On November 7, 1995, Gary Grice—known globally as GZA, aka The Genius—released Liquid Swords, an album that would come to define the golden era of hip-hop.
Thirty years later, that legacy continues on GZA’s Liquid Swords 30th Anniversary Tour, which brought him to Building 64 in North Charleston, SC on Friday, January 9th for a special performance celebrating one of the most revered albums in rap history.
Liquid Swords was GZA’s second solo album, following Words from a Genius in 1991. Long before Wu-Tang Clan became a cultural movement, GZA was the first member of the group to secure a record deal, establishing himself early as the intellectual foundation of the collective. When Wu-Tang released Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) in 1993, GZA’s influence was already undeniable.
Entirely produced by fellow Wu-Tang member RZA, Liquid Swords emerged from Park Hill, Staten Island, blending gritty street realism with martial-arts philosophy and sharp, deliberate lyricism. Upon release, the album rose to number nine on the Billboard 200—an impressive achievement at a time when the number one album in the country was Daydream by Mariah Carey.
The album’s title was inspired by the 1993 Hong Kong martial arts film Legend of the Liquid Sword, a comedy-action movie whose themes mirrored the cinematic samples and sword-sharp metaphors woven throughout the record. Those kung-fu influences, combined with philosophical depth and raw New York energy, helped cement Liquid Swords as a cornerstone of 1990s hip-hop and one of the most studied rap albums of all time.
Building 64 proved to be an electric setting for the anniversary show. The audience reflected the album’s lasting reach, with a diverse, multi-generational crowd—from kids as young as 12 to middle-aged fans who lived through the album’s original run. That mix alone spoke volumes about the timelessness of GZA’s work.
The night opened with a group set featuring locals MoonKatDaddi, Chemi$t and MiKE L!VE, subtly weaving go-go influences into their sound. Each artist took turns rapping, and their collaborative energy set a soulful, groove-driven tone for the evening.
Charleston reggae outfit The Dubplates followed, bringing high energy and movement that kept the crowd engaged and primed for the performances ahead.
Baltimore’s Nature Boi shifted the sound with a grimey and gravitational delivery. His set had the crowd chanting along to “Red Corvette,” feeding off of his raw raps. Next was Nu, another Charleston local who performed two songs.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came when Landon Wordswell stood on a chair the middle of the crowd, turning the space into a spontaneous stage and blurring the line between performer and audience.
Throughout the evening, DJ Illadell held the night together, expertly spinning early golden-era hip-hop between sets and keeping the energy consistent.
By the time GZA arrived on stage at 11:30 p.m., the lights dropped and the live band Phunky Nomads began to play. The room erupted. Fans threw up Wu-Tang “W’s” as anticipation reached its peak, fully aware they were witnessing a living chapter of hip-hop history.
With calm authority and razor-sharp precision, GZA delivered his verses, proving that Liquid Swords has sharpened with age. Three decades later, its themes, sound, and influence remain as potent as ever.
GZA at Building 64 – 01/09/2026 (Photos by steve Aycock)
This gallery by Steve Aycock (@steveaycockphoto).
