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
Handwriting On The Wall
RZA Lyrics
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[Ras Kass]
We on some Phantom of the Opera shit
As I produce the Waterproof mask
You never ask the question "Who's the man behind the red mask?"
About to a driveby on MC's so listen
Aiyyo!
Yo my mic check is Robo Tech
Run over the track till my lyrical GigaPet slow flow
Cardiac arrest like FloJo rock ice Ro Ro
Pack fo fo fo' sure though
More and more cream, and niggaz Still Love You Rakeem
The game of death, we kickin niggaz in the chest like Kareem
My wingspan is wider than Rodan
My sweet and sour niggaz wit nose candy sniff blow by the gram
I grammatically slam, before I eat a groupie bitch pussy
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is eatin ham
So catch me in Deep Space Nine
Wit eight million stories on seven continents
And six billion bullets on the Star Trek
Solid state logic thug niggaz electronic
Eat, drink, sleep, shit, fuck, build and smoke chronic
Playa, this is not a game, I said it before
went through the door I came wit Wu-Tang
The Artist Formerly Know as You
Got snatched out his truck on Florence and Normandy Duke
We strictly Digital
[Bobby Digital]
Yo, yo, yo, yo
The Last Starfighter, my thoughts make the sun shine brighter
I bust in a bitch mouth to make her teeth seem whiter
Roam like space drones through all time zones
Your face get blown, I make home, Bobby'll fuck Grace Jones
Mocha caps without lithium cristal
Raise the pendulum cuts through your ear tissue, Digital signal
Scramble your brain then we gain the visuals
Like Microsoft, I might micro-walk before the lights go off
You develic bitches, I give your tonsils eighty stitches
Bobby long storm, even fuck the Eastwick Witches
In RZA's song "Handwriting on the Wall," featuring Ras Kass, the artists convey an aggressive, confrontational tone in their lyrics. In the beginning of the song, Ras Kass sets the scene for a gothic, Phantom of the Opera-like atmosphere. He then refers to himself as the man behind the "red mask," suggesting that he is a mastermind orchestrating a plan of attack. The tempo picks up, and Ras Kass launches into a fast-paced, boastful verse about his rap skills, comparing his delivery to a RoBo Tech and boasting about his ability to produce "more and more cream." He also name-checks the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, contrasting his own thuggish persona with one of the most respected leaders in the black community. RZA's verse is similarly aggressive, with references to pop culture and science fiction literature. He compares his wingspan to that of a giant pterodactyl, and boasts about shooting rhymes at his enemies like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would shoot baskets. Both verses have a relentless, forward-moving energy, as if the rappers are daring their listeners to keep up with them.
The title "Handwriting on the Wall" is an allusion to the biblical story of Daniel, in which the prophet interprets a message written on a wall as a warning of doom. The phrase has since come to be associated with predictions of impending disaster or failure. In the context of the song, the "handwriting on the wall" seems to be a call to arms, a message that the rappers are ready to make their mark and leave their legacy. The aggressive, confrontational tone of the lyrics suggests that they see themselves as warriors, fighting to be recognized as the best in the game.
Line by Line Meaning
We on some Phantom of the Opera shit
We're creating dark, gothic hip hop music similar to the Phantom of the Opera.
It's the gothic shit
Our style is heavily influenced by gothic themes.
As I produce the Waterproof mask
I'm creating a powerful, impenetrable rap persona.
You never ask the question "Who's the man behind the red mask?"
People are often curious about the identity of the rapper behind the persona.
About to a driveby on MC's so listen
We're about to unleash some serious lyrical firepower, so pay attention.
Yo my mic check is Robo Tech
My microphone skills are incredibly advanced, like Robo Tech technology.
Run over the track till my lyrical GigaPet slow flow
I smoothly and skillfully dominate the beat with my slow-paced flow.
Cardiac arrest like FloJo rock ice Ro Ro
My lyrics hit hard and fast like a heart attack, but stay cool and smooth like ice.
Pack fo fo fo' sure though
I'm always packing heat, no matter what.
More and more cream, and niggaz Still Love You Rakeem
I'm accumulating more money and respect, and still known as Rakeem to my fans.
The game of death, we kickin niggaz in the chest like Kareem
We're playing to win and hitting our competition hard, like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
My wingspan is wider than Rodan
My artistic and creative power and reach is incredibly vast.
My sweet and sour niggaz wit nose candy sniff blow by the gram
My crew and I indulge in both the highs and lows of life, including drugs.
I grammatically slam, before I eat a groupie bitch pussy
I'm skilled enough to crush my competition with both language and sex.
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is eatin ham
Even someone as respected as Louis Farrakhan is capable of contradicting their values.
So catch me in Deep Space Nine
I'm always exploring and pushing boundaries, like Deep Space Nine.
Wit eight million stories on seven continents
I have a wealth of stories and experiences from around the world.
And six billion bullets on the Star Trek
The world can be a dangerous place, as represented by the six billion bullets in Star Trek.
Solid state logic thug niggaz electronic
Our style and music are incredibly sophisticated and advanced, like solid state electronics.
Eat, drink, sleep, shit, fuck, build and smoke chronic
Life is a cycle of basic needs mixed with indulgence, creativity, and drugs.
Playa, this is not a game, I said it before
I'm serious about my craft and success, and have said so in the past.
went through the door I came wit Wu-Tang
I remain loyal to my Wu-Tang roots and values, even as I evolve my style.
The Artist Formerly Know as You
My persona and identity have changed significantly over time.
Got snatched out his truck on Florence and Normandy Duke
I experienced violence and danger at the hands of others.
We strictly Digital
Our music and style is cutting-edge and futuristic, like digital technology.
The Last Starfighter, my thoughts make the sun shine brighter
I'm a master of my craft and have a positive impact on the people around me.
I bust in a bitch mouth to make her teeth seem whiter
I'm sexually dominant and skilled, and empower my partners.
Roam like space drones through all time zones
I'm free to explore and create anywhere, at any time.
Your face get blown, I make home, Bobby'll fuck Grace Jones
Our music and style hit hard and leave a lasting impact, and we're capable of sexual prowess with great women like Grace Jones.
Mocha caps without lithium cristal
Our music and style are powerful and addictive, even without drugs.
Raise the pendulum cuts through your ear tissue, Digital signal
Our music and style cut deeply and powerfully, like a razor or pendulum.
Scramble your brain then we gain the visuals
Our music and style are intense and can lead to emotional and mental overload, but also provide great experiences and visuals.
Like Microsoft, I might micro-walk before the lights go off
Our style and approach are incredibly precise and have a big impact even in small doses, like an advanced technology company like Microsoft.
You develic bitches, I give your tonsils eighty stitches
We're unapologetically crude and often violent or sexual, and take pride in dominating others.
Bobby long storm, even fuck the Eastwick Witches
We're capable of incredible acts of sexual prowess and domination, even with powerful women like the Eastwick Witches.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind