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
Freestyle
Rza Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's the realest of them all
Before you can stand your ground
You gotta figure out the crawl
They want me when I'm flying
But who's there when I fall
I just pray that when I'm dying
I'm surrounded by people I love
I've been pushing them away
Never was good at apologies
Don't give a damn if you stay
I don't give a damn if you fuck with me
I hear the devil he's calling me
All of theses shorties is stalling me
Silk robe like royalty
No IG they gon' follow me
Yeah
And I know my pops he ain't proud of me
I'ma go get me a bag
Split it up with my family
I'ma cop a couple properties
Take over like Monopoly
Mirror mirror on the wall
Who's a rider who's a fraud
Who gon' pick up if I call
If I gotta go to war
Who's got my back
If I'm throwing hands in a brawl
Blast shots if it gets to it
And do some time for the cause
Toplef I'm feeling myself
Toplef I'm feeling myself
But sometimes I think of killing myself
Where would I go
Heaven or Hell
Where would I go
Heaven or Hell
Sometimes I think that I'm already there
Bright lights shining
They so blinding
When I'm down and out
The ones I need I never find em
Nice to meet you are you giving it up
Don't need your love
I toot it and boot it like woah
Then back to the money I go
9-0-5 and 2-8-9
Need six O's on my pay stub
When I ride its suicide
That's do or die I'ma race off
I can't stop no red lights
All gas with the breaks off
Yeah yeah
Mixed signals got me stuck up in a fucked up spot
Mirror mirror on the wall
Who's the realest of them all
Before you can stand your ground
You gotta figure out the crawl
They want me when I'm flying
But who's there when I fall
I just pray that when I'm dying
I'm surrounded by people I love
Toplef I'm feeling myself
Toplef I'm feeling myself
But sometimes I think of killing myself
Where would I go
Heaven or Hell
Where would I go
Heaven or Hell
Sometimes I think that I'm already there
Toplef I'm feeling myself
Toplef I'm feeling myself
But sometimes I think of killing myself
Where would I go
Heaven or Hell
Where would I go
Heaven or Hell
Sometimes I think that I'm already there
In these lyrics, RZA addresses various themes such as authenticity, loneliness, family, self-worth, and inner struggles. He questions who amongst his peers is the most genuine and asks the mirror to reflect the truth. He acknowledges that before he can assert himself and stand his ground, he must first overcome the challenges and obstacles in his path.
RZA reflects on the fickleness of those around him, noting that people tend to flock to him when he's successful but are absent when he faces difficult times. This loneliness leads him to contemplate his mortality and hopes that when he eventually passes away, he will be surrounded by the love of his close friends and family.
He admits to pushing people away and being reluctant to apologize for his actions. He states that he doesn't care if others choose to stay or associate with him, conveying a sense of detachment from seeking validation or approval. RZA hears the call of temptation and negativity from the devil, and he feels that his potential romantic interests are hindering his progress.
RZA also expresses his desire to make his father proud, and he plans to achieve financial success by investing in properties and sharing his wealth with his family. He envisions a life where he dominates like in the game of Monopoly, taking control and leaving a lasting legacy.
The song further delves into RZA's struggles with mental health. He contemplates his own worth and contemplates the idea of ending his own life. The uncertainty of where he would go in the afterlife, heaven or hell, plagues his thoughts, hinting at his internal conflicts. He feels trapped by mixed signals and finds himself stuck in a confusing and disoriented state.
Ultimately, RZA reflects on his quest for authenticity, his desire for genuine connections, and the internal battles he faces on his journey. These lyrics highlight the complex emotions and pressures he experiences as an artist and as an individual trying to navigate his way through life.
Line by Line Meaning
Mirror mirror on the wall
Asking for introspection and self-reflection
Who's the realest of them all
Questioning one's authenticity and genuineness
Before you can stand your ground
Achieving confidence and self-assurance
You gotta figure out the crawl
Understanding the struggle and the initial steps needed for success
They want me when I'm flying
Recognizing the attention received during moments of success
But who's there when I fall
Wondering about the support and care during times of failure or difficulty
I just pray that when I'm dying
Expressing the desire to be surrounded by loved ones during the final moments
I'm surrounded by people I love
Seeking comfort and companionship in the presence of loved ones
I've been pushing them away
Acknowledging the act of distancing oneself from others
Never was good at apologies
Admitting difficulty in expressing remorse
Don't give a damn if you stay
Showing indifference towards someone's decision to remain or leave
I don't give a damn if you fuck with me
Having no concern for others' feelings towards oneself
I hear the devil he's calling me
Sensing inner conflict and the lure of negative influences
All of these shorties is stalling me
Feeling restricted or held back by others
Silk robe like royalty
Feeling a sense of power and importance
No IG they gon' follow me
Lacking social media popularity or attention
And I know my pops he ain't proud of me
Recognizing a strained relationship with one's father
I'ma go get me a bag
Determined to achieve financial success
Split it up with my family
Sharing the wealth and supporting loved ones
I'ma cop a couple properties
Planning to invest in real estate
Take over like Monopoly
Aspiring to gain control and dominance
Who's a rider who's a fraud
Distinguishing between true loyalists and fake supporters
Who gon' pick up if I call
Identifying reliable individuals during times of need
If I gotta go to war
Considering conflict or challenging situations
Who's got my back
Searching for trustworthy allies and support
If I'm throwing hands in a brawl
Inquiring about backup during physical altercations
Blast shots if it gets to it
Willingness to resort to violence if necessary
And do some time for the cause
Being prepared to face legal consequences for a greater purpose
Toplef I'm feeling myself
Experiencing self-confidence and self-assurance
But sometimes I think of killing myself
Contemplating suicidal thoughts
Where would I go Heaven or Hell
Questioning the potential afterlife consequences of one's actions
Sometimes I think that I'm already there
Feeling overwhelmed by negativity and despair in the present
Bright lights shining
Being attracted to fame and recognition
They so blinding
Acknowledging the overwhelming and distracting nature of fame
When I'm down and out
When feeling low and defeated
The ones I need I never find em
Struggling to find the support and assistance required
Nice to meet you are you giving it up
Questioning others' willingness to provide help or support
Don't need your love
Asserting independence and self-sufficiency
I toot it and boot it like woah
Engaging in casual sexual encounters without emotional attachment
Then back to the money I go
Returning focus to financial pursuits
9-0-5 and 2-8-9
Referring to specific locations or areas
Need six O's on my pay stub
Desiring a high income or financial success
When I ride its suicide
Taking risks or engaging in dangerous activities
That's do or die I'ma race off
Approaching situations with a fearless and determined attitude
I can't stop no red lights
Continuing to pursue goals without obstacles or setbacks
All gas with the brakes off
Maintaining high speed and momentum while disregarding caution or restraint
Mixed signals got me stuck up in a fucked up spot
Feeling confused and trapped due to conflicting messages or circumstances
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bilal Mirza
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind