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
Wu-Gambinos
Rza Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tony Wing's the name, he works for a drug ring in Central America
Who wants to kill him?
No information, say yes or no
One point five million
Alright, you get what you want, money's no object
They're all clean, no serial numbers, untraceable
And they're explosive head bullets, your favorite
Come here, son
Come here, for a minute
Hold up, hold up, hold up, hold up
Yo, send Bobby to the store for some more baking soda
Yo, yo, yo, get your fuckin', yo this made of glass, man
Get your big Avias off my mom's table man
The fuck is wrong with you, man?
Nah, nah, see, yo, chill, man, yo, pass the Cristal man
Fuck is wrong with you, man?
Niggas is greedy man, damn
Big ass shits
Yo man, you ain't smoking no more weed in here, man
Chill man
Bobby Steels
Somebody go to the store, man, fuck that shit
Sup kid?
Get baking soda
Yo
Let's cut the pie five ways
We came off with two mil, kid
Noodles
Fast
Rollie Fingers, no doubt, coming through
La Cosa Nostra
Johnny Blaze
Lou Diamonds
Represent for my peoples
Word up, kid
Tony Starks
Universal frontier
Original bloodclaat bad boys
Who come to get you, none, they want guns
I be the first to set off shit, last to run
Wu roll together as one
I call my brother son 'cause he shine like one, check it
Scriptures hit the body like sawed-off shotty
Like my hair knotty and my nosepiece snotty
Fuck a nigga hottie, that whole pussy probably
Burn like the deserts of Mogabi, for real
Ain't nothing fraudulent here, we pioneer
Commandeer a new frontier, this be the Wu, yeah
36 Chambers of fear, huh, you lost it
Information leaking out your faucets, hmm
Time to forfeit your crown and leave the grounds
There's a new sheriff in town holding it down
It's the two holster, six-shot smoker
Wanted dead or alive, bounty on the poster
Wild in the West, a student of my culture
And life is the test, hold up
Let a nigga catch his breath
I'm still paying dues and the last one is death
Back to the essence with that shit you stressing, this rap profession
Now peep Tical, the son of the Shaolin
Isle, bless my style, criminology pays
The last times and days, Johnny fucking Blaze
This goes for niggas who know
Wu will glow like yayo, lay low
Plus cooling in Barbados
Ricans be giving me much shit to touch shit
Stay cool papa, see you with enough shit
Back at the lab-a, crack's bagged up
Yo niggas act up, what? Blow up their workers if they have to
Señoritas, fucking up a storm buying Gods margaritas
Sucking his dick, up in the whip long
Designed for rhyme crime, nigga, jail time jiggas
Them niggas up in hype Vigors lighting niggas
Silks Wally wear Figaro chain, yeah
Jakes beware of black rap millionaires
Rock Airs, leather goose, bears blowing this year
1-800-GAMBINO niggas, yeah
Wu roll together as one
I call my brother son cause he shine like one
Solid gold crown is shining, we're blinding like some diamonds
I'm reclining in the sky on a cloud with silver lining
Double breasted, bullet proof vested, well protected
The heart, the rib cage, the chest and solar plexus
Casting stones, cracking two-hundred and six bones
And watch your ass get blown to a sea of fire and brimstone
How dare you approach it with them poems
The overfiend, light nova beam green, show 'em what soldier mean
The grand exquisite imperial wizard or is it
The RZArector come to pay your ass a visit
Local bio-chemical, universal giant, the black general
Licking shots at Davy Crockett on the bicentennial
Happy Millennium two thousand microchips two shots of penicillin
Goes up your adrenalin, son, it's time for bouting
It's a model you're resembling the niggas who like following
Trapped inside your projects like a genie inside the bottle and
God stepping forth upon holy down of the track
It's the sound that surrounds and hurts me like I'm under attack
So I decided to bite down on the mic
So the pain of the track won't deny the fact that I'm the master
For what lurks, is an expert that hurts
The individual who tries to visualize under
'Cause I strike, like thunder
Niggas couldn't stand my heat, it's unbearable
My wisdom fucks up your respitorial
Systems are fractured by the killer tactics
Style is ragged and thoughts are mad jagged
Enter the entity, my vicinity
Is three hundred and sixty degrees of humidity
Represent the school of hard knocks and Glocks my
Clan is hostile and got mad moss for blocks so
Feel the force of impact from the iron side of
The gat as I attack the track
From the blind side of the pack, Starks pass the chrome
Watch a nigga get blown out his motherfucking dome-piece
Deceased, laid to rest
Who come to get you, none, they want guns
I be the first to set off shit, last to run
Wu roll together as one
I call my brother son 'cause he shine like one
Yo, ayo, I got to serve them my way, move give me room
Holding up your saloon, clean sweep, like a broom
Full moons make me howl like a wolf out of breath
Soley on Wu cords you heard Genius on Gef
So step back to the lab at high velocity
My team make hand-to-hand sales, we're like a pharmacy
Fuck Geraldo, Pablo's plan bro is Bravo
Goodfellas we know, best sellers become novels
The man rocking head bands, silk scarves and jams
Early 80's British Walkers, playboys, mocks and shams
The laser beam vocalist does well at symphonies
Bad days, watch me snatch ice right outta Tiffany's
Remember them kids that came off with eight million
Robbed the Brinks and I labelled in royal pavilions
Them flower heads must have been stupid
Tell me how the fuck black niggas get caught with all that loot, kid
There's jet money, underground money
Submarines and rings, too bad you fucked up, dummies
Cosa, Cosa
Come on
The lyrics of Wu by RZA and Method Man describe the work of a gang involved in drug trafficking, their interactions with the police and government agencies, and their commitment to protecting their own. The first few lines are a reference to a character named Tony Wing, who is a member of a drug trafficking ring in Central America. The gang members need Tony's help, but they do not know who wants to kill him. The discussion soon turns to money, and they are willing to pay 1.5 million to get the help they need, even if it means using untraceable, explosive head bullets.
As the song progresses, Method Man takes the stage and delivers a powerful verse. His lyrics are filled with references to his African heritage, with lines such as "my hair knotty and my nosepiece snotty" and "burn like the deserts of Mogabi." Method Man asserts his identity as a "pioneer" and a "new sheriff in town" who is "wild in the West" and a "student of my culture." He reflects on his life and work as a rapper, commenting that he is still "paying dues" and that the "last one is death." Finally, the song concludes with a repeated refrain that emphasizes the unity and brotherhood of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Line by Line Meaning
And in our line of work, we need all the help we can get
Given the nature of our work, it is crucial to have as much assistance as possible
Tony Wing's the name, he works for a drug ring in Central America
Tony Wing is the alias of an individual involved in an illicit drug organization based in Central America
Who wants to kill him?
Are there any individuals seeking to cause harm to Tony Wing?
No information, say yes or no
There is a lack of available intelligence, can you confirm or deny this?
One point five million
The amount of money being discussed is 1.5 million dollars
Alright, you get what you want, money's no object
Very well, you will receive the desired outcome, financial resources are not a concern
They're all clean, no serial numbers, untraceable
The weapons being referred to have no identifiable markings and cannot be traced back to their original owners
And they're explosive head bullets, your favorite
Furthermore, these particular bullets have explosive capabilities upon impact, a preferred choice for you
Come here, son
Son, please approach me
Come here, for a minute
Please come over for a brief moment
Hold up, hold up, hold up, hold up
Wait a moment, pause, halt, pause
Yo, send Bobby to the store for some more baking soda
Hey, please send Bobby to the store to purchase additional quantities of baking soda
Yo, yo, yo, get your fuckin', yo this made of glass, man
Hey, get your hands off that glass object, man
Get your big Avias off my mom's table man
Remove your large Avias shoes from my mother's table, man
The fuck is wrong with you, man?
What is the matter with you, man?
Nah, nah, see, yo, chill, man, yo, pass the Cristal man
No, no, listen, relax, man, please hand me the Cristal, man
Fuck is wrong with you, man?
What is the matter with you, man?
Niggas is greedy man, damn
Individuals can be quite greedy, it is disheartening
Big ass shits
Extremely large and impressive items
Yo man, you ain't smoking no more weed in here, man
Hey man, you are not allowed to smoke marijuana in this location anymore, man
Chill man
Calm down, man
Bobby Steels
Referring to an individual named Bobby Steels
Somebody go to the store, man, fuck that shit
Someone needs to go to the store, disregard any concerns or objections
Sup kid?
What's up, kid?
Get baking soda
Obtain some baking soda
Yo
Hey
Let's cut the pie five ways
Let us distribute the profits into five equal portions
We came off with two mil, kid
As a result, we acquired two million dollars, kid
Noodles
Referring to noodles or pasta
Fast
Quickly
Rollie Fingers, no doubt, coming through
Rollie Fingers, without a doubt, will arrive
La Cosa Nostra
The Italian American Mafia
Johnny Blaze
A nickname or alias for an individual named Johnny Blaze
Lou Diamonds
Referring to an individual named Lou Diamonds
Represent for my peoples
Act on behalf of my group of people
Word up, kid
Absolutely, my friend
Tony Starks
A pseudonym for an individual named Tony Starks
Universal frontier
Referring to a limitless or universal boundary
Original bloodclaat bad boys
The original, rough and rebellious individuals
Who come to get you, none, they want guns
There are no individuals coming to capture you, they desire firearms
I be the first to set off shit, last to run
I am the one initiating and participating in conflicts, but I always stay until the very end
Wu roll together as one
The members of Wu-Tang Clan unite and collaborate harmoniously
I call my brother son 'cause he shine like one, check it
I refer to my brother as my son because he possesses an extraordinary brilliance, understand
Scriptures hit the body like sawed-off shotty
My lyrics impact one's being forcefully, similar to a sawed-off shotgun
Like my hair knotty and my nosepiece snotty
Just like my hair being tangled and my nose having mucus, I am unrefined and gritty
Fuck a nigga hottie, that whole pussy probably
I have no interest in pursuing an attractive individual because they likely engage in promiscuous behavior
Burn like the deserts of Mogabi, for real
My words and actions possess a fiery intensity comparable to the scorching deserts of Mogabi, believe me
Ain't nothing fraudulent here, we pioneer
There is nothing deceitful about our presence, we are the ones establishing new standards and paths
Commandeer a new frontier, this be the Wu, yeah
We confidently take control of unexplored territories, representing the Wu-Tang Clan, indeed
36 Chambers of fear, huh, you lost it
The 36 chambers, filled with apprehension, bewildered you, huh, you are no longer in control
Information leaking out your faucets, hmm
Confidential details are being revealed, subtly escaping from your sources, hmm
Time to forfeit your crown and leave the grounds
It is now necessary for you to surrender your position of power and depart from this realm
There's a new sheriff in town holding it down
A fresh authority figure has emerged, firmly maintaining control
It's the two holster, six-shot smoker
Behold, the individual with two holsters, each containing a six-shot firearm
Wanted dead or alive, bounty on the poster
This person is being sought, either dead or alive, as indicated by the reward posted
Wild in the West, a student of my culture
Unrestrained in the western region, I am a dedicated learner and practitioner of my heritage
And life is the test, hold up
Life serves as an examination, pause
Let a nigga catch his breath
Allow a person to catch their breath, regain composure
I'm still paying dues and the last one is death
I continue to fulfill obligations and responsibilities, with the final one being death
Back to the essence with that shit you stressing, this rap profession
Returning to the fundamental aspect of the matter that concerns you, the rap profession
Now peep Tical, the son of the Shaolin
Now observe, Tical, a reference to myself, a descendant of the Shaolin Temple
Isle, bless my style, criminology pays
Greetings, I seek blessings for my unique manner of expression, criminology brings prosperity
The last times and days, Johnny fucking Blaze
The events leading to the end times, when chaos will reign, Johnny Blaze, invoking a sense of urgency
This goes for niggas who know
These words are directed towards individuals who possess understanding
Wu will glow like yayo, lay low
Wu-Tang Clan will shine and prevail, similar to the gleam of cocaine, remain discreet
Plus cooling in Barbados
Additionally, relaxing and enjoying oneself in Barbados
Ricans be giving me much shit to touch shit
Puerto Ricans present various opportunities for me to engage in profitable illegal activities
Stay cool papa, see you with enough shit
Remain calm, my friend, I will provide you with a sufficient amount of goods
Back at the lab-a, crack's bagged up
Returning to the laboratory, where batches of crack cocaine are packaged
Yo niggas act up, what? Blow up their workers if they have to
If individuals cause trouble, we will resort to violent methods, even harming their subordinates if necessary
Señoritas, fucking up a storm buying Gods margaritas
Ladies are heavily indulging in sexual activity while excessively purchasing expensive margaritas
Sucking his dick, up in the whip long
Engaging in oral sex with him, inside the vehicle for an extended duration
Designed for rhyme crime, nigga, jail time jiggas
Specifically created for engaging in criminal activities through rhymes, individuals who spend time in prison
Them niggas up in hype Vigors lighting niggas
Those individuals inside high-end luxury vehicles, actively engaging in acts of violence against others
Silks Wally wear Figaro chain, yeah
Silks Wally proudly displays his Figaro chain, indeed
Jakes beware of black rap millionaires
Law enforcement officials should be cautious of wealthy black rap artists
Rock Airs, leather goose, bears blowing this year
Sporting Rock Airs sneakers and a leather goose jacket, announcing an era of success and dominance
1-800-GAMBINO niggas, yeah
1-800-GAMBINO, individuals associated with organized crime, indeed
Solid gold crown is shining, we're blinding like some diamonds
A golden crown is emitting a brilliant radiance, blinding others like diamonds
I'm reclining in the sky on a cloud with silver lining
I am in a relaxed state, positioned in the heavens on a cloud with a silver lining
Double breasted, bullet proof vested, well protected
Wearing a double-breasted suit and a bulletproof vest, adequately safeguarded
The heart, the rib cage, the chest and solar plexus
Referencing vital organs such as the heart, rib cage, chest, and solar plexus
Casting stones, cracking two-hundred and six bones
Metaphorically attacking others by casting stones, causing fractures in their 206 bones
And watch your ass get blown to a sea of fire and brimstone
Witness as your existence is annihilated, consumed by a raging inferno of fire and brimstone
How dare you approach it with them poems
Why would you have the audacity to present such feeble poetry?
The overfiend, light nova beam green, show 'em what soldier mean
Describing oneself as an otherworldly being, emitting a bright green colored energy beam, demonstrating the true essence of a warrior
The grand exquisite imperial wizard or is it
Referring to oneself as the grand, exceptional, and powerful leader, possibly with mystical abilities
The RZArector come to pay your ass a visit
The RZArector, an alternative name for RZA, arriving to confront and address you
Local bio-chemical, universal giant, the black general
A regional figure with immense influence on a global scale, a prominent leader within the African American community
Licking shots at Davy Crockett on the bicentennial
Engaging in gunfire against Davy Crockett during the bicentennial celebration
Happy Millennium two thousand microchips two shots of penicillin
Wishing everyone a joyous new millennium, highlighting the significance of technological advancements and the importance of medical treatment
Goes up your adrenalin, son, it's time for bouting
Increasing your adrenaline levels, my friend, it is now time for action and confrontation
It's a model you're resembling the niggas who like following
You are emulating a certain archetype, resembling individuals who enjoy following and imitating
Trapped inside your projects like a genie inside the bottle and
Circumstances have confined you within your community, similar to a genie enclosed within a bottle
God stepping forth upon holy down of the track
An entity with divine qualities emerging confidently onto the foundation of the musical track
It's the sound that surrounds and hurts me like I'm under attack
The overwhelming sound engulfs me, causing distress as if I am being assaulted
So I decided to bite down on the mic
To alleviate the pain caused by the sound, I chose to bite down on the microphone
So the pain of the track won't deny the fact that I'm the master
In doing so, I prevent the discomfort caused by the music from diminishing my status as a master of my craft
For what lurks, is an expert that hurts
Because what hides beneath the surface is a skilled individual who inflicts harm
The individual who tries to visualize under
The person attempting to comprehend the meaning hidden beneath the surface
'Cause I strike, like thunder
Because I attack with swift and powerful force, resembling the striking of thunder
Niggas couldn't stand my heat, it's unbearable
Others were unable to withstand the intensity of my delivery, it was too overwhelming
My wisdom fucks up your respitorial
My wisdom disrupts your ability to breathe properly, affecting your respiratory system
Systems are fractured by the killer tactics
Methods employed by a killer, rupturing and destabilizing various systems
Style is ragged and thoughts are mad jagged
My style is rough and unrefined, while my thoughts are turbulent and unpredictable
Enter the entity, my vicinity
Allow the individual, referring to themselves, to enter your space
Is three hundred and sixty degrees of humidity
One's presence brings about a figurative humidity, encompassing a full circle of intensity
Represent the school of hard knocks and Glocks my
I proudly embody the experiences and lessons learned through tough circumstances and the use of firearms
Clan is hostile and got mad moss for blocks so
The Wu-Tang Clan is aggressive and possesses substantial influence within neighborhoods
Feel the force of impact from the iron side of
Experience the powerful effect caused by the firm and unyielding aspect of
The gat as I attack the track
The firearm, as I attack the musical composition
From the blind side of the pack, Starks pass the chrome
Emerging unexpectedly from within the group, Starks hands the silver handgun to me
Watch a nigga get blown out his motherfucking dome-piece
Observe as an individual's head is obliterated in a violent manner
Deceased, laid to rest
No longer alive, peacefully resting
Yo, ayo, I got to serve them my way, move give me room
Hey, listen, I must provide my unique approach, make space for me
Holding up your saloon, clean sweep, like a broom
Asserting control over your establishment, eliminating any opposition swiftly and thoroughly
Full moons make me howl like a wolf out of breath
The presence of full moons compels me to emit a howl similar to a breathless wolf
Soley on Wu cords you heard Genius on Gef
Exclusively relying upon the Wu-Tang Clan's collective power, you heard the genius of Genius on the Gef [GZA] beat
So step back to the lab at high velocity
Step away and return to the laboratory with great speed and intensity
My team make hand-to-hand sales, we're like a pharmacy
My crew engages in direct, personal transactions, similar to a pharmaceutical establishment
Fuck Geraldo, Pablo's plan bro is Bravo
Disregard Geraldo Rivera, Pablo's brother's scheme is highly commendable
Goodfellas we know, best sellers become novels
We are acquainted with influential and successful individuals, as their stories often transform into popular novels
The man rocking head bands, silk scarves and jams
An individual confidently wearing headbands, silk scarves, and stylish clothing
Early 80's British Walkers, playboys, mocks and shams
Referring to fashionable footwear from the early 1980s, specifically British Walkers, worn by stylish and confident individuals
The laser beam vocalist does well at symphonies
The rap artist with precise and impactful delivery excels at musical performances
Bad days, watch me snatch ice right outta Tiffany's
On occasions when my luck is not favorable, observe as I swiftly steal valuable jewelry from Tiffany & Co.
Remember them kids that came off with eight million
Recall the individuals who successfully acquired eight million dollars
Robbed the Brinks and I labelled in royal pavilions
They carried out a theft from the Brinks company, and I distributed the looted money in luxurious venues
Them flower heads must have been stupid
Those naive individuals were not very intelligent
Tell me how the fuck black niggas get caught with all that loot, kid
Explain to me, in explicit terms, how African American individuals are apprehended with a significant amount of stolen money, my friend
There's jet money, underground money
Illegally obtained funds stemming from aviation-related ventures, as well as hidden wealth
Submarines and rings, too bad you fucked up, dummies
Referencing both covert narcotic transportation methods (submarines) and luxurious jewelry, it is a shame that you made a crucial mistake, fools
Cosa, Cosa
It is a reference to La Cosa Nostra, the Italian American Mafia
Come on
Do not waste any more time, let us proceed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Corey Woods, Robert F. Diggs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mortarion5359
I love RZA's style, it's so unique, you never know where the next line is going to take you and his vocab is also craaazy
@wulaeofthetengu8336
I fw RZA and Andre 3000 because you never know where tf they're gonna land.
@spearPYN
RZA was untouchable in that era.
@yashratnaparkhi8950
Abbot always have great rhymes with flow
@Adontheimperfectionist
This version of RZA is a goat emcee
@dr_kongo
Still waiting for breakdown of Masta Killa's rhyme on this one
@mortarion5359
Also would be cool if you made a video on masta killa's verse on this track, he also went crazy
@ScottyBanton
RZA on Wu-Wear was another shocker for me
@koobl6520
Yaaaaaaaa thank you 🙏
@97Nash
fire. please do Biggies "whats beef" and notorious thugs bro