Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA was the headlining act to kick off the 2012 Northside Festival in Brooklyn, N.Y.. Backed by an eight-piece band, GZA performed his classic hit album Liquid Swords in it’s entirety at the Williamsburg Music Hall.
GZA opened the set with “Duel of the Iron Mic,” “Living In the World Today,” and “4th Chamber.”
He took a moment to pay homage to Wu-Tang’s deceased member, Ol Dirty Bastard by rapping his hits “Brooklyn Zoo,” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.”
After the dedication, GZA started the famous chant “Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothin’ to f–k with” before returning to his playlist.
Most of the crowd rapped every lyric as GZA performed his biggest radio hit “Liquid Swords.” He also gave a brief story on how the song came about. “RZA and I were in the slums of Shoalin when we made this record,” he told the crowd. “We wanted to give them an idea of how all this started.”
Without help from the band, GZA rapped, “When the emcees came to live out their name, and to perform some had to [expletive], to act insane with before Pete Rock-ed it on, now gone.”
Other fan favorites included “Cold World,” and “Shadowboxin.'”
Along with GZA, more than 350 bands will be playing at the Northside Festival over the weekend.
Check out video of GZA performance of “Duel of the Iron Mic.”
