Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA (pronounced /ˈ… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA (pronounced /ˈrɪzə/; born July 5, 1969), is an American Grammy winning music producer, author, rapper, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in hip hop music, he is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost all of Wu-Tang Clan's albums as well as many Wu-Tang solo and affiliate projects. He subsequently gained attention for his work scoring and acting in films.

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

Odyssey
Rza Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Watch it, watch it, watch it, watch it, get it, get it, get it, get it
And so as Bobby, and so as Bobby
And so as Bobby start to learn more jewels of life
He became more the wiser
And the RZA was being manifested from within
For a new embryo had been born through the cypher
Bringin' forth into existence, the Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah
And he started to spit shit like this

Yo, Happy New Year, throw on your Wu-Wear
We true here, you crab derelict bastards
You can't push through here
The ice melter, you best to to dive for ya shelter
This a sign, when it's called Alpha Phi Sigma Phi Delta
Digi tech, 36 tech, eject pelet
Rip through rap cadet, no one left to tell it

Then them hook, walked through justice in Brooks
Scotch whiskey, in the middle of Patty, with four glocks wit me
Hand pull trigger nigga, 16-shot dart spitta
Chart splittas, who walk through the hood, heart bitter
For industrialized rapped capatilist, trynna snatch a crack of this
BZA bitch, please don't make me flip, flip, flip, flip

And bones get sparked, my wiz as strong as Joan of Arc
While ya dogs just bark, bark, bark
We spread this attitude, to every point of latitude
Every street crevest, every quarter, every avenue
I might be on the Iffel, wit a 30/30 scope riffler
Ready to snipe you and wipe you from the face of the earth
You can taste it diverse, the blood thirst
I start to bring the great Flood, first, first, first

So as his mind start to grow
He start expression himself through his hip hop culture
Changin' his thoughts, standin' on his truth of square

Build it better himself to those around him
And he start talkin' like this
Hungry men have no respect for law or authority
Or human life, a man's bread and butter
Is only insured if he works for it
Leadership means everything, pain, blood and death
What night is to day, man is to woman
And woman is to man, fear is the state of nervousness

Only fit for children, not men
All men are created equal, so to offend man, is to offend God
Fear is lose control of one third, if you become like a helpless deer
Or a feathless bird, we stand as the true of living, living true
And these jewels, thoughts of great wise men, like Marcus Garvey
Start to build up inside Bobby's head

And it lead him to the knowledge of himself
And he became a strong muthafucka

Overall Meaning

The song "Odyssey" by RZA follows the story of Bobby, who starts to understand the important lessons in life and grows wiser through the years. As he becomes more conscious, he gains a better understanding of himself and manifests the RZA within him. The lyrics in this song reflect on Bobby's journey towards self-discovery and enlightenment.

RZA uses powerful metaphorical examples to demonstrate his personal strength and wisdom. He speaks about the Alpha Phi Sigma Phi Delta, which is a reference to the first letters of the ancient Greek words for fire, air, water, and earth. RZA indicates that the four elements correspond to humanity's four basic traits: warmth, creativity, spiritual awareness, and practicality, and that they all exist within him. RZA also uses imagery to describe the strength of his mindset, asserting that he is as strong as Joan of Arc and unafraid of wiping out anyone that challenges his power. The song concludes with Bobby becoming a strong individual due to all his experiences.

Line by Line Meaning

Watch it, watch it, watch it, watch it, get it, get it, get it, get it
Pay close attention and take action to achieve your goals

And so as Bobby, and so as Bobby
As Bobby's journey progresses

And so as Bobby start to learn more jewels of life
As Bobby acquires knowledge about life

He became more the wiser
He becomes more knowledgeable and wise

And the RZA was being manifested from within
The RZA's persona was being developed from within Bobby's mind

For a new embryo had been born through the cypher
A new creative identity had emerged from the communal hip-hop scene

Bringin' forth into existence, the Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah
Realizing his talent and identity as a creative force

Yo, Happy New Year, throw on your Wu-Wear
Celebrating and representing the Wu-Tang Clan's brand with style

We true here, you crab derelict bastards
Asserting their authentic and loyal presence among fakes

You can't push through here
Challenging anyone who tries to disrespect or compete with them on their turf

The ice melter, you best to to dive for ya shelter
Metaphorically melting away anyone who tries to oppose or disrespect them

This a sign, when it's called Alpha Phi Sigma Phi Delta
Using Greek letters to represent their superiority and status

Digi tech, 36 tech, eject pelet
Using technology and strategy to defeat their enemies

Rip through rap cadet, no one left to tell it
Destroying anyone who tries to challenge them in the rap game

Then them hook, walked through justice in Brooks
Lyrics shift to a new storyline or scene

Scotch whiskey, in the middle of Patty, with four glocks wit me
Depicting a scene of luxury and danger in a specific setting

Hand pull trigger nigga, 16-shot dart spitta
Continuing to depict the danger and power of their weapons

Chart splittas, who walk through the hood, heart bitter
Describing a group of tough and unhappy people from the streets

For industrialized rapped capatilist, trynna snatch a crack of this
Commenting on the greed and opportunism in the music industry

BZA bitch, please don't make me flip, flip, flip, flip
Asserting their toughness and warning others not to mess with them

And bones get sparked, my wiz as strong as Joan of Arc
Lyrics shift to a new scene, describing their power and strength in battle

While ya dogs just bark, bark, bark
Expressing contempt towards their enemies who are all talk and no action

We spread this attitude, to every point of latitude
Spreading their message and culture all over the world

Every street crevest, every quarter, every avenue
Reaching every corner and community with their influence

I might be on the Iffel, wit a 30/30 scope riffler
Lyrics shift to a new scene, describing their far-reaching and powerful influence

Ready to snipe you and wipe you from the face of the earth
Threatening to eliminate anyone who opposes or disrespects them

You can taste it diverse, the blood thirst
Describing their desire for power and success in the industry

I start to bring the great Flood, first, first, first
Using metaphorical language to describe the impact of their creative talent and influence

So as his mind start to grow
Returning to the theme of Bobby's personal growth and transformation

He start expression himself through his hip hop culture
Bobby finds a form of creative expression that accurately represents him

Changin' his thoughts, standin' on his truth of square
He becomes more self-aware and confident in his beliefs

Build it better himself to those around him
Inspiring others to better themselves with his example

And he start talkin' like this
Bobby becomes more articulate and expressive with his words

Hungry men have no respect for law or authority
Commenting on the way that poverty and desperation can lead to crime and rebellion

Or human life, a man's bread and butter
Suggesting that for some people, their means of survival come at the expense of others

Is only insured if he works for it
Arguing that hard work is the only way to guarantee success

Leadership means everything, pain, blood and death
Recognizing the sacrifices and risks involved in being a leader

What night is to day, man is to woman
Using a comparison to describe the different but complementary roles of men and women

And woman is to man, fear is the state of nervousness
Using another comparison to describe the emotional and psychological dynamics between men and women

Only fit for children, not men
Suggesting that fear is a sign of immaturity or weakness

All men are created equal, so to offend man, is to offend God
Arguing that every human being deserves respect and dignity

Fear is lose control of one third, if you become like a helpless deer
Using a metaphor to describe the danger and powerlessness of succumbing to fear

Or a feathless bird, we stand as the true of living, living true
Affirming their strength and authenticity as a cultural movement

And these jewels, thoughts of great wise men, like Marcus Garvey
Acknowledging the intellectual and philosophical roots of their cultural movement

Start to build up inside Bobby's head
Bobby's personal growth and intellectual development lead him to discover new ideas and perspectives

And it lead him to the knowledge of himself
Through this process, Bobby becomes more self-aware and confident

And he became a strong muthafucka
The journey of personal growth and creativity lead Bobby to become a more assertive and confident person

Contributed by Tyler E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS