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
Odessey
RZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watch it, watch it, watch it, watch it
Get it, get it, get it, get it,
And so as Bobby...
And so as Bobby...
And so as Bobby start to learn more jewels of life
He became more the wiser, and the RZA was being manifested from within
For a new embryo, had been born through the cypher
And he started to spit shit like this
(RZA)
Yo, Happy New Year, throw on your Wu-Wear
We true here, you crab derelict bastards, you can't push through here
The ice melter, you best to to dive for ya shelter
This a sign, when it's called Alpha Phi Sigma Phi Delta
Digi tech, 36 tech, eject pelet
Rip through rap cadet, no one left to tell it
Then them hook, walked through justice in Brooks
Scotch whiskey, in the middle of Patty, with four glocks wit me
Hand pull trigger nigga, 16-shot dart spitta
Chart splittas, who walk through the hood, heart bitter
For industriliazed rapped capatilist, trynna snatch a crack of this
BZA bitch, please don't make me flip, flip, flip, flip
And bones get sparked, my wiz as strong as Joan of Arc
While ya dogs just bark, bark, bark
We spread this attitude, to every point of latitude
Every street crevest, every quarter, every avenue
I might be on the Iffel, wit a 30/30 scope riffler
Ready to snipe you, and wipe you from the face of the earth
You can taste it diverse, the blood thirst
I start to bring the great Flood, first, first, first
(Outro: RZA)
So as his mind start to grow
He start expression himself through his hip hop culture
Changin' his thoughts, standin' on his truth of square
Build it better himself to those around him
And he start talkin like this...
Hungry men have no respect for law or authority
Or human life, a man's bread and butter is only insured if he works for it
Leadership means everything, pain, blood and death
What night is to day, man is to woman
And woman is to man, fear is the state of nervousness
Only fit for children, not men
All men are created equal, so to offend man, is to offend God
Fear is lose control of one third, if you become like a helpless deer
Or a feathless bird, we stand as the true of living, living true
And these jewels, thoughts of great wise men, like Marcus Garvey
Start to build up inside Bobby's head
And it lead him to the knowledge of himself
And he became a strong muthafucka!
The lyrics to RZA's song "Odessey" are quite dense and layered with references and allusions. The opening lines of the song serve as an introduction, preparing the listener for the kind of content they are about to hear. As the song progresses, RZA's verses touch on topics such as his affiliation with the Wu-Tang Clan, his skill as a rapper, and his willingness to use violence to protect himself and his crew.
The chorus ("And bones get sparked, my wiz as strong as Joan of Arc / While ya dogs just bark, bark, bark / We spread this attitude, to every point of latitude / Every street crevest, every quarter, every avenue") could be interpreted as a celebration of strength and determination. RZA is asserting his superiority over those who would challenge him, and encouraging others to adopt the same mindset.
The outro of the song shifts slightly in tone, with RZA reflecting on the importance of self-knowledge and the lessons he has learned from the great thinkers of history. He seems to be speaking from a place of wisdom and experience, emphasizing the importance of leadership, equality, and courage.
Overall, "Odessey" is a dense and complex song that combines braggadocio with introspection, violence with enlightenment. It offers a glimpse into the mind of one of hip hop's greatest wordsmiths, and showcases RZA's ability to pack multiple layers of meaning into his lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Watch it, watch it, watch it, watch it
Pay attention
Get it, get it, get it, get it
Take action
And so as Bobby...
As Bobby gains knowledge
And so as Bobby...
As Bobby learns more
He became more the wiser, and the RZA was being manifested from within
The knowledge he gains creates the RZA from within
For a new embryo, had been born through the cypher
A new beginning was created through the cypher
Bringin' forth into existence, the Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah
Introducing the Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah to the world
Yo, Happy New Year, throw on your Wu-Wear
A greeting to the audience
We true here, you crab derelict bastards, you can't push through here
A statement of loyalty and protection, challenging anyone who tries to oppose
The ice melter, you best to to dive for ya shelter
A warning to stay away, as they will melt anyone who gets in their way
This a sign, when it's called Alpha Phi Sigma Phi Delta
A reference to the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha
Digi tech, 36 tech, eject pelet
Referring to guns and their capability to cause destruction
Rip through rap cadet, no one left to tell it
The power of the lyrics to destroy opponents
Then them hook, walked through justice in Brooks
A metaphor for overcoming obstacles and challenges
Scotch whiskey, in the middle of Patty, with four glocks wit me
A reference to living life on the edge
Hand pull trigger nigga, 16-shot dart spitta
A proclamation of their shooting abilities
Chart splittas, who walk through the hood, heart bitter
Their attitude towards their environment
For industriliazed rapped capatilist, trynna snatch a crack of this
A commentary on capitalism in the music industry
BZA bitch, please don't make me flip, flip, flip, flip
An indication to not upset them
And bones get sparked, my wiz as strong as Joan of Arc
Their significant other is just as strong as the historical figure Joan of Arc
While ya dogs just bark, bark, bark
While others may make noise, they take action
We spread this attitude, to every point of latitude
They want to spread their attitude and way of life globally
Every street crevest, every quarter, every avenue
Every part of the world
I might be on the Iffel, wit a 30/30 scope riffler
A reference to their readiness to take action anywhere
Ready to snipe you, and wipe you from the face of the earth
Not afraid to end someone's life
You can taste it diverse, the blood thirst
A hunger for power and dominance
I start to bring the great Flood, first, first, first
A reference to the biblical story of Noah's Ark and the flood
Changin' his thoughts, standin' on his truth of square
Embracing his truth and values
Build it better himself to those around him
Inspiring and leading by example
Hungry men have no respect for law or authority
People who are struggling to survive may break the law or rebel against authority
Or human life, a man's bread and butter is only insured if he works for it
Life is precious, and people must work hard to earn a living
Leadership means everything, pain, blood and death
Being a leader requires sacrifice and facing challenges
What night is to day, man is to woman
Men and women are equal but different
And woman is to man, fear is the state of nervousness
Fear is a natural feeling for some people
Only fit for children, not men
Fear is a sign of immaturity
All men are created equal, so to offend man, is to offend God
Treating people unfairly is unacceptable
Fear is lose control of one third, if you become like a helpless deer
Fear can cause one to feel powerless
Or a feathless bird, we stand as the true of living, living true
They stand as the example of how to truly live
And these jewels, thoughts of great wise men, like Marcus Garvey
Referencing the ideas and teachings of Marcus Garvey
Start to build up inside Bobby's head
The knowledge and ideas are inspiring and enlightening Bobby
And it lead him to the knowledge of himself
By embracing these ideas, Bobby comes to better understand himself
And he became a strong muthafucka!
Bobby becomes a strong and confident person
Contributed by Isabella H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
dizefx
those days... this track brings up a lot of fuckin good memories from my childhood, damn! nothing but love and huge respect for wu tang!
DigFlo
damn fuckin' shame that not many ppl know about the mind power and creativity put in these songs ... by the gods of hip hop ... if ppl only knew maybe the would start appreciating it 4 what it really is ... pure intellectual power mixed with some of the most ingenious musical songs
DigFlo
.. these are the poets of our generation ..peace to all the greatest like wu tang guru from gang starr AZ KRS-one, a tribe called quest and all the others that are worth mentioning ... peace and spread the knowledge
CorporateSmitty
RZA is the king straight up
S2KPASA
"True Living, Living True."
FelicityGemini
listening to "the swarm" with a friend... and this dude said rza sounds like jay-z... me and him aint friends no mo! tell u about this hipsters, this is REAL HIPHOP!! not some fashion show, posing and smiling, taking slefie hip pop... but gats the size of axe, blunts the size of bats REAL HIP HOP! #DONTGETITTWISTED!
SAVEDNotEnslaved
***** Ah man I was just talking about this on a road trip with my pops over the weekend, but alot of my verbiage is wasted on him, because he chooses not to engage me on things of that sort, but I feel you my G. I was actually talking about how annoying the Jay Z stans are when I was mentioning Jigga. Man I swear they want to call him the GOAT when they're all in denial about the fact that Biggie and Tupac were murdered in the year that preceded the release of Reasonable Doubt, which opened the door for Jigga to do his thing as he pleased. I would never insult RZA by comparing Jigga to him. Ironically I'm a Gemini as well so that may very well have alot to do with the similar mindsets that we posses if you are one as well. Jay only wishes he had the intellect and influence that RZA had and continues to have to this day, because Wu-Tang is irrefutably FOREVER my G.
SAVEDNotEnslaved
I feel you wholeheartedly my G. I'm a June baby as well 6-11 to be exact. Ah man we know the real and that's all that matters about that scenario. As far as Aubrey goes I supported him from the time I was in middle school when he was doing backpack Hip-Hop and was actually hungry and humble. After that second album I stopped supporting him because he started perpetrating like he was taking part in street activities when I know he was eating good off of that tv money. Only in 2015 does a sucka MC get his clitoris exposed by an authentic street rapper and live to sell about it. People are so brainwashed and conditioned with the groupthink mindsetthat they think Fake won, because all of the media was deepthroating him because he's popular and alot of people hadn't heard of Meek until that went down. k-os always has been one of my favorite T-Dot emcees ever since i saw the Superstar Pt. Zero video back in the G. I'm glad to run into a fellow Gemini who knows bout the know bout as I do. Peace and Blessings my G.
edjema
Real hip hop people! Check your history...
James Peterson
Blassik!