Among the hiphopfans is a faction that sees the 1990s as the genre’s golden age, something that can really be discussed. But the 90s was undoubtedly the golden age for the linguistic ekvilibristiska rapstil called for lyricism. The seeds that the rapper Rakim sowed in the 80’s, grew into a forest over the next decade. And the most amazing trees were in niomannagruppen Wu-Tang Clan.

the Clan of three main rappers RZA, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah wrote the lyrics so dense and imaginative that they never cease to fascinate. Along with the unique beats of producer RZA created the hip-hop that hovered high above all the others. You can compare this with the imprint of Charlie Parker and Bud Powell did in jazz in the 1940s.

It is a sign of humility that he during the concert’s second half in front of the classic songs of the others in the Wu-Tang Clan

the GZA is the oldest member of the Wu-Tang Clan, and the only one who had a solo career before the group released its debut album in 1993. He has always had the countenance of a wise and relaxed older uncle, more caring språknörd than extroverted rock star, and it means that he is ageing as an artist more comfortable than most rappers.

a long time accepted that the album ”Liquid swords” (1995) is a masterpiece that he will never top, and that it is the songs from the album that the audience wants to hear when he plays live. So he opens his sold-out concert at Kägelbanan with that proud tear of almost all the songs from this classic. They sound just as sharp now as it was then, and the audience dancing happily and raps in song after song.

For the GZA is hip hop not about to charm an audience with things like smiles and mellansnack. He is completely focused on his rap, on the advanced rimfloden that gushes out of him, and he does not miss a syllable. It is a sign of humility and bussighet rather than the bad self-confidence that he is during the concert’s second half in front of the classic songs of the others in the Wu-Tang Clan – he raps, their lyrics as if they were his own – for the audience is more interested to hear these hits than GZA’s lesser-known later works.

To see the 52-year-old lyricisten GZA 2019 is like to see Coleman Hawkins at the end of the 1950s. It is nice to get to experience a live legendär, nice that he can still deliver.

Read more of DN’s concert reviews here.