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
bob n' i
RZA Lyrics
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Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze drifting by, you know how I feel
It's a new dawn, it's a new day
It's a new life for
Bird flying high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze drifting by, you know how I feel
It's a new life for me
Who be the last man standin' when I cock back the cannon? (Bobby!)
And blast your ass in search for Michael Landon (and)
Abandon ship, you can't penetrate (and)
My solar eclipse, you dickhead y'all get pussy-whipped (and)
Sword of Conan, wind speed of Rodan (and)
Flow so cold, I freeze M.C.'s to snowmen (and)
Turn 'em up to the sun to defrost them (and)
Proceed with caution, you get your beans baked in Boston (and)
Slice a lemonhead, it's like John Lennon said (and)
Help, you need somebody and (and)
If you ever see somebody and (and)
Fuckin' with the Wu, you gonna be a body and (and)
By me, myself and Bobby and (sha na na) (and)
You superficial nigga, fuck it I'm a superhero (and)
My pistol will turn you to a super zero (and)
Make a fingetip griplock of Royce Gracie (and)
While I'm makin' this cash like Mr. Spacely (and)
Or Cogswell Cogs, I don't fuck with hogs (and)
Your dialogue is stuck, too analog (and)
Is you guns heavy enough? (and)
Is your gold chain truck Chevy enough? (and)
Don't fuck around with Starks, Rebel and us (and)
B-O-B-B-Y (sha na na) (and)
You superficial nigga, buck it I'm a superhero (and)
My super pistol will turn you to a super zero (and)
Lot of niggas askin' us, some faxin' us (and)
How I gladiate, take land like Maximus (and)
You listerin', while this winds blisterin' (and)
I'm in the clouds like my man Calrissian (and)
Lando, bust shots like Marlon Brando (and)
You gettin' smacked like I'm playin' black Sambo (and)
Hambone, hambone, haven't you heard? (and)
Papa gonna buy you a mockingbird (and)
If that mockingbird don't sing (and)
Papa gonna buy you a diamond ring (and)
Watch out for the Killa Bee sting (and)
BZA-Bobby (sha na na)
You see that's what we called B-Boy freestyle!
You stupid muthafuckas! Bobby (and) Sha na na
RZA's song "bob n' i" begins with sampled lyrics from Nina Simone's "Feeling Good," which depict a serene and optimistic view of the world. However, the following verse, delivered by RZA, is a stark contrast to the opening lines. It conveys a much darker and threatening tone with lyrics that talk about wielding weapons and using violence to deal with threats. The menacing tone that RZA adopts serves to contrast with the serene backdrop of the previous lines, which heightens the impact of his words. The lyrics are dense and full of wordplay, often alluding to pop culture and historical figures. However, despite the complexity of the verses, the overall message is clear: RZA and his crew will protect themselves at all costs.
The chorus repeats the opening lines of "Feeling Good," and the contrast between the two parts of the song is jarring. After RZA's aggressive verses, the chorus serves to remind listeners of the peaceful world that the opening lines suggest. However, given that the chorus isn't delivered by Nina Simone but is rather sampled lyrics, it reflects a world that RZA perceives rather than one that he experiences.
Overall, "bob n' i" is a song that captures the tension between survival and the pursuit of inner peace. RZA and his crew live in a world where they must be ever-vigilant, ready to protect themselves from threats. However, they yearn for the serenity that Nina Simone's lyrics suggest, even if it seems beyond their reach.
Line by Line Meaning
Bird flying high, you know how I feel
Feeling free and unencumbered, just like a bird flying high in the sky
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Feeling energized and renewed, like the sun shining down from the sky
Breeze drifting by, you know how I feel
Feeling light and carefree, as though the breeze is carrying away all of life's troubles
It's a new dawn, it's a new day
Feeling optimistic and hopeful, as though a new day has dawned bringing with it fresh opportunities
It's a new life for
Starting over with a fresh outlook on life, unencumbered by past mistakes or regrets
Who be the last man standin' when I cock back the cannon? (Bobby!)
A warning to would-be opponents that they will not prevail against the singer
And blast your ass in search for Michael Landon (and)
A tongue-in-cheek reference to the singer's willingness to go to great lengths to defeat their enemies
Abandon ship, you can't penetrate (and)
A taunt to anyone who would try to oppose the artist, insinuating that they are weak and cannot win
My solar eclipse, you dickhead y'all get pussy-whipped (and)
A boastful claim that the artist's abilities are so great they can eclipse even the brightest of talents
Sword of Conan, wind speed of Rodan (and)
Comparing the artist's power and strength to those of legendary figures
Flow so cold, I freeze M.C.'s to snowmen (and)
A metaphorical reference to the singer's ability to destroy their enemies
Turn 'em up to the sun to defrost them (and)
Another tongue-in-cheek reference to the artist's power to defeat their enemies
Proceed with caution, you get your beans baked in Boston (and)
A warning to enemies that if they are not careful, they will face serious consequences
Slice a lemonhead, it's like John Lennon said (and)
A reference to the Beatles' song 'Strawberry Fields Forever,' in which John Lennon sings about slicing a lemon before entering a strange and surreal world
Help, you need somebody and (and)
Quoting the Beatles again, this time from 'Help!' when they sing 'Help, I need somebody'
If you ever see somebody and (and)
A cryptic phrase that may be a non sequitur, or perhaps an unfinished thought
Fuckin' with the Wu, you gonna be a body and (and)
A warning to anyone who dares to cross the Wu Tang Clan, insinuating that they will end up dead
By me, myself and Bobby and (sha na na) (and)
A play on words that seems to refer to both the singer and Bobby Digital (RZA's alter-ego), insinuating that together they are a force to be reckoned with
You superficial nigga, fuck it I'm a superhero (and)
A boastful claim that the singer possesses extraordinary abilities, likening themselves to a superhero
My pistol will turn you to a super zero (and)
A reference to the artist's ability to defeat their enemies with ease
Make a fingertip griplock of Royce Gracie (and)
A reference to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Royce Gracie, insinuating that the artist possesses the skills to defeat him in combat
While I'm makin' this cash like Mr. Spacely (and)
A reference to the cartoon character Mr. Spacely, who is known for his money-making schemes
Or Cogswell Cogs, I don't fuck with hogs (and)
A reference to another cartoon, this time 'The Jetsons,' insinuating that the singer does not associate with those they consider to be lesser
Your dialogue is stuck, too analog (and)
A criticism of others who are not as clever or forward-thinking as the artist
Is your guns heavy enough? (and)
A question directed at the singer's enemies, asking if they have the strength or firepower to challenge them
Is your gold chain truck Chevy enough? (and)
Asking if anyone else has the resources or wealth to compete with the singer
Don't fuck around with Starks, Rebel and us (and)
A warning to anyone who might try to mess with the Wu Tang Clan
B-O-B-B-Y (sha na na) (and)
An affirmation of Bobby Digital's importance and status within the group
You stupid muthafuckas! Bobby (and) Sha na na
Insulting those who do not understand the artist's genius, while also affirming Bobby Digital's importance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert Diggs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind