RZA To Make Kung-Fu Movie

Anyone with even a passing knowledge of RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan know they are all about the martial arts, kung-fu movies. So, it should come as no surprise that RZA is writing and directing a kung-fu flick. Eli Roth is going to help him pen the script and the greatness of Quentin Tarantino has been mentoring RZA about film making.

But, take it from Eli himself:

Yes, it is true. RZA's script is amazing. He has been studying directing with Tarantino for years. and he's really ready to get behind the camera. His impact on rap music and hip hop culture cannot be measured, and he's ready to add his own unique style and vision to the world of film. This movie will have everything martial arts fans could want, combined with RZA's superb musical talent. This project has been his dream for years, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. And fans should know that yes, there will be blood... This ain't no PG-13.

(I Watch Stuff)

New RZA Joint

I'm still riding high on the RZA show last week. Here is RZA as Bobby Digital and David Banner.

MP3: RZA as Bobby Digital ft. David Banner - Straight Up The Block

The RZA Review

I had the distinct pleasure last night to witness the greatness that is the RZA. To start off with, I was confused about who exactly the opening group was. I do know, meh, they weren’t that great. To me, it was just three dudes rhyming over popular beats. (Including “Nothin’ But a “G” Thang) But, they gave it their all, and as one of the guys told the crowd “He is Wu-Tang.”

The second group, Stone Mecca, was an excellent R&B band. They have a very 70’s funk/R&B feel that doesn’t feel dated, tired or worn out. I was very impressed by the way they worked the crowd and kicked out the jams.

While I was outside on the patio, by the rail, smoking, waiting for the show to start I noticed the RZA exit his tour bus and enter the venue. The show was about to start so it was time to head inside. I wasn’t quite sure what the RZA’s show was going to be like, but, I was beyond impressed with his show. In lieu of working with a solitary DJ, the RZA was backed by the top-notch Stone Mecca. From the beginning to the end, the RZA had the very active crowd eating out of his hand. To me, if the crowd sucks and isn’t into the show, then the show kinda sucks. But, that wasn’t the case last night.

Stone Mecca had heads bobbin’ all night long with their crack beats and booming bass. Many a concert goer had their hands in the air making the Wu “W.” I would say the first 1/3 of the show was dedicated solely to tracks off the new RZA/Bobby Digital album Digi Snacks (Yap!). If they album sounds anywhere near as good as it did live, then it should be an impressive album.

I was surprised by RZAs showmanship, James Brown ain’t got nothin’ on the RZArecta. Not only is he a top notch showman, but he was one of the best front men I’ve seen in quite a while. And the RZA worked the crowd all night long. His call and responses with the crowd were amazing, the crowd kept up with every word and knew almost intuitively when and when it was time for their response.

All the Bobby Digital tracks were superb, but, the true highlights of the night were the raucous versions of Wu classics “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nothin’ To Fuck With,” “CREAM” and the RZAs version of ODBs “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.” The crowd went absolutely bananas for these three songs. Honestly, I haven’t seen anything more amazing as 200 people bouncing up and down chanting “WU-TANG CLAN AIN’T NOTHIN’ TO FUCK WITH!!”

Bobby Digital ft. Thea & Monk - Drama (mp3)

Bobby Digital ft. Inspectah Deck - U Can't Stop Me Now (mp3)

So, Digi Snacks (Yap!) is out on June 24. You can pre-order it here.

The RZA...The GZA...

The Wu is set to invade the greater Dallas area tonight. Well, not the whole Wu, but, at least it's the mastermind behind the Wu. RZA will be playing the Palladium Ballroom as his alter ego Bobby Digital...a definite must see.

Bobby Digital ft. Thea & Monk - Drama (mp3)

Bobby Digital ft. Inspectah Deck - U Can't Stop Me Now (mp3)

In related Wu news GZA/Genius is going to be in town performing his classic Liquid Swords in it's entirety. I'm sure the guys at Gorilla vs. Bear are amped about that one. (Ultra8021)

GZA/Genius - Duel of The Iron Mic (mp3)

GZA/Genius - 4th Chamber (mp3)

GZA Tour Dates:
8/21/08 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey
8/22/08 Santa Cruz, CA @ Moe's Alley
8/23/08 Petaluma, CA @ Phoenix8/25/08 Portland, OR @ Berbati's Pan
8/26/08 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
8/27/08 Vancouver, British Columbia @ Richard's on Richards
8/29/08 Salt Lake City, UT @ Palladium
8/30/08 Denver, CO @ Cervantes
9/01/08 Dallas, TX @ Palladium
9/02/08 Houston, TX @ Warehouse
9/03/08 Austin, TX @ Emo's
9/04/08 Minneapolis, MN @ - Cabooze
9/05/08 Grinnell, IA @ Grinnell College
9/06/08 Madison, WI @ SoCo Music Series
9/07/08 Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
9/10/08 Baltimore, MD @ Ram's Head
9/11/08 Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues
9/12/08 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

The RZA Loves Rock And Chess

You gotta love the RZA, nah mean? He and System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian, Kinetic 9 (aka Beretta 9 from Killarmy) and Chicago rapper Reverend William Burke have formed the new group Achozen.

Apparently the group has been working together in the studio for about two years. Their sound is "heavy hip-hop" which touches on social and political problems. Something your average 16 year old want to hear, nah mean?

Also, if you didn't already know, the RZA, along with his cousin GZA, are big chess players. They put together the hip-hop chess tournement a few months ago. Now RZA has teamed with Chesspark.com to start-up Wuchess.com. So, get your tactics ready, think 7 moves ahead and you might beat the hip-hop grand master.

RZA Tour Dates

You know how I told you the other day that RZA will be resurrecting Bobby Digital? Well, thanks to Ultra 8021 I can give you the tour dates.

I'm super stoked he's coming through Dallas, nah mean? (Ultra8021)

6/10/08 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
6/11/08 Austin, TX @ Emos
6/12/08 Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom
6/14/08 Denver, CO @ Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
6/15/08 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
6/17/08 Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theater
6/18/08 Phoenix, AZ @ The Brickhouse Theater
6/20/08 Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater
6/21/08 San Francisco, CA @ 1015
6/23/08 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
6/24/08 Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
6/25/08 Vancouver, BC @ Richards On Richards
6/27/08 Calgary, AB @ Sled Island Music Festival
6/30/08 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
7/1/08 Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
7/2/08 Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom
7/4/08 Ottawa, ON @ New Capital Music Hall
7/5/08 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
7/7/08 Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
7/8/08 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

RZA Back To Bobby Digital

The genius/mastermind behind Wu-Tang Clan is set to release another album under the Bobby Digital pseudonym. Ahhhh, the RZA, so talented yet he speaks like he has marbles in his mouth. But, I do like how he ends every sentence with "Nah mean?"

The album is coming out on July 1 and will be titled Digi Snax, nah mean? (Spin)