Playlouder - Music is the Network

GZA aka The Genius

Plus support from Skinnyman & Cool Ninja Sound feat. Buggsy + Mr Bangon

GLASGOW ABC 12/11/08 (7-11pm) – plus Freakmenoovers  www.tickets-scotland.com

LONDON Electric Ballroom 13/11/08 (7-11pm)– plus Stig and Syntax  www.wegottickets.com

BRISTOL Academy 14/11/08 (6.45-10pm) – plus K.ners www.seetickets.com

This November sees a string shows from the Wu-tang Clan's founder member GZA the Genius across the UK, celebrating the Launch of his new album 'Pro Tools'. With Dates in Glasgow, London and Bristol, fans can expect some new material in these shows (no shortage of Fifty-cent-hating!) as well as the best of his previous records and some classic Wu tracks but the focus will be on the GZA's seminal album Liquid Swords, the acclaimed '95 release.

The GZA needs no introduction. It's as simple as that. Go back to the original Wu-Tang album, 'Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers', and you still get the best definition out there in the form of "Self explanatory". Anyway, to not know the GZA is to not know the story of the greatest hip-hop group the world has ever seen, in both musical and cultural credentials.

Seen by many as the intellectual and philosophical heart of the Clan The GZA formed the group with The RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard after becoming massively disillusioned with the industry and with a resolve to do things their own way. He has smashed it ever since through Wu-tang group work and solo albums from Liquid Swords through 'Beneath the Surface' to 'Legend of the Liquid Sword' and 'Grandmasters' (with DJ muggs). Gza is a true Hiphop intellectual without being unnecessarily highbrow and a masterful ghetto storyteller without being ignorant. He spits thought provoking, street-bred raw lyricism, he's the Wu-Tang Clan's fountain of wisdom. (And that's no small thing, when you consider the latest venture from the Wu camp, Rza's Wuchess.com, a Wu-tang Clan-themed-chess site where you can practice your strategy skills, play other fans and maybe even go up against a Clan mamber!) And of course he's the genius behind such great movie soundtracks as Ghost Dog.

This is an opportunity not to be missed then, these shows are guaranteed to highlight the best bits from an illustrious career that has spanned almost two decades, incorporated all elements of Hip-Hop culture and generally pioneered it all along the way. And with some of the best UK acts around as support, November is starting to look a lot hotter!

Supports:

After immense success in the London MC battles in the 90's Skinny Man went on to form the seminal Mud Fam with Chester P and Mongo, one of the best UK crews around, with underground hits such as 'Itchy Town' and 'Slash Suttin'. After a brief stint in the nicker for 'distribution of marijouana' his debut album, 'Council Estate of Mind' was received well by fans and critics alike, becoming the highest new entry in the UK album charts. 

Buggsy has been creating a storm in his home town of Bristol ever since he won the inter-schools poetry slam, and via countless group work he has matured into a conscious, fast-spitting rhymer making it on his own.

Mr Bang On is a mere 18 years old but he has already made a huge name for himself having had his debut mix-tape mounted on the front of the prestigious Hip-Hop Connection magazine. 

Some DJs can mix, some can scratch, some can rock a party and some can do it all. And the Freak Menoovers (Dema and Nice) are two such DJs. Their monthly night at the world Famous Glasgow School of Art was voted 3^rd best Hip-Hop night in the UK by readers of Hip-Hop connection, and they do a wicked 4-deck juggling set. Nuff said.

Bringing a much needed comedy approach to their music, while still being able to maintain their serious sides, Stig and Syntax are a world away from your average stern faced collective. Without a single reference to their designer clothes, street life or thuggery, instead choosing to opt for both intelligent observational and self-depreciating humour, this odd couple are more than content with not fitting in.

"Were pioneers. The way were going about it is the way everyone else is gonna go." So says Cristal City's heat-seeking MC K.Ners. The 26-year-old Bristolian, who hit Channel U and 1Xtra rotation with street hit Hectic, isn't joking. Because as well as throwing up great tunes with his rock-kid-turned-beatmaster producer One Mike, K.Ners is part of Cristal City. And Cristal City - a collective of Bristol rappers, producers, video-makers and designers which counts Massive Attacks 3D as an honorary member - is running things in a totally new way."