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Which is the better solo Wu-Tang album: Cuban Linx or Liquid Swords?

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I've been listening to both albums lately, and FWIW, I believe Liquid Swords curbstomps Cuban Linx. It has a sound that very few rap artists have been able to really mimic or even come close to. Certainly, LS's contemporary, Cannibal Ox's The Cold Vein, is the only one that comes close to matching the grimy, gritty, almost dystopian view of NYC the Genius paints within his lyrics and sparse production.

So, Hiphop-GAF, which do you prefer?
 

Rell

Member
I never liked Liquid Swords. GZA's style and lyrics never really clicked with me.

I don't know why. It's been a couple of years since I even listened to the album, I know it's typically regarded as one of the best of the best Wu-Tang releases. Maybe I'll have to give it a shot again.

I listened to Cuban Linx on the drive to work this morning.
 

Eos

Member
Liquid Swords

The perfect package. GZA's masterful lyrical ability combined with some of RZA's best production ever was just great. The features were also very good.
 
Liquid Swords is..

Nah, as much as I love Cuban Linx, it's easily Liquid Swords.

Only solo Ghost comes close.
Ghost is my favorite but Liquid Swords is God status
 

norm9

Member
My two favorite Wu albums. Obviously Liquid Swords. Its the more complete concept album of the two, without knocking Cuban Linx which is just slightly below it.

Blows my mind they came out the same year.
 

Ninja Dom

Member
Cuban Linx.

A longer album with a few more stand out tracks. And Glaciers of Ice is one of the best hip-hop tracks of the 90's.

Liquid Swords is still God-tier though. RZA, GZA, Rae & Ghost excelled themselves in 94 when they recorded these.
 

Bowdz

Member
Liquid Swords by far (and OB4CL was fucking incredible).

Best hip hop album of all time IMO. It was the pinnacle of RZA's depression in his basement and you can't tell by his godlike production. It is one of the darkest, grimiest albums of all time with GZA and every member one point with their lyricism.

Speaking as someone who was a toddler when Wu Tang Clan was at their apex, it really is bonkers just how much high quality material came out of them. Those first years must have been insane to be a fan. 36 Chambers, Tical, Return to the 36 Chambers, OB4CL, Liquid Swords, Ironman, and Forever all within a 4 year span. Absolutely insane.
 
Liquid Swords

Liquid_Swords_grande.jpeg

I mean that album cover has to be in the top 20 best album covers ever
 

Bowdz

Member
Everything Inspectah Deck does

I'll forever dream of a world in which RZA's basement didn't flood and we got his original tracks for the initial Deck release. I've always LOVED Deck's flow the best, but he always seems to have shitty production on his solo ventures.
 

HUELEN10

Member
Wait, Liquid Swords is a Wu-Tang clang thing!?!?!?!?

I thought it was done by someone called GZA. I say this, and I think 4th Chamber is one of the best songs in the genre.

I... I feel like such a casual right now. I feel embarrassed.

To answer the question, despite my prior ignorance, I have to go with Liquid Swords for 4th Chamber alone.
 

Bowdz

Member
Wait, Liquid Swords is a Wu-Tang clang thing!?!?!?!?

I thought it was done by someone called GZA. I say this, and I think 4th Chamber is one of the best songs in the genre.

I... I feel like such a casual right now. I feel embarrassed.

To answer the question, despite my prior ignorance, I have to go with Liquid Swords for 4th Chamber alone.

Indeed. The pinnacle of hip hop as far as I'm concerned.
 

Champagne

Banned
Wait, Liquid Swords is a Wu-Tang clang thing!?!?!?!?

I thought it was done by someone called GZA. I say this, and I think 4th Chamber is one of the best songs in the genre.

I... I feel like such a casual right now. I feel embarrassed.

To answer the question, despite my prior ignorance, I have to go with Liquid Swords for 4th Chamber alone.
GZA is a part of Wu-Tang mate.
 

Soodanim

Gold Member
I've always preferred the GZA side of Wu to Ghost and Rae, so my answer will always be Liquid Swords.

HUELEN10 😂

Everything Inspectah Deck does

Above the Clouds is the best Deck verse by far. That's more Gangstarr though.

I'll forever dream of a world in which RZA's basement didn't flood and we got his original tracks for the initial Deck release. I've always LOVED Deck's flow the best, but he always seems to have shitty production on his solo ventures.

Certainly my favorite Wu member, behind GZA. CZARFACE is absolute gold.
You're good people. Deck has always stood out for me, and it's a damn shame Uncontrolled Substance didn't live up to expectations. I must admit I haven't checked out his other albums, though.
 
Wait, Liquid Swords is a Wu-Tang clang thing!?!?!?!?

I thought it was done by someone called GZA. I say this, and I think 4th Chamber is one of the best songs in the genre.

I... I feel like such a casual right now. I feel embarrassed.

To answer the question, despite my prior ignorance, I have to go with Liquid Swords for 4th Chamber alone.

Do you fools listen to music or do you just skim through it?
 

HUELEN10

Member
Do you fools listen to music or do you just skim through it?

Listen to music, not read up on who wrote it or so posed it, or what it is even called unless I am fully engrossed in the group.

Apple Music and Shazam are helping me identify songs I've loved and listened to for years, but no nothing about them aside from the song itself.
 

Eos

Member
All inspectah deck fans should check out the new czarface (deck + duo 7L & esoteric) album, Every Hero Needs a Villain.

it's much better than the first album
 

Soodanim

Gold Member
Ironman
Liquid Swords

Man, I saw GZA perform all of Liquid Swords live last year. It was amazing.
I got an email about him coming to England to do a couple anniversary dates for that, but I don't know anyone that would go with me so I'll just have to listen to Liquid Swords on my own one evening.
 

Kastrioti

Persecution Complex
Both classics, but Liquid Swords, IMO.

4th Chamber

That Rza beat and Ghostface opening oof

The only man a hoe wait for
is the sky-blue Bally kid, in '83, rocked Taylor's
My Memorex performed tape decks, my own phone sex
Watch out for Haiti bitches, I heard they throw hex
Yo, Wu whole platoon is filled with raccoons
Corner sitting wine niggaz sipping Apple Boone this ain't no white cartoon
'Cause I be ducking crazy spades
The kid hold white shit, like blacks rock ashy legs
Why is the sky blue? Why is water wet?
Why did Judas, rat to Romans while Jesus slept?
Stand up, you're out of luck like two dogs stuck
Iron Man be sipping rum, out of Stanley Cups, inflammable
 

Chuckie

Member
Wait, Liquid Swords is a Wu-Tang clang thing!?!?!?!?

I thought it was done by someone called GZA. I say this, and I think 4th Chamber is one of the best songs in the genre.

I... I feel like such a casual right now. I feel embarrassed.

To answer the question, despite my prior ignorance, I have to go with Liquid Swords for 4th Chamber alone.

Haha this is funny :D

It even has the Wu-Tang logo on the cover... and GZA's logo is also contains the W :p

gza-logo.jpg
 

IcyStorm

Member
Gonna have to go with Cuban Linx because of "Verbal Intercourse". Also saw Raekwon and Ghostface perform most of the tracks from it at Coachella this year, which was amazing for me.
 
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