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RZA on the beginning of wu-tang(and some interview excerpts)

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M

MThanded

I Was There! Official L Receiver 2/12/2016
art.rza.tao.split.jpg

The Wu-Tang Clan -- the New York hip-hop supergroup that spawned millions of album sales, nine solo acts and a few acting careers -- almost never was.

Method Man, the group's most recognizable voice, was nearly killed before the band formed, Wu-Tang's chief producer, RZA, writes in his forthcoming memoir.

Meth was walking to buy marijuana at 160 Park Hill Avenue in Staten Island -- the house in Wu-Tang's "Protect Ya Neck" video -- when RZA saw him across the street, he writes in the book.

"Come over here, yo!" RZA beckoned, according to "The Tao of Wu" (Riverhead). "He stopped and came running over. A few seconds later -- pow-pow-pow-pow-pow! -- a guy started shooting up the front of 160. A buddy of ours, Poppy, an innocent, school-going, nice guy -- he was shot and killed right there."

It wasn't the only close call RZA said could have snuffed the band that rewrote the rule book for hip-hop acts. The year before the group formed in 1993, RZA was acquitted on an attempted murder charge that could have put him behind bars for eight years, he writes in "The Tao of Wu," out Thursday.

Expanding on the book's anecdotes in an interview with CNN, RZA explained that if he had been imprisoned or if Method Man, aka Clifford Smith, had been killed, the band never would have come to fruition.

RZA, whose real name is Robert Diggs and whose stage name is pronounced "Rizza," also talked about his role in the death of his cousin, Russell Jones, better known as Ol' Dirty Bastard or ODB. Two days before his 36th birthday in 2004, ODB died in a New York recording studio from an overdose of cocaine and painkillers.

RZA writes in the book that he once witnessed ODB force his own son to watch him do drugs. RZA tried to leave, he writes, but ODB wouldn't let him. Now, RZA told CNN, he wishes he would've been tougher with ODB about his drug problem.
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here are some interesting excerpts from the interview on cnn

CNN: In the book, you cite lessons from Eastern religions, Christianity, Islam, [Nation of Islam offshoot] Five Percent, numerology, comic books, kung fu, chess. What would you say to someone who says it's difficult to reconcile these dogmas?

RZA: Like it says in the Bible, "In the beginning was the word, and the word became flesh" -- if we go to the root of the word, we will find that, yeah, everything is similar. Everything is teaching us all the same path.

It's just that one religion was good for these people because of their living conditions. In the Quran, they mention paradise being filled with wells, wells of water, and if you're in the desert and you've got a chance to get water and gardens -- as they describe paradise in the holy Quran -- if you're going to get gardens, that's the paradise that fits your situation. ... Everything they're saying relates to the people they're talking to. ...

You remove the messenger and take the message.
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CNN: You say in the book that your penchant for violent lyrics in your younger years "was a product of my history and environment" and that it no longer represents you. But you also say you won't repudiate violence. Why not?

RZA: One reason I haven't repudiated it is because when it's necessary, it's necessary. [The Bible's] Ecclesiastes tell us there's a time for everything -- a time for war, a time for peace -- so in times for war, there's time for violence.

Then in [the Hindu scripture] Bhagavad Gita, it says Arjuna was talking, Arjuna didn't want to commit violent acts against an army that was attacking him. He couldn't find it in his heart to do it. It was people he loved. He didn't want to get into violence, but Krishna had to point out to him, "Your duty is your duty." ...

So, to me, violence in the light of justice is still violent, but I don't see it the same. It's because of justice that I don't repudiate violence because justice must be served somehow.
Click to expand...

CNN: ODB was a product of his environment as well. To what degree were you and other Wu-Tang members responsible for his death?

RZA: The guys would say it's more me than them because they say that's my cousin and I was right there. If you let a man that you love or anybody -- man, woman or child that you love -- sit there and destroy themselves in front of you, you're neglecting them ...

Everybody let him do what he wanted to do. ... There were times when I took his drugs and threw them down the toilet. When I do that, he would get so pissed off I don't see him for weeks after that. ...

So it got to a point, I was like, "[expletive] it, let him do his drugs" just to have him around me, just to keep him there. ... But it's still neglect, yo.
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http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/12/rza.tao.wu.tang/
 
T

thetrin

Hail, peons, for I have come as ambassador from the great and bountiful Blueberry Butt Explosion
I always like to see that popular musicians can be eclectic, well-read, well-spoken people, too. He's got a really fascinating insight to the world. Might have to pick this up.
 
mckmas8808

mckmas8808

Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
I didn't even know that the RZA almost went to jail on an attempted murder charge. WOW! What NY rap would have been like without RZA beats and the WU influence. O_O
 
G

Gospel

Parmesan et Romano
Method Man, the group's most recognizable voice, was nearly killed before the band formed, Wu-Tang's chief producer, RZA, writes in his forthcoming memoir.

Meth was walking to buy marijuana at 160 Park Hill Avenue in Staten Island -- the house in Wu-Tang's "Protect Ya Neck" video -- when RZA saw him across the street, he writes in the book.

"Come over here, yo!" RZA beckoned, according to "The Tao of Wu" (Riverhead). "He stopped and came running over. A few seconds later -- pow-pow-pow-pow-pow! -- a guy started shooting up the front of 160. A buddy of ours, Poppy, an innocent, school-going, nice guy -- he was shot and killed right there."
Click to expand...

Wow. Heavy.
 
T

Tannhauser

Neo Member
One of the few musicians I'd listen to talk about anything. Will definitely get this at some point.

The ODB stuff is disturbing...
 
E

enzo_gt

tagged by Blackace
thetrin said:
I always like to see that popular musicians can be eclectic, well-read, well-spoken people, too. He's got a really fascinating insight to the world. Might have to pick this up.
Click to expand...

I agree. Its always really fascinating. Not to derail the thread but yesterday I was watching this Kanye West interview and was amazed by the amount of intellect and insight he has into things. Reminded me again why I like him so much.
 
Nabs

Nabs

Member
Blakroc is a project by Dame Dash which features the music of The Black Keys and a grip of hip-hop artists (Mos Def, Q-Tip, RZA, Raekwon, Jim Jones, MOP, Monch, Luda and so on). Check the other videos on that page, it sounds like it's going to be a great project. It's actually due out soon, check the song Hoochie Coo (google) w/ Mos Def & Jim Jones.
 
mckmas8808

mckmas8808

Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
Nabs said:
Blakroc is a project by Dame Dash which features the music of the Black Keys and a grip of hip-hop artists (Mos Def, Q-Tip, RZA, Raekwon, Jim Jones, and so on). Check the other videos on that page, it sounds like it's going to be a great project.
Click to expand...


Day ONE bitches!!! Even Jim Jones sound nice on the mic. WHOA!
 
P

PBY

Banned
Nabs said:
Blakroc is a project by Dame Dash which features the music of The Black Keys and a grip of hip-hop artists (Mos Def, Q-Tip, RZA, Raekwon, Jim Jones, MOP, Monch, Luda and so on). Check the other videos on that page, it sounds like it's going to be a great project. It's actually due out soon, check the song Hoochie Coo (google) w/ Mos Def & Jim Jones.
Click to expand...
Q-tip? Mos Def? Raekwon? Luda?? WWowowowowow DAY 0
 
M

Mecha_Infantry

Banned
Nabs said:
Blakroc is a project by Dame Dash which features the music of The Black Keys and a grip of hip-hop artists (Mos Def, Q-Tip, RZA, Raekwon, Jim Jones, MOP, Monch, Luda and so on). Check the other videos on that page, it sounds like it's going to be a great project. It's actually due out soon, check the song Hoochie Coo (google) w/ Mos Def & Jim Jones.
Click to expand...

I've just started watching the other videos, but dam man! I had to go back to the RZA joint!! I never new they did my favourite song off NHL 08!! Oh shiiiit!

This will be nuts, I'm so buying this
 
P

PhoenixDark

Banned
mckmas8808 said:
Day ONE bitches!!! Even Jim Jones sound nice on the mic. WHOA!
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing lol. Definitely a project I can't wait for

Hopefully RZA will play a role in the Ghost/Rae/Meth album. I'd love to see him get back on trade production wise, given the meh quality of some of his recent stuff. But maybe filming/scoring his kung fu movie will spark something
 
S

SoulPlaya

more money than God
I'm a huge Wu-Tang fan, and I think RZA is great, but he has a talent for "sounding smart" but not really knowing too much, to be honest. It's cool when he talks about Wu-Tang's history, but it gets stupid when he starts talking like a prophet sometimes, with that stupid 5% bullshit.
 
M

Mecha_Infantry

Banned
SoulPlaya said:
I'm a huge Wu-Tang fan, and I think RZA is great, but he has a talent for "sounding smart" but not really knowing too much, to be honest. It's cool when he talks about Wu-Tang's history, but it gets stupid when he starts talking like a prophet sometimes, with that stupid 5% bullshit.
Click to expand...

How do you know he doesn't know much? Or are you just guessing?
 
S

SoulPlaya

more money than God
Mecha_Infantry said:
How do you know he doesn't know much? Or are you just guessing?
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I've been a Wu fan for years, and I listen and pay attention to a lot of nonsense that comes out of their mouth. The most recent for RZA (as far as I know), was during the 08 election when he said that he was supporting Hillary Clinton simply because "all his friends were doing it". That he had no idea who Obama really is, or who Clinton was. Plus, he speaks about all this spiritual shit, and being righteous, but yet he screwed the rest of Wu (Ghostface and U-God notably) when it came to royalties.
 
IrishNinja

IrishNinja

Member
Nabs said:
Blakroc is a project by Dame Dash which features the music of The Black Keys and a grip of hip-hop artists (Mos Def, Q-Tip, RZA, Raekwon, Jim Jones, MOP, Monch, Luda and so on). Check the other videos on that page, it sounds like it's going to be a great project. It's actually due out soon, check the song Hoochie Coo (google) w/ Mos Def & Jim Jones.
Click to expand...

i dont know what's got me more hyped, this project or the book being out that i didnt know about. i loved the manual, so hyped for this.

I've been a Wu fan for years, and I listen and pay attention to a lot of nonsense that comes out of their mouth. The most recent for RZA (as far as I know), was during the 08 election when he said that he was supporting Hillary Clinton simply because "all his friends were doing it". That he had no idea who Obama really is, or who Clinton was. Plus, he speaks about all this spiritual shit, and being righteous, but yet he screwed the rest of Wu (Ghostface and U-God notably) when it came to royalties.
Click to expand...

RZA's mad spiritual but i dont know that i go to many hip-hop artists for politics. Ive heard U-God complain, but if youre saying he's gypped Ghost, i need a link.
 
M

MThanded

I Was There! Official L Receiver 2/12/2016
Gonna pick the book up from amazon some time this week. Its only 15 dollars on there. Good stuff
 
S

SoulPlaya

more money than God
IrishNinja said:
...fuck man, that shit makes me sad. i hope they squash this soon, really doesnt help that RZA vs Wu album/project id been waiting on.
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It's amazing to think that on all the Wu albums, RZA got a 50% cut, while the rest of the members got the rest of the cut. Don't get me wrong, RZA was the biggest part, but damn, it just seems excessive, and the law agrees. I understand where you're coming from, but you gotta understand that I mainly deal with Wu stans who act like RZA is some kind of prophet, and the "Tao of Wu" and the "Wu-Tang Manual" are his holy books. Plus, most of his "wisdom" is just 5%'er bullshit that I can't stand.

Wu are good rappers, that's all.
 
J

jergrah

Member
Very cool - I really enjoyed The Wu-Tang Manual so will check this out. RZA is a very interesting (and talented) dude.
 
IrishNinja

IrishNinja

Member
SoulPlaya said:
It's amazing to think that on all the Wu albums, RZA got a 50% cut, while the rest of the members got the rest of the cut. Don't get me wrong, RZA was the biggest part, but damn, it just seems excessive, and the law agrees. I understand where you're coming from, but you gotta understand that I mainly deal with Wu stans who act like RZA is some kind of prophet, and the "Tao of Wu" and the "Wu-Tang Manual" are his holy books. Plus, most of his "wisdom" is just 5%'er bullshit that I can't stand.

Wu are good rappers, that's all.
Click to expand...

i honestly had no idea that was his cut. i imagine everyone thought it fair in the early days, not sure how much they dug it after say Wu Forever. he did much to give a lot of them their solo sounds on the 1st albums, but 50% is still high.

haha, i love the dude, i dig the prophet idea but im mostly entertained, cause the 5% nation thing...i liked the notion of "each one teach one" till i looked into them and realized, its all about conspiracy theory. which makes sense when he's putting it up there in the same breath with Moon Knight and shit. as long as it keeps his lyrics insightful, im all about it...but i dont know that id go beyond playing a chess game with the man, you know?
 
A

ant1532

Banned
50% is NOT HIGH. Are you kidding? RZA is the essential member. do you realize what Wu Tang would be without the RZA? IT WOULDNT. It could miss one of any the other members, and it would still be almost just as good it is. But without RZA there would be no Wu-Tang music. Imagine hearing 36 chambers with some other beats.The essential of Wu-tang is the utterly unique beats. Without that it would just be a large group of really good mcs rapping over some other beats that would not sound anything like Wu-Tang. The whole kung fu thing was RZAs idea, and he was able to implement that into the music he makes which takes tons of more time and effort to rap over. AND HE DOES THAT TOO. There wouldn't even be a Wu-Tang Clan, since the name, and idea of the shaw brothers into rap idea is the RZA's.

RZA makes the music. The others just write and lay rhymes to it, which the RZA ALSO DOES.
 
IrishNinja

IrishNinja

Member
you're preaching to the choir, i dont think his importance to the clan can in anyway be oversold - he's clearly the head for a reason. but lemme ask you, as i dont know industry standard - what kind of cut do producers usually get, on the high end? it was my understanding (could be wrong here) that say, i wanted Pharell to do a beat, it might be a flat fee of ($x with a lot of zero's).

i could use some context before saying what's too high though, personally. and again, by pointing out the importance of RZA helping many of them determine their "sound" early on, im stressing dude's importance.
 
P

PhoenixDark

Banned
Don't producers usually get 50%? That was RZA's argument at least.

His importance to the group can never be understated. I could see Meth blowing up even without RZA but that's it; not the best rapper in the group but he's always been the most marketable.
 
A

ant1532

Banned
IrishNinja said:
you're preaching to the choir, i dont think his importance to the clan can in anyway be oversold - he's clearly the head for a reason. but lemme ask you, as i dont know industry standard - what kind of cut do producers usually get, on the high end? it was my understanding (could be wrong here) that say, i wanted Pharell to do a beat, it might be a flat fee of ($x with a lot of zero's).

i could use some context before saying what's too high though, personally. and again, by pointing out the importance of RZA helping many of them determine their "sound" early on, im stressing dude's importance.
Click to expand...
i hear the neptunes(who are known to be very expensive) charge $250,000-$500,000 per track. I remember Lupe being interviewed saying how he was really disappointed how the single "I Gotcha" did nothing since it was so damn expensive.

The RZAs importance is easy to realize. If you listen to Wu-Tang accapellas and instrumentals, the essence of Wu is even more than 50% in the instrumentals.
 
S

Snuggles

erotic butter maelstrom
<3 The Wu and the RZA. Of course there would be no Wu Tang without him, considering how much he did it's silly to say otherwise. Plus, he helped created some one the greatest Wu solo albums like Liquid Swords, Iron Man, Only Built For Cuban Lynx, etc...
 
T

Tannhauser

Neo Member
SoulPlaya said:
I'm a huge Wu-Tang fan, and I think RZA is great, but he has a talent for "sounding smart" but not really knowing too much, to be honest. It's cool when he talks about Wu-Tang's history, but it gets stupid when he starts talking like a prophet sometimes, with that stupid 5% bullshit.
Click to expand...
I for one wasn't referring to him talking about religion or his philosophical musings as the interesting parts of his interviews. What he does know about is music and hip-hop, and I love listening to masters of an art, be it music, film, etc. and I suspect this is what most other people admire.
 
mckmas8808

mckmas8808

Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
Yeah 50% from the beginning isn't bad at all. But those contracts should have been re- done years later around 1998. I mean come on RZA.
 
S

SoulPlaya

more money than God
Tannhauser said:
I for one wasn't referring to him talking about religion or his philosophical musings as the interesting parts of his interviews. What he does know about is music and hip-hop, and I love listening to masters of an art, be it music, film, etc. and I suspect this is what most other people admire.
Click to expand...
Well, of course. When it comes to music, RZA is a genius. Whether RZA's cut was too big is up for debate, but the law believes it was too big. No one here is doubting his importance, but was he fair? Obviously, Ghost thought he wasn't being fair, and he won his case.

BTW, that Wu vs. Shaolin album is dead, the closest thing we might get is a Rae/Ghost/Meth album that has been "confirmed" to be in the works.
 
IrishNinja

IrishNinja

Member
SoulPlaya said:
BTW, that Wu vs. Shaolin album is dead, the closest thing we might get is a Rae/Ghost/Meth album that has been "confirmed" to be in the works.
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aw, dont say that. god i hope its dead for now and comes together down the road...8 Diagrams wasnt bad (still havent gone through Chamber Music) and i love seeing these guys on their own shit, but i just saw them at Rock the Bells a while back, they gotta have at least one more the W type album left in their joint efforts.
 
S

ShinobiFist

Banned
IrishNinja said:
aw, dont say that. god i hope its dead for now and comes together down the road...8 Diagrams wasnt bad (still havent gone through Chamber Music) and i love seeing these guys on their own shit, but i just saw them at Rock the Bells a while back, they gotta have at least one more the W type album left in their joint efforts.
Click to expand...
That shit is dead like Jimmy Hoffa. The Clan is "aight" as of now.
 
M

Mattlikewhoa

Member
I'm going to check this book out for sure. This reminds me of the time I snuck into a over 19 Wu Tang concert with a few friends (there was locking of venue doors so no one could get out, losing my crazy white french friend who ended up being found burning with Raekwon, ODB and Methodman, etc)...That's a story for another time...
 
B

Beaulieu

Member
So as someone who knows jackshit about this group of fine gentlemen, should I start with the Wu Tang Manual or the Tao of the wu ?

The combo goes for like 36 CAD on amazon.ca, I dont know if I should get em both...

Edit : The manual was out of stock so I just went with tao of the wu
 
IrishNinja

IrishNinja

Member
PhoenixDark said:
RZA speaking on the Ghost/Meth/Rae album
http://nahright.com/news/2009/10/20/video-rza-speaks-on-raekwon-ghostface-method-man-joint-album/

So according to RZA he didn't charge Rae anything for the beats on CLII, but just asked for the publishing/rights due to him as a producer. Isn't that how they've handled production for some time? It really makes Ghost's lawsuit seem even more ridiculous
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see, this is why im keeping the faith. honestly, didnt they go through this with U-god and one other member before? i think they can work shit out after a year or more passes and they feel like doing the form like voltron/make a few dollars thing.

Ghost has been consistent (and like he says, still going wood) and i know even meth say rae & ghost get together and just hate on whatever, but theyve been at it this long, they still do tours and shit, i think they can work it out.

So as someone who knows jackshit about this group of fine gentlemen, should I start with the Wu Tang Manual or the Tao of the wu ?
Click to expand...

i guess its moot now, ive only read the former but most things point to the manual as more a general look/intro. of course, none of this matters if you havent started with 36 chambers, there's so many great directions to go in from there.
 
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