Last night (April 13) GZA delivered an incredible performance at NYC's Sony Hall with the live band Phunky Nomads. The Wu-Tang legend was joined by Hip-Hop icon Big Daddy Kane, and jazz guru Roy Ayers, and Rock The Bells captured the magic for Hip-Hop As It Happens.

In front of a packed, energetic crowd, GZA ran through staple tracks from Liquid Swords, while also reminiscing on other Wu-Tang Clan classics including Ol' Dirty Bastard's "Shimmy Shimmy Ya." Big Daddy Kane, rocking fresh red Vercasce sneakers, delivered classics like "Ain't No Half Steppin'," while Ayers took the audience back to 1976 for his classic, much-sampled song "Sunshine."

GZA's 1995 sophomore album, Liquid Swords, is a standout in his long discography. Produced entirely by RZA save for “B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth),” which was helmed by 4th Disciple, the album is a vivid example of GZA's eccentric creativity.

“When I signed to Geffen, we just had so much leeway,” GZA/Genius told Rock The Bells in a previous interview. “Wendy was letting us do what we wanted to do, pick out singles for the album. It was great working with her because anything I wanted to do, I was allowed to do. We knew exactly what we wanted. It was myself and RZA coming in there with me as a producer. It was his vision and my vision.” 

He also directed the videos for the Liquid Swords — including “I Gotcha Back,” “Shadowboxin’,” “Liquid Swords,” and “4th Chamber” — and his creativity was vividly brought to life during his performance. A fan of soul music, GZA has been clear about the influence of the genre on his music, highlighting Big Daddy Kane and Rakim's use of soulful samples.

"The hard stuff to me was the soulful stuff," he told Rock The Bells about his early Hip-Hop inspirations. "[Big Daddy] Kane was using a lot of stuff that had soul. So was Rakim. East Coast brothers, we’re more on the soulful side and the West Coast probably was a little more on the funk. I listened to funk music, don’t get me wrong, but I've never really dug it for hip-hop with myself. I liked ‘Funky Drummer,’ hardcore stuff.”

GZA and Kane's love and respect for one another were evident at the show, as the two legends embraced and showed love for one another's creativity and continued influence.

Watch exclusive footage from GZA's epic show below.