He has also released solo albums under the alter-ego Bobby Digital. In addition to the Wu-Tang Clan and his solo releases, RZA was also a founding member of the rap group Gravediggaz where he used the name The Rzarector.
He has made cameos in several movies including Coffee and Cigarettes, American Gangster, Gospel Hill, Life Is Hot in Cracktown, Ghost Dog, Funny People, Repo Men. About.com named him 3rd on their list of best hip hop producers of all time
Born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York, RZA spent time in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a child, where his father had a convenience store in the Hill District.[1] A young RZA also spent many years living in North Carolina with his uncle. RZA began his hip hop career in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a member of the trio Force of the Imperial Master (which subsequently became known as the All in Together Now Crew after they had a successful underground single of that name). The group consisted of future Wu-Tang members and his cousins GZA (then known as the Genius) and Ol' Dirty Bastard (then known as Ason Unique, the Specialist, and the Professor).
Once this local band dissolved, both he and the GZA attempted to kick start solo careers. With the help of GZA's friend (then owner of Jamaica Records) they both secured single deals with album options at successful labels, GZA going to Cold Chillin and RZA to Tommy Boy. GZA ultimately released the Words from the Genius album, but RZA's stint at Tommy Boy ended with only the 1991 EP Ooh I Love You Rakeem to show for it when he went to jail soon after its release. GZA's album flopped, and the two cousins became determined to conquer the hip hop industry on their own terms. Throughout most of his youth he enjoyed watching various kung-fu movies and purchasing countless albums which he would later sample in most of his music
Airwaves
RZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is a Wu Tang Killa Bee exclusive blast
Wake up wake up wake up
Wu tang Wu Tang
Wu tang Wu Tang
Bobby Steels fables till
MCs get your lips stapled
Project Killa Hill
Is stamped on the map like the compass
Taking sword play tongue twist piercing holes in you
You can't escape seventy-thousand kilowatts
blast in your box walk wid alarm clocks
Cars drive explodes on the block
One stop parks, pops in trunk
Snears pop loud as glock shots
Pierced like a earring in your face
Cops stop, give a sitation
Report for radio station identification
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
Love IQ got you drunk, you depressed of Wu
Flying monks fatal darts from your airwaves strike you antenna
You feeled a bit shimmer
It makes your like you dimmer
You thought you turned your dial from this
You best to slit your wrists
Through the soul of your heart like dark Emelius
Unfamiliar, leave no trace like Simon Templer
Rhyme emperor, styles switch daily like temperature
In your atmosphere the rap racketeer
Six pack battery back keep em stacked
I live for hip-hop
And tall brown skin sugar plum who love the lollipos
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang
Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang
The lyrics to RZA's song "Airwaves" are essentially a wake-up call to those who are asleep to the power and supremacy of the Wu-Tang Clan. The intro to the song is a clear "interruption" of whatever programming or music is currently playing, as the Wu-Tang Clan takes over the airwaves with their exclusive blast. The repetition of "Wu tang" in the chorus emphasizes the importance and dominance of the group in the rap game.
The first verse emphasizes how MCs who try to compete with the Wu-Tang Clan will have their lips stapled shut, essentially being silenced and defeated by the group's lyrical prowess. The reference to Project Killa Hill being stamped on the map like a compass is a nod to one of the groups that make up the Wu-Tang Clan, the group being Gravediggaz. The group originated from Brooklyn's Killa Hill housing projects and used horrorcore lyrics to set themselves apart from other groups. The line "taking sword play tongue twist piercing holes in you" is a reference to the Wu-Tang Clan's love for martial arts, and their ability to use their words as weapons to defeat their opponents.
The second verse references the power of the Wu-Tang Clan's music and the effect it has on listeners. The seventy-thousand kilowatts blast in your box represents the strength of the group's music and how it can't be escaped. The line "flying monks fatal darts from your airwaves strike you antenna" is another nod to the Wu-Tang Clan's love for martial arts, as well as the idea that their music has the power to strike and affect listeners. The reference to "Love IQ" is likely a play on words, with "Love" being replaced by "Low" to emphasize the negative effects of being drunk and depressed, while the Wu-Tang Clan's music provides a wake-up call to those who may be feeling down.
Line by Line Meaning
We interrupt your program to bring you
Attention listeners, we have an exclusive announcement to make.
This is a Wu Tang Killa Bee exclusive blast
This broadcast is brought to you exclusively by Wu Tang Killa Bee.
Wake up wake up wake up
Listen carefully and pay attention, we have an important message.
Wu tang Wu Tang
Wu tang Wu Tang
Wu tang Wu Tang
Repetition of the name Wu Tang, emphasizing the brand and their ownership of the message.
Bobby Steels fables till
Bobby Steels is telling the story until the end of their message.
MCs get your lips stapled
Other rappers should not speak against the message of Wu Tang.
Project Killa Hill
The Wu Tang message is coming from Killa Hill, a project area that is not typically associated with power and success.
Is stamped on the map like the compass
The Wu Tang message is important and influential in the same way that a compass is used for navigation.
Taking sword play tongue twist piercing holes in you
Wu Tang's message is aggressive and provocative, and will leave a lasting impression on the listener.
You can't escape seventy-thousand kilowatts
The impact of Wu Tang's message is powerful and cannot be ignored.
blast in your box walk wid alarm clocks
The Wu Tang message is being broadcasted to the masses without warning.
Cars drive explodes on the block
The power of Wu Tang's message will cause a commotion in the streets.
One stop parks, pops in trunk
People will stop their cars to listen to the Wu Tang message.
Snears pop loud as glock shots
Wu Tang's message is as loud and powerful as a gunshot.
Pierced like a earring in your face
Wu Tang's message will leave a lasting impact on the listener, like a piercing in their face.
Cops stop, give a sitation
Even the police will take notice and pay attention to Wu Tang's message.
Report for radio station identification
Wu Tang's message is being broadcasted through a radio station.
Love IQ got you drunk, you depressed of Wu
Listening to Wu Tang's message will make you feel intoxicated and obsessed.
Flying monks fatal darts from your airwaves strike you antenna
Wu Tang's message is being sent out aggressively to strike the listener's antenna and affect their mindset.
You feeled a bit shimmer
The impact of Wu Tang's message will make you feel a bit overwhelmed.
It makes your like you dimmer
The Wu Tang message may make you feel inferior and small.
You thought you turned your dial from this
Listeners may try to tune out or ignore the Wu Tang message, but they cannot escape it.
You best to slit your wrists
The Wu Tang message is so powerful that the listener may feel like hurting themselves.
Through the soul of your heart like dark Emelius
Wu Tang's message will penetrate deeply into the listener's heart and soul.
Unfamiliar, leave no trace like Simon Templer
Wu Tang's message will be mysterious and influence the listener without any obvious signs or evidence.
Rhyme emperor, styles switch daily like temperature
Wu Tang's message is strong and influential, and its style and tone can change constantly.
In your atmosphere the rap racketeer
Wu Tang is a dominant and influential presence in the hip-hop scene.
Six pack battery back keep em stacked
Wu Tang has a lot of power and energy to keep going strong.
I live for hip-hop
Wu Tang is dedicated to hip-hop and its message will reflect that passion.
And tall brown skin sugar plum who love the lollipops
The Wu Tang message will appeal to women who have a particular attraction to them.
Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang
Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang
Repetition of the name Wu Tang at the end of the song, emphasizing their ownership and importance of the message.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind