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
Long Time Coming
RZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Days, days are turning to nights now
They said, they said I'd be OK
But when I hear those church bells ringing
I begin to pray for today might be my dying day
The great mind, surpass space and time
Seven plains of energy, interlace combine
Change your plurality, seek mental clarity
Zip-lock off the chronic, kissed it, then I twist it
Build on today's mathematic ballistics
I walk with the utmost honorable respect
It's a quick locked secret, so Protect Ya Neck
This is full metal jacket, ain't about that gossip
Nope, you get your face all over the bicep
Go out the closet, you slimey sausage
Six degrees of luxury, with no deposit
They said a friend be sub blanked, a plane be sub tanked
A gat be sub shanked, look, I just hit jackpot
A hundred mil to the bank
It's been a long time coming
Days, days are turning to nights now
They said, they said I'd be OK
But when I hear those church bells ringing
I begin to pray for today might be my dying day
The continent splitter, the dominant figure
The mathematician who calculated God from nigga
The Zig Zag Zigga, who civilize the wigga
My vigorous attack on the track, slice a thousand giga
Bytes of information, in one line, how sometime
Use the sky for a blanket, then I bathe in sunshine
Nine conquer bonds and nine wives, nine lives
Nine grands sit on my side, we carry nine knives
Eighteen strikes from Low Hand, ain't no man
Can withstand the blow, from the Wu-Tang Clan
I answer many questions of life, without asking
Breath in the stench of death, without gasping
Fasting and praying, while you laughing and playing
I am fast in my mind, to attachment what we came in
And go through the river of life, I stay floating
Live a hundred twenty degrees without quoting
It's been a long time coming
Days, days are turning to nights now
They said, they said I'd be OK
But when I hear those church bells ringing
I begin to pray for today might be my dying day
I have no fascination with Satan, no relation to probation
I'm the sun sitting still, while you trapped in rotation
Every rebel's creation, every thought has been ovation
One demonstration, we civilized a whole entire nation
Attract a generation, who's built with elimination
Of wickedness and sickness, we striving for the bliss
We rising up our fists, five stage of consciousness
Keeping our promises, master our circumference
It's been a long time coming
Days, days are turning to nights now
They said, they said I'd be OK
But when I hear those church bells ringing
I begin to pray for today might be my dying day
Yeah, I'm back
Sometimes, you think you bout to lose it all
But it's actually, the point that you made it all
It seems like life is gonna pass me by
But now I'm reborn to a new chance, a new opportunity
A life has just begun
And if we having a good time, but wasting your time
Seven plains of energy must interlace and combine
And all praises due to the Most High
I'm here forever!
The song “Long Time Coming” by RZA talks about the struggles of life and how he is overcoming them. The lyrics suggest that it has been a long time coming for him to get to this point in his life, and despite the difficulties he has faced, he continues to strive towards his goals. The church bells that he hears signal the possibility of his dying day, leading him to reflect on his life and his pursuit of meaning and purpose.
RZA's lyrics showcase his ability to connect contemporary issues with philosophical and theological ideas. He references the seven plains of energy and five conscious stages, which could refer to Eastern religious and philosophical concepts such as Chakras and the Pancha Kleshas. He highlights the importance of seeking mental clarity and distancing oneself from negative influences, as he mentions building on today's mathematical ballistics and putting off chronic marijuana use. Furthermore, RZA emphasizes the significance of living and keeping one's promises and the need to eliminate wickedness and sickness.
Overall, "Long Time Coming" is a complex reflection on the challenges of life, the pursuit of meaning and purpose, and the need to remain true to oneself. Through his lyrics, RZA inspires listeners to stay optimistic in the face of adversity and to strive towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a long time coming
I've been waiting for this moment for a while
Days, days are turning to nights now
Time is moving fast and I'm losing track
They said, they said I'd be OK
People have reassured me that things will be alright
But when I hear those church bells ringing
I start to feel afraid that this might be my last day
The great mind, surpass space and time
I have a powerful and all-knowing mind that transcends the physical realm
Seven plains of energy, interlace combine
There are seven layers of energy in the universe that are interconnected
Five conscious stages, stand up courageous
There are five levels of awareness and I am brave enough to stand up for what I believe in
Change your plurality, seek mental clarity
Shift your perspective and strive for mental clarity
Zip-lock off the chronic, kissed it, then I twist it
I'm smoking weed and rolling it up
Build on today's mathematic ballistics
I'm constantly learning and improving my skills and knowledge
I walk with the utmost honorable respect
I have a high level of respect for myself and others
It's a quick locked secret, so Protect Ya Neck
I have important information that needs to be kept secret and protected
This is full metal jacket, ain't about that gossip
I'm focused on serious matters, not petty gossip
Nope, you get your face all over the bicep
If you cross me, you'll get hurt
Go out the closet, you slimey sausage
Stop being fake and come out of hiding
Six degrees of luxury, with no deposit
I have access to great things without having to pay for them
They said a friend be sub blanked, a plane be sub tanked
People have advised me that friends can betray you and planes can crash
A gat be sub shanked, look, I just hit jackpot
People have advised me that guns can be dangerous, but I've just succeeded greatly in life
A hundred mil to the bank
I've made a lot of money and my bank account reflects that
The continent splitter, the dominant figure
I am an important and powerful person
The mathematician who calculated God from nigga
I am a person who has studied religion and spirituality deeply
The Zig Zag Zigga, who civilize the wigga
I have a strong influence on culture and society
My vigorous attack on the track, slice a thousand giga
My music is powerful and impactful, containing a lot of information
Bytes of information, in one line, how sometime
My lyrics are dense and contain a lot of information
Use the sky for a blanket, then I bathe in sunshine
I use nature as a comfort and enjoy the outdoors
Nine conquer bonds and nine wives, nine lives
I have many connections and relationships that I value
Nine grands sit on my side, we carry nine knives
I have powerful allies who protect me
Eighteen strikes from Low Hand, ain't no man
I am a skilled fighter and can take on anyone
Can withstand the blow, from the Wu-Tang Clan
My crew is strong and powerful, and can overcome any challenge
I answer many questions of life, without asking
I have a deep understanding of life and can provide answers without being asked
Breath in the stench of death, without gasping
I am unafraid of death and can handle it without fear
Fasting and praying, while you laughing and playing
I take life seriously and prioritize spiritual practices
I am fast in my mind, to attachment what we came in
I am quick to detach from things and focus on my goals
And go through the river of life, I stay floating
I am resilient and can overcome any obstacle
Live a hundred twenty degrees without quoting
I live life to the fullest and don't need to rely on others for inspiration
Yeah, I'm back
I'm still here and stronger than ever
Sometimes, you think you bout to lose it all
There are times when you feel like you're going to lose everything
But it's actually, the point that you made it all
Those moments of struggle are what make you stronger
It seems like life is gonna pass me by
I sometimes feel like time is moving too fast
But now I'm reborn to a new chance, a new opportunity
I have a fresh start and a new outlook on life
A life has just begun
I have a new beginning and a chance to start over
And if we having a good time, but wasting your time
If you're enjoying yourself but not making progress, it's pointless
Seven plains of energy must interlace and combine
Different aspects of existence must come together to create harmony
And all praises due to the Most High
I give credit to a higher power for my success
I'm here forever!
My legacy will live on even after I'm gone
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES JOHN DESMOND, ROBERT F. DIGGS, PANAUH KALAYEH, ANDREW THOMAS LANE, DANIEL TANNENBAUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@austoundmusic
This was planet Earth's National Anthem in the year 2,067. Historical song.
@theoverfiend69
WISDOM
@theoverfiend69
JEWELZ
@casshern34
We don't mourne, we celebrate.
@thenmymindsplitopen
Word is born..
@Suvus
Flip Polarity - Seek Mental Clarity
@Vinladen82
Days all turn into nights now.
@izarkus7658
whoooooosh
@fetchon42
Hello me RzA.
@orami27shygone48
The zig,zag,zigga, who civilized
Ur wigga,,,we carry 9, nines