Wu-Tang Clan’s official Twitter account sent out a tweet in July declaring gaming an element of Hip Hop.
The announcement came with a photo of video game controllers in the shape of the Wu-Tang “W” and a copy of PlayStation’s Wu Tang: Shaolin Style, which was released in 1999. While it’s unclear who actually made the declaration, at least one member of the legendary Hip Hop crew is down.
As RZA was on his way to San Diego for Comic Con last month to promote his upcoming film Cut Throat City, he spoke to HipHopDX about the tweet and revealed he’s 100 percent into the idea. But first, he offered up a little anecdote.
“I gotta co-sign it ’cause I been … you know why I gotta co-sign that? Let me just give you a small, quick story,” he said. “During the process of recording two iconic Wu-Tang albums — Cuban Linx and Liquid Swords — PlayStation had video game that was a 3DO version of Samurai Showdown. It had to at least take up six hours every day in the studio. At the time, we wasn’t vegan so it was video games, chess, turkey burgers and music.
“You could go to any Hip Hop studio — and I mean I’ve been to many studios with many of my peers — and video game systems are set up. You get on the tour bus, EA Sports is happenin’.”
Wu Tang: Shaolin Style is a four-player game focused on the kung-fu style of fighting. Each player advances through a series of challenges called the 36 Chambers, a reference to the Staten Island group’s seminal album, 1993’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).
On July 28, Method Man, RZA, GZA, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Cappadonna, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck and Masta Killah teased a Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) 25th anniversary tour on Instagram — you know, “for the children.”
The group is also preparing to perform four dates at the iconic Sydney Opera House in December, marking the first time in Wu-Tang’s nearly 30-year career they’ve played Australia together.
“I’ve been to Sydney a few times and that building always stands out,” RZA says. “It’s such a structure, it’s such a great piece of architecture and now I’m gonna not just go there to watch something, I’m gonna be inside there showing my art. Me and my Wu-Tang brothers and to me that’s a real crowning achievement for me.” [apple_news_ad type=”any”]
Misogyny and Drug abuse is way bigger part and way more influential in Hip Hop than Video gaming. If we gonna start to add stupid nonsense to the Elements of Hip Hop its definitely Misogyny and Drugs first.
Misogyny and drugs.
Sounds like a universal theme to me.
For me the Elements of Hip Hop, Grafitti, Breakdance, Mc-ing and Dj-ing are all performance arts to express yourself. I dont see how Gaming would fit into that Category
So serious!
Since when is gaming black culture lmao
No, it’s definitely not. Even if a Hollywood actor says so…..
I think Rza has finally reached rock bottom. He has been flirting with rock bottom for a few years now. It started when his production started slipping. He sounds like Kanye West now ( not quite) because don’t want to disrespect but he is now says outrageous things
They should come out with Shaolin Style II
Make Russell Crowe a final boss
RZAs special moves should be ignore (x) and sell out (y) and if you lose, you have to make a Bobby Digital album
Every since Rza got heavy into the hollywood scene my dude been lost.
I fuck with Rza but he’s wrong here…gaming has nothing to do with the Hip-Hop culture..foh
Gaming been apart of hip-hop every sense the 80’s and even in the 90’s case in point Lil Flip’s game over the hook to game over was based on ATARI ‘S PAC MAN’S sound effects so actually RZA is late here etc.
It clearly is hip hop y’all can’t see the future plus most of y’all know nothing about hip hop
Come on Bobby!!!!! please get back in line?