Open Letter To GZA
That’s right mate, you think about what you’ve done.
Dear Mr Grice,
I have to admit that it was with some trepidation I attended your show last night at the Bristol Academy. At £18 a ticket the entry cost felt a little steep and to be honest with you I have some reservations about the current trend for long serving members of the hip hop community to tour on the sole premise of performing their classic albums, but you know what? I love you man. I love Liquid Swords even more. I own every album you’ve ever released and I want to support you whenever possible. I mean damn, the last time I saw you at Subterania in ‘99 it was sensational. Why would anything be different this time around?
But I got to be honest with you Gary, you sucked ass last night. Major ass. Your cause wasn’t aided by the shambolic organisation of the show in general terms, but I know that wasn’t your fault. I was even willing to forgive you for coming on stage nearly an hour late because I love you. Have I mentioned that already? But how can you expect me to leave satisfied when yours was one of the most achingly tired performances I’ve ever seen? I mean, did you even want to be there? At all? I know Liquid Swords was thirteen years ago, but apart from anything else it kinda looked like you’d forgotten half of your rhymes. Your usually impeccable flow was inconceivably pedestrian and you just sauntered around on stage a little. Is this really all you’ve got left in the tank? What happened to the live presence of one of the greatest MCs to ever do it?
I want you to know that I will always remain a fan. I also want you to know that I will never attend one of your live shows again. Ever. I mean shit, I might not even bother paying for your albums anymore. Cheated doesn’t even begin cover it. I’m so sorry things turned out this way, but you’ve left me no choice. You’ve torn my heart out of my chest, so why not stamp on it while you’re at it?
Your massively disappointed fan,
Dan Love
November 15th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Haha, I want to say that my lack of writing motivation has been caused by the disappointment of seeing GZA live in September. He was 3 hours late in my case.
November 15th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Blame Gary. Performances of this quality justify it.
November 16th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Wow. Way to go, Dan! lol I’d be pissed too. Let’s hope GZA gets a glimpse of this.
November 16th, 2008 at 2:50 am
Sucks. Saw Red & Meth on Thurs. and their set was LIIIIVE.
November 16th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Great blog, man, this is my first time here. That sucks about GZA. Dang, it seems like GZA is getting pretty notorious for having wack shows. I almost wanted to use the age excuse in his defense but freakin De La was pushing 50 when I saw them couple years ago and that remains one of the livest shows I’ve ever seen.
November 16th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Kevin - Here’s hoping.
Chris - I’ve heard lots of good things about Red & Meth’s recent shows. Gutted I passed when they came round here not too long ago.
Quan - Welcome, you’re linked up. Age should make you better, not worse.
November 16th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Blimey, you should have come to my feeble birthday do at Renato’s after all. (Not that I had it). (Mind you, even sitting in Renato’s with no-one sounds like it would have been more fun for you). See ya tomorrow
November 16th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
PS suddenly strikes me that people don’t say ‘blimey’ round here. Oops.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Word is bond! I agree with you 100% blood. For too long these cats have been hitting these shores and laying on sub standard performances. Had the same issue with mos def when he played @ the bush in London a few years back. It’s like the dude literally had to be dragged on stage to perform, and when he did, cat was gone in a flash. It’s a discredit to them and shows how little they appreciate their overseas “fans”.
Should they endeavor to put in work, the rewards are great and far reaching.
My advice - when he comes back, go see Common. Livest show you’ll see. Dude puts in work!
November 16th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Sarah- blimey works just fine.
Alius - Funny, because I was at that gig as well. I remember feeling bitterly disappointed, largely because apparently the time he played prior to this he was sensational: full live band, the works. I saw Common at the Jazz Cafe on the Like Water For Chocolate tour, that really was something special.
November 16th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I saw Gza perform Liquid Swords back in June I think in Camden, London. The performance of Liquid Swords was very dope but his drunken rants at 50 and Soulja Boy afterwards made him sound bitter
November 17th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Wow–this is shocking. Back in Sept, GZA did the Liquid Swords set on time, and then did another set for an hour of newer songs from his catalogue. The set I was privledged to see was fierce, efficient, tight and on point like bow and arrow equipment. I learned alot from his set as a fellow MC and showman. Wish I would’ve worked out better for you, Dan!
November 30th, 2008 at 12:38 am
I was at this show too…and after the long wait the show truly was shocking. GZA looked completely disinterested throughout…did one of his hands leave his pocket?! A lacklustre and frankly insulting performance…I don’t think I’ve ever felt so gutted after a Hip Hop gig! With you all the way on your letter. As someone I’ve seen live before banging on about real Hip Hop and rejecting the jiggy and all that business it should be brought to his attention.
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