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
Chi Kung
RZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We use Tai Chi to deflect off our enemy
Five poisons, from the Clan there's no Remedy
We dispell the smell of wickedness in our vicinity
Bobby, the atomic, Islamic, bomb-droppin'
appear in your atmosphere like the comet
Heading to the Western Hemisphere, non-stoppin'
Strikin' the belly of the seed to make it vomit
in shapes and form, never been dreamed by men
The word of God, always intervene with sin
From insight, my inner-light beams within
Pin-point focus, move silently un-noticed
When you attack, I fall back in the wind like the lotus
Put the soul in the track like my name was Otis
Pain in my heart and your chance is hopeless
for you to win, a change is gonna come
You heare the "suuuu"?, Wu-Tang is gonna come
and my vocals, they gonna bang on the drum
You go against the grain you will hang from ya tongue
So.
(Love) love (Love) love (thugs) thugs
This is in yo' club (club)
Nigga pass the mothafuckin' drugs (drugs)
Just smooth a loop.
To my soundwave there's no sonic solution
No Pro Tools to edit or out-date my producin'
Form like crystals, mushrooms after the missile
We strike into the hip-hop bone, of the gristle
and my thoughts be the marrow, son I'm the narrow
tube inside the gun that's released through the barrel
and the words travel in lead, expandin' high-speeds
with the hole in ya head, and filled up you
with the, knowledge of self
I dropped out of school, I went to the college of self
and I pertained my wealth, B-O-B-B, when y'all niggaz see me
I'm like Godzilla stompin' over Mount Fiji
or Rodan with the wingspan, Prince Rakeem can
rocks to the solo or combine with my team and
spit like the calico, welcome to the Alamo
Bop-bop-bop, you know how you cowards go
(Love) love (Love) love (thugs) thugs
This is in yo' club (club)
Welcome back to my hip-hop club!
Psycho-menace, downin' a Guiness
strictly bidness, while I'm in this
Flip on a nigga like a gymnast
Put a knot on ya head, the size of Grimace
Bitch, jumpin' out ya speaker
Huntin' for yo' egg like it's Easter
Although I come in peace, I would just like to say peace to
Scallywags, skeezers, and I don't really need ya
You don't understand why I don't understand either
Now shit's gettin' deep, you should've thought a lot deeper
It's my time to get over and I got on my blinker
So I write and I spit on the mic, so you can feel
what is truth, what is right and what's not
Yo I must kill the ideal and enlight this Earth
and yo I will give birth to a light that lives to keep it real
All through research, I learned in schools, not even Church
Can instill, these words are jewels so you can heal
Still I search, and I works real hard, I need a deal
and with speed 'caise it hurts indeed
Yo can you feel? my heart still pumps the blood that makes me bleed
all real and the pastor's best and I always will, do my thing
Yo let me know son, yo
X.O. Hennessey, Jack Daniel or Tennesee
whisky, got these groupie bitches actin' frisky
Searchin for that Bill like Lewinsky
All over my pants lookin' for a Jim Brownski
Ringz and Partnerz, Wu-Tang is how we fuck up Helsinki
Oh shit, Kinetic, Bobby Steeles
Origin/Barrakjudah, Wu-Tang Forever motherfuckers
In RZA's song Chi Kung, the lyrics refer to the martial art of Tai Chi, and its use in deflecting enemies. The song is full of spiritual and philosophical references, as the lyrics discuss the power of the "grand ultimate supreme" and dispelling wickedness in the "vicinity." The lyrics also touch on themes of self-education and enlightenment, as RZA describes dropping out of school and attending the "college of self." He talks about the importance of research and pursuing truth, and the need to "enlighten" the world with one's own light.
Additionally, the lyrics reference other members of the Wu-Tang Clan, such as Bobby Digital and Prince Rakeem, and describe the group's power in the world of hip-hop. The song contains references to drugs and violence, but these are tempered by the underlying themes of spirituality and self-improvement. The overall message of the lyrics seems to be one of personal empowerment and the pursuit of truth and enlightenment, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
The grand ultimate supreme, no extremedies
We have reached the ultimate goal of our martial art, with no need for any external remedies
We use Tai Chi to deflect off our enemy
We use the movements of Tai Chi to defend ourselves from attacks
Five poisons, from the Clan there's no Remedy
The five poisons of greed, anger, delusion, pride, and envy are present in our group and cannot be easily overcome
We dispell the smell of wickedness in our vicinity
We work to eliminate negative influences and attitudes in our surroundings
Bobby, the atomic, Islamic, bomb-droppin'
I am a force to be reckoned with, dropping powerful verses that have the potential to cause big impact
appear in your atmosphere like the comet
My presence is sudden and striking, and has the potential to leave a lasting impression
Heading to the Western Hemisphere, non-stoppin'
I am focused on making an impact in the Western Hemisphere and won't stop until I achieve my goals
Strikin' the belly of the seed to make it vomit
I am exposing and challenging false beliefs and practices that are harmful to society
Things of beings is unseen by men
There are things in this world that are beyond human comprehension or perception
in shapes and form, never been dreamed by men
These things take on forms or shapes that humans have never imagined or thought possible
The word of God, always intervene with sin
God's teachings and messages can help us overcome our sinful tendencies
From insight, my inner-light beams within
Through my own self-reflection and introspection, I have found an inner light that guides me
Pin-point focus, move silently un-noticed
I am able to focus intently on a task and take action without being detected
When you attack, I fall back in the wind like the lotus
I am able to step back and avoid attacks with the same grace as a lotus swaying in the wind
Put the soul in the track like my name was Otis
I bring passion and emotion to my music, infusing it with soul
Pain in my heart and your chance is hopeless
I feel pain and sadness, and it seems like there is no hope for change or resolution
for you to win, a change is gonna come
In order for you to be successful, change must happen
You heare the "suuuu"?, Wu-Tang is gonna come
The Wu-Tang Clan is coming, and you can hear it in the air
and my vocals, they gonna bang on the drum
My powerful lyrics and voice will resonate like drums, capturing attention and making an impact
You go against the grain you will hang from ya tongue
If you oppose the Wu-Tang Clan or its principles, you will face consequences and be held accountable
This is in yo' club (club)
This is happening in your club
Nigga pass the mothafuckin' drugs (drugs)
Pass the drugs to me
Just smooth a loop.
Just loop it smoothly
To my soundwave there's no sonic solution
My music cannot be improved or fixed with any technical solution
No Pro Tools to edit or out-date my producin'
I don't need any editing tools, and my style is always relevant
Form like crystals, mushrooms after the missile
My style is intricate and takes on unique forms, like crystals and mushrooms after a missile strikes
We strike into the hip-hop bone, of the gristle
We make an impact on the heart and soul of hip-hop
and my thoughts be the marrow, son I'm the narrow
My thoughts are the essence of my being, and my focus is narrow
tube inside the gun that's released through the barrel
My lyrics are the ammunition that is fired through the gun's barrel
and the words travel in lead, expandin' high-speeds
My words are like bullets, traveling at high speeds and expanding with force
with the hole in ya head, and filled up you
My words make a significant impact on your mind and emotions
with the, knowledge of self
My words bring knowledge and understanding of oneself
I dropped out of school, I went to the college of self
I have learned important life lessons and gained knowledge through my own experiences, not formal education
and I pertained my wealth, B-O-B-B, when y'all niggaz see me
I have achieved success through hard work, and when people see me, they know the name B-O-B-B
I'm like Godzilla stompin' over Mount Fiji
I am a powerful force, like Godzilla destroying Mount Fiji
or Rodan with the wingspan, Prince Rakeem can
I am like Rodan, a giant monster with powerful wings, and Prince Rakeem is also capable of great things
rocks to the solo or combine with my team and
I can be successful on my own or work effectively with a team
spit like the calico, welcome to the Alamo
I am a fierce and formidable opponent, and this is the place of our final battle
Bop-bop-bop, you know how you cowards go
This is what happens to cowards who oppose us
This is in yo' club (club)
This is happening in your club
Psycho-menace, downin' a Guiness
I am a menacing force, drinking a Guinness beer
strictly bidness, while I'm in this
I am focused on business matters while I am doing this
Flip on a nigga like a gymnast
I can quickly change my attitude or approach, like a gymnast flipping through the air
Put a knot on ya head, the size of Grimace
I will hurt you and leave a visible mark that looks like the character Grimace
Bitch, jumpin' out ya speaker
My words and music are coming out of your speakers in a powerful way
Huntin' for yo' egg like it's Easter
I am searching for something valuable or important, like an Easter egg hunt
Although I come in peace, I would just like to say peace to
Despite my intentions to be peaceful, I still recognize and acknowledge certain people
Scallywags, skeezers, and I don't really need ya
I don't need or want to associate with low-class or untrustworthy people
You don't understand why I don't understand either
You don't understand why I don't understand something either
Now shit's gettin' deep, you should've thought a lot deeper
Things are getting serious and complex, and you should have thought more carefully about your actions
It's my time to get over and I got on my blinker
It's my time to succeed and I am signaling my intention to do so
So I write and I spit on the mic, so you can feel
I write and perform music so that you can experience and empathize with my emotions
what is truth, what is right and what's not
My music conveys important messages about truth and morality
Yo I must kill the ideal and enlight this Earth
I must destroy false and harmful beliefs and bring enlightenment to the world
and yo I will give birth to a light that lives to keep it real
I will create something that will inspire people to stay true to themselves and live authentically
All through research, I learned in schools, not even Church
I have gained knowledge through extensive research, even more than I learned in school or church
Can instill, these words are jewels so you can heal
These words are valuable and meaningful, and can help heal emotional or mental wounds
Still I search, and I works real hard, I need a deal
I continue to look for opportunities and work hard to achieve success, and I need a record deal to make it happen
and with speed 'caise it hurts indeed
I need to move quickly because the pain of not achieving my goals is too great
Yo can you feel? my heart still pumps the blood that makes me bleed
Can you understand my emotions? I still feel pain and am not immune to the challenges of life
all real and the pastor's best and I always will, do my thing
I am authentic and true to myself, like the best pastors, and will continue to pursue my goals and create music on my own terms
X.O. Hennessey, Jack Daniel or Tennesee
I am drinking high-quality spirits like X.O. Hennessey, Jack Daniel's, or Tennessee whiskey
whisky, got these groupie bitches actin' frisky
The high-quality whiskey I am drinking is making women act more forward and flirtatious
Searchin for that Bill like Lewinsky
I am searching for something valuable or important, like Bill Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky
All over my pants lookin' for a Jim Brownski
Women are looking all over my clothing for something valuable, like a football player's autograph
Wu-Tang is how we fuck up Helsinki
We are capable of great things, and the Wu-Tang Clan can make a big impact even in places like Helsinki
Oh shit, Kinetic, Bobby Steeles
There are other talented artists like Kinetic and Bobby Steeles who are part of this movement
Origin/Barrakjudah, Wu-Tang Forever motherfuckers
The origins and heritage of our group are important and we will always remain true to the Wu-Tang legacy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Y, ROBERT F. DIGGS, S. MURRY, ANGELO DESOGUS, ROBERT DIGGS, SAMUEL MURRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind