GZA: still choppin’

GZA takes aim (Credit: Jeff Hahne)

Their legendary debut “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers),” made it crystal clear that “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin’ ta F’ Wit.” Almost 15 years later, the refrain remains the same.

Original Wu-banger GZA was onstage in the U.K. late last year when he went after fellow N.Y.C. rapper 50 Cent. While the crowd egged him on, he called 50 out as someone with “a lot of money and no talent.” During the nearly five-minute rant, Soulja Boy’s name also came up, and the Genius didn’t hesitate to take a couple of swings at the man behind “Crank That.” But ultimately, GZA took it easy on the new star, admitting he's “young, my son’s age.” But ultimately, he didn't back down from his initial claim: lyrically, neither Soulja Boy or 50 Cent can hold a candle to GZA.

All beef aside, GZA has earned the right to call out whomever he wants in hip-hop. With a certified five-mic classic solo album—1995's resilient “Liquid Swords,” which he'll perform front to back on his current tour—and more quotable verses than whole gangs of rappers combined, we can’t even get mad at ol’ boy for keeping it real with his more commercial contemporaries. Besides, which of the three would you pay to see in concert? If you didn’t answer “GZA, of course,” your hip-hop pass has officially been revoked. Those remaining are sure to be squashed into the El Rey with the rest of the Wu-Tang Nation, descending on the Miracle Mile like swarms of rap-hungry killer bees.

In the inimitable words of the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard (R.I.P.), “Wu-Tang is for the children!”

Scott T. Sterling is Music editor for Metromix Los Angeles.