Gary Grice, better known as GZA from the widely acclaimed rap group Wu-Tang Clan. GZA has been nicknamed “The Genius” since his early career days because of his love for quantum physics and the cosmos.
He’s not one to shy away from using his love of science as inspiration for his lyrics. He’s been referring to science in his lyrics as far back as Legend of The Liquid Sword which came out in 2002. GZA has been working on an album called Dark Matter for the past few years, which partially focuses on his love for all things science, primarily “about the creation of the universe, quantum physics, and the cosmos” (from Buzzfeed reporter Aylin Zafar). He’s not just using his music to express his intrigue of science but has given lectures at universities such as New York University and Harvard.
In the early 2010s, GZA sat down with Rolling Stone and shared what he talked about during his lecture circuit.
“It’s just about music, Wu-Tang, whatever they ask,” he told the Rolling Stone. “Lately, they had a little outline about what they wanted to hear me speak about: the globalization of hip-hop, lyrics, Wu-Tang’s early years, my affiliation with Wu. Everything is hip-hop, it’s all about hip-hop, but there are some specific things they wanted me to touch on.”
Not only has he given lectures, but he’s done a few collaborations with many scientists. He’s worked with people from M.I.T. Marine Biologist Penny Chidholn and Harvard Quantum Physicist David Kaiser, to contemporary scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson and Dr. Chris Emdin, a Columbia University professor. Tyson and GZA have collaborated more than once on Tyson’s radio show Star Talk, and have consulted together for his Dark Matter album. While he gave lectures at colleges, he also worked with the youth to help guide a way to enjoy science.
Dr. Christopher Emdin is an associate professor at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology. GZA and Dr. Emdin worked together to create an outreach program called Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S. This program brought together 10 students from New York City public schools where they were to create science-based raps, and then participate in rap battles leading to an ultimate showdown with GZA as a finalists judge. Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S are “focused on utilizing the power of hip-hop music and culture to introduce youth to the wonder and beauty of science,” GZA. Nerdist blogger Dave Trumbore wrote.
“Everything he learns from experts in the field then gets filtered through his unique method of interpretation before it’s expressed musically in the way only GZA can do it,” Trumbore wrote.
There is no recent news about whether there is a release date for “Dark Matter,” but fans are waiting in anticipation for when the album about astronomy and quantum physics makes its debut. GZA’s last released single was titled “The Spark,” and it came out in 2016. You can keep up with GZA via his social media platforms on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.