Shadowboxin'

"Shadowboxin'" is a song by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member GZA, featuring fellow Wu-Tang member Method Man. It was released 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.[2]

"Shadowboxin'"
Single by GZA featuring Method Man
from the album Liquid Swords
A-side"4th Chamber"
ReleasedMarch 28, 1996
Recorded1995
GenreHip hop
Length3:29
LabelGeffen
Songwriter(s)Gary Grice, Clifford Smith, Robert Diggs[1]
Producer(s)RZA
GZA singles chronology
"Cold World"
(1995)		 "Shadowboxin'"
(1996)		 "Crash Your Crew"
(1999)
Method Man singles chronology
"The Riddler"
(1995)		 "Shadowboxin'"
(1996)		 "Wu-Wear: The Garment Renaissance"
(1996)
Music video
"Shadowboxin'" on YouTube

Background and composition

The song contains dialogue from the film Shaolin vs Lama, and samples "Trouble, Heartaches & Sadness" by Ann Peebles.[3] Method Man raps the first and third verses, while GZA raps the second.[4] According to Method Man, GZA was supposed to rap two verses on the track.[5]

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".[3] In an interview with Wax Poetics, GZA praised Method Man's rapping, saying that the song "seemed more like Meth's track".[2]

Track listing

Track listing adapted from Discogs:

A-side:

1. Shadowboxin' (Clean) 3:31

2. Shadowboxin' (LP version) 3:31

3. Shadowboxin' (Instrumental) 3:31

B-side:

1. 4th Chamber (Clean) 4:07

-Featured artists: RZA, Ghostface Killah, Killah Priest
-Producer: RZA

2. 4th Chamber (LP) 4:07

3. 4th Chamber (Instrumental) 4:07

Charts
Chart (1996) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 67
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[7] 41
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[8] 10

References
  1. "Shadowboxin'". AllMusic.
  2. Ma, David. "Wu-Tang Clan's GZA runs down every track off Liquid Swords". Wax Poetics. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016.
  3. "GZA's 'Liquid Swords' Turns 15 Years Old - XXL". XXL Mag. November 8, 2010.
  4. Preezy (November 5, 2015). "Five Best Songs From GZA's 'Liquid Swords' Album". The Boombox.
  5. Ahmed, Insanul (October 19, 2011). "Method Man Breaks Down His 25 Most Essential Songs". Complex.
  6. "GZA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. "GZA Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  8. "GZA Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
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