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GZA’s ‘Liquid Swords’ LP Goes Platinum 20 Years After Its Release

blame it on JES7 October 11, 2015
gza-liquid-swords-platinum

GZA‘s magnum opus is weeks away from turning 20 years old.

The Genius’ sophomore album, Liquid Swords was released on Nov. 7th, 1995 – a year considered by many heads to be the golden year (or the second golden year, depending on who you ask). In particular, it was a milestone for the Wu-Tang clan, with two other albums from the camp released that year (ODB’s Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version) and Rae’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…).

Considered to be one, if not the most lyrical and thought provoking albums to be released from the Wu troop, Liquid Swords combined lessons from martial arts and chess together, painting vidid imagery of esoteric thoughts and coupled with battle-ready rhymes from the clansman wordsmith. It’s an album that, in hindsight, should have garnered the coveted 5 mics from The Source – although ultimately settling for four.

Needless to say, besides turning 20 years old next month, the album has reached another landmark. As of September 15th, Liquid Swords has finally amassed sales of more than a million records, pushing it into platinum territory. It is also one of seven albums to claim the coveted platinum plaque (other platinum Wu albums include: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Wu-Tang Forever, The W, Tical, Tical 2000: Judgement Day and Ironman).

Congrats to the RZA, GZA and the entire Wu-Tang clan for another victory in Hip-Hop history. Now, if we can just push Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… into familiar waters…