People ask me how I can get all these different MCs - each one being so brilliant and unpredictable - to listen to me. It’s hard for me to define how it works but it goes back a long way.
The common thread was Mathematics [the mechanics and measuring of the earth]. There’s always one among us who's the best knower. Within the Wu-Tang Clan, that was me. I had the answers to the most questions at the time. And the truth is magnetic. It attracts everything to it. And that’s what I was dealing with - with a true vision and a true past, and my own honesty, the way I dealt with equality.
At the same time, some brothers were still stuck out in the street, not living morally. I was already coming to an understanding of myself, but I also understood what they were going through. So I was able to deal with this equilibrium.
At the same time, I knew what I was doing, and I was very firm about it. I wasn't a pushover. I was more like, "This is where it is, this is how it is, and that’s that." Brothers respected that. and they respected my judgment.
Back then Masta Killa was a student of the GZA. I was also the GZA's student, but even the GZA submitted his enlightenment over to me - as we say, he came over to my guidance. So right there that gave Masta Killa the freedom to feel the same way.
At that time, my word alone was enough to strike terror. Not because of what I was going to do with someone, in a street way, but because the truth is terrifying. I was 100-percent true. I had a true vision, true execution. I never crossed anybody. I'd been true with all these particular people since I was a child. I mean, I’d crossed other people, but with these guys I was always straight and clean. I’d developed this reputation before it ever came down to music.
Of course, there's another side to it, too. Even if you're living righteous and providing a powerful example to others, it helps to have some game if you want niggas to follow you." - from the chapter, "The Way of the Abbot."
He later says the early days were like a dictatorship, and that he feels a kinship with men like Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus, two who could do their thing but realized the greater power of an orchestra - or a collection of vocal instrumentalists.
Article comments
1 - MRBenning
The only album I have is Wu-Tang Forever. I found it to be pretty interesting, but never really got into it too much. I think, after reading your review, that I may not need to know too much about the group to get into RZA's philosophy. Nice work.
2 - Temple Stark
>>subdue your aggression down
That was my non-confrontational way od saying "Kick their ass."
Thanks Michael.
3 - Phillip Winn
The Wu is pretty incredible, and mind-bogglingly prolific. RZA is crazy, but in a good way. The dude knows kung-fu, hardcore.
Great review!
4 - windwalker
Check out wuforever.com
for latest daily wu-tang news
5 - Aaman
Tommy was good, and Who's Next - kinda downhill for the rest.
6 - sonja valentine
good review -
their kung-fu is definitely tight
especially (the underrated) Inspectah Deck
7 - HW Saxton
To make a long post short: Great review.
8 - Temple Stark
This is one I stressed mightily over. There is so much going on and its sometihng that people who aren't fans, I felt, would be if not fascinated by, pretty interested to read - the book that is.
I held on to this one too long too try and find the right words, and as most writers, I'm still not quite happy.
Thanks though.
9 - HW Saxton
I picked this up friday and I finished
it today. Great read.It made my weekend.
Thanx for the recomendation.I'd have to
say it's a great read whether you are
into Hip-Hop or not.If you are though it
makes it that much better.Funny, but now
I want to go watch "Mad Monkey Kung Fu"
and break out my old 12' hip hop singles
for some odd reason.
10 - L. Cue
what do you think TS? Let's make this a Wu summer!
11 - Temple Stark
I'm all about the Wu. Seriously, this book confirmed so much about my impressions - and todl me much more aobut their backgrond and outlook than I knew. So glad HW liked it too.
Post your own review man.
And I did listen to ODB's solo release again. "Shimmy ..." is really the only song I like - the others are way to "in the gutter" for my tastes. It was more controlled and together than I remembered, however.
12 - wuforever.com
dont forget
wuforever.com
largest wu-tang community
3000+ photos
200+ wu-tang wallpapers
13 - jonny blaze
the wu-tang is the ultimate rap group. The only bad thing about the wu-tang now is that wenever i listen to ne of their new stuff i just want to hear the fatherless rythem of ODB. Method man is still their, but the clan just ain't the same without dirt mcgirt.