Birth
RZA Lyrics

Ever since my birth (no one there!)
From the moment I was born, there has been nobody there to guide, support or care for me.

I've had no one to care (worried all I know, yeah!)
As a result, I have grown up with a sense of worry and mistrust, fearing betrayal or abandonment from those around me.

They say wisdom, is the wise words spoken
The common belief is that wisdom comes from the meaningful or enlightened utterances of a wise person.

By a brother attempting to open
The artist alludes to the concept of brotherhood and community trying to uncover hidden truths or challenge what is accepted or oppressive.

The graves, of these mentally dead slaves
The artist is referring to slaves who have been forced to believe and live under oppressive circumstances without questioning or thinking critically.

Who've been lost on a cross, for decades
The imagery of a cross symbolizes the suffering and hardships of a group of people who have endured abuse and oppression for many years.

And centuries, looking for the liberty
Despite years of searching, the oppressed people have yet to find their freedom and still struggle to achieve liberty.

But receive nothing, but misery
Instead of freedom, those seeking liberty continue to face hardship and suffering.

And hard times, and things of that nature
The oppressed face continued difficulty and struggle without respite or reprieve.

By the devil in a genocide caper
The artist is referring to a person or system that is responsible for mass killings, oppression or dehumanization of a group of people.

Little boy peep, has lost his sheep
The singer uses a nursery rhyme to describe people who have been misled and lost due to the influence of oppressive systems and power structures.

But I found 'em, in a deep long sleep
The artist has managed to uncover and awaken those who have been oppressed and misled into a false sense of reality.

Nine thousand miles away from home
The people the singer is referring to are psychologically and emotionally distant from their true selves and potential.

Living the life of a modern-day Flintstone
The people the singer is referring to are living in impoverished conditions and have little access to the comforts and benefits of modern society.

We the people, supposed to be equal
The singer is referring to the ideal that people should have equal rights and opportunities, regardless of race or status.

But the men who wrote that, they was evil
The artist is referring to the fact that those who wrote about equal rights were actually slave owners and not interested in true equality.

Slave owners, who did not include us
Slave owners and those in power have excluded those who are oppressed and not given them equal rights or representation.

They just used us, and abused us
Those in power have taken advantage of the oppressed people and treated them cruelly and unfairly.

First they trick you, then mentally kill you
Oppressive systems use deceit and manipulation to control and subjugate people. They also make people powerless and remove their autonomy.

And use technologies, to rebuild you
Oppressive systems use technology to manipulate and control the people they have subjugated.

This whole plan was a perfect scam
The oppressive system is a well-organized and systematic plan to subjugate the less powerful.

See that's why they called it, the six million dollar man
The title refers to the bionic man who has been created using technology to make him stronger and more powerful, just as oppressive systems use technology to create more powerful systems of control.

Six is the limitation of the devil
The devil is believed to have a limited amount of power and influence on people.

In the million square miles of land that he settles
Despite the devil's limited power, he is able to exercise control over vast swaths of land and people.

Put you in a three-piece suit, give you loot
The singer is referencing the way that oppressive systems can use economics and materialism to manipulate people into making choices that are contrary to their best interest.

Chemicals in your head to make you look cute
Oppressive systems use chemicals, like drugs, to manipulate people and make them more pliable and accepting of their situation.

They use you as a fool to deceive your own people
Oppressive systems use the people they have subjugated to control and manipulate others who are similar to them.

And filling my children head with pins and needles
Oppressive systems make children afraid and suspicious of anyone who is different or threatens their way of life.

But I'll take out the pins you inserted
The artist promises to rid the people they are referring to of the fear and suspicion that has been instilled in them by oppressive systems.

And I'll avenge all my mothers that you murdered
The singer promises to take revenge on those who have been responsible for the death and suffering of many women.

And brutalized, by this modern form of slavery
The singer is referring to women who have been oppressed and treated as property and not given equal rights or respect.

To speak the truth it takes bravery
The artist believes that speaking the truth about oppression takes courage and bravery.

And no man could stop my flow
The artist is confident in their ability to fight against oppression and speak the truth.

Because I know what I speak and I speak what I know
The artist knows that what they speak is true and they have complete confidence in their own knowledge and understanding.

What becomes of a broken family?
The singer is questioning the fate of a family that has been shattered by oppression and hardship.

Dreams are crushed and there's no more family
The oppression and hardship that a family faces can crush their dreams and destroy the bonds that hold them together.

Yo, as a life can be slowed down 20 frames per second
The singer is describing the ability to perceive life in slow motion, which allows them to see and reflect on its complexity and beauty in great detail.

Seen through Panavision
Panavision refers to a technology that allows for wide and panoramic views which can provide a more detailed and expansive view of the world.

The inner light inside my mind's shines expands the prism
The singer is describing their inner consciousness and how it illuminates and expands their view and understanding of the world.

A man of wisdom, victorious and the glorious
The artist sees themselves as a wise and victorious person who is deserving of praise and admiration.

Sight beyond sight we stand up as divine warriors
The artist sees their view and understanding of the world as divinely inspired and empowered, and they are ready to fight for what they believe is right.

Who smite with the mighty right hand of God
The singer uses religious metaphors to describe their ability to take down oppressive systems and fight for their beliefs with great power and conviction.

Yield the holy sword, swings the holy rod
The singer continues to use religious metaphors to describe their ability to fight for their beliefs with great power and conviction.

Then bathe in the pond of nirvana, escape the realm of karma
The artist sees themselves as being able to reach a spiritual place of equilibrium and harmony, where they can escape the negative effects of their past behaviours.

Allow the true grace of God to shine through my persona
The artist wants the goodness of God to come through themselves.

And build the reconstructional terms that's constructive
The artist wants to rebuild society in a way that is positive and constructive.

As we destroy the negative germs that's destructive
In order to rebuild society in a positive way, the singer wants to get rid of things that are harmful and detrimental to society.

Productively, sincerely, we uphold the righteous banner
The artist promises to work with others to promote positive change in society and uphold their righteous values.

With the gold touch of Midas, mold the righteous hammer
The singer promises to use their power and influence to make positive changes in society.

And anvil, to the sound of man-drill
The singer will use hard work and dedication to create positive changes, even if it requires strenuous effort.

Ignite to the speed of light cause time to stand still
The singer will work tirelessly to make positive changes, even if it seems like time is moving too fast.

Rewrite the script of Egypt, who made the holy bible
The artist wants to rewrite history and understand it in a different way so as to understand more about the past and explore questions of history and religion.

Or Qu'ran, how long ago, who made the holy title?
The artist questions the source and origins of religious texts, which is one aspect of historical understanding that they want to explore.

Of I self lord and master, who control the vital
The singer is referencing themselves as being in control of their essential being and understanding of the world.

Parts of your heart, who wrote the wise recitals?
The singer wonders who has the ability to control and influence our hearts and guide our understanding of the world.

Ruler zig-zag-zig Allah, arm-leg-leg-arm-head
This is a reference to the Nation of Gods and Earths' understanding of the letters Z, L and H, which are part of a code that represents their view of God and religion.

Still puzzled like the jigsaw
The artist is still thinking deeply and trying to untangle the complex problems that they face, like a jigsaw puzzle that they are trying to solve.