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 Whistle
RZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, I beat the case, now I face the acquittal
You nizzles try to belittle, but ya'll lest in spittle
From a baby's lip, the digi made me flip
Plus they paid me chips, just to spray the clip
And empty out on you, in sync like the SMPTE output on the MPC 2002
We be housin' crews, plus we housin' fools
Crazy shootin' dudes buck off the beat
Brainless boundless fools who be stuck off the leaf
Two guns in their hands yellin' "Fuck the police!"
On the weekend get drunk and they fuck with the niece
Of the precint chief, she got the tattoo
On her breast that's shaped like The W
Go 'head snatch the guns, son, I'll cover you
And if they get past me we got another two, yeah
We smoke those blunts the size of bats
We got those gats as long as ax
We snatch that cheese right off the trap
We put those Beez all on your map
I shoot the fair one, I dare ya'll run through New York City
Or any city or place, my face, royal taste, pace myself
Ace my health, great with wealth
Undetected like the wings of a Stealth, I move for self
Or any man, woman or child that I call fam
That's the way I am, word to Glock, my sister Pam
Son, lived through the terror of the World Trade blues
Nine o'clock news, abused the mind of many fools
Braves and jewels, made my moves, paid my dues
From the School of Intelligence, I stayed benevolent
Most high, magnify, multiply, as I add to the Kings of Kings
We never die, built my name, sustained like blood
Flow through the veins divine sign
Dine with wine forever sunshine
We smoke those blunts the size of bats
We got those gats as long as ax
We snatch that cheese right off the trap
We put those Beez all on your map
We smoke
From the Vil to Brazil, live on your C-SPAN radio band
Explicit, dice kiss it, pour a little liquor
Golden imported from Cuba, Miss Aruba
Sexy as Asia, met her up in Mecca
Getting up in Just Cipher, hit it on the first date
Plotted my escape, twelve hours shift at the gate
How can you beat a G a week in '88?
Trips to the Pocono Lodge, the fresh Izod
Mama shouldn't work so hard to pay the landlord
A grand in your birthday card, times is hard
The gun hammer click, when the pigs blitz
We scramble like Vick, automatic six plus one to the head
Yo, the east so hot, it's red, but that's home
And my Glock still burn your skin to the bone
Sonny Corleone don't discuss it on the phone
We smoke those blunts the size of bats
We got those gats as long as ax
We snatch that cheese right off the trap
We put those Beez all on your map
In RZA's song, The Whistle, there are several themes: crime, drugs, and violence. The song portrays a gangster character who boasts about his illegal activities, including his use of guns and drugs. The first verse highlights the artist's ability to beat a court case and avoid a conviction. It also mentions his previous involvement in violent crimes and the ease with which he can obtain large sums of money to complete his objectives. He describes his lifestyle, which includes a disregard for laws and law enforcement, and his fondness for firearms. The second verse adds to this picture of recklessness, with an emphasis on his ability to smoke large amounts of marijuana and accumulate wealth.
The lyrics of the song, The Whistle, are highly descriptive and vivid. The song is a critique of the violence and illicit activities that take place in many urban areas. It depicts the corrupting influence of money and power, and how these corrupting influences can lead people down the wrong path. The song encourages its listeners to consider the consequences of their actions and to make better choices.
Line by Line Meaning
Di-Di-Di-Di-Di-Digital
The song is being produced with digital equipment
Yo, I beat the case, now I face the acquittal
I have won my legal battle and face my new freedom
You nizzles try to belittle, but ya'll lest in spittle
You try to insult me, but your words have no effect
From a baby's lip, the digi made me flip
Music production has been part of my life since childhood
Plus they paid me chips, just to spray the clip
I was paid to use my gun and fire rounds
And empty out on you, in sync like the SMPTE output on the MPC 2002
I fire rounds in a synchronized manner like a professional music production system
We be housin' crews, plus we housin' fools
We provide shelter for both good people and bad people
In abandoned apartments with a thousand tools
We stay in deserted buildings and have many weapons
Crazy shootin' dudes buck off the beat
Crazy guys are shooting bullets randomly
Brainless boundless fools who be stuck off the leaf
Foolish guys who are high on drugs and are not thinking straight
Two guns in their hands yellin' "Fuck the police!"
They are armed and openly rebelling against the police
On the weekend get drunk and they fuck with the niece
They mess around with someone's young female relative while drunk on weekends
Of the precint chief, she got the tattoo
The young relative belongs to the police chief
On her breast that's shaped like The W
She has a tattoo of a letter W on her breast
Go 'head snatch the guns, son, I'll cover you
Take the guns, and I will provide support
And if they get past me we got another two, yeah
If someone overcomes me, we have two more people with guns
We smoke those blunts the size of bats
We smoke large marijuana cigarettes
We got those gats as long as ax
We have guns as big as axes
We snatch that cheese right off the trap
We take money directly from the source
We put those Beez all on your map
We make our mark, letting people know who we are
I shoot the fair one, I dare ya'll run through New York City
I am willing to fight anyone who runs through New York City
Or any city or place, my face, royal taste, pace myself
I am ready to fight anywhere and I am confident in my ability
Ace my health, great with wealth
I am in excellent physical condition and financially successful
Undetected like the wings of a Stealth, I move for self
I move quietly, avoiding detection, and prioritize my own well-being
Or any man, woman or child that I call fam
I will protect anyone I consider to be family
That's the way I am, word to Glock, my sister Pam
I am who I am, and I pay homage to my family members and my firearm
Son, lived through the terror of the World Trade blues
I have survived the tragedy of 9/11
Nine o'clock news, abused the mind of many fools
The media has misled many people
Braves and jewels, made my moves, paid my dues
I have worked hard and made the necessary sacrifices to achieve success
From the School of Intelligence, I stayed benevolent
I have learned valuable lessons from my experiences and try to be kind to others
Most high, magnify, multiply, as I add to the Kings of Kings
I strive to elevate myself and others, to glorify those in power
We never die, built my name, sustained like blood
My legacy will live on forever, as long as blood flows through veins
Flow through the veins divine sign
Circulating through the body is a sign of a divine presence
Dine with wine forever sunshine
I will always enjoy the good things in life and be happy
From the Vil to Brazil, live on your C-SPAN radio band
My music can be heard everywhere, even on political news broadcasts
Explicit, dice kiss it, pour a little liquor
My music is raw and unfiltered, imbued with a touch of celebration
Golden imported from Cuba, Miss Aruba
Referring to a woman who is exotic and high-class
Sexy as Asia, met her up in Mecca
Another woman, beautiful and well-traveled
Getting up in Just Cipher, hit it on the first date
I spent time with her non-stop, and gained her affection in a single meeting
Plotted my escape, twelve hours shift at the gate
I am planning for an escape from a difficult job
How can you beat a G a week in '88?
How can anyone make more money than a G (a thousand dollars) per week in 1988?
Trips to the Pocono Lodge, the fresh Izod
I took trips to the mountains and wore fresh Izod clothing
Mama shouldn't work so hard to pay the landlord
My mother should not have to work so hard just to pay the rent
A grand in your birthday card, times is hard
During difficult times, a thousand dollars in a birthday card is a welcomed gift
The gun hammer click, when the pigs blitz
The sound of the gun cocking when the police attack
We scramble like Vick, automatic six plus one to the head
We run away fast like Michael Vick, aiming our guns at police
Yo, the east so hot, it's red, but that's home
The eastern region is violent, but it is still my home
And my Glock still burn your skin to the bone
My firearm is powerful and can cause serious injury
Sonny Corleone don't discuss it on the phone
We should not talk about certain things over the phone, as it could be dangerous
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elgin Evander Turner, Robert F. Diggs, Virgil L. Ruff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind