Godspell

One filming location was the roof of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers. In 2004 GZA released a greatest hits compilation titled Collection Of Classics, announced he was soon to be finishing work on a Wu-Tang Clan behind-the-scenes documentary, appeared opposite RZA and Bill Murray in Jim Jarmusch's Coffee & Cigarettes, toured first as a solo artist and then with the group throughout Europe and the US, and announced the forthcoming release of an album by his son. A film version of the musical was released in 1973, set in modern New York, and featuring Victor Garber as Jesus, and Lynne Thigpen in her first film role. GZA's last solo album was Legend of the Liquid Sword in 2002 (see 2002 in music), which was mostly well-received by critics. The presentation of the story is typically not entirely realistic, and productions of the musical often set it in places and times other than the obvious (one notable production was set in a circus). The album received good reviews, but failed to live up to expectations. The form of Godspell closely follows the Episcopal communion service, and in the university premiere, all its songs except "By My Side" were from the Episcopal Hymnal. After the Wu-Tang Clan's second album together, Wu-Tang Forever, GZA released Beneath the Surface in 1999 (see 1999 in music).

The show was originally produced as a masters thesis project at Carnegie-Mellon University, but Stephen Schwartz added songs for the commercial opening. GZA's first post-Wu-Tang solo album was Liquid Swords (1995, 1995 in music) and was widely acclaimed; it is still remembered as one of the pre-eminent Wu-Tang solo LPs. Several cast albums have been released over the years; the most well-known song from the musical is "Day By Day" which was a top 10 hit in the summer of 1971. GZA signed to Geffen Records. Following closely on the heels of the similarly-themed Jesus Christ Superstar, it opened off-Broadway on May 15, 1971 and has played in various touring companies and revivals many times since. All nine members became a hot commodity and were allowed to sign with whatever record label they wished for a solo career, due to an unusual clause in their contract. Godspell is a musical based on the Gospel of Saint Matthew with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by John Michael Tebelak. Their debut together was Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), which took the hip hop world by storm.

However, the trio of friends from All In Together Now soon formed the Wu-Tang Clan with six others. The album was a flop, and GZA's experience with Cold Chillin, combined with a similar ordeal for his friend RZA at Tommy Boy, created a bitterness towards record labels that ensured the evils of the music industry would be a prominent theme in his music for the rest of his career. The album's sound was heavily influence by the wishes of the label Cold Chillin, who were eager to make it a commercial success. After recording as All in Together Now with future Wu-Tangers Ol' Dirty Bastard and RZA, GZA released a solo album, Words from the Genius, in 1991 (see 1991 in music).

GZA is, along with Ghostface Killah, widely considered the best rapper in the nine-person clan, and his solo work has been critically acclaimed. GZA (pronounced The Jizza, aka The Genius, Maxi Million, Justice, born Gary Grice August 22, 1966 in Staten Island, New York) is an American rapper and member of The Wu-Tang Clan. Download sample of "Shadowboxing" from Liquid Swords.