Stub Stories #4

GZA

Last night Chris Toms and I went to see GZA perform his classic first album Liquid Swords and the El Rey Theatre. For those of you not familiar with GZA he is a member of the hip hop collective called Wu Tang Clan. Liquid Swords was GZA's debut solo album released in 1995. It is considered one of the best albums to come out of the Wu Tang Clan. 

The show was sold out. The first act got little respect from the audience. I felt bad for the skinny white kid from the Bay area. The second act, Blue Scholars from Seattle, connected more with the crowd and put on an enjoyable show. Then the wait started. It took around an hour after Blue Scholars finished before GZA came on. The crowd grew more and more restless with each strange song choice played over the PA during the break. Wu Tang chants sporadically broke out. As the break grew longer boo's greeted each new song that was played over the PA. 

GZA finally started the show and the place went nuts and the El Rey filled with the smoke of blunts. I mean, as soon as the lights went down and the music started a large cloud of pot smoke rose from the crowd. It has been a while since I had been to a hip hop show and I forgot how fun they can be. There is nothing better than the electricity of an hyped crowd. A few songs into the album Killah Priest took the stage in support of GZA. When "Shadowboxin'" started Method Man jumped on stage and the place went crazy. GZA did a tribute to Ol Dirty Bastard. I was really impressed with GZA's laid back stage presence. Nothing silly or over the top. Just doing his thing and doing it well. Wu Tang Forever.