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
Shimmy Shimmy Ya
Rza Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, baby, I like it rawww...
Yeah baby, I like it raawww!!!
Ooh, baby, I like it raww...
Yeah baby, I like it rawww!!!
Sh...
Shimmy shimmy ya, shimmy yam, shimmy yay
Off on a natural charge, bon voyage
Yeah, from the home of the Dodgers, Brooklyn squad
Wu-Tang Killerrr Bees on a swarm!
Rain on ya dollar's ass, disco dorm!
For you to even touch my skill
You gotta have the one Killer Bee and he ain't gonna kill. Now
My producer slam, my flow is like bam!
Chop that down, pass it all around!
Lyrics get hard, quick cement to the ground!
For any MC in any fifty two states
I gets psycho killerrrr Norman Bates!
My producer slam, sharp like bam!
Jump on stage, and then I dun-daaaah!
[I like the way you come]
Hey, baby, I like it rawww...
Yeah baby, I like it rawww!!!
Ooh, baby, I like it raww...
Yeah baby, I like it rawww!!!
(Repeat)
The song "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" by RZA is a hip hop classic that showcases the rapper's lyrical abilities and unique style. The song begins with RZA repeating the phrase "Hey, baby, I like it raw" in a raw and gritty voice, which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The chorus is infectious and memorable, with RZA repeating "Shimmy shimmy ya, shimmy yam, shimmy yay" over a catchy beat.
The lyrics of the song are packed with clever wordplay, metaphors, and cultural references. RZA boasts about his skills as an MC, claiming that no one can touch his "skill" without the help of the "one Killer Bee" (presumably a reference to fellow Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah). He also uses violent imagery, comparing himself to the fictional character Norman Bates from the movie "Psycho."
One of the most interesting aspects of "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" is how it showcases RZA's versatility as an artist. He is able to seamlessly blend elements of funk, soul, and traditional Chinese music into the track, creating a truly unique sound. The beat is driven by a funky bassline and horn section, while RZA's rapping is punctuated by a traditional Chinese instrument called a guzheng.
Overall, "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" is a classic hip hop track that showcases RZA's lyrical abilities, unique style, and versatility as an artist.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, fuck, you can't even sing
I disdain your singing ability
Hey, baby, I like it rawww...
I prefer raw, unfiltered experiences
Yeah baby, I like it raawww!!!
I am excited by the rawness of this experience
Ooh, baby, I like it raww...
I am ecstatic about experiencing something unfiltered and pure
Yeah baby, I like it rawww!!!
I am fully embracing the rawness of this experience
Shimmy shimmy ya, shimmy yam, shimmy yay
I am dancing and celebrating
Gimme the mic so I can take it away
Give me control of the microphone so I can perform and entertain
Off on a natural charge, bon voyage
I am embarking on a journey with untamed energy
Yeah, from the home of the Dodgers, Brooklyn squad
I come from the borough of Brooklyn and I represent its people
Wu-Tang Killerrr Bees on a swarm!
My group, the Wu-Tang Clan, is on a mission to dominate and succeed
Rain on ya dollar's ass, disco dorm!
We will disrupt the mainstream and make them feel our presence
For you to even touch my skill
You must possess the same level of talent and skill as me
You gotta have the one Killer Bee and he ain't gonna kill. Now
You need someone as talented as me or my group member, the Killer Bee, to match my level
My producer slam, my flow is like bam!
My producer has crafted a great beat for me and my rap style is powerful and impactful
Chop that down, pass it all around!
Share and spread my music to everyone you know
Lyrics get hard, quick cement to the ground!
My lyrics are tough and will withstand the test of time
For any MC in any fifty two states
My talent is so great that it can be felt by any rapper in any state in the US
I gets psycho killerrrr Norman Bates!
My flow is so intense that it can be compared to the madness of Norman Bates
My producer slam, sharp like bam!
My producer's beats are sharp and impactful like a BAM sound effect
Jump on stage, and then I dun-daaaah!
I am ready to perform and leave a lasting impression
I like the way you come
I respect and appreciate your approach
Hey, baby, I like it rawww...
I prefer raw, unfiltered experiences
Yeah baby, I like it rawww!!!
I am excited by the rawness of this experience
Ooh, baby, I like it raww...
I am ecstatic about experiencing something unfiltered and pure
Yeah baby, I like it rawww!!!
I am fully embracing the rawness of this experience
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RUSSELL JONES, ROBERT DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@killval849
His erratic, borderline psychotic, balls to the wall tone, rhythm, and flow were untouchable. Wu Tang was never the same after he died.
@maximillionbelafonte8905
Best comment ever.
@eriktarte2743
RIP ODB
@robertma5424
I think part of it was the fact he was shitfaced recording this album lol.
@simomilosic7345
@Killval they were like family and when one member is gone there is nothing like it was before.
@rodneywelch4203
If you notice wu tang sort of dwindled a little when dirty passed
@jonathanblackmore822
In February 1998, Ol' Dirty Bastard witnessed a car accident from the window of his Brooklyn recording studio. He and a friend ran to the accident scene and organized about a dozen onlookers, who assisted in lifting the 1996 Ford Mustang—rescuing a 4-year-old girl from the wreckage. She was taken to a hospital with first and second-degree burns. Using a false name, Ol' Dirty Bastard visited the girl in the hospital frequently until he was spotted by members of the media.
@KingLich451
Wow, nice.
@j4ever41
yep true story
@Erik-vp5bm
This story was so secret that we all knew about it right after it happened. :)