Words From The Genius
GZA (Profile)

Album Details

Artist

GZA

Release Date

February 19, 1991

Label

Cold Chillin’

Words from the Genius is the debut studio album by the American rapper GZA, under his previous stage name “The Genius”. This album is significant as one of the few albums released by a Wu-Tang Clan member before the founding of the group in late 1992. This album is only one of two (pre-Wu-Tang Clan) releases any of the members recorded with a major label. The other is Ooh I Love You Rakeem EP by Prince Rakeem (a.k.a. RZA).

The album was released by Cold Chillin’ Records, a well-known hip-hop label in the 1980s. However, the label didn’t promote this album, leading GZA to express his dissatisfaction with the label on his verse on Wu-Tang Clan’s first single “Protect Ya Neck”. Despite the lack of promotion, GZA remained proud of the album, stating that while the beats weren’t all that, lyrically, the album was impressive.

The album was re-released in 1994, with the song “Come Do Me” replaced by “Pass the Bone”. Both versions are now out of print. The album received mixed reviews, with some critics appreciating the anti-violence message in “Stop the Nonsense”, the braggadocious tone in “Feel the Pain”, and the production of “What Are Silly Girls Made Of”.

Words from the Genius is considered one of the first poetically lyrical hardcore boom bap Hip-Hop albums ever. The delivery is amazing and GZA’s lyrics are pretty dope! This album is a testament to GZA’s lyrical prowess and is a glimpse into the early stages of what would become the Wu-Tang Clan.

Track Listing

Words From The Genius
Original Release
  1. Come Do Me
  2. Phony As Ya Wanna Be
  3. True Fresh M.C.
  4. The Genius Is Slammin’
  5. Words From A Genius
  6. Who’s Your Rhymin’ Hero
  7. Feel The Pain
  8. Those Were The Days
  9. Life Of A Drug Dealer
  10. Stop The Nonsense
  11. Living Foul
  12. Drama
  13. Stay Out Of Bars
  14. What Are Silly Girls Made Of
  15. Superfreak

Total length: [Verifying]

Re-Release (1994)
  1. Pass The Bone (featuring Prince Rakeem)
  2. Life Of A Drug Dealer
  3. The Genius Is Slammin’
  4. Those Were The Days
  5. What Silly Girls Are Made Of
  6. Living Foul
  7. Words From The Genius
  8. Who’s Your Rhymin’ Hero
  9. Phony As You Wanna Be
  10. Stop The Nonsense
  11. Superfreak
  12. Stay Out Of Bars

Total length: [Verifying]

Re-Release (2006)
  1. Come Do Me
  2. Phony As Ya Wanna Be
  3. True Fresh M.C.
  4. The Genius Is Slammin’
  5. Words From The Genius
  6. Who’s Your Rhymin’ Hero
  7. Feel The Pain
  8. Those Were The Days
  9. Life Of A Drug Dealer
  10. Stop The Nonsense
  11. Living Foul
  12. Drama
  13. Stay Out The Bars
  14. What Are Silly Girls Made Of
  15. Superfreak
  16. Pass The Bone (featuring Prince Rakeem)
  17. Words From The Genius [Prince Rakeem Remix]
  18. Come Do Me [Dub Remix]

Total length: [Verifying]

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