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RZA

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

RZA, real name Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, is an American rapper, producer, composer, actor and filmmaker, born in 1969 in Brownsville in Brooklyn. He came into contact with hip hop at the age of nine and was already taking part in rap battles at eleven. In the early 1980s he rapped with his cousins in small groups. In 1992 he founded the Wu-Tang Clan with his two cousins and five childhood friends, named after the kung fu film Shaolin and Wu Tang. He chose the name RZA himself.

Music and breakthrough

In December 1992 the first single, Protect Ya Neck, was released, and in November 1993 the debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). RZA was the de facto leader of the group, produced the tracks and decided who would be heard on which song. He also made almost everything for the other members' solo albums. In addition he was a member of Gravediggaz, under the name RZArector, and released solo records as Bobby Digital. He also wrote film music, including for Kill Bill, and directed The Man with the Iron Fists.

Influence

His production style revolves around soul samples, raw, sparse beats and cinematic sounds. His use of snippets from kung fu films gave the Wu-Tang Clan a world of its own. That influence carried through into much later hip hop. In School of Rock he is the maker of the lo-fi beats beneath Protect Ya Neck, the song with which eight MCs from Staten Island announced themselves.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Protect Ya Neck and notice the raw, sober beat and the MCs who take turns. Can you hear the sample from a film in the sound?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists