RZA facts for kids

Quick facts for kids RZA
RZA at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con
Born	Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (1969-07-05) July 5, 1969 (age 55) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Rapper composer actor filmmaker record producer record executive
Years active	1984–present
Spouse(s)	Eboni Mills ​ ​ (m. 2000; div. 2006)​ Talani Rabb ​ (m. 2009)​
Children	10
Musical career
Also known as	Prince Rakeem The Scientist Bobby Steels Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah Prince Delight (The) Abbott Bobby Digital Bobby Dynamite RZArector Bobby Boulders
Genres	Hip hop
Labels	Soul Temple Tommy Boy Warner Bros. Razor Sharp Epic SME Virgin EMI Koch Gee Street V2 BMG Sanctuary

Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, born on July 5, 1969, is widely known by his stage name RZA (pronounced RIZ-uh). He is an American rapper, record producer, composer, actor, and filmmaker. RZA is the main leader of the famous hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced most of the music for the group and its members. He also makes solo music under the name Bobby Digital.

RZA has been very involved in making movies since the late 1990s. He has created music for many films, including Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004). He has also written and directed films and TV shows, starting with his first movie, The Man with the Iron Fists, in 2012. You might have seen him act in films like American Gangster and Brick Mansions, and TV shows such as Gang Related and Californication.

He is especially famous for his music production style. He often uses parts of old soul songs and simple beats. This style has influenced many other music producers. Magazines like The Source, Vibe, and NME have listed him as one of the greatest hip-hop producers ever.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Robert Diggs was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, on July 5, 1969. His mother named him after the famous Kennedy brothers, Robert and John Fitzgerald. He has a younger brother, Terrance Hamlin, who is also a rapper known as 9th Prince. His older brother is Mitchell “Divine” Diggs.

When he was young, from ages three to seven, Robert spent summers in North Carolina with his uncle. His uncle encouraged him to read and learn. Robert first heard hip hop music when he was nine. By age eleven, he was already competing in rap battles. In 1990, he moved to Steubenville, Ohio, to live with his mother. On weekends, he visited Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where his father ran a store.

Starting His Music Journey

Robert became interested in making his own hip-hop music in 1979. A friend introduced him to "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang. In 1984, Diggs formed a rap group with his cousins Russell Jones (The Specialist) and Gary Grice (Allah Justice). They first called themselves "Force of the Imperial Master" and then "All in Together Now" in 1985. Around this time, Diggs also formed the DMD Posse, which included himself, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Inspectah Deck, 4th Disciple, and Method Man.

In 1989, Diggs signed with Tommy Boy Records as a solo artist under the name Prince Rakeem. He released an early version of his EP, Ooh I Love You Rakeem. However, he had to change and re-release the song because Tommy Boy couldn't get the rights to the original music sample. The new version didn't do well, and Tommy Boy Records later dropped him.

Forming the Wu-Tang Clan

In 1992, Robert Diggs decided to create a new group with his two cousins and five other friends from childhood. They named the group Wu-Tang Clan. The name came from the 1983 kung fu movie Shaolin and Wu Tang. Each member of the group chose a new nickname. Diggs chose "RZA." This name came from a nickname fans gave him, "Rza Rza Rakeem," which was inspired by an old song. He also had a graffiti tag called "Razor." RZA later explained that his name stood for "Ruler, Zig-Zag-Zig, Allah," which means "Ruler, Knowledge-Wisdom-Understanding, Allah" in the Supreme Alphabet.

The Wu-Tang Clan released their first song, "Protect Ya Neck", in December 1992. Masta Killa joined the group in 1993, becoming the ninth member. Their first album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), came out in November 1993. RZA was the main leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He produced the group's songs and decided which members would perform on each track.

Solo Projects and Group Success

As each member of the Wu-Tang Clan started their own solo music careers, RZA continued to produce almost all of the Wu-Tang music released between 1994 and 1996. He created the music, arranged the songs, and guided the creative process. During this time, RZA's leadership over the Clan was very strong. He also released a popular song of his own called "Wu-Wear: The Garment Renaissance". This song was on the High School High movie soundtrack and helped promote the Wu-Tang clothing brand, "Wu-Wear". It became a hit, reaching #60 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 1997, the Wu-Tang Clan released their highly anticipated second album, Wu-Tang Forever. For this album, RZA started to share some of the beat-making duties with other producers in the Wu-Tang group. These included his students Mathematics, True Master, and 4th Disciple, who are known as the original Wu-Elements. Clan member Inspectah Deck also helped with production.

From 1998 to 2000, RZA didn't produce every Wu-Tang solo album as he had before. However, he usually contributed one or two songs to each record and was still listed as an Executive Producer.

Filmmaking and Music Scores

In 1999, RZA started composing music for films. His first work was for Jim Jarmusch's movie Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999), which received good reviews. He also had a small acting part in the film. This experience was positive for him. He mentioned in an interview that working with traditional musicians made him want to learn how to read and write music. In 2004, he worked with composer Ramin Djawadi to create the music for David S. Goyer's film "Blade: Trinity".

RZA has said that his long-awaited album The Cure will be his last solo album. He wants to spend more time directing movies. In 2007, he created the music for the Japanese anime Afro Samurai, which starred Samuel L. Jackson. He also released an instrumental album called The RZA-Instrumental Experience that year. From 2005 to 2008, he worked with System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian on a project called Achozen. They released two songs, and one of them, "Deuces," was in the 2009 movie Babylon A.D.

In 2010, RZA worked on a solo album for GZA called Liquid Swords II, but it was never released. RZA also collaborated with Kanye West on his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and on Watch the Throne by Kanye and Jay-Z.

In 2011, RZA shared that he had decided to clear out his old music ideas. He gave ten beats each to Nas, Busta Rhymes, and Talib Kweli. He also gave 20 beats to Kanye West, two of which were used on Kanye's albums. RZA produced the 2012 debut album L.I.F.E for UK artist Josh Osho.

RZA also sang on three songs on John Frusciante's 2012 EP Letur-Lefr. In 2013, he sang on one song on Kid Cudi's album Indicud. In August 2012, RZA started a new record label called Soul Temple Records. He also appeared on Earl Sweatshirt's album Doris. Despite some disagreements with Raekwon, RZA and The Wu-Tang Clan released their sixth album A Better Tomorrow in 2014.

In 2013, RZA and Paul Banks started working together as Banks & Steelz. They released the album Anything But Words in 2016. RZA also worked with Ramin Djawadi and Blake Perlman on the song "Drift" for the movie "Pacific Rim".

In 2020, RZA created a new song for ice cream trucks to play. This new jingle was made to replace an old tune that had some racist history. In August 2024, RZA released the album A Ballet Through Mud, which is an orchestral ballet score. He came up with the idea for this music during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wu-Recording Labels

Since the early 1990s, several record labels connected to the Wu-Tang Clan have been created. Some of the older labels are no longer active. Other record labels were started in the early 2000s and are still active today. RZA produces music on these labels. It is not known if RZA is the CEO or holds a high position in these companies.

• Wu-Tang Records
• Razor Sharp Records
• 36 Chambers Records and Wu Music Group
• Protect Ya Neck Records
• Wu-Tang International
• Soul Temple Records

RZA's Unique Music Style

RZA's way of producing music is very special. He often takes parts of old soul songs, cuts them up, and changes their speed to fit his beats. Many hip hop producers, like Kanye West and Just Blaze, have copied his technique. Kanye West even admitted that RZA's production style greatly influenced his own.

RZA has spoken positively about these comparisons. He said, "All good. I got super respect for Kanye. He gave me mad praising and blessings... For people to say Wu-Tang inspire Kanye, Kanye is one of the biggest artists in the world. That goes back to what we say: 'Wu-Tang is forever.' Kanye is going to inspire people to be like him."

RZA's Bobby Digital albums introduced new-age music elements to his sound. These have become a bigger part of his beats on newer albums. RZA explained that he now produces music more like a musician. He used to produce like a DJ and didn't understand music theory. Now that he does, he makes his music more playable, meaning a band could play it.

Different Names for RZA

RZA is known for using many different names, or aliases, for his different lyrical styles and personalities. Some of these names include Prince Rakeem, The Abbot, Bobby Digital, Bobby Steels, the Scientist, Prince Delight, Prince Dynamite, and Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah. When he was with the group Gravediggaz, he used the name the RZArector. This name was meant to "wake up the mentally dead."

RZA's Acting Career

RZA has made small appearances in many films. These include Funny People, Due Date, Gospel Hill, Ghost Dog, Life Is Hot in Cracktown, and Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.

He also appeared in Derailed, Coffee and Cigarettes, and American Gangster. In 2013, he played the character Blind Master in G.I. Joe: Retaliation. In 2010, RZA was in the science fiction action film Repo Men. In 2014, he played Tremaine Alexander in Brick Mansions, a remake of District 13. He also played "Mr. L.C.," the main bad guy, in the Thai martial arts film Tom Yum Goong 2.

RZA directed and starred in The Man with the Iron Fists (2012). In 2013, RZA provided voices for three sketches in an episode of Robot Chicken. He played the role of Samurai Apocalypse in nine episodes of the TV series Californication. RZA played Shotgun Steve in the romantic action comedy movie Mr. Right (2015). He was also Dean in the 2019 film The Dead Don't Die.

RZA narrates a character named Wesley in the 2019 Netflix series Day Break. In 2021, RZA played Harry Mansell, the brother of the main character, in the action comedy film Nobody.

RZA as a Filmmaker

RZA has always thought of his music albums like movies. He wanted people to feel like they were listening to a movie in their car. He started making music videos for his projects.

RZA directed his first full-length film, The Man with the Iron Fists, in 2011. He also wrote the script for it the year before. Famous directors Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth were involved in making the film, helping with writing and choosing actors. The movie was released in the fall of 2012.

Personal Life and Hobbies

RZA is a member of the Five-Percent Nation and often wears their flag necklace. He shares the beliefs of the 5% Nation, which include the Supreme Mathematics and the Supreme Alphabet. He has also learned from different spiritual paths like Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, and Christianity. He talks about these in his books, The Wu-Tang Manual and The Tao of Wu. He says the Quran, The Bible, and the Lotus Sutra are three of his favorite books because they offer wisdom.

One of RZA's favorite hobbies is watching martial arts films. He is known as an "encyclopedia of martial arts films" because he knows so much about them. His favorite movies include Five Deadly Venoms, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Ninja Scroll, and Fist of the North Star. Another well-known hobby of his is chess. He is a Director of Development and a champion for the Hip-Hop Chess Federation.

RZA is a vegan, meaning he does not eat any animal products. He has supported the vegan lifestyle and kindness to animals for PETA. Before 1997, he was a pescetarian, meaning he ate fish but no other meat. He stopped eating fish because he "felt the death in it." RZA lives in Millstone Township, New Jersey.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Bobby Digital in Stereo (1998)
• Digital Bullet (2001)
• Birth of a Prince (2003)
• Digi Snacks (2008)
• Bobby Digital and The Pit of Snakes (2022)

Collaboration Albums

• 6 Feet Deep with Gravediggaz (1994)
• The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel with Gravediggaz (1997)
• The World According to RZA (2003)
• Anything But Words with Banks & Steelz (2016)
• Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater with DJ Scratch (2022)
• A Ballet Through Mud with Colorado Symphony and Christopher Dragon (2024)

Filmography

Films RZA Has Been In

Television Shows RZA Has Been In

Video Games RZA Has Voiced In

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

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  RZA in the Studio with U-God and Prodigal Sunn (2002)

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  RZA at the 2007 Eurockéennes

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  RZA performing with Wu-Tang at the Virgin Music Festival

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  RZA at The New Yorker Festival in 2005

See also

In Spanish: RZA para niños