. Truly next level. I used to think of them like cyborgs from the future.
This is fuckin sick bro
Supreme Alphabet is a staple of NY rap from this era. MF DOOM used it too “Power You” = p*ssy
GZA with more Supreme Alphabet on Livin in the World Today: “Father You(U) See(C) King”, the police = Fuck the Police
"Protons Electrons Always Cause Explosions" - 4th Chamber to end the verse
How have I never caught this. Thank you
We only increase till everything is peace Father U C King the police (Fuck the police)
Their lyrics are deep, in fact I interpret it completely differently now in my forties as I listen to it then I did when I was a teenager
Facts.....growing up Meth..👻..Rae was the members I love..re listened to this 2yrs back and GZA blew my head top🤯🤯
Real Shit
Me as well, first listened in high school, now I'm 34 and hearing this is has a whole nother interpretation.
When they came out, I was 10 years old. I didn't understand five percent of what they were saying, especially Rae & Ghost. As I aged and gained street experience, the lyrics just kept getting clearer and more amazing as my wisdom grew. That's why Wu is the all-time greatest to me.
@@enlightenme3673 To think though, they weren't that aged as well when you were 10. So just think of how high of a level these dudes was on at the time!
GZA and RZA elevated the whole rap culture with this album. They even surpassed anything created among themselves with the WU. This album put RZA on another level of producing.
When 36 Chambers dropped then Tical dropped then Return to Da 36 the Dirty Version then Cuban Linx then Liquid Swords then Ironman and then Wu Tang Forever it was the most magical ride. Young brother I appreciate you and your channel for showing love and respect to the great hip hop music that came out before your time. Most young people don’t do that. But man I wish you was there when these projects originally dropped and the impact that it had and the lasting impact that it has still had for the people that were there. It was truly a magical ride.
Yeah, you really had to be there to see how they took over.
This run of albums, you will never see again. The only other artist who did something like this was Stevie Wonder in the 1970's.
Yep. You add in BIG and Pac's music, some early Nas and Jay, Dr. Dre The Chronic, Snoops Doggystyle all the Boot Camp Click music, Redman first three solo joint, some early OutKast and Goodie Mob music and some Mobb Deep and that was an unbelievable era right there!!!!!!!
Ok only 93 to 96 era because Wu Tang Forever was wack even Rae said that was their ugly child and Rza production was not that as should be like before. That was the beginning of the end of Wu only Ghostface Supreme Clientele was hope that Wu is back on top but rest is still wack to this day.
@@dariuszkopec2567 Dude I would be embarrassed to make verifiably absurd claims like "Wu-tang Forever is wack" in public. You are absolutely part of what is a barely existent superminority of people who express a contrary or ridiculous opinion or they make absurd claims that do not in any way reflect reality. I'm guessing you watched the Raekwon interview with Vlad, and in that interview he didn't call Forever wack or trash. He said he was 50/50 on it being either a certified classic or just an average/forgettable effort by the Wu, and what played into his reasoning was the politics of who was chosen to be on what tracks. He felt as if some members were getting passed over in certain instances in favor of other members. But even if Raekwon said Forever IS 100% a wack or a trash final product, that wouldn't and shouldn't be a reason for YOU to feel it is wack.. and Raekwon holding that opinion is not proof that it is wack. Forever is THE highest selling Wu-tang project ever. People absolutely LOVE Forever. How many times platinum is it again? That love flies in the face of what you are claiming. Since Forever dropped in 1997 I haven't heard a single person dismiss Forever as being "wack" and not even worth being included with the Wu's prior works until I read your RUclips comment today ALSO flies in the face of your dubious claim. If you are going to make a ridiculous claim that NOBODY ELSE is making, I'm going to challenge you on it and I am going to ask you to provide proof. All indicators say you can't, and that its just a purely subjective allegation that relies on omission of the surrounding facts and information to make it seem more legitimate. Instead you brought in Raekwon's nuanced 50/50 opinion on whether Forever is a classic or not because he felt the politics were making the work suffer, as a way to bolster an unpopular position that nobody holds but you.
GZA is my favorite Wu-Tang rapper. I like his word play and his enunciation.
I always think about the music that was lost when RZA's basement flooded. The way they talk that was better than what we got. Deck's original 1st album was lost, wish I could've heard that.
Three major events in the planets history: world war 1, world war 2 and Rza’s flooded basement.
Was posed to be the best of all album it's a tragedy b
The world wasn't ready lol. It is gutting tho
The Ins album was to be called 'undisputed' what an album that wudda been...
Lots of tracks we never heard
Simply one of the greatest albums, of any genre, ever made. The definition of a perfect album.
The beauty of this and many album from the 90’s is that as you can listen 100 times and still pick up some new bar! I’ve listening to this album for nearly 30 years it still blows my mind
This album is perfectly lined up to the Wutang Saga series, GZA episode will be coming soon
I just got done watching the latest episode! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This was.. November of '95. I was in high school in New York and this album will forever to the soundtrack to that winter. I'm mixed raced and my love for all things Wu-Tang introduced me to a whole new group of friends from all races that helped changed my perspective on society and the world at large. I'm grateful for those years tough as they were, and for this album being the bridge that connected to me to different groups of people all just trying to get by, dealing with whatever circumstances they were dealt. This and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx are the definitive Wu-Tang albums, as much as I love Tical, sonically Liquid Swords and Cuban Linx are just Wu's sound perfected.
Easily in the top 5 greatest albums of all time! This came out in 1995 - I'm still listening to this and I hope they do a 30th anniversary edition of it! I listened to this in my car so much when it first came out that my son, who was always with me has this etched into his brain from hearing it from his car seat! He's an adult now and also knows this is one of the greatest albums ever! So iconic and is up there with Enter the Wu Tang....
That song Labels is one of the reasons he's the damn Genius! A whole song about and including all of the existing record labels at the time!
Same bro😊
I love Wu Tang and grew up with their music, but top 5 all time? Cuban Linx is better and imo so is 36 Chambers. This album is a classic but I'd rank it somewhere closer to #15-20 ... Cuban Linx top though (along with Infamous, Ready to Die, Marshall Mathers LP, All Eyez on Me).
Great Album... Not Top 5 all-time albums
@@topspot4834 ...Nas Illmatic
@@topspot4834all eyez on me is overrated af
Liquid Swords is a mandatory rap staple. Def in my top 5 albums of all time. Much respect to the review! You got to keep going with Wu Reviews. Next up, do a review on Cappadonna - The Pillage! 🔥
All the skits are from "Shogun Assassin" it was originally banned because of the violence but that was short. It is originally a series of 6 episodes called "Lone Wolf and Cub". The 1st 3 episodes were cut into the movie. If you like Samurai movies check them both. The Wu are the greatest.
Liquid Swords is nothing short of a masterpiece. Add it to the masterpieces from the collection of real emcees known as the Wu-Tang Clan. Kudos to King Ahmad and those that appreciate lyrical skill on the mic. Still have my copy on CD!
You’re about to change your favorite Wu member, once again, after this album 😂
For real 😭😂
They came to Birmingham Uk 🇬🇧 in ‘93 there was only about 100 of us there in a small venue and I was at the front..truly memorable 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
@@docgb5990 Shout out to the old school Brummies 👐🏾
@@silewis9396 yessss my brudda💯✌🏽🇬🇧
Meth will always be my favourite, Gfk, gza, inspectah deck close tho Raekwon, masta killa, odb rza at times follow U god n Capa still dope but don't compare to the others
RZA was a mad scientist on this project.
I came back just to say it is always refreshing to see young men growing up and listening to the exact same thing I was listening to at that age and feeling like it's like watching how I reacted
I swear Gza, Deck, and masta killa were the most slept on from Wu 🔥
i would love to see an album with them
@@paulwright2701 Big facts, me too.
Wu-Massacre Pt. 2 with Gza, Deck and Masta Killa would of been hot
I don't think Gza is slept on at all . Id replace him with U-God for most underrated with Deck& Masta
@@danielwilson9724anyone with common sense would but honestly I’d agree GZA is underrated kind of as well. If I brought him up to anyone they’d be like who???
When you listen to Supreme Clientele, you're going to grow another brain, insane album
A classic 💯🔥
A top five easily within the Wu or just Hip Hop in general
I remember I had the Shadow Boxin’/4th Chamber Cassette single back in mid 95’. I would play it over and over and listen to the shadow boxin instrumental ALL DAY! Still my favorite RZA beat for its simplicity & addicting bass.
I've been rockin Wu since 93 and I love that the next generation is getting into the Wu. Wu Tang forever!!!!
This album is definitely one of those in the soundtrack to my life! I was 13, rocking this album in 1995! One of the greatest albums of all time! Sonically, The Rza was locked in, all the way, on the production! Gza gave us a masterpiece with, Liquid Swords. 💯 Lyrics & beats are immaculate! Pure Hiphop! In its purest form! 👐🏾 #StudentOfTheWu
RZA was unstoppable around this time
The movie clips and samples on Duel of the Iron Mic and 4th Chamber are mostly from a movie called "Shogun Assassin"
It was a US dub of Lone Wolf & Cub that combined the first two movies into one film. Nowadays you can just see the whole series of six Lone Wolf & Cub films on their own in stuff like the Criterion collection, but I still consider the Shogun Assassin version iconic and was happy to find it on DVD back in the day.
This kinda deep cut martial arts movie stuff is how RZA and Quentin Tarantino got along so well to work together on Kill Bill.
It was actually based on an incredible 5000+ page manga series, by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima, which was also a really big influence on Frank Miller, the guy who created Sin City, 300, Batman: The Dark Knight etc. The art style and storytelling was way different than modern anime.
Related fact: The cover of Liquid Swords is by a comic book artist named Denys Cowan who helped found Milestone comics in the 90's, which was basically a black comic book label in the 90's, focusing on some cool black heroes like Static aka Static Shock.
👍
So glad to see you enjoy this so much. Liquid Swords is in my Top 5 albums of all time; it’s such a perfect work of art. I copped it on CD in 1999 and it changed my life. It warrants multiple listens to hear all of the subtleties, nuances and double (even triple) meanings. It still sounds like something that was found on an ancient scroll.
Liquid Swords my favorite Wu solo album. I respect people that say Cuban Linx or Supreme Clientele but Liquid Swords is my favorite.
Shit, I ain’t mad at you for picking Liquid Swords as your favorite. Those are my top 3 Wu solo albums. Sometimes its The Purple Tape at #1, sometimes its Liquid Swords, and sometimes it’s Supreme Clientele. But yea those are my top 3.
@@RAA10382 You have good taste. My top three as well. For me it's
Liquid Swords
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Supreme Clientele
Return to da 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
@@luciousthomas6141 ODB’s Return To The 36 Chambers and Ghostface Killah’s Ironman round up my top 5 along with the other three you and I mentioned.
1. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (Raekwon) or Liquid Swords (GZA). When one of these is # 1 the other is at # 2.
2. see above
3. Supreme Clientele (Ghostface Killah)
4. either Ironman (Ghostface Killah) or Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (ODB)
5. see above
6. Tical (Method Man)
7. The Pillage (Cappadonna)
8. Bobby Digital In Stereo (RZA)
9. No Said Date (Masta Killa)
10. Fishscale (Ghostface Killah) or Only Built 4 Cuban Linx part 2 (Raekwon).
@@RAA10382 I know Supreme Clientele is more critically acclaimed than Ironman but I feel Ironman has more reply value.
I enjoyed Supreme Clientele first time listen but I find myself coming back to 12 songs out of 17 from Ironman while in Supreme Clientele I come back to 9 songs out of 20 songs that I revisit
Absolutely warms my heart to see a young man loving and appreciating this music. I've been the biggest Wu fan since 92 and this album in particular is really close to my heart. My fondest memories as a kid were having weeks of anticipation for the next Wu project and then cutting school with my boys, going back to one of our cribs and spending the day taking in these masterpieces that were pioneering hip hop every time. I was 13 when this album dropped and it changed my friggin life. Cold World and 4th Chamber are my faves on this one.
Peace and love, Ahmad! You give me hope that this generation isn't all dickheads.
Just got to go see the Gza Genius with Rome Streetz opening in Baltimore on Friday. It was insane.
Damn. I didn’t know they were going to be here. Rome is killing it right now. GZA is a legend. Was it at SoundStage?
@@Jawwaad1111 Yes it was. Packed tight in there. It was great. Rome Wasn't Built in a Day album is Flames.
@@1978pq Yoooooo That album is straight fire. I think my favorite song is with him and Method Man. Glad you enjoyed yourself fam.
@@Jawwaad1111 Thanks. Be well.
@@1978pq You too fam
That last track B.i.B.L.E. is actually on Killer Priests solo album "Heavy Mental". . another good one to review.
IMO Liquid Swords is the best hip-hop album of all time. Been listening to it for almost a quarter-century and it STILL bangs; I still hear little knowledge darts I hadn't picked up on before. Gza is just the one.
Can't blame you for placing it in that category. It's why I felt insulted when 50 cent tried to diss GZA. The audacity of an inferior MC coming at him like that 😂. I still blast this out of my truck.
Glad you feeling better I hope you continue to get better. This album is constantly in the top 3 of ALL WU-Tang albums. I always listened to it as a season piece (Liquid Swords is the winter album) Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is the summer album. ☺.
Thanks for posting. Always quality from this channel.
I literally just seen GZA live on 3/11 performing Liquid Swords with a live band, was there wit my pops shit was dope af 🙌🙌
Fuckin sick!!
Damn where?
That’s the way it was back them. Lyrics was held at a standard so that’s why you hear so many intelligent rappers from this era. Kendrick Lamar & J Cole would’ve fit in just fine in the baggy Jean era. Keep up the good work with your channel ✌🏾.
This is a great album for bars and depth of lyrics. 3 other great tunes to listen to are
GZA - Animal planet
BIG L & HURB MCGRUFF - 560. This is some rugged newyork rap.
D.I.T.C - Big L, Lord Finese, 2 of the greatest lyricists to ever come out of newyork
Do not forget O.C , probably the most complete rapper outta DITC
@@barros2944 I love O.Cs jewelz album
So great to see you review this epic album! Next Wu project should be
Ghostface-Supreme Clientelle
You should do A Tribe called midnight marauders as well
Agreed on Supreme Clientele.
Supreme Clientele was was crazy!
Mr Grieco in The Killah Hills/hells wind staff skit, is S N Fernando. He is a hip hop historian who last year wrote From the Streets of Shaolin. It's an entire book about Wu Tang Clan. It's so informative and has chapters on all the landmark group and solo albums, like intentions of songs, and every samples used. I'd think you'd really enjoy it because it's fun reading it while relistening to all the albums. Love the content keep up the good work.
Was gonna post this if no-one else had. Great book, well worth a purchase! His story about getting roped into doing the part of Mr Greico is funny as hell
Greetings, I am from Peru, but I am proud to have grown up listening to wu tang clan, my father was a big fan of wu tang clan, the first time I heard wu tang clan was when I was 5 years old and from there I understood that wu tang clan they were lyrical murderers
Killah Priest was supposed to be an original Wu member but he was sleeping in the studio when it was time to record Mystery of Chessboxin and Masta Killa was ready with a verse. The rest is history.
This is easily in the top 3 of any Wu solo project
I'm absolutely jealous that you get to hear this album for the very first time.
Yo Ahmad!
Just to let you know,
Method Man got a hip hop
quotable in "The Source" magazine back in the day for that 1st verse on "Shadowboxing"...
That was still an honor back in '95. Killah Priest had one as well a few yrs later. I can't remember what for...
Man I’m really stoked that younger cats are appreciating the 90s era hip hop I grew up with in high school. This is a legendary album. Not quite Cuban Lynx imo but man mid 90s wu had it locked
I'm SO fucking excited bro, I'm going to see Gza perform this album with a live band in Connecticut in April 💣🙋♂️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Classic!! The WU had the game on lock back then. Two months prior Cuban Linx came out and a few months before that was return of the 36 chambers by ODB.
Goat status. I saw Gza perform LS in it’s entirety here in LA a couple years ago for $5. He stays doing shows
"I'm low key like sea shells"GZA🔥🔥🔥😂😂😂
Iconic. GZA is part of Mensa and he is a professor. A true genius
RZA was definitely a 99 overall back then.
Beeeen waiting for this epic classic reaction. Keep killing it King!
This was always my favorite of that first round of solos from the Clan, it just has that vibe, and "Cold World" is one of the illest tracks of all time. Glad to be back with ya, since the Pink Floyd days you've been rocking it right, all love man.
Scored this on vinyl earlier this year. Greatest hip-hop record of all time.
Peace King. Peace to the Family. This is a top 5 production album by Rza💯🔥🔥🔥🔥
Another great emcee with great vocabulary lyrics is Pharoahe Monch, I recommend listening to his first solo album "Internal Affairs", you'll love that too
A monster
Internal Affairs is great but his performance on Stress Extinction Agenda is monstrous I believe.
Underrated Hip Hop gem!! That Godzilla beat one of my favorite ever
@@danielwilson9724 True indeed!
I just watched GZA whip my boy's ass in a chess match. 🤣🤣🤣
Yo, Ahmad!
The ending bar for Rza’s verse on 4th Chamber…
P.rotons
E.lectrons
A.lways
C.ause
E.xplosions
Dope ass way to end a verse.
4th Chamber (Choose the Sword) is in my top ten favorite hip hop songs of all time. That beat is SINISTER. I’m so glad I listened to this stuff as a kid back then. Wild stuff even for the time
Liquid swords is a masterpiece 🔥
That's D'angelo on the hook of cold world......one of the best r&b dudes ever
D'angelo was on the cold world remix. Life was on the original
When I heard Liquid Swords for the first time it was so good that I replayed the entire CD immediately after it was finished. I have never done that for any album before until I heard this album. This album put me in a trance I love this album!
still sounds as fresh now and to have killah priest on b.i.b.l.e one of the greatest hip hop songs ever 🐝🐝🐝🐝
On 4th chamber Rza's closing line...Protons Electrons Always Cause Explosions = PEACE
great review of a certified hip hop classic. whenever i watch these, you always take me back to when i first bought and heard these albums in the '90s. your description of rza's production on this project as "cold, dark" is perfect. rza can definitely make the case for being hip hop's greatest producer, because he truly oversaw/executive produced these classic wu projects from top to bottom. wasn't no emailing beat-packs back then. the wu cooked up everything in the studio together. loved your reactions, especially, to both duel of the iron mic and gold, two of my fav songs on the album. masta killa definitely bodied his duel of the iron mic verse. gza's pen throughout this album was exceptional. not a wasted word can be found on this album. the concept for "labels" and the storytelling on "killah hills 10304" is absolutely elite. emcees, ever since that era, have rarely, if ever, put words that are that vivid together. overall, this album still stands the test of time. it's undoubtedly a 5/5 mic album. i have it third, behind supreme clientele and only built for cuban linx, respectively, as my fav wu project.
For me, not just the greatest wu album but the greatest album of all time. Period.
Was doing the dishes today while watching this reaction to one of my favourite albums of all time and rapping along with the wu on every song.
Greetings from Germany 👐
Salute 🤞🏾❤️
Killah Priest is an absolute revelation you need to go check his discography. He has a TON of material but let me recommend you: his debut album Heavy Mental, Psychic World of Walter Reed (double disc with NO filler), and 3rd Eye in Technicolor. If you like these, you can dive into his other stuff.
My 2nd favorite album ever. A real masterpiece that will always stand the test of time. This album has a lot of time specific references....mainly of the 80s/90s so if you aren't familiar with that period and some of the events that occurred during that time It might help to read up on the lyrics to understand the history of this album. Protons Electrons Always Cause Explosions.....PEACE!
If you liked how he put all the record labels into that track you should check out his song Fame where he does the same but weaves a story out of celebrity names.
The opening clip is from "Shogun Assassin" (really good movie)....that clip is also in the movie "Kill Bill Pt. 2" (it shows up towards the end once she catches up with Bill, right before their talk and showdown).
If I’m not mistaken, The intro is from the movie shogun assassin 1980.
That Killah Priest joint had everyone looking for his music when that BIBLE hit. He had a huge spark then.
This is a GOAT album imo.
Do Soul Assassin Chapter One soon bro the beats on par with this one. Gza on it too lol
Gza “beneath the surface”
PLEASE DO AN ALBUM REACTION FOR THIS ONE..
To me, this is the best album RZA produced.
it's ABOUT TIME!!!! salute this album is one of the greatest rap albums EVER.... I used to turn if the lights out on my headphones and zone out listening to this album
I respect a dude as young as you appreciating great music of the past...truly dope to sub to ur channel king...great content and context
This is my fav. Rap album all time! Glad to see you reviewing it!🍻
Enjoyed this, and appreciate you not having an issue admitting some things were over your head and need another listen. 20+ years of having this album in my rotation and I'm still just discovering what certain lines mean lol. GZA definitely one of my top 5 all time lyricist.
Killa Priest's Heavy Mental is Bannas! Dope album to check out. So much knowledge💯
I listened to this CD so much I believe it began to melt so I bought it again.....again. 1995 was that year!
Killah Hills 10304
"Chaos outside Sparks Steak House"
John Gotti oversaw the assassination of boss Paul Castellano at Sparks Steak House in December 1985. I like how he threw that line in.
Shyheim the lost generation is a GREAT ALBUM from top to finish it’s on this level trust me king
The movie sampled for this album is Shogun Assassin and it goes HARD.
gotta watch that one of theese days
The labels song , he spit the name of every label in the bars bro
I had the tape as a kid and Bible wasn't included as it was a cd exclusive track. Heard it years later and blew my mind! Ya gotta check out Killah priests debut heavy mental, nuttin but jewels on there! Peace fam.
They did that on mobb deep album also no up north trip on the tape. Was on the cd. 😂
@@richlong4119 oh ya that's right I remember that! I had the infamous tape for years then I got the cd version and was surprised it was on there. I actually heard it first on the dont be a menace soundtrack, thought it was an exclusive track!
The opposite was the case for nas it was written cassette. It had silent murder on the tape but not cd! I love bonus tracks! 🤣
Agreed on Heavy Mental. That album is gonna take the young God to whole nother stratosphere.
@@RAA10382 no doubt, I still pick up new things with it every listen, that's how deep it is.
The clips are from the movie Shogun Assassin aka Lone Wolf and Cub. I dug watching your reaction to listening to this for the first time. I vividly remember picking this cassette up the day it was released. It blew my mind!
When that album came out it stayed in my tape deck 😳for about a month straight….in my car it was all I listened to during that time….🖤WuTang 4ever kid!🥶
Had this poster and the 36 Chambers poster on my wall in college. Never liked the album as much as some other cats, but it is solid and rounded out RZA's arsenal as it was geared towards GZA perfectly.
Do an album review if RAS KASS RASSANATION OR SOUL ON ICE
Unpopular opinion.. “beneath the surface” is better than Liquid Swords 🤷🏻♂️