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
Don't Be Afraid
RZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This mic is scared of me, son
It's like I'm gonna rape it
Ason in my heart... I date rape mics, my mic's a dike
Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo
[Chorus 2X: The Emotions "I Like It" sample]
Don't be afraid to call my name
Don't be afraid to call my name
Don't be afraid to call my name
[RZA]
I've been blessed by the sin of cathedrals, I'm Regal royal
Spoiled, I sleep with paralegals
And tongue kiss lawyers and cops, buy a pound of chocolate
Off the block, then I puff with the NARC's
My Clan's wild cannibal, Wu, and my man'll shoot
Blaow, leave your cold grip as rare like the sandal shoe
From banana head chunks, propaganda pumps
Leave 'em buried on the Staten Island dump
Tap the mic on the floor, chains to the Mighty Thor
Two blades on my arm, look like the God of War
Ason in my heart, yeah, I like it raw
Words in the apple, I'mma bite it to the core
Digitech, used to call me Prince Dynamite
Cuz when I blew up the set, you couldn't find a mic
Leave your ass in the dark, you can't find the light
You been wrong so long, you can't find the right
Way to speak, I spend a day on the beats
Then a day on the paper, then a date on the beach
Then a night in the sheets with fine wizzes, dime wizzes
Who don't waste time to get straight down to business
Zig Zag, make your girl catch a whip lash
Tried to look when she seen the God zip past
Money stack high up like a skyscraper
Fly shorties getting stuck to my fly paper
Now we march to the monument
You see the seven in the star on the amulet?
Don't allow negative in my circumference
You can't understand, son, you incompetent
The P is free, would you fuck for a million bucks?
Keep the steel concealed, in the wheeler trucks
Shakwan put the rhinestone on the rims
Timbo King put the rhinestones on his Timbs
We live this life each and every day
We all trying to make it a better way
If you miss the words that I say
Hit pause, record, and hit play
I'm backed by a beautiful strong wiz
Bless all to the Earths and all the kids
Long live the god Divine and Big Free
Young seeds and great kings
[Chorus 4X]
In RZA's song "Don't Be Afraid," he introduces the track with an intro that sets a confrontational tone. He refers to the microphone as "scared" of him, and claims it's like he will "rape it." RZA's attitude towards the mic is one of dominance and control, as he suggests that he will make it do what he wants. The chorus sample from The Emotions' "I Like It" emphasizes the theme of fear and challenges the listener to call his name without fear. This fearlessness is echoed throughout the verses, as RZA describes his life of luxury and danger, as well as his mastery of the rap game.
The verses themselves are packed with interesting and sometimes obtuse references. The sin of cathedrals, paralegals, and propaganda pumps all contribute to a rich, complex image of RZA's world. He name-drops some of his friends and collaborators, including the Wu-Tang Clan, Digitech, and Timbo King, but these references can be hard to decode without deeper knowledge of the Wu-Tang mythology. The final verse is especially poetic and reflective, as RZA acknowledges the importance of community and his blessings while also referencing the deaths of Divine and Free.
Overall, "Don't Be Afraid" is a dense and powerful track that showcases RZA's incredible lyrical skill and unique worldview. It is a call to arms for listeners who share his fearlessness and hunger for success.
Line by Line Meaning
This mic is scared of me, son
The microphone is fearful of the rapper's skills.
It's like I'm gonna rape it
RZA will overcome the mic and use it to perform his music.
Ason in my heart... I date rape mics, my mic's a dike
The rapper is confident and skilled when it comes to performing and recording music.
Don't be afraid to call my name
Listeners of his music should not hesitate to admire and call out his name.
I've been blessed by the sin of cathedrals, I'm Regal royal
His life is a contradiction of religious beliefs and nobility.
Spoiled, I sleep with paralegals
He is successful and enjoys the company of professional women.
Leave your ass in the dark, you can't find the light
Those who oppose him have no direction.
Then a night in the sheets with fine wizzes, dime wizzes
He spends intimate time with beautiful women.
We live this life each and every day
He lives his life to the fullest and enjoys each day.
Young seeds and great kings
He acknowledges the potential of future generations and current leaders.
Don't allow negative in my circumference
He only associates with positive individuals.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS, ISAAC HAYES, DAVID PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miguelloya9589
RZA IS THE GREATEST PRODUCER AND RAPPER OF ALL TIME NO ONE ELSE CAN PRODUCE HUNDREDS OF BEATS AND RAP ON MOST OF THEM LOVE FOR RZA
@nicholasmadison7692
😮😮9😊
@JustJonny17
MF Doom. Sorry mate
@JustJonny17
Doom is your favorite rappers, favorite rapper
@JustJonny17
Doom was so talented I needed a dictionary to understand half his metaphors
@nicholasmadison7692
Lol must of been fucked up 4 weeks the fuck did I write
@poetryinmotiontv4853
Dope ass beat....RZA Stays killing his Beats.
@cfernandez120
Great track, beat is bananas 🎧
@itsthetiger800
This is the perfect beat for RZA to rhyme over, and it shows.
@kronicorap7521
Rza como siempre rompiendola
hip hop FOREVER"90 I love classic