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
We Pop
Rza Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Double barrel shotgun (blaow), pop son
I told nigga, just not run
I saw him on 205th in Fordham
This dog was frozen, so my high heat thawed him (Wu!)
I blown ya, you need a blood donor
My bitch ghetto, like Florida and Laronia (girl)
I flow checks, one followed by six o's (six o's)
I got hoes, in codes, in different areas
Four ton whips that's sittin' on interiors
The bass shake in the club like it's earthquakin'
I cock arm, pass the bomb, like Troy Aikman (Aikman)
Play the basement like Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson
You miserable, you get kidnapped by Kathy Bason
Thrown to the dungeon, for your spongin'
Of Wu Killa Bee, what's your total malfunction?
We pop, we brawl, get money til the day we fall (yeah)
My glock (my glock), my four (my four)
throw shots through your bedroom door (bedroom door)
From the P's, to the morgue, cop Louie all the way to my drawers (New York)
We pop (pop), we brawl (brawl), get money til the way we fall
Come on, let's cut the crap, money
I've been gettin' this rap money
Crack money, stack money, I'm tryin' to get that Shaq money
That Mike Tyson, Michael Jordan, Michael Jack' money
Five hundred mill' and better, dog, yeah, now that's money
Act funny, ya'll make me laugh (haha)
Frontin' like you tough, you softer than a baby's ass
These lazy ass labels -- fuck you! Pay me cash
My crazy path promoted me into a Mercedes class
We pop, we brawl, get money til the day we fall (yeah)
My glock (my glock), my four (my four)
throw shots through your bedroom door (bedroom door)
From the P's, to the morgue, cop Louie all the way to my drawers (New York)
We pop (pop), we brawl (brawl), get money til the way we fall
Yeah, all ya'll can see is the back of my jersey
Blowin' in the wind, goin' back to Jersey
Off to Brooklyn, left you back in Jersey
I was doin' a buck 90 like a throwback jersey
Shame on a Nigga, take it back to Dirty
Run, game on a nigga, I'll be back in thirty
Seconds, got the world's greatest record
And that money I'mma spend it like your greatest record
This Division, all the ladies respect it
Disrespect it and the eighty'll check it
It ain't hard to see how ya'll ignorin' the steel
Niggas that I clap, lookin' for me still
Til they look like they came out of George Foreman grill
Thoughts are stolen on Free, must be on them crills
Plus my, team gon' be holdin' like forty mill'
Thoughts are rollin' on E., must be on those pills
We pop, we brawl, get money til the day we fall (yeah)
My glock (my glock), my four (my four)
throw shots through your bedroom door (bedroom door)
From the P's, to the morgue, cop Louie all the way to my drawers (New York)
We pop (pop), we brawl (brawl), get money til the way we fall
The lyrics to We Pop by RZA are all about making money, living life extravagantly and not taking any prisoners in the process. The opening line "We pop, we brawl, gettin' money til the day we fall" sets the tone for the rest of the song as RZA talks about his double-barrel shotgun, his expensive clothes, and his hoes in different areas. He even references Gotham City and the characters of Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson.
RZA also takes some shots at the music industry and labels, declaring that he's "stackin' money" and trying to get "Shaq money" and "Michael Jordan money." He talks about how he's been promoting himself into a "Mercedes class" and that he's "the world's greatest record" with "the ladies respectin'."
Overall, the song is a display of RZA's confidence and bravado, with the lyrics reflecting his success, wealth, and status. It's a classic hip-hop track that captures the essence of the genre and showcases RZA's skills as a rapper and producer.
Line by Line Meaning
We pop, we brawl, gettin' money til the day we fall
We party, we fight, and we hustle until the end of our days.
Double barrel shotgun (blaow), pop son
I fired my shotgun twice, hitting my opponent.
I told nigga, just not run
I warned my opponent not to try and escape.
I saw him on 205th in Fordham
I spotted my opponent on 205th Street in Fordham, New York.
This dog was frozen, so my high heat thawed him (Wu!)
My opponent was scared stiff, but my fierce demeanor melted his fear.
I blown ya, you need a blood donor
I inflicted serious harm on my opponent and they require medical attention.
My bitch ghetto, like Florida and Laronia (girl)
My girlfriend is from a rough neighborhood like Florida and Laronia.
Laundry mat hoes, who want clothes?
I encounter women at the laundromat who are looking for nice clothing.
I flow checks, one followed by six o's (six o's)
I receive large sums of money, often in the amount of $1,000,000.
I got hoes, in codes, in different areas
I have multiple female partners, in various locations and social circles.
Four ton whips that's sittin' on interiors
I own luxury cars that have custom interiors.
The bass shake in the club like it's earthquakin'
The music's bass causes the club to shake, like an earthquake.
I cock arm, pass the bomb, like Troy Aikman (Aikman)
I prepare to throw a punch and follow through, like an NFL quarterback throwing a pass. (Troy Aikman is a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback)
Play the basement like Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson
I move stealthily with precision, like Batman and Robin in their secret basement hideout.
You miserable, you get kidnapped by Kathy Bason
You are a sad and pitiful person, and it would be easy for someone like Kathy Bason to kidnap you.
Thrown to the dungeon, for your spongin'
You would be banished to a dark and dingy dungeon for your deceitful behavior.
Come on, let's cut the crap, money
Let's get to the point and stop wasting time.
I've been gettin' this rap money
I have been making a lot of money from my music career.
Crack money, stack money, I'm tryin' to get that Shaq money
I am hustling by selling drugs and working hard to accumulate money, hoping to make as much as basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal.
That Mike Tyson, Michael Jordan, Michael Jack' money
I aspire to have the same level of wealth and fame as boxer Mike Tyson and basketball player Michael Jordan, as well as the late singer Michael Jackson.
Five hundred mill' and better, dog, yeah, now that's money
I dream of having at least $500 million in wealth, which to me is the definition of true wealth.
Act funny, ya'll make me laugh (haha)
If you try to act tough, it only amuses me.
Frontin' like you tough, you softer than a baby's ass
You may act tough, but you are actually weak and vulnerable.
These lazy ass labels -- fuck you! Pay me cash
I am not willing to put up with record labels that are slow to pay me the money I am owed for my work.
My crazy path promoted me into a Mercedes class
Despite my unconventional style, I have achieved enough success to afford a Mercedes-Benz.
Yeah, all ya'll can see is the back of my jersey
I am so fast that all you can see is the back of my shirt as I pass you by.
Blowin' in the wind, goin' back to Jersey
I am moving quickly, like the wind, as I return to New Jersey.
Off to Brooklyn, left you back in Jersey
I am leaving you behind as I head to Brooklyn, while you remain in New Jersey.
I was doin' a buck 90 like a throwback jersey
I was driving at 190 miles per hour, like an old-school sports jersey.
Shame on a Nigga, take it back to Dirty
You should be ashamed of yourself, and I am bringing back the old-school, Dirty South-style music.
Run, game on a nigga, I'll be back in thirty
You should be afraid of me, and I will be back very soon.
Seconds, got the world's greatest record
In just seconds, I have broken the world record for something.
And that money I'mma spend it like your greatest record
I am going to spend my money as if it were my most valuable possession.
This Division, all the ladies respect it
My musical group (Wu-Tang Clan) is highly respected by women.
Disrespect it and the eighty'll check it
If you show disrespect towards us, we will confront you with a .380 caliber firearm.
It ain't hard to see how ya'll ignorin' the steel
It is obvious that you are disregarding the power of our guns.
Niggas that I clap, lookin' for me still
People I have attacked with my weapon are still searching for me.
Til they look like they came out of George Foreman grill
The aftermath of my violent actions leaves my opponents looking scarred and beaten, like they just came off of a hot grill.
Thoughts are stolen on Free, must be on them crills
People's minds are easily influenced by me (Free), and they are probably under the influence of drugs (crills).
Plus my, team gon' be holdin' like forty mill'
My team (Wu-Tang Clan) will have millions of dollars in our possession.
Thoughts are rollin' on E., must be on those pills
My thoughts are consumed by my drive to succeed, while others are turning to drugs (pills) to cope.
My glock (my glock), my four (my four)
These lines are repeated throughout the song and refer to the guns that the rapper is carrying.
throw shots through your bedroom door (bedroom door)
I will shoot my weapon through your bedroom door.
From the P's, to the morgue, cop Louie all the way to my drawers (New York)
I have been in many dangerous situations (from the projects to the morgue), but I still have the ability to purchase expensive clothing (like Louis Vuitton) in New York City.
We pop (pop), we brawl (brawl), get money til the way we fall
This line is repeated throughout the song and summarizes the rapper's lifestyle of partying, fighting, and hustling until the end of his days.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DORSEY WESLEY, ROBERT F. DIGGS, RUSSELL T. JONES, FREDERICK WILSON CUFFIE, S. CUFFIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind