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Information About

Liquid Swords




  Type Album
  Artist Genius/GZA
  Cover GZALiquidSwordsjpg
  Background Orange
  Released November 20 , 1995
  Recorded
  Genre Hip Hop
  Length 55:19
  Label Geffen
  Producer RZA
  Last Album '' Words From The Genius ''<br/>(1990)
  This Album '''''Liquid Swords'''''<br/>(1995)
  Next Album '' Beneath The Surface ''<br/>(1999)


''Liquid Swords'' was a 1995 (see 1995 In Music ) solo album by Wu-Tang Clan member Genius (GZA). Though the album was credited to Genius alone, there are numerous guest appearances from the entire Wu-Tang Clan. ''Liquid Swords'' is widely acknowledged as one of the best Wu-Tang solo albums, on par with classics like '' Supreme Clientele '' ( Ghostface Killah ) and '' Only Built 4 Cuban Linx '' ( Raekwon ).

''Liquid Swords'' is characteristic of the Wu-Tang Clan in its distinctive, spare, menacing beats by Producer RZA , and its cinematic themes relating to Martial Arts Film s. The album begins with a monologue from a little boy; his monologue, and many of the other skits scattered throughout the album, are from the cult film '' Shogun Assassin ''.

The track names listed on the back of the album cover are incorporated into a short paragraph, and are not in order. The liner notes list two tracks that don't appear on the album: "Swordsman" and "Hellz Wind Staff". Most fans believe that this wasn't a production error; rather the tracks were intentionally put there to confuse listeners. The 12th track, Unexplained, is often erroneously listed as Swordsman on websites and other sources.

The album is also known for its distinctive cover, designed by DC comic artist Klaus Jansen .


TRACK LISTING

All songs produced by RZA unless otherwise stated
#"Liquid Swords" - 4:30
  • Intro & chorus backing vocals: RZA

  • #"Duel of the Iron Mic" - 4:06


  • Intro: RZA

  • Chorus: GZA & Method Man

  • #"Gold" - 3:57

  • Intro: Method Man

  • #"Cold World" - 5:31

  • Chorus: Life

  • First verse: GZA

  • Second verse: Inspectah Deck

  • #"Labels" - 2:54

  • Intro: RZA

  • #"4th Chamber" - 4:37


  • Featuring: Method Man

  • #"Killah Hills 10304" - 5:08

#"Investigative Reports" - 3:49
  • Intro, outro & chorus: U-God

  • First verse: Raekwon

  • Second verse: GZA

  • Third verse: Ghostface Killah

  • #"Swordsman" - 3:21

#"I Gotcha' Back" - 5:01
  • Chorus backing vocals: RZA

  • #"B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)" - 4:32



PERSONNEL

  • Method Man - Performer

  • Mark A. Humphrey - Photography

  • GZA - Performer

  • U-God - Performer

  • Killah Priest - Performer

  • Dreddy Kruger - Performer

  • Ghostface Killah - Performer

  • RZA - Producer

  • ODB - Performer

  • Masta Killa - Performer



CHART POSITIONS

Billboard (North America) - album
1995 The Billboard 200 No. 9
1995 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 2
Billboard (North America) - singles
1994 I Gotcha Back Hot Rap Singles No. 29
1994 I Gotcha Back Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales No. 39
1995 Cold World The Billboard Hot 100 No. 97
1995 Liquid Swords Hot Rap Singles No. 3
1995 Liquid Swords Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks No. 33
1995 Liquid Swords Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales No. 2
1995 Liquid Swords The Billboard Hot 100 No. 48
1996 Shadowboxin' The Billboard Hot 100 No. 67
1996 Cold World Hot Rap Singles No. 8
1996 Shadowboxin' Hot Rap Singles No. 10
1996 Cold World Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks No. 57
1996 Shadowboxin' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks No. 41
1996 Cold World Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales No. 8
1996 Shadowboxin' Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales No. 9