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
Build Strong
Rza Lyrics
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A lot of things upset me as my soul rejects me
Enemy of my self physical.....listen, let me tell you about..
Yo yo confused but yet wise my problem surrounds me
A lot of things upset me as my soul rejects me
Enemy of self physically enslaved
By the luxuries of this world so I behave
Like a man inside the grave
I want the promised gold but can't afford the cost
Or could I, I know the prescribed laws
Any effect is a result of the cause
Of lies and delusions to myself I have lied
Burning inside wanting to open wide
And scream
The name of the supreme
But I'm trapped in this world
Lusting for girls
Therefore I imagine a genie and a wish
And searching for things that just does not exist
But in the midst there's the answer for which I have searched
Cause from me springs divine prince rakeem
And that is me the master of equality
With the ability
To set myself free
But b.o.b.b.y
He don't want to die,
He don't want to die he don't want to try
So I'm forced to cry
And get trapped up for living my life inside a lie
These problems surround me
A lot of things upset me
As my soul rejects me
Enemy of my self physically enslaved
By the luxuries of this world so I behave
Like a man inside the grave
Who's life is lost
I want the promised gold but I can't afford the cost
Or could I, I heard of the prescribed laws
Any effect is a result of the cause
Of lies and delusions to myself I have lied
Burning inside and wanting to open wide
And scream
The name of the supreme
But I'm trapped in this world
I'm lusting for girls
Before I imagined a genie and a wish
And I'm searching for things that does not exist
But in my midst there's the answer
For which I have searched
Cause from me springs the divine prince rakheem
And that is me the master of equality
Give myself the opportunity
And set free and be all I can be
Be all I can be
And not a nigga just trapped up in luxury
Yo bobby digitial got to get knowledge of his self right now,
As we go through the struggle of life we got to go from boy to man
We start off as sperm to baby baby to man from man to dead man
And from dead man back to sand
All praises due to allah the most high word up
I got to be free I got to be free I got to break free
I got to break free I got to break free I got to break.....
The lyrics to RZA's song "Build Strong" explore the struggle of self-discovery and the internal conflicts that come with it. The singer expresses a feeling of confusion and oppression within their own mind and soul, as they confront the physical and mental limitations that hold them back. The lyrics also touch on the idea of external distractions and temptations, which serve as obstacles to personal growth and freedom.
The singer acknowledges the desire for material wealth and the allure of worldly pleasures, but recognizes the high cost of these pursuits. They also acknowledge the potential for lies and self-deception, and the need to break free from these constraints and discover one's true identity. Throughout the song, the singer reflects on the search for inner peace and enlightenment, which ultimately requires a willingness to confront one's own fears and limitations.
Overall, "Build Strong" is a powerful and introspective exploration of the human condition, combining insightful lyrics with RZA's signature production style. It challenges listeners to think deeply about their own struggles and motivations, and to embrace the courage and determination required to overcome them and achieve true self-awareness.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo yo confused but yet wise my problem surrounds me
I am aware of my confusion and yet, I am wise. I am constantly surrounded by my problems.
A lot of things upset me as my soul rejects me
I am deeply troubled by many things as my soul seems to be rejecting me.
Enemy of self physically enslaved
I am my own enemy and I am physically enslaved.
By the luxuries of this world so I behave
My behavior is driven by the luxuries of this world that bind me.
Like a man inside the grave
I feel like a man buried inside a grave.
Who's life is lost
My life seems to be lost and directionless.
I want the promised gold but can't afford the cost
I desire the promised riches but I am unable to pay the cost.
Or could I, I know the prescribed laws
Perhaps I can achieve my desires by adhering to the laws of the universe.
Any effect is a result of the cause
Every outcome is caused by its preceding events.
Of lies and delusions to myself I have lied
I have deceived myself and lived in delusions.
Burning inside wanting to open wide
I have a burning desire to break free from my life's circumstances.
And scream the name of the supreme
I want to scream the name of the divine power that governs everything.
But I'm trapped in this world
I feel trapped in the physical world.
Lusting for girls
My desire for women consumes me.
Therefore I imagine a genie and a wish
I resort to imagination and wishful thinking to satisfy my desires.
And searching for things that just does not exist
I chase after things that are unattainable and do not exist in reality.
But in the midst there's the answer for which I have searched
In the midst of my struggles, I have found the answer that I was looking for.
Cause from me springs divine prince rakeem
I have discovered my true self, the divine prince rakeem.
And that is me the master of equality
I am the master of equality and have control over my life and actions.
With the ability to set myself free
I have the power to break free from my physical and mental enslavement.
But b.o.b.b.y He don't want to die, He don't want to die he don't want to try
My alter ego Bobby Digital is reluctant to make the necessary changes and try to break free.
So I'm forced to cry
I am left with no other option but to cry over my situation.
And get trapped up for living my life inside a lie
I feel trapped and suffocated by the lies I have been living.
Yo bobby digitial got to get knowledge of his self right now
Bobby Digital needs to gain self-awareness and knowledge immediately.
As we go through the struggle of life we got to go from boy to man
As we journey through life's struggles, we must transition from being a boy to a man.
We start off as sperm to baby baby to man from man to dead man
Our life journey begins with the formation of sperm, we grow into a baby, then into manhood, and eventually, we die.
And from dead man back to sand
After death, our physical bodies return to the earth, from where they originated.
All praises due to allah the most high word up
I offer my reverence and gratitude to the divine power that is above all others.
I got to be free I got to be free I got to break free
I am determined to break free from my chains and be truly free.
I got to break free I got to break free I got to break.....
Breaking free is my only option, and I shall do whatever it takes to achieve it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS, T. WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind