GZA 'Muggs' for the Paradise Rock Club
Most legitimate lists of history's top emcees will include one Gary Grice, AKA GZA the Genius, of legendary Staten Island hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. But don't take my word for it: take Method Man's: "He tha head, let's put it that way," says Meth. "We form like Voltron and he happen to be tha head."
Of Wu-Tang's nine proper members, GZA, who will be at the Paradise Rock Club on Tuesday, March 7, has had the second best solo career (after Ghostface Killah, who comes to the Paradise on April 13). He's released four albums on his own, including 1995's seminal "Liquid Swords." The silver-tongued emcee spits about life on the street with a more gruesome, matter-of-fact style than his peers who glorified the gangsta lifestyle, often without ever having lived it. Sitting next to the brutal lyrics ("Picture bloodbaths and elevator shafts / Like these murderous rhymes straight from genuine craft") are obscure kung-fu-film samples and references, a trademark of the Wu-Tang Clan.
In 2005, GZA released his first new material in three years, teaming with Cypress Hill's DJ Muggs for the under-the-radar gem "Grandmasters" from the Angeles label. On Thursday, expect to see some of the thuggery from "Grandmasters," but even more of the fluid flow, bullying lyrics, and yes, kung-fu talk that GZA has made a career out of.
Romance, music and dancing farm animals abound at Boston Ballet
Prance into a delightful evening this week! Boston Ballet's "La Fille mal gard?©e" ("The Wayward Daughter"), choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton and written by Ferdinand H?©rold, is a delightfully comical ballet that's sure to entertain. It's got the classic elements of a spry romantic story: a youthful, spirited heroine and a tricky love triangle, but there's dancing chickens, too! "La Fille" is a shining example of masterful comedic ballet, known for H?©rold's charming composition, and showcases some of Ashton's most renowned choreography. This production enjoyed great popularity during the 2002-03 season, so Boston Ballet is bringing it back once more this month. "La Fille mal gard?©e" will run from Thursday, Mar. 9, to Sunday, Mar. 12 at the Wang Theatre. For more information, go to http://www.bostonballet.com.
- compiled by Mikey Goralnik and Rita Reznikova
