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.
After releasing the latest "Bobby Digital" album, Digi Snacks, RZA has completed work on the upcoming sequel to Raekwon's mafioso rap classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., as well as the second installment of the Afro Samurai soundtrack, and the recent Wu-Tang Chamber Music album. He is currently working on a kung-fu movie, entitled Man with the Iron Fist, which he is writing, directing, as well as starring in.[1] He is also working on a movie, entitled Life Is Hot in Cracktown.
In 2009, Drop Magazine named RZA the greatest producer of all time.
C.R.E.A.M.
The RZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What that nigga want God?
Word up, look out for the cops [Wu-Tang five finger shit]
(Cash Rules) Word up, two for fives over here baby
Word up, two for fives them niggaz got garbage down the way, word up
KnowhatI'msayin?
(Cash Rules Everything Around Me
Yeah, check this ol fly shit out
Word up
(Cash Rules Everything Around Me) Take you on a natural joint
(C.R.E.A.M. get the money) Here we here we go
(dolla dolla bill y'all) Check this shit, yo!
Verse One: Raekwon the Chef
I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side
Staying alive was no jive
At second hands, moms bounced on old men
So then we moved to Shaolin land
A young youth, yo rockin the gold tooth, 'Lo goose
Only way, I begin to gee off was drug loot
And let's start it like this son, rollin with this one
And that one, pullin out gats for fun
But it was just a dream for the teen, who was a fiend
Started smokin woolies at sixteen
And running up in gates, and doing hits for high stakes
Making my way on fire escapes
No question I would speed, for cracks and weed
The combination made my eyes bleed
No question I would flow off, and try to get the dough all
Sticking up white boys in ball courts
My life got no better, same damn 'Lo sweater
Times is ruff and tuff like leather
Figured out I went the wrong route
So I got with a sick ass click and went all out
Catchin keys from across seas
Rollin in MPV's, every week we made forty G's
Yo nigga respect mine, or anger the tech nine
Ch-chick-POW! Move from the gate now
Chorus: Method Man
Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all
Verse Two: Inspector Deck
It's been twenty-two long hard years of still strugglin
Survival got me buggin, but I'm alive on arrival
I peep at the shape of the streets
And stay awake to the ways of the world cause shit is deep
A man with a dream with plans to make C.R.E.A.M.
Which failed; I went to jail at the age of 15
A young buck sellin drugs and such who never had much
Trying to get a clutch at what I could not... could not...
The court played me short, now I face incarceration
Pacin -- going up state's my destination
Handcuffed in back of a bus, forty of us
Life as a shorty shouldn't be so ruff
But as the world turns I learned life is hell
Living in the world no different from a cell
Everyday I escape from Jakes givin chase, sellin base
Smokin bones in the staircase
Though I don't know why I chose to smoke sess
I guess that's the time when I'm not depressed
But I'm still depressed, and I ask what's it worth?
Ready to give up so I seek the Old Earth
Who explained working hard may help you maintain
to learn to overcome the heartaches and pain
We got stickup kids, corrupt cops, and crack rocks
and stray shots, all on the block that stays hot
Leave it up to me while I be living proof
To kick the truth to the young black youth
But shorty's running wild smokin sess drinkin beer
And ain't trying to hear what I'm kickin in his ear
Neglected, but now, but yo, it gots to be accepted
That what? That life is hectic
Outro:
Chorus -- 4X
Niggas gots to do what they gotta do, to get a bill
YaknowhatI'msayin?
Cuz we can't just get by no more
Word up, we gotta get over, straight up and down
Chorus -- 3X
Cash Rules Everything Around Me
C.R.E.A.M.
get the money
Dolla dolla bill y'aauhhhaaaauhhhhahhhauhhhhll, YEAH
The RZA's "C.R.E.A.M" is a song that talks about the struggle of growing up in poverty and the subsequent need for survival. The lyrics of the song reflect the reality of a young boy raised on the streets of New York City's crime side. As the lyrics progress, it's easy to recognize just how much the character featured in the song had to endure. They started with little in terms of resources or opportunities and had to take to a life of crime to make ends meet.
From the lyrics, we get the sense that the rapper witnessed the struggles of the women in his life, like his mother; it's why he feels responsible for seeking and securing a better life. As he progressed in his life of crime, the lyrics give us a front-row seat to the criminal justice system, marked with unfairness and court prejudice. The rapper is not oblivious to the fact that his actions are illegal, but he feels compelled to pursue that life anyway.
Overall, "C.R.E.A.M" speaks to the struggle of growing up poor and the need for survival, which pushes young people to turn to unsavory means to get by.
Line by Line Meaning
What that nigga want God?
What does that person want?
Word up, look out for the cops [Wu-Tang five finger shit]
Be aware of the police.
(Cash Rules) Word up, two for fives over here baby
You can buy drugs for $5 here.
Word up, two for fives them niggaz got garbage down the way, word up
Don't buy from the other drug dealers because they have poor quality drugs.
KnowhatI'msayin?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
(Cash Rules Everything Around Me
C.R.E.A.M. get...)
Money controls everything around me.
Yeah, check this ol fly shit out
Word up
Listen to what I'm about to say.
(Cash Rules Everything Around Me) Take you on a natural joint
(C.R.E.A.M. get the money) Here we here we go
(dolla dolla bill y'all) Check this shit, yo!
Let me show you something real, and let's make money together.
I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side
I grew up in a criminal area.
Staying alive was no jive
Surviving was difficult.
At second hands, moms bounced on old men
My mother was in relationships with older men.
So then we moved to Shaolin land
We moved to a place called Shaolin (Staten Island).
A young youth, yo rockin the gold tooth, 'Lo goose
As a young person, I had a gold tooth and wore clothes made by Ralph Lauren.
Only way, I begin to gee off was drug loot
I started to make money by selling drugs.
And let's start it like this son, rollin with this one
And that one, pullin out gats for fun
I hung out with people who owned guns and we pulled them out for fun.
But it was just a dream for the teen, who was a fiend
Started smokin woolies at sixteen
I was addicted to drugs and started smoking crack at sixteen.
And running up in gates, and doing hits for high stakes
Making my way on fire escapes
I broke into people's houses for money and escaped through fire escapes.
No question I would speed, for cracks and weed
The combination made my eyes bleed
I was willing to break the law to get drugs, and the drugs affected my health.
No question I would flow off, and try to get the dough all
Sticking up white boys in ball courts
I robbed white people in the basketball court to make money.
My life got no better, same damn 'Lo sweater
Times is ruff and tuff like leather
My life didn't improve, and it was tough and rough like leather.
Figured out I went the wrong route
So I got with a sick ass click and went all out
I realized that I was making wrong choices, so I joined a group of criminals and engaged in criminal activities.
Catchin keys from across seas
Rollin in MPV's, every week we made forty G's
We transported drugs from other countries and made $40,000 weekly.
Yo nigga respect mine, or anger the tech nine
Ch-chick-POW! Move from the gate now
Respect me, or I will use my gun to attack you.
It's been twenty-two long hard years of still strugglin
Survival got me buggin, but I'm alive on arrival
I've struggled for 22 years to survive, but now I'm still alive.
I peep at the shape of the streets
And stay awake to the ways of the world cause shit is deep
I observe the conditions of the streets and stay aware of the world because things are difficult.
A man with a dream with plans to make C.R.E.A.M.
Which failed; I went to jail at the age of 15
I had a dream to make a lot of money, but it failed, and I went to jail at 15.
A young buck sellin drugs and such who never had much
Trying to get a clutch at what I could not... could not...
I was a young person who sold drugs, but never had much, and was trying to get what I could not have.
The court played me short, now I face incarceration
Pacin -- going up state's my destination
The court didn't give me a fair chance and I'm facing jail time.
Handcuffed in back of a bus, forty of us
Life as a shorty shouldn't be so ruff
I was put in a bus with 40 other prisoners, and it's unfair for young people to experience this.
But as the world turns I learned life is hell
Living in the world no different from a cell
The world is full of problems, and it feels like living in a prison.
Everyday I escape from Jakes givin chase, sellin base
Smokin bones in the staircase
I evade the police who chase me, sell drugs, and smoke in the staircase.
Though I don't know why I chose to smoke sess
I guess that's the time when I'm not depressed
I don't know why I smoke marijuana, but I suppose I do it to avoid depression.
But I'm still depressed, and I ask what's it worth?
Ready to give up so I seek the Old Earth
I'm still unhappy and questioning what's the point of everything. Therefore, I try to find answers from older people.
Who explained working hard may help you maintain
to learn to overcome the heartaches and pain
Older people taught me that working hard is important, and to overcome challenges and pain.
We got stickup kids, corrupt cops, and crack rocks
and stray shots, all on the block that stays hot
There are thieves, dishonest police officers, drug problems, and random shootings that happen in the neighbourhood.
Leave it up to me while I be living proof
To kick the truth to the young black youth
I will be an example to the young people and tell them the truth.
But shorty's running wild smokin sess drinkin beer
And ain't trying to hear what I'm kickin in his ear
Young people are partying with drugs and alcohol, and aren't listening to what I'm telling them.
Neglected, but now, but yo, it gots to be accepted
That what? That life is hectic
People have neglected the reality, but now it has to be accepted that life is chaotic.
Niggas gots to do what they gotta do, to get a bill
YaknowhatI'msayin?
Cuz we can't just get by no more
Word up, we gotta get over, straight up and down
People have to do whatever they can to make money, otherwise they cannot survive.
Cash Rules Everything Around Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dolla dolla bill y'aauhhhaaaauhhhhahhhauhhhhll, YEAH
Money controls everything around me, and I need to make money.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Anthonydu01630
Every songs is a feeling man, thats why we listen to music, because music create emotions. It's not only lyrics and melody, it's a vibe, a frequency ... You can have the best lyrics in the world but if theres no energy and harmony in it most people wont like it. Music must be a reflection of you and your emotional state, it must come from your heart.
You know im french and sometimes i dont understand everything US rappers says, but i know when its real and when its not ... When i hear Numb or savage mode from 21savage i can feel his pain, his anger, his sadness and his frustration to have been a poor ghetto kid, to have made the wrong decision, to have become a gangster, to have lost many friends, almost lost his life and to be addicted to pain killers.
Same when i hear Pain from tupac, codeine crazy from future, my life from Lil wayne and game or lord give me a sign from DMX.
Then when i hear songs like streets is watching, Black gangster, people's court, i shot ya or jigga my nigga from JAYZ i know he really lived that life, i know he was a real drug dealer/gangster ... The lyrics, the energy, the tons, the flow .. It's really like he's telling you his story.
Same with Drake when i hear songs like Marvin's room, aston martin music or find your love i know he talk about a real girl and in songs like im on one, pound cake or over i know he meant everything he said .. Drake is 100%invested in his music, he is so confident he literaly spoke things into existence in im on one he said " And what's up with these new niggas ? And why they think it all comes so easy .. But get it while you here boy, cause all the hype dont feel the same next year boy, Yeahh, and i'll be right here in my spot, with a little more cash than i already got, trippin off you cause you had your shot, with my skin tanned and my hair long and my fan who been so patient, me and forty back to work but we still smell like a vacation, hate the rumors hate your bullshit hate these fucking allegations, im just feeling like the throne is for the taking .. Watch me take it !" ...
And like he said in pound cake "you know it's real when you are who you think you are" 💯💯💯
@imagameriguessb5997
In the sweltering summer of '96, I found myself wandering the streets of Paris, a wide-eyed teenager with dreams as big as the Eiffel Tower. Fate had a twisted sense of humor that day when I stumbled upon a chance encounter with none other than the legendary Wu-Tang Clan.
Lost in the labyrinth of cobblestone alleys, I heard the unmistakable basslines echoing from a hidden courtyard. Curiosity piqued, I followed the sound and found myself in the midst of a impromptu Wu-Tang cipher. Method Man's gravelly voice cut through the thick Parisian air as RZA worked his magic on the decks.
Mesmerized by the spectacle, I couldn't resist jumping in and spitting a few bars of my own. To my surprise, the Clan welcomed me with open arms, impressed by my raw talent. For a brief moment, I felt like I belonged among hip-hop royalty.
But fate had other plans. As the sun dipped below the horizon, darkness descended upon the City of Lights. Caught up in the euphoria of the moment, I let my guard down, only to be blindsided by a group of street thugs. They robbed me of everything I had, leaving me penniless and alone on the unforgiving streets of Paris.
With nowhere to turn, I roamed the city like a ghost, searching for scraps to survive. Nights turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months as I battled the demons of despair. But through it all, the memory of that fateful encounter with the Wu-Tang Clan burned bright, a flickering beacon of hope in the darkness.
And so, with nothing but the clothes on my back and the fire in my soul, I vowed to rise from the ashes like a phoenix, fueled by the music that had once saved me. For even in the darkest of times, the Wu-Tang Clan's legacy of resilience and strength endured, a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and triumph against all odds.
@youtubename1485
Respect to all the people who listen old school music. You the real MVP
@LilacZ373
Dunnowhoiam thx, I never was a fan of trap music. TOO generic and it all sounds the same. It's nice to go back to when hip hop had a meaning...
@xtrol4330
Its alright it something new to me and this is fire
@kogareuw
I'm playing LoL rn hello there c:
@danftwgg5999
My story:
First mumble rap
Then eminem and some lyrical new school
Third moved to 2pac
And now i listen to 80's 90's and some cool song from 2000 to 2019
@PlayStationLegendsLounge
DanFTWGG 975 great choice
@nonye1251
This is what I love about hip hop back in the day. The storytelling. By the end of the song u feel like you got a glimpse of their life.
@jay2dab677
It's a shame music like this isn't still being made.
@charlielayton6500
Jay 2DaB it is though listen to some To Pimp a Butterfly, Redemption or 4 Your Eyez Only
@jorgeisaacdoblesmata9137
Word!, today's rappers just rapping trash...bragging about shit.