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 W
RZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Run'din from fires of the city, and tee blood
Blood, blood, blood.. blood
You two ta both from EE-hee-ma, ah ya both from Jahnker
You ta both from fire outside
You both from To-ah-ee
One blood, one blood, one blood
I was rollin, showin my age, unshaven
Rugged with my Timberland boots that paid
I walk with a slight lean from the way that my heat
Givin a green the shine infra-red beam
At the stret traffic light recorders
Takin pictures of our corners
Cameras on the side of the buildings, we destroy 'em
The Chameleon throws cream to children, out the window
We movin in unmarked vans, disguised as a light tan
With plastic phasers in rubber hands
Fuck fame, I shoot a hole in a 50 cent piece to test my aim
How dare you call the Gods in vein!
Not knowin the seriousness of this and why I came
To Earth, feet first
I dare you lion tame to the beat of the drum
No questionin to the session, I walk with gun
The magnum of bust-es head for many directions unknown
Another statistic, change the bolistics
On the nozzle, make em goggle and swallow
Scrape the craters of the brain for data
Old scriptures on withered paper
Beginnin take shape and form
When the gods get on it and crash your college dorm
[Junior Reid]
You two ta both from uptown, ah your both from downtown
Your ta both from An-ah-town, ah yah both from 'roundtowm
One bloood, one blooood, one blooooood
The pussy 'nit find it
Travel w'on, raise your wine
That's blooood yuud, blooood
[RZA]
Now verse 2, even more deadly than the first, unrehearsed raw footage
Part 2 for you, I give this dedication, project elimination
He's a burnt offering, nothing up my sleeve
I'm just vanishing with the vanishing cream
Here's jews to live by, 'dentify before you intake can't leave with weed
Fuck that, you waist no time in search of those who can't breathe
A bum only has one time to explode
When I break I'm takin everything,
Turn the city streets to Dusty Rhodes
Behold this return of the Invincible Tone
Rude like Governor Tuse and King Toustume,
Who gave the order to bust 'em?
Don't ask this is Genuine Draft
Blueprint ultimate legit sting international, stone love classical
Comin back, to attack in black fatigue
Wu-Tang and Junior Reid
[Junior Reid]
You two ta both from Lebanon, ah ya both from Iran
You da both from China, ah ya both from Japan
One blooood, one blooood, one blooood
You two ta both from uptown, ah ya both from down sout'
You da both from An-ah-town, ah ya both from long (??)
One bloood, one blooood, one blooood
The pussy 'nit find it
Travel w'on, raise your wine
That's bloood, yuud, blooood, bloood
Mothers fighting daughters every day
Fathers fighting sons
Sisters hating sisters
Rappers getting murdered, every day
You two da both from Eeh-hee-ma, ah ya both a Juhnker
You da both from fire outside
Ya both a (??)
One bloood, one blooood, one bloooood
You two da from da Brook-a-lyn, ah ya both from Jonx
You da dumb prom queen, ah ya both from Jersey
One bloood, one bloood, one bloood
You two da both from Long Island, ah ya both from Philly
You ta both from Carneitty, ah ya from from over south
One bloood, one bloood, one bloood
The first two lines of the song are sung by Junior Reid, and he talks about how he is running from the fires in the city and the blood that he is seeing. This is the point where the chorus begins, and he talks about how he and the other person are both from different places but are united by the fact that they both have the same blood flowing in their veins. They are both from different cities and towns, but they are connected through their shared experiences.
In the second verse, RZA talks about his own experiences and how he walks with a slight lean due to the weight of his gun. He talks about how they are moving in unmarked vans, and they are disguised as a light tan. He also mentions how they are taking pictures of their street corners, and they destroy the cameras on the side of buildings. RZA is all about being lethal and testing his aim, and he is not afraid to shoot if need be. He mentions that he is taking everything, and he wants to turn the city streets to Dusty Rhodes, which sounds like a metaphor for some kind of destruction.
Towards the end of the song, Junior Reid sings the chorus again, and he mentions how mothers are fighting daughters, fathers are fighting sons, and sisters are hating sisters. Rappers are getting murdered every day, and everyone is caught up in the same cycle of violence. The song unites people from different cities and different backgrounds, but they are all connected through their shared experiences of violence, blood, and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
Run'din from fires of the city, and tee blood
Fleeing from the flames and the violence in the urban area
You two ta both from EE-hee-ma, ah ya both from Jahnker
You ta both from fire outside
You both from To-ah-ee
One blood, one blood, one blood
No matter where you are from, we are all one and the same
I was rollin, showin my age, unshaven
Rugged with my Timberland boots that paid
I walk with a slight lean from the way that my heat
Givin a green the shine infra-red beam
I am a tough, experienced warrior, wearing expensive boots and carrying a gun with a laser sight
At the stret traffic light recorders
Takin pictures of our corners
Cameras on the side of the buildings, we destroy 'em
The Chameleon throws cream to children, out the window
We are constantly being surveilled and we resist it by destroying cameras. We also help the community by giving them money.
We movin in unmarked vans, disguised as a light tan
With plastic phasers in rubber hands
Fuck fame, I shoot a hole in a 50 cent piece to test my aim
How dare you call the Gods in vein!
We move covertly to avoid detection, carrying fake guns. We don't care about fame, but we are skilled marksman who won't tolerate disrespect towards us or our religion.
Not knowin the seriousness of this and why I came
To Earth, feet first
I dare you lion tame to the beat of the drum
No questionin to the session, I walk with gun
I take my mission on Earth very seriously, and I am not afraid to face any challenge. I walk confidently with my weapon by my side.
The magnum of bust-es head for many directions unknown
Another statistic, change the bolistics
On the nozzle, make em goggle and swallow
Scrape the craters of the brain for data
I shoot my gun indiscriminately, aiming to kill without thinking about the consequences. I change the gun's characteristics to confuse law enforcement. I aim to collect information and learn from my victims.
Old scriptures on withered paper
Beginnin take shape and form
When the gods get on it and crash your college dorm
Ancient religious texts come to life when the gods become involved. They will even disrupt a college party to make their presence known.
Now verse 2, even more deadly than the first, unrehearsed raw footage
Part 2 for you, I give this dedication, project elimination
He's a burnt offering, nothing up my sleeve
I'm just vanishing with the vanishing cream
My second verse is even more dangerous and spontaneous. I am committed to eliminating the project, and I have nothing to hide. I can disappear just like magic.
Here's jews to live by, 'dentify before you intake can't leave with weed
Fuck that, you waist no time in search of those who can't breathe
A bum only has one time to explode
When I break I'm takin everything,
Turn the city streets to Dusty Rhodes
I give valuable advice to live by, such as knowing who you are dealing with before you partake in drugs. I don't waste time on pointless things and I am always looking for those who are struggling. When I am pushed too far, I destroy everything in my path.
Behold this return of the Invincible Tone
Rude like Governor Tuse and King Toustume,
Who gave the order to bust 'em?
Don't ask this is Genuine Draft
I am back and unbeatable, like relentless leaders. It doesn't matter who ordered the attack, it won't end well for them. This is the real deal.
Blueprint ultimate legit sting international, stone love classical
Comin back, to attack in black fatigue
Wu-Tang and Junior Reid
Our plan is the ultimate and legal way to bring change worldwide. We will always love our roots and we are returning to attack in our black uniforms. Wu-Tang and Junior Reid are together in this.
Mothers fighting daughters every day
Fathers fighting sons
Sisters hating sisters
Rappers getting murdered, every day
You two da both from Eeh-hee-ma, ah ya both a Juhnker
You da both from fire outside
Ya both a (??)
One bloood, one bloood, one blooooood
You two da from da Brook-a-lyn, ah ya both from Jonx
You da dumb prom queen, ah ya both from Jersey
One bloood, one bloood, one bloood
You two da both from Long Island, ah ya both from Philly
You ta both from Carneitty, ah ya from from over south
One bloood, one bloood, one bloood
There is constant fighting, whether it be within families or in the rap community. We are all from different places, but we are united with the same blood. No matter where we are from, we have a bond that cannot be broken.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MONTY NORMAN, JUNIOR REID, ELGIN TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adam Gordon
Listening to this is bittersweet imo, because after RZA teased us with this on the W album, he definitely should’ve kicked off the first verse on the “ W “ track on Iron flag with this heat 😏
Korey Burns
That would have been an ill way to kick off that album!
tany baby
erthing that comes out this mans mouth is the fire..how is hip hop dead.............WHEN WU TANG IS FOR EVER
Pyrex Vision Entertainment
YES!!! 👐 #WuTangForever
CH1NOSTAYCH1NKD
He did finish it.. He knows that the people wanted more, so he made it short
TheBeschikbaarheid
dope
Jeffrey Garceau
11k views okay so 4k are mine...