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
THE ANTHEM
RZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One, two, one, two
We dedicate this one to the hip-hop culture y'all
Brought to you by the world famous Wake Up Show
Bobby Steels, Staple' tails, MC's get your lips stapled
Project Killa Hill is stamped on the map like the compass
Sacred sword play tongue-twist, piercin' holes in you
Grew up with alarm clocks, cars drivin', slow down the block
One stopped, parks, pops his trunk
Snare pops loud as Glock shots
Bass like an M-80 in your face, cops stop, give us citation
We pause for radio station identification
Wake up, wake up (wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up)
When I woke up, I grab the mic and never chocked up
Busted a verse and all the G's in Cali loc'ed up when I was summoned
Styles were mixed like the Drummonds, Killer Clown is comin'
Look around, your town is crumblin'
This Big Tech from the Midwest, leavin' MC's lipless
On the Wake Up Show, make up no, stories about my shake-up flow
Put me off in a cipher? Patna, you can't fuck wit' the sniper
Your flow's premature, clean your dirt diaper
Mic heister, psycho, alpha-schizo
Hypno, chryo-gat flow, guru and ain't nobody tighter
Sway and Tech heard me flow and it's sealed
Now I got Swedish women yelling "Tech N9nes's vild"
This place is my house
I might as well erase my face wit white-out
'Cause y'all can't see me like Mase's eyebrows (where you at?)
Climbed out of a nice house
Through the front window and heard this guy shout
"Hey that's my couch, bitch"
Pull a nine out during a rhyme 'bout
While I'm rippin' this shit, put a clip in it, spit five rounds
And murder you hoes worse than a convertible flippin' vertical
Nose first with the top off landin' upside-down
You're tied down and duct-taped, fuck rape
I'd rather just hump a slut's leg with my nuts shaved
It's Sway and Tech, two disk jockeys
Breakin' so many friggin' needles, I wonder if they inject
Lo and behold, better than platinum and gold
Yes, God bless success, never forsake your soul
Xzibit take control, locked, loaded and ready to roll
Play the upper hand, a man that's never gon' fold
'Cause your tape sucks, find a new hobby that you can take up
Or listen to my niggas Tech and Sway so you can wake up
The X-man, catch me doin' drills in the Danger Room
Big game hunting, from high-noon to the full moon
With synonyms, I get an adrenaline rush
From minimum thrusts, bust multiple assaults in small interims
As horrid as Borris Kolaf was
When I cut your neck, leave a little piece of skin
So the head won't fall off
Hauled-off, sawed-off shotgun blast, he asked
Why did he have to die like cast metal?
Oh, huh, see now like Omar Credle
We pone pedal at a high resolution
On the Wake Up Show wit Sway, Tech and DJ Revolution
I sway the tech wit the Tech and Sway
Step away, wet and spray, rep the day
Who over debt to pay get swept away
Across the whole board like checker play
When I blaze your whole sect' arrays
Wake Up Show for those slept away
Niggas that met the Trey, hit the deck and pray
DJ Revolution spinnin' like lead from out the heck-AK
Tearin' your neck away, flood up the street with bloody we decorate
Until the head of Jake investigate
What? Sway can give it to you, but what you gon' do with it
Tech can give it to you, but what you gon' do?
Rev can give it to you, but what you gon' do with it
I can give it to you, wha-wha-wha-what-what
Yo, yo, Chino makes the world go 'round
Fuckin' up entire record companies like Harrel did to Motown
Vominous talk, poison pen, ominous walk
What flow will I destroy wit this time, the most commonest thought
The drama that's brought, caught us in a midst of sibling rivalry
For instance, there's nothing born in existence that can survive wit me
Clone me like sheep, I clean house like Tony Randall
With style filed for sexual harassment like Tisha Campbell
You wack like Will Smith, your rhyme style is pansy
I fuckin' murder your young style like JonBenét Ramsey
Now who the master to beg? Your demo gets passed on the reg'
You shouldn't have been signed if you had a white cast on your leg
I'm Wake Up Show reppin' wit Sway and Tech
My TEC's like Tekken, the industry weapon
I'm Chino X, bring KRS in
De-de-de-da-de-de-de-de-de-da-di-day
KRS-One comin' wit' the Tech and Sway
Yo, I rock up on the littlest set, and up on the biggest set
As ill as it gets, I still manage to wiggle your neck with sweat
Never forget, the bigger the budget the bigger the debt
You gotta be willin to rock in the middle of dry and in the middle of wet
But I'm willin to bet, on a sway and a TEC
They stay in effect, never been a pain in the neck, they gainin' respect
Nevertheless I wreck you, now you know what Sway and Tech do
I'll be back but for now just sekkle
Fresh, for ninety nine you suckas
The lyrics to RZA's song The Anthem are heavily focused on the hip-hop culture and the artists' prowess in the field. The song starts with a dedication to hip-hop and the Wake Up Show. It then moves onto Bobby Steels, Staple' tails, an MC in Killa Hill who has stamped his name on the map. The lyrics further depict that the MC's 'swordplay tongue-twist' can pierce through anything, and nothing can escape the power of their music.
The lyrics go on to describe how they grew up with alarm clocks and cars, and as the music starts blasting through the singers, it's like a weapon that cannot be escaped. The song goes on to portray the artists' mastery of their craft; they call themselves a 'sniper' and say that no one can match their style. They even go on to call themselves 'lo and behold, better than platinum and gold.' While the lyrics are aggressive and sometimes violent, they showcase the artist's power and control over their music, encouraging their listeners to wake up from their slumber and hear what they have to say.
Overall, The Anthem is a song that is all about passion and power, drawing heavily on the hip-hop culture and the artist's dedication to their craft. The lyrics paint the pictures of the intense world of hip-hop, showcasing the artist's control over it.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up, wake up, wake up
Rise and shine, open your eyes and be alert
One, two, one, two
Counting off the beats, setting the rhythm
We dedicate this one to the hip-hop culture y'all
This song is a tribute to hip-hop and its influence
Brought to you by the world famous Wake Up Show
Presented by the renowned Wake Up Show
Bobby Steels, Staple' tails, MC's get your lips stapled
The lyrics will be sharp and powerful, silencing other rappers
Project Killa Hill is stamped on the map like the compass
The Killa Hill neighborhood is recognized and respected
Sacred sword play tongue-twist, piercin' holes in you
The lyrical skills are like a powerful sword, cutting through opponents
You can't escape, seventy thousand kilowatts blast through your box
The music is so loud and intense, it's impossible to ignore
Grew up with alarm clocks, cars drivin', slow down the block
The neighborhood is familiar with the regular sounds of life
One stopped, parks, pops his trunk
A car stops and the driver opens the trunk
Snare pops loud as Glock shots
The sound of the snare drum is as sharp and impactful as gunshots
Bass like an M-80 in your face, cops stop, give us citation
The bass is incredibly powerful, even attracting attention from law enforcement
We pause for radio station identification
Taking a brief break to let listeners know which radio station they're tuned into
When I woke up, I grab the mic and never chocked up
As soon as I woke up, I confidently grabbed the microphone and didn't stumble
Busted a verse and all the G's in Cali loc'ed up when I was summoned
When I delivered my rap, all the gangsters in California got hyped
Styles were mixed like the Drummonds, Killer Clown is comin'
My rap styles were blended together, like the Drummonds on the show 'Diff'rent Strokes'. I bring a killer performance
Look around, your town is crumblin'
Observe your surroundings, your community is falling apart
This Big Tech from the Midwest, leavin' MC's lipless
I, Big Tech from the Midwest, defeat other rappers so thoroughly that they're left speechless
On the Wake Up Show, make up no, stories about my shake-up flow
On the Wake Up Show, I don't fabricate stories about my dynamic rap style
Put me off in a cipher? Patna, you can't fuck wit' the sniper
Challenge me in a freestyle rap battle? Sorry, you can't compete with my skills
Your flow's premature, clean your dirt diaper
Your rap style is underdeveloped, you need to improve
Mic heister, psycho, alpha-schizo
I'm like a thief stealing microphones, a crazy and unpredictable force
Hypno, chryo-gat flow, guru and ain't nobody tighter
My rap style is mesmerizing, frosty like a cryo-gun, and I'm a master in my own league
Sway and Tech heard me flow and it's sealed
Sway and Tech were impressed by my rap skills and recognized my talent
Now I got Swedish women yelling 'Tech N9nes's vild'
I have fans in Sweden who are enthusiastic about Tech N9ne's wild performances
This place is my house
The hip-hop scene is my domain, where I feel at home
I might as well erase my face wit white-out
I'm so prominent that my face is like a blank canvas, easily recognizable
'Cause y'all can't see me like Mase's eyebrows (where you at?)
You can't perceive me, just like Mase's eyebrows are barely visible
Climbed out of a nice house
I emerged from a comfortable upbringing
Through the front window and heard this guy shout
I entered through the front window and heard someone yelling
'Hey that's my couch, bitch'
Someone claimed ownership of the couch and confronted me
Pull a nine out during a rhyme 'bout
I brandished a gun while rapping
While I'm rippin' this shit, put a clip in it, spit five rounds
As I perform this rap, I reload my gun, fire five shots
And murder you hoes worse than a convertible flippin' vertical
I will defeat you so thoroughly it will be as if a flipped convertible crashed
Nose first with the top off landin' upside-down
Crashing headfirst with the convertible's top down, landing in an inverted position
You're tied down and duct-taped, fuck rape
You're restrained and silenced, and I have no interest in harming you physically
I'd rather just hump a slut's leg with my nuts shaved
I prefer engaging in consensual sexual encounters with promiscuous women
It's Sway and Tech, two disk jockeys
The hosts of the Wake Up Show are Sway and Tech, both skilled DJs
Breakin' so many friggin' needles, I wonder if they inject
Their DJ skills are so impressive, they break a lot of vinyl needles, making you question if they're injecting them
Lo and behold, better than platinum and gold
Look and see, we're superior to the highest music awards
Yes, God bless success, never forsake your soul
Success is a blessing, but it's important not to lose sight of your values
Xzibit take control, locked, loaded and ready to roll
Xzibit is in charge, prepared for action and ready to proceed
Play the upper hand, a man that's never gon' fold
Asserting dominance, never backing down
'Cause your tape sucks, find a new hobby that you can take up
Your music is terrible, you should find a new hobby to pursue
Or listen to my niggas Tech and Sway so you can wake up
Alternatively, listen to Tech and Sway to awaken your senses
The X-man, catch me doin' drills in the Danger Room
I'm known as the X-man, practicing my rap skills as if in a danger-filled environment
Big game hunting, from high-noon to the full moon
I'm on the hunt for success, constantly working and performing at all hours
With synonyms, I get an adrenaline rush
When I use words with similar meanings, I feel a surge of energy
From minimum thrusts, bust multiple assaults in small interims
Even with minimal effort, I deliver multiple powerful rap attacks in quick intervals
As horrid as Borris Kolaf was
As dreadful as the character Borris Kolaf was
When I cut your neck, leave a little piece of skin
When I slit your throat, I'll make sure a small part of the skin remains intact
So the head won't fall off
To prevent the decapitated head from separating completely
Hauled-off, sawed-off shotgun blast, he asked
I struck with a powerful blast from a sawed-off shotgun, leaving him questioning
Why did he have to die like cast metal?
Why did he have to die in such a brutal and permanent manner?
Oh, huh, see now like Omar Credle
Now you understand, similar to how Omar Credle's true identity was revealed
We pone pedal at a high resolution
We push forward with great intensity and clarity
On the Wake Up Show wit Sway, Tech and DJ Revolution
Presenting the Wake Up Show with Sway, Tech, and DJ Revolution
I sway the tech wit the Tech and Sway
I manipulate the technology alongside Sway and Tech
Step away, wet and spray, rep the day
Step back, unleash my lyrical skills, and represent to the fullest
Who over debt to pay get swept away
Those who owe a debt will be swiftly dealt with
Across the whole board like checker play
I dominate the rap game in all aspects, like a game of checkers
When I blaze your whole sect' arrays
When I ignite, I'll destroy your entire crew
Wake Up Show for those slept away
The Wake Up Show is a wake-up call for those who are oblivious to our talent
Niggas that met the Trey, hit the deck and pray
Those who have encountered violence from our crew, drop to the ground and pray
DJ Revolution spinnin' like lead from out the heck-AK
DJ Revolution is scratching the turntables skillfully, like bullets flying from a machine gun
Tearin' your neck away, flood up the street with bloody we decorate
Ripping off your head, causing blood to flow and creating a gruesome scene
Until the head of Jake investigate
Until the authorities come to investigate the horrific crime scene
What? Sway can give it to you, but what you gon' do with it
Sway can provide you with an opportunity, but it's up to you to make the most of it
Tech can give it to you, but what you gon' do?
Tech can offer you something, but it's your responsibility to take action
Rev can give it to you, but what you gon' do with it
Rev can provide something for you, but it's up to you to utilize it effectively
I can give it to you, wha-wha-wha-what-what
I can offer something to you, emphasizing the power of my contribution
Yo, yo, Chino makes the world go 'round
I, Chino, have a significant impact on the world
Fuckin' up entire record companies like Harrel did to Motown
I'm causing significant damage to record labels, just like Harrel did to Motown
Vominous talk, poison pen, ominous walk
I speak with venomous words, my pen is lethal, and I have a menacing presence
What flow will I destroy wit this time, the most commonest thought
I'm going to obliterate this beat with a flow that's unimaginably common
The drama that's brought, caught us in a midst of sibling rivalry
The conflicts and tensions we experience resemble those between siblings
For instance, there's nothing born in existence that can survive wit me
There's nothing, not even the most formidable opponent, that can withstand me
Clone me like sheep, I clean house like Tony Randall
If people copy my style, they're just sheep, and I dominate the rap game like Tony Randall dominated acting
With style filed for sexual harassment like Tisha Campbell
My style is so bold and provocative, it could be charged with sexual harassment, just like Tisha Campbell's character
You wack like Will Smith, your rhyme style is pansy
You're terrible, just like Will Smith's questionable rap style, which lacks toughness and masculinity
I fuckin' murder your young style like JonBenét Ramsey
I completely dismantle and destroy your youthful and inexperienced rap style, just like JonBenét Ramsey's tragic fate
Now who the master to beg? Your demo gets passed on the reg'
Who needs to beg for supremacy? Your music gets rejected regularly
You shouldn't have been signed if you had a white cast on your leg
Even if you had an injury, you still wouldn't deserve a record deal
I'm Wake Up Show reppin' wit Sway and Tech
I represent the Wake Up Show alongside Sway and Tech
My TEC's like Tekken, the industry weapon
My technique is as formidable as a character from the game Tekken, and I'm a powerful force in the industry
I'm Chino X, bring KRS in
I'm Chino X, and I invite KRS-One to join the collaboration
De-de-de-da-de-de-de-de-de-da-di-day
A vocalization to set the rhythm and energy
KRS-One comin' wit' the Tech and Sway
KRS-One is here with Tech and Sway for a powerful collaboration
Yo, I rock up on the littlest set, and up on the biggest set
I can perform on small stages or large arenas with equal skill
As ill as it gets, I still manage to wiggle your neck with sweat
Despite being incredibly sick with my lyrical prowess, I can still make you break a sweat
Never forget, the bigger the budget the bigger the debt
Always remember, the larger the budget, the greater the financial burden
You gotta be willin to rock in the middle of dry and in the middle of wet
You need to be willing to perform in any circumstance, regardless of how challenging
But I'm willin to bet, on a sway and a TEC
However, I'm willing to wager on the talent and reliability of Sway and Tech
They stay in effect, never been a pain in the neck, they gainin' respect
Sway and Tech are always on top, never causing trouble, and earning respect
Nevertheless I wreck you, now you know what Sway and Tech do
Regardless, I will demolish any opponent, and now you understand the power of Sway and Tech
I'll be back but for now just sekkle
I'll return later, but for now, let's calm down and relax
Fresh, for ninety nine you suckas
I'm here to stay, fresh and ready, while the rest of you are losers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Lawrence Krsone Parker, Scott Monroe Sterling, Robert Diggs, Nathaniel Thomas Wilson, Derek Keith Barbosa, Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, Marshall Mathers, Troy Jamerson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elliecox3960
Timestamps And lyrics
Timestamps:
0:30 RZA
1:00 Tech N9ne
1:30 Eminem
2:00 Xzibit
2:25 Pharoahe Monch
2:50 Kool G rap
3:15 Jayo Felony
3:25 Chino XL
4:00 Krs-One
Lyrics:
One two, one two
We dedicate this one to the hip-hop culture why'all
Brought to you by the WOOOORRRLLLD FAMOUS Wake-Up Show!
Bobby Steels, Staple' tails, MC's get your lips stapled
Project Killa Hill is stamped on the map like the compass
Sacred sword play tongue-twist, piercin holes in you
You can't escape, 70, 000 kilowatts blast through your box
Woke wit alarm clocks, cars drivin slow down the block
One stopped, parks pops his trunk
Snare pops loud as glock shots
Bass like an M-80 in your face, cops stop, give us citation
We pause for radio station identification
WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP!
When I Woke-Up, I got the mic and never chocked up
Busted a verse and all the G's in Cali loc'ed up when I was summoned
Styles were mixed like the Drummonds, Killer Clown is comin
Look around, your town is crumblin
This Big Tech from the midwest, leavin MC's lipless
On The Wake-Up Show, make up no, stories about my shake-up flow
Put me off in a cipher? Potna, you can't fuck wit the sniper
Your flow's premature, clean your dirt diaper
Mic heister, psycho, alpha-schizo
Hypno, chryo-gat flow, guru and ain't nobody tighter
Sway & Tech heard me flow and its sealed
Now I got Swedish women yelling "Tech N9NE's filled"
This place is my house, I might as well erase my face wit Withe-out
'cause why'all can't see me like Mase's eyebrows (where you at?)
Climped out of a nice house,
Through the front window and heard this guy shout
"Hey that's my couch, bitch!"
Pull a nine out during a rhyme bout
While I'm rippin this shit, put a clip in it spit five rounds
And murder you hoes worse than flippin a convertible
Nose first wit the top off landin upside-down
You're tied down and duct-taped, fuck rape
I'd rather just hump a slut's leg wit my nuts shaved
And Sway & Tech, two disk jokeys
Breakin so many friggin needles I wonder if they inject
Lo and behold, better than platinum or gold
Yes God bless success, never forsake your soul
Xzibit take control, locked loaded and ready to roll
Play the upper hand, a man that's never gon' fold
'cause your tape sucks, find a new hobby that you can take up
Or listen to my niggas Tech & Sway so you can Wake-Up
The X-man, catch me doin drills in the Danger Room
Big game hunting, from high-noon to the full moon
Wit synonyms, I get an adrenaline rush
From minimum thrusts, bust multiple assualts in small interims
As horrid as Borris Kolaf was
When I cut your neck, leave a little piece of flesh
So the head won't fall off, hauled-off
Sawed-off shotgun blast, he asked
Why did he have to die like cast metal?
O, huh, see now like Omar Credle
We pone pedal at a high resolution
On the Wake-Up Show wit Sway, Tech and DJ Revolution
I sway the tech wit the Tech and Sway
Step away, wet and spray, rep the day
Who over debt to pay get swept away
Across the whole board like checker play
When I blaze your whole sect' arrays
Wake-Up Show for those slept away
Niggas that the trey, hit the deck and pray
DJ Revolution, spinnin like lead from out the heck-AK
Tearin your neck away, flood up the street wit bloody decora'
Until the head of jake investigate
What? Sway can give it to you, but Whatcha Gon' Do wit it
Tech can give it to you, but Whatcha Gon' Do?
Rev can give it to you, but Whatcha Gon' Do wit it
I can give it to you, Wha Wha Wha What What!
Yo yo Chino makes the world go 'round
Fuckin up entire record companies like Harrel did to Motown
Vominous talk, poison pen, hominous walk
What flow will I destroy wit this time, the most commonest thought
The drama that's brought, caught us in a midst of sibling rivalry
For instance, there's nothing in existence that can survive wit me
Clone me like sheep, I clean house like Tony Rand-all
Wit style filed for sexual harassment like Tisha Camp-bell
You're wack like Will Smith, your rhyme style is pansy
I fuckin murder your young style like JonBenet Ramsey
Now who the master to beg? Your demo gets passed on the reg'
You shouldn't have been signed if you had a Withe cast on your leg
I'm Wake-Up Show reppin wit Sway & Tech
My tec's like Tekken, the industry weapon
I'm Chino X, bring KRS in
De de de de de de da di day, KRS-One comin wit the Tech & Sway
Yo, I rock up the littlest set, and on the biggest set
As ill as it gets I still manage to wiggle your neck wit sweat
Never forget, the bigger the budget the bigger the debt
You gotta be willin to rock in the middle of dry and in the middle of wet
But I'm willin to bet, on a Sway & a Tech
They stay in effect, never been a pain in the neck, they gainin respect
Nevertheless I WRECK YOU, now you know what Sway & Tech do
I'll be back but for now just sackle!
FRESH, FOR NINETY-NINE YOU SUCKAS!!!
@pinkfedoras
rza - sets the bar with classic wordplay
tech n9ne - extraordinarily snappy lines
em - classic shady humour, fit very well w the beat
xzibit - a super savage feel that doesnt seem too overwhelming
pharoahe monch - had me lowkey levitating
kool g rap - giving peak nas feels
jayo felony - has a perfect hooky verse whilst also keeping everyone engaged
chino xl - literally rapping like rent is DUE
krs one - switched up style whilst still having top notch quality, great closer
dude this actually might be top cypher not gonna lie
@elioks
Pharoahe Monch part is inside top 5 verses I herd in my life, and I heard a lot since 80s...fucking SICK metrics !
(...)
With synonyms, I get an adrenaline rush, from minimum thrusts
Bust multiple assaults in small interims
As horrid as Boris Karloff was
When I cut your neck, leave a little piece of skin
So the head won't fall off
Hauled-off, sawed off shotgun blast
He asked: "Why did he have to die like cast metal?"
Oh (Haha), see, now like Omar Credle
We 'pon pedal at a high resolution
On the Wake Up Show with Sway, Tech and DJ Revolution
(...)
WHAT HAPPENED THERE o_O
@hazardhayes
I love how the beats just turns into a 80's bop when KRS comes on lol
@eastsideog2054
Cuz trap beats/music weren't made back then..
@hazardhayes
@@eastsideog2054 yeah you could say that
@jbarral6509
Ikr
@ansco8982100
I like how they switch the beat for each of them to resemble each of there most popular song. I heard the triumph on rza verse and I heard Simon says on pharo munch verse
@amygdalahippocampus5764
that beat when krs was rapping was form the old Krs song South Bronx.
@AYCHMENG
I always love Tech N9NE's verse in this. The delivery is so flawless. 98-99 great years for hip hop
@andrejohnson1073
Ikr Tech N9ne I known since 1996 the Calm Before The Storm Era Midwestside Rap classic
@user-oy6sc8qh6e
RZA and eminem on the one track,its just unbelievable
@qoako9695
You forgot to add Emimen's style donor Chino XL