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
Who Is Tha Man
RZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heavy metal blast devils, shovels bury devils
I travel through lower levels, killing demons and rebels
With petals, musical crack that settles in your veins
Embezzle's get sold, and sizzles your beautiful brain
The Reverend Burke will maintain, even though he insane
And he'll spit flames and lick shots off like Jesse James
And bang on the railroad frame so you can ride the train
"Who is, the man?" - sample
I sold all my money, gave away food when I was hungry
And prayed for enemies who didn't love me
But trust me, God appreciate it when you live humbely
Satan smile like it's funny, but buddy, Allah don't like ugly
"Who is, the man?" - sample
Bust back and clap, or get ya wig cracked, in fact
We all strapped with macs, but still scrap, cuz it's like that
So put the gat down, nah Jack, put yours on the ground first, reverse the attack
In combat, we don't back down, the Chi is that town
Where them girls hit the track and make stacks pound
Even cops get slap 'round, get caught round
The wrong part of town, a wrong project building
It's elementary that eventually I'mma see the penetentiary
They picking off my family tree
We live an O.G., G's up, snitches down lifestyle
Gambino gangstas who keep a low profile
"Who is, the man?" - sample
"Who is, the man?" - sample
"Who is, the man?" - sample
The lyrics to RZA's song "Who Is Tha Man" speak of a man who travels through dangerous places, killing demons and rebels with his musical talent that enters and settles in a person's veins like crack. The Reverend Burke is also mentioned, and despite being insane, he can spit flames and shoot like Jesse James. The lyrics shift from talking about the reverend to the artist's personal experience, singing about the sacrifices he's had to make to get where he is today. He's given away his money, gone without food and prayed for those who didn't love him, all in the name of living "humbly." He speaks of the devil watching him and how Satan thinks it's funny, but Allah doesn't like ugly.
The song then moves on to talk about the importance of staying strapped with a weapon, but still being willing to scrap and fight with one's hands. RZA mentions the dangerous neighborhoods, how even the cops can get slapped down, but how there's a certain element of style and pride in living that lifestyle. He talks about how his "family tree" has been picked off, how they live an O.G. life, and how they're always keeping a low profile. The song ends with a final repetition of the opening line: "Who is, the man?"
Line by Line Meaning
Heavy metal blast devils, shovels bury devils
Using heavy, powerful music, I defeat and bury evil beings.
I travel through lower levels, killing demons and rebels
I journey through dangerous places, slaying evil spirits and enemies of righteousness.
With petals, musical crack that settles in your veins
My beautiful, addictive music affects you deeply, becoming an integral part of you.
Embezzle's get sold, and sizzles your beautiful brain
Corrupt people sell dangerous, addictive drugs that damage your mind.
The Reverend Burke will maintain, even though he insane
Even though Reverend Burke is crazy, he remains committed to his beliefs.
And he'll spit flames and lick shots off like Jesse James
He speaks powerfully and without fear, just like the famous outlaw Jesse James.
I feel the pain like I'm locked in a chain gang
I experience intense suffering, like a prisoner in a chain gang.
And bang on the railroad frame so you can ride the train
I work hard to forge a path for others to follow and find success.
I sold all my money, gave away food when I was hungry
I sacrificed my own wealth and well-being to help others in need.
And prayed for enemies who didn't love me
I even prayed for those who hate me and wish me harm.
But trust me, God appreciate it when you live humbely
Living humbly is pleasing to God and earns His favor.
Satan smile like it's funny, but buddy, Allah don't like ugly
Even though the devil may find it amusing, Allah disapproves of unethical behavior.
Bust back and clap, or get ya wig cracked, in fact
Fight back or suffer the consequences, since we're willing to use violence.
We all strapped with macs, but still scrap, cuz it's like that
Even though we possess heavy weaponry, we still engage in hand-to-hand combat.
So put the gat down, nah Jack, put yours on the ground first, reverse the attack
Lower your weapon first, to show that you're not a threat and allow us to take control of the situation.
In combat, we don't back down, the Chi is that town
We never retreat or surrender in battle, representing our city Chicago.
Where them girls hit the track and make stacks pound
In Chicago, there are women who work as prostitutes and earn large sums of money.
Even cops get slap 'round, get caught round
Even law enforcement officials can get hurt or suffer consequences in Chicago.
The wrong part of town, a wrong project building
Stray into the wrong part of town or housing projects and face danger and trouble.
It's elementary that eventually I'mma see the penetentiary
It's inevitable that I'll end up in prison someday, due to my lifestyle and choices.
They picking off my family tree
My loved ones are being targeted and hurt by our enemies.
We live an O.G., G's up, snitches down lifestyle
Our way of life is that of an original gangster, with true and loyal friends and disloyal informants ostracized.
Gambino gangstas who keep a low profile
We're affiliated with the Gambino crime family, but we remain out of the public eye.
Who is, the man?
Who is the most powerful and respected person in our community?
Contributed by Samuel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Diogo Gaspar
"Who is, the man?"
[Reverend William Burke]
Heavy metal blast devils, shovels bury devils
I travel through lower levels, killing demons and rebels
With petals, musical crack that settles in your veins
Embezzle's get sold, and sizzles your beautiful brain
The Reverend Burke will maintain, even though he insane
And he'll spit flames and lick shots off like Jesse James
I feel the pain like I'm locked in a chain gang
And bang on the railroad frame so you can ride the train
"Who is, the man?"
[Hook 2X: Reverend William Burke]
I sold all my money, gave away food when I was hungry
And prayed for enemies who didn't love me
But trust me, God appreciate it when you live humbely
Satan smile like it's funny, but buddy, Allah don't like ugly
"Who is, the man?"
[Reverend William Burke]
Bust back and clap, or get ya wig cracked, in fact
We all strapped with macs, but still scrap, cuz it's like that
So put the gat down, nah Jack, put yours on the ground first, reverse the attack
In combat, we don't back down, the Chi is that town
Where them girls hit the track and make stacks pound
Even cops get slap 'round, get caught round
The wrong part of town, a wrong project building
It's elementary that eventually I'mma see the penetentiary
They picking off my family tree
We live an O.G., G's up, snitches down lifestyle
Gambino gangstas who keep a low profile
"Who is, the man?"
[Hook 2X]
"Who is, the man?"
"Who is, the man?"
Diogo Gaspar
"Who is, the man?"
[Reverend William Burke]
Heavy metal blast devils, shovels bury devils
I travel through lower levels, killing demons and rebels
With petals, musical crack that settles in your veins
Embezzle's get sold, and sizzles your beautiful brain
The Reverend Burke will maintain, even though he insane
And he'll spit flames and lick shots off like Jesse James
I feel the pain like I'm locked in a chain gang
And bang on the railroad frame so you can ride the train
"Who is, the man?"
[Hook 2X: Reverend William Burke]
I sold all my money, gave away food when I was hungry
And prayed for enemies who didn't love me
But trust me, God appreciate it when you live humbely
Satan smile like it's funny, but buddy, Allah don't like ugly
"Who is, the man?"
[Reverend William Burke]
Bust back and clap, or get ya wig cracked, in fact
We all strapped with macs, but still scrap, cuz it's like that
So put the gat down, nah Jack, put yours on the ground first, reverse the attack
In combat, we don't back down, the Chi is that town
Where them girls hit the track and make stacks pound
Even cops get slap 'round, get caught round
The wrong part of town, a wrong project building
It's elementary that eventually I'mma see the penetentiary
They picking off my family tree
We live an O.G., G's up, snitches down lifestyle
Gambino gangstas who keep a low profile
"Who is, the man?"
[Hook 2X]
"Who is, the man?"
"Who is, the man?"
tebbesosexy
this beat is far beyond dope.. awesome
Emani Love
So dope.
Windwalker_PK
๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Eddie Iannarella
This song is not in Spotifyโฆ daamn!!!
Yasharahla
I sold all my money, gave away food when I was hungry and prayed for enemies who didnt love me but trust me God Appreciate when you live Humbly
Satan smiles like Its funny BUT buddy AHLA Dont like ugly...
Lulu141
Dope <3
Hells Wind
beautiful song meeh!!!
Johnny
Reverend William Burke is rapping actually the whole song
Charles Young
Killah Classic