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WEDNESDAY

“I’m not caught up in politics/I’m no black activist on a so-called scholar’s dick,” the GZA rapped 10 years ago on his solo debut Liquid Swords, which stands as one of the more oblique (and beloved) records in the extended Wu-Tang canon. Those sentiments might still be true in the broader sense, but I guarantee that on his own turf, the self-proclaimed Genius is a combination of Cornel West and Tiny Lister from Friday. He certainly wasn’t acting all hard in the “Wu-Tang Financial” skit on Chappelle’s Show: The RZA, in a red visor, got the good-cop/manager role; the GZA, in a black ski cap, advised, “Protect your goddamn neck, aight?” But he was probably laughing on the inside. That’s the ultimate Wu lesson: When kung-fu wisdom fails to apply to modern life, sometimes a big, toothy grin works, too. (Peace to ODB.) GZA lets it flow with Buckshot at 8:30 p.m. at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $15. (202) 397-7328. (Joe Warminsky)