The Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA Is Sneakily One Of Hollywood’s Most Interesting Artists, And I Need To Talk About It

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As a longtime fan of the Wu-Tang Clan, I’ve always been amazed by the versatility and sheer talent of its members. But none have captured my admiration quite like RZA. The man is not just a rapper or producer; he’s a filmmaker, an actor, a voice artist, and an executive producer!

Inquire from many individuals about their preferred Wu-Tang Clan member, and it’s probable that they will mention someone such as Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, or Method Man – these are the ones I have previously discussed on this platform.

But, as a HUGE fan of the hip-hop collective, I’ve always considered RZA to be my favorite member. From his work with the Clan — his kung-fu inspired production is what got me into martial arts movies in the first place — to side-projects like Gravediggaz, to his solo work as Bobby Digital, the RZA has always been one of the most fascinating men in music.

Speaking of which, let me delve into the surprisingly captivating film career of the rapper known as Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, which is something I’d like to discuss.

From Hip-Hop Albums To Movie Soundtracks

Among fellow old-school hip-hop enthusiasts, there are certain albums we can all concur as timeless classics. For me, Nas’ groundbreaking debut, “Illmatic,” shares this honor with Biggie’s “Ready to Die,” Outkast’s “Aquemini,” and Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic.” However, another album that I firmly believe we all hold in high regard is Wu-Tang Clan’s first masterpiece, the iconic “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).

Given that they form a Clan, each individual undeniably played a significant role. Yet, it’s nearly certain that the album would not have resonated so deeply without RZA’s intense and raw production style.

Every song on the album “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” is infused with a haunting atmosphere, and numerous tracks incorporate dialogue or sound effects from kung fu movies (or a combination of both). The result is one of the most original and distinctive albums from the early ’90s.

When RZA chose to focus on creating film soundtracks, the Jim Jarmusch movie, “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai“, proved to be an ideal collaboration. For Wu-Tang Clan fans who haven’t heard it yet, they should definitely give it a listen as it essentially functions like another Wu-Tang album. Featuring artists ranging from Sunz of Man to North Star and other associates of the group, it has a more traditional rap album feel compared to a typical movie score.

In contrast to some of his earlier works, his contributions to scores such as “Kill Bill” Volumes 1 and 2, and “The Protector” (or “Tom-Yum-Goong”), showed a greater level of dynamism. Interestingly, “Afro Samurai: The Soundtrack” demonstrates his versatility, as he seamlessly switches between composing traditional scores and those with a heavier rap influence, depending on the project’s requirements.

A Transition To Acting In Movies

Historically, Black people have shown a fondness for martial arts. While I don’t want to attribute all of this to the fame of the Wu-Tang Clan, it’s not surprising that if RZA were to appear in movies, it would likely be in martial arts films.

Clearly, he’s landed roles like those on his resume. From his swift appearance in Ghost Dog, to portraying a blind master in G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and even depicting a blacksmith in his own movie, The Man With the Iron Fists (which I’ll delve into shortly), it was only fitting for RZA to star in martial arts films.

However, what might not have been so obvious is just how funny RZA is. I first noticed RZA’s deadpan sense of humor in Funny People (Which some folks call Adam Sandler’s best movie…though I think my students might disagree).

In the movie, RZA takes on a supporting role, serving as a companion to Seth Rogen’s character. This role may be brief, but it leaves a lasting impression, often coming to mind whenever I reflect on the film.

Besides being hilarious on the TV series “Californication” as Samurai Apocalypse, his role seemed an exaggerated version of RZA. He also starred in “Brick Mansions” alongside David Belle and the late Paul Walker, and moreover, he portrayed the brother to Bob Odenkirk’s character in the film “Nobody”.

Indeed, as the title hints, RZA stands out as a captivating artist in Hollywood with an unpredictable flair. His actions always keep us guessing, especially during the year 2012…

To Directing Them!

…Since 2012 marked RZA’s first venture into movie directing with “The Man With the Iron Fists”, a film he co-wrote with Eli Roth and was presented by Quentin Tarantino, this production embodies precisely the style one would anticipate from RZA for his directorial debut.

In the movie, several rival groups (Take note of this?) are at odds with each other, yet they band together (Perhaps you could say, “much like Voltron”) to overpower a mutual foe. RZA is among the cast, portraying a blacksmith, who goes by the name “Man with the Iron Fists”–quite fittingly. The film additionally boasts Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, and Dave Bautista, to mention just a few of its talented stars.

Although not everyone enjoyed the movie (we gave it a moderate rating), it was clear that RZA demonstrated his talent in filmmaking. Despite not directing its 2015 sequel, he reprised his role and contributed to the screenplay. Interestingly enough, he directed an episode of Marvel’s Iron Fist series and also helmed the 2010 rap movie Love Beats Rhymes.

In 2020, RZA took on directing duties for the heist film, “Cut Throat City,” featuring Shamiek Moore, Wesley Snipes, Ethan Hawke, and others. This production garnered more positive critic reception than “The Man With the Iron Fists.

The movie revolves around friends in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina, who, due to unfavorable situations, are compelled to engage in a criminal lifestyle. This movie serves as an intriguing addition to RZA’s career portfolio, and I eagerly anticipate the upcoming film, “One Spoon of Chocolate“, which we hope will be released next year.

Let’s Not Forget His Distinctive Voice Work

Among many reasons, what makes RZA stand out as my preferred member from the Wu group is his uniquely recognizable vocal style and rhythmic flow.

In my role as chief of the Clan, whenever I heard him speak over the microphone, I knew something significant was about to occur. Given how distinct his voice is, it’s not so unexpected that he has also shared his skills on numerous broadcasts.

His unique voice has been on everything from Afro Samurai to Robot Chicken, but my favorite role of his was on The Simpsons’ episode, “The Great Phatsby: Part 2,” where he actually dropped a rhyme or two, along with Snoop Dogg and Common. It just shows that RZA is always keeping himself busy, even in animated form.

He’s Also An Executive Producer, No Less

Furthermore, while many may associate RZA primarily with music production, it’s worth noting that he has worn another hat as an executive producer for the Hulu biographical series, “Wu-Tang: An American Saga”. Interestingly, he collaborated on this project with Alex Tse in its creation.

The series tells the story of RZA’s creation of the Wu-Tang Clan, and how their shared love for music kept them away from destructive paths such as drugs and violence. In this production, Ashton Sanders portrays RZA, and it aired over three seasons.

Furthermore, that’s merely a glimpse into RZA’s diverse involvements. Don’t forget to drop by regularly for updates on the fascinating blend of hip-hop and Hollywood!

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2024-11-15 02:07