Shadowboxin' Explained

Shadowboxin'
Type:single
Artist:GZA featuring Method Man
Album:Liquid Swords
B-Side:4th Chamber
Released:March 28, 1996
Recorded:1995
Genre:Hip hop
Length:3:29
Label:Geffen
Producer:RZA
Chronology:GZA
Prev Title:Cold World
Prev Year:1995
Next Title:Crash Your Crew
Next Year:1999

"Shadowboxin'" is a song by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member GZA, featuring fellow Wu-Tang member Method Man. It was released, along with "4th Chamber", as the fourth and final single from GZA's second studio album Liquid Swords (1995), on March 28, 1996. The song was produced by RZA.[1]

Background and composition

The song contains dialogue from the film Shaolin vs Lama, and samples "Trouble, Heartaches & Sadness" by Ann Peebles.[2] Method Man raps the first and third verses, while GZA raps the second.[3] According to Method Man, GZA was supposed to rap two verses on the track.[4]

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews. XXL wrote that the repetitive chop of the sample "set the stage for Meth and GZA's master lyricism". In an interview with Wax Poetics, GZA praised Method Man's rapping, saying that the song "seemed more like Meth's track".

Track listing

A-side:

1. Shadowboxin' Featuring Method Man (LP version) 3:31

2. Shadowboxin' Featuring Method Man (Clean) 3:31

3. Shadowboxin' (Instrumental) 3:31

B-side:

1. 4th Chamber Featuring Ghostface Killer, Killah Priest, RZA (LP version) 4:07

2. 4th Chamber Featuring Ghostface Killer, Killah Priest, RZA (Clean) 4:07

3. 4th Chamber (Instrumental) 4:07[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ma. David. Wu-Tang Clan's GZA runs down every track off Liquid Swords. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160520150009/https://www.waxpoetics.com/features/articles/the-making-of-liquid-swords-gza/. May 20, 2016. Wax Poetics.
  2. Web site: November 8, 2010. GZA's 'Liquid Swords' Turns 15 Years Old - XXL. XXL Mag. en.
  3. Web site: Preezy. November 5, 2015. Five Best Songs From GZA's 'Liquid Swords' Album. The Boombox. en.
  4. Web site: Ahmed. Insanul. October 19, 2011. Method Man Breaks Down His 25 Most Essential Songs. Complex. en.
  5. Web site: Genius* / GZA – Shadowboxin' / 4th Chamber . Discogs.