Search - Gza/Genius :: Beneath the Surface

Beneath the Surface
Gza/Genius
Beneath the Surface
Genres: Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop
 
While the Genius continues to slice through resistant mentals with his liquid sword rhyme schemes, his sophomore album is the first clear sign that Wu-Tang's pre-eminence may be waning. Without Bobby Digital working the tr...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Gza/Genius
Title: Beneath the Surface
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Fontana Mca
Original Release Date: 6/29/1999
Release Date: 6/29/1999
Genres: Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop
Styles: East Coast, Gangsta & Hardcore, Pop Rap
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 008811196929, 0008811196929, 008811196929

Synopsis

Amazon.com
While the Genius continues to slice through resistant mentals with his liquid sword rhyme schemes, his sophomore album is the first clear sign that Wu-Tang's pre-eminence may be waning. Without Bobby Digital working the track wizardry, Beneath the Surface is an odd amalgamation of RZA-wannabe tracks (courtesy of the Arabian Prince and Mathematics) that are starting to sound more and more like Swizz Beats every day. Gza's rhyme assaults still pack a wallop, but his album shows wear at the seams, bulging with impossibly high ambitions and uneven execution. Songs like "Breaker, Breaker," "Publicity," and "Hip Hop Fury" still burn hotter than Sahara summers, but it's not enough to help the entire LP catch fire. --Oliver Wang

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CD Reviews

GZA - Beneath The Surface
Wu-Tang_Assassin | California | 12/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"After taking a 4 year break, after releasing his by far classic album "Liquid Swords" he comes back in 1999 with this "Beneath The Surface" album. Now a lot of people had negative opinions aimed at this album. I know why. Because of the lack of "RZA" production. I totally agree, only one track "1112" was produced by RZA. He was busy with other sh** at the time and couldnt get in any more beats. But GZA released it and it was good. The production had other producers and they did a great job. Let me break down my opinions on this album.



Lyrics, GZA did definately not lose his touch. 2 years after "Liquid Swords" the album "Wu-Tang Forever" came out in 1997 and he dropped mad knowledge so he still had it cracken. Well this album has great lyrics. GZA still speaks on those real life topics. Every single verse GZA spits is knowledge, lyrically he didnt add up like he did on Liqiud Swords. He was better lyrically on that album, but he sort of matured and kept the lyrics more real. I did think that he could have replaced "TRACKS" instead of those stupid skits that werent needed at all.But GZA definately kept it real lyrically on this album so if you were wondering that, he did.



Production wise, people hate the fact that RZA didnt produce anything except one track on the whole album. Well it sucks, but didnt bother me much because every beat on the album was real. Definately not as grimey like the Liquid Swords album but they were still good. Still had Wu-Affiliated producers knockin off the beats for him. If you like the whole "Wu-Tang" sound of production then this album is for you there. One of the beats I love is "High Price, Small Reward", that beat was f*cken insane! So check it, no RZA production, but still good!



Overall, this album deserves 5/5 stars, just for the fact that GZA didnt weaken lyrically, and the production was still done by "Wu-Tang Affiliated" producers! Every song is good, hands down. Get this.



***SUPPORT GZA AND REAL HIPHOP AND BUY THIS***



My Top 5 Songs

1.High Price, Small Reward

2.Hip Hop Fury

3.Publicity

4.Feel Like An Enemy

5.Victim"
I like it better than Grandmasters
Smokey | Brownsville | 08/24/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'll say that for it, and the one after this but no one likes that one. 3 1/2 stars"