Paul Barman’s Rzaview Hip-Hop Interview

MOVE over Paxman:

Wired magazine contributor Paul Barman interviewed visionary hip hop impresario and soundtrack artist the RZA, then turned the transcript into a rhyme.

RZAVIEW by MC Paul Barman:

As prepared for delivery, WFMU, Thursday June 19, 2008.

Rza, pronounced riz’-uh, is a composer for film and TV.
He began as a rapper. His career had a growth spurt.
From flowed words to producer, Wu-Tang Clan founder and father, Rza is also an actor and author.

We met in New York after he drove his kids to the airport.
He held court in his hotel room, exhausted, a good sport.

“I’m a composer,” Rza rose his voice. Knows the choice.
Stay in hip-hop ghetto or let go of noise.
“Stand still and stagnate in a bad state.”
Weakness is revealed by brags, hate.

Rza’s first soundtrack was for Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog.
Perhaps Rza at his most prog. Created a sound.
Elated, he’d found Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev.
Assign instrument to each character–borrowed the concept.
As long as you move, you can’t make a wrong step.

Needle-dropped Kill Bill, stood behind cameraguy.
Scored whole range, Soul Plane, Unleashed, Afro Samurai.
Working off animatics was a challenge for Abbot.
Music has movement while drawings are static.

“Fifty piece orchestra can be $250 G’s a week.”
That’s more than treats from Miss Freek-a-leek.
“So I got my digital orchestra.
Over forty keyboards recording free chords.
Sessioners’ pay may not be restored.
”

Rza is talkative. Keyboard reps all octaves.
Mancini’s sample scores have a lot to give.

Early eighties — flashback to Times Square.
He and Ol Dirty Bastard stood in line there
to see triple-bill Chinese crime fare.
Blown away by discipline and ferocity.
Walked away with new styles and philosophy.
Sparred raps with each other, practicing constantly.
It was ODB, Ghostface, Raekwon, Deck, Rza,
Masta Killa, U-God, and Genius AKA Gza (jiz’-uh).
Rza based his urban young crew on verbal kung fu
though they sold crack on the curb and toted guns too.
Quoted Sun Tzu, “Strike at their gaps. Attack when they’re lax.
Never let the enemy figure out how to act.”

Rza became Abbot. Stat Isle became Shaolin.
Crew renamed Wu-Tang. New plans empowerin.
Come strong as a group then sign solo with dif labels.
Spend money on mansions, not just on cables.
Talking darts, rocking parties, won flock of hearts like Calista.
Edutainment from KRS-1. KRS came from KRiShna. Finish the mishna.

Rza, forsaken like bacon, had to take ten
from classic records made in the basement.

Around 2000 Rza visited the real Shaolin Mountain
with Sifu Shi Yan-Ming who teach what chi and Chan* can bring.
They met the real Wudan abbot. Saw General Wu as black Asiatic.
An American saw snake and terrapin/turtle in Temple of Purple Cloud,
from which Zhen Wu hurtled out, higher in sky than the seraphim.

The case that god is a human ain’t new to a true fan.
He changed lots of lives when he stotted the Wu Clan.
Which came first? The chicken or egg?
Man made god.
Ain’t that a kick in the head?
He got sticked and he bled. Rza said,
“Jesus said, ‘Take me off the pedESTal
and polish your vessel.'” What makes you
different is what makes you special.

“What have you achieved that din’t begin as a vision?”
“Good question,” he said. “Some of my children.”
He now writes “Wu-Tang Manual Volume 2: The Wisdom.”
First chapter, “Universal Changer,” he wrote as “lonely” teenager
By “lonely” I think he meant prison. From psycho slums
to microphones to Triton taiko drums, Rza has risen.
(Tomorrow’s not a given. Make each moment count.
Over and out. Thanks for listenin ta Talkin Journalism.)

*Chan is Zen Buddhism

Source 

Anorak

Posted: 25th, June 2008 | In: Strange But True Comment | TrackBack | Permalink