Tag Archives: Dark matter

GZA Discusses Upcoming “Dark Matter LP” & Love Of Chess

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GZA Discusses Upcoming "Dark Matter LP" & Love Of Chess

In addition to the Wu-Tang Clan and Method Manindividually, GZA has plans to release another album,Dark Matter. In an interview with FADER, the Genius spoke about the new project. “I’m working on an album. Dark Matter. …Constantly writing.” ”It’s inspired by the universe,” he elaborated. “Planets, elements, everything that’s around us. I’m putting those facts together, and making a story out of it.” During the interview, GZA also spoke about one of his favorite hobbies: chess. “I learned how to play when I was around nine years old,” explained the legendary rapper. “A cousin of mine taught me. We play one or two games, and I didn’t play again until I was about twenty-one.” GZA explained that a collection of other emcees got him back into the game. “I was hanging out in east New York every now and then with Masta Killa, Jeru the Damaja, Afu-Ra, and all the other brothers from the area. True Master. And they were playing chess in the park, so I started playing again. That’s when it really started for me.” Watch the interview below:

via:hiphopdx.com

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Wu-Tang’s GZA Using Hip-Hop To Teach Science In Schools

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Gary Grice, aka The GZA is known by many as The Genius of the Wu-Tang Clan, despite ending his formal education in the 10th grade.  While his lyrical contributions have proven him more than worthy of the title, he’s gone the extra mile to distinguish himself as a mind to be reckoned with.

According to The NY Times, GZA is teaming up with a Columbia University professor to make the sciences more appealing to school students using Hip-Hop. After doing research at M.I.T.  for his upcoming album, “Dark Matter,” GZA met Dr. Christopher Emdin on a radio show and realized they had a shared desire to bridge the worlds of science and hip-hop.

Next month, the two men, along with the popular hip-hop lyrics Web site Rap Genius, will announce a pilot project to use hip-hop to teach science in 10 New York City public schools. The pilot is small, but its architects’ goals are not modest. Dr. Emdin, who has written a book called “Urban Science Education for the Hip-Hop Generation,” hopes to change the way city teachers relate to minority students, drawing not just on hip-hop’s rhymes, but also on its social practices and values.

The pilot program will use interactive learning via rhyme ciphers as one of the tools to engage students, illicit feedback and reinforce principles.

“It was always about crafting the best rhyme in the most articulate, witty or smart way,” GZA said. “For us, it was always about educating the listener.”