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
Put Your Guns Down
Rza Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggas never grow up, some drink til they throw up
Some sniff that cocaine til they f**king brains blow up
Grass junkies, drunk on that Brass Monkey
Walk around wit the brain of a Crash Dummie
How the f**k you gonna try to gas cash from me?
You be in the House of a 1,000 Corpse like Rob Zombie
Culture this I God, all inside your iPod
[Chorus 2X: Startel]
Put your guns down, shoot a few rounds
Fifty-two blocks, put that ass on the ground
Rocket launcher on my shoulder, world's getting colder
Hood's like Iraq, and I'm just a soldier
[RZA]
Niggas creep, yo, check it, yo, yo
Welcome to the City of God, where it's gritty and hard
And these dogs walk around at least, fifty a squad
Saying give me a yard, trynna, split me a broad
Maybe, spit me a dart, so I could, get me a car
Niggas creep, half can't read or speak
Shoot the whole crib, buckwild like Little Zeke
From the slums, yeah, we be the blind, deaf and dumb
We got six year old sons, knowing how to use a gun
They would shoot and don't think about it, won't even blink about it
Go home, lay on momma breast, nigga, drink about it
So while you huff and you puff, like you rough and tough
Your ass turn to a bitch once you in the cuffs
[Chorus]
[RZA]
Nobody understands me, not even my family
Most important man on the planet, still they ban me
Instead of giving praises and revealing a Grammy
They'd rather see me stressed out, concealing my jammy
Hoping, I got smoked out and broke like Sammy
Spent the wheel of fortune then get struck wit a whammy
Never that, black, I got my act together
How can hip hop be dead when Wu-Tang is forever?
[Chorus 2X]
The song Put Your Guns Down by RZA speaks about the harsh realities of life in inner-city neighborhoods where violence, drug abuse, and criminal activity are all too common. The opening lines depict how some people in these neighborhoods live recklessly, indulging in drugs and drinking to excess. The reference to the "brain of a Crash Dummie" serves as an analogy for the dangerous behavior that can lead to serious injury or death.
RZA then goes on to talk about the prevalence of guns and street gangs in the inner city. He highlights how certain streets are like warzones where it's survival of the fittest. He references the movie City of God, which is an unflinching portrayal of life in a Brazilian favela. The line "We got six year old sons, knowing how to use a gun" is especially poignant, as it shows how the cycle of violence is perpetuated from one generation to the next. The chorus, sung by Startel, urges people to put down their guns and choose peace instead of violence.
The final verse is somewhat introspective, as RZA reflects on his own life and career. He laments how some people don't understand him and how he's been banned or censored by certain groups. However, he stays resolute in his belief that Wu-Tang Clan and hip-hop as a genre will continue to thrive.
Line by Line Meaning
Niggas never grow up, some drink til they throw up
Some people never mature, resorting to binge drinking as a coping mechanism.
Some sniff that cocaine til they f**king brains blow up
Some individuals become addicted to cocaine, leading to life-threatening consequences.
Grass junkies, drunk on that Brass Monkey
People who smoke marijuana become addicted and intoxicated by the drug, impairing their cognitive abilities.
Walk around wit the brain of a Crash Dummie
These individuals act carelessly and irresponsibly, putting themselves and others in danger.
How the f**k you gonna try to gas cash from me?
Why would anyone try to deceive or manipulate me for financial gain?
You be in the House of a 1,000 Corpse like Rob Zombie
You'll be stuck in a dangerous and hopeless situation, similar to that in a horror movie.
Culture this I God, all inside your iPod
The Wu-Tang Clan's music and culture have influenced and impacted popular music significantly.
Cuz my squad, nigga is die hard
The Wu-Tang Clan is dedicated, committed, and unyielding in their craft and beliefs.
Put your guns down, shoot a few rounds
Abstain from violence and reconsider using firearms as a means of conflict resolution.
Fifty-two blocks, put that ass on the ground
Use self-defense techniques to neutralize any physical threats or dangers.
Rocket launcher on my shoulder, world's getting colder
The world is becoming increasingly hostile and bleak, urging for protection and precaution.
Hood's like Iraq, and I'm just a soldier
I'm a fighter, soldiering through tough and dangerous circumstances in my neighborhood.
Welcome to the City of God, where it's gritty and hard
The City of God is a place of poverty, crime, and violence, making life extremely difficult for its inhabitants.
And these dogs walk around at least, fifty a squad
Gangs and groups of people roam the streets, constantly looking for trouble or confrontation.
Saying give me a yard, trynna, split me a broad
They demand and threaten people for their assets, sometimes resorting to sexual assault.
Maybe, spit me a dart, so I could, get me a car
They sell drugs to acquire money to purchase luxury items like cars.
Niggas creep, half can't read or speak
Criminals move stealthily, taking advantage of a population with low literacy skills and language barriers.
Shoot the whole crib, buckwild like Little Zeke
They are reckless and aggressive, causing destruction and chaos like Little Zeke from City of God.
We got six year old sons, knowing how to use a gun
Children learn how to use firearms and act violently at a young age, perpetuating the cycle of violence.
They would shoot and don't think about it, won't even blink about it
They act impulsively and disregard the consequences of their actions, not even flinching when firing a weapon.
Go home, lay on momma breast, nigga, drink about it
They justify their violent behavior with alcohol and disregard the emotional and psychological impact on others around them.
So while you huff and you puff, like you rough and tough
While you act tough and intimidating, you're only exposing your insecurity and vulnerability.
Your ass turn to a bitch once you in the cuffs
You become helpless and submissive once apprehended and arrested by law enforcement.
Nobody understands me, not even my family
I feel misunderstood and unaccepted, even by those closest to me.
Most important man on the planet, still they ban me
Despite my fame and success, I feel discriminated against and ostracized in society.
Instead of giving praises and revealing a Grammy
Rather than receiving recognition and appreciation for my work, I experience marginalization and rejection.
They'd rather see me stressed out, concealing my jammy
They desire to see me agitated, paranoid, and carrying a firearm for self-defense.
Hoping, I got smoked out and broke like Sammy
They wish for me to fail and become impoverished, like Sammy Davis Jr. in his later years.
Spent the wheel of fortune then get struck wit a whammy
I've experienced success and failure, but also unexpected setbacks and misfortunes.
Never that, black, I got my act together
I refuse to succumb to negative influences and bad habits, taking control of my life and actions.
How can hip hop be dead when Wu-Tang is forever?
The Wu-Tang Clan will always endure and influence the hip hop genre, even as cultures and trends change over time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ferat Ecrus
raw sound, lovin it
Aswin Lucas Vaughan
Till the last day will be remembered....can't even imagine the sickness and pain(!)
Nyshia Jones
Heeyyy zoo,