GZA/GENIUS @ SOUND ACADEMY, January 25th, 2010

Here's one for the scrapbook, kiddies. This was my 3rd time seeing the GZA wreck up my hometown, and hoo boy was he just as flamboyant as ever. The man is pushing 40 and still has more vocal power than a good 90% of those in the game, including the young guys. If you ever get a chance to see the Wu, make sure The GZA is on label. He even brought Ol Dirty Bastard's kid out for a cameo!

New Wu: Inspectah Deck - The Champion

It's not too often that we get a music video for a not-even-three-minute lyrical medley, and based on the high-quality hooking instrumental, and one-two punch verse slaughter, I don't really know why. Rebel INS has always been a bit of a less-prominent member of the Clan, which never really was explicable to me, given his contributions to Enter the Wu: 36 Chambers. Whatever is said, he is one of my favorite Wu members, and this hard-hitting track (in 2010 no less! Could it be that hip-hop is back from the dead?) is a perfect introduction to a summer of more of that dirt.

Deck's 4th LP, The Manifesto is due out next Tuesday. Don't sleep on this one, rap fans.