Just over a month ago, Wu-Tang Clan’s U-God released his memoir RAW: My Journey Into the Wu-Tang — a vivid recounting of his life from the projects to the epicenter of Hip Hop. The book made headlines for its criticism of RZA, who has responded to U-God’s claims in a new interview with Rolling Stone.
“Look, every man has a right to write a book,” RZA said. “Some are myths, some are fantasy, some are sci-fi … I don’t know if this book falls totally in nonfiction.”
The Wu-Tang co-founder addressed the accusations of being a control freak by pointing out the group had their own contracts and noted that they’ve released more solo projects without him than with him.
“If I’m the problem for anybody’s growth and development in music, then why [is it that] after 18 years after everybody got released from the Wu-Tang Productions contract in 2000, your growth has not shown through your own talent then if that’s the problem?” he asked.
He also took aim at U-God’s claim that putting management in the hands of RZA’s family members, specifically Mitchell “Divine” Diggs, held the group — as a unit and as individuals — back from signing with more prominent agents.
“Of course this is a family business,” RZA said. “My brother [Divine] has always been that guy in my life.” He also pointed out the agency issue was out of his hands. “Agents solicit you, you don’t solicit them.”
RZA was particularly bothered by U-God’s frustration over being charged a fee to use the Wu-Tang logo. He paid for the rights to the logo in the ’90s and started enforcing a usage fee because the brand became diluted.
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“Nobody was standing behind the ‘W’ in the reality,” he noted. “Who promoted A Better Tomorrow? Nobody. Even on [2007’s] 8 Diagrams, nobody showed up for their own video shoot. But you still want the company to represent you? If he’s gonna give [the logo] to [another label] who’s going to make an economic off that, he should at least pay a 10 percent fee for the usage of my logo.”
RZA did agree with U-God’s comments about the group needing to perform newer material at live shows. He shed some light on why the group “seem to be stuck in a certain chamber of music.”
Despite all the criticism, The Abbot doesn’t have any ill will for Golden Arms. In fact, he’s glad to see U-God doing so well right now.
“More than anything, I’m happy because I’ve watched a couple of U-God’s interviews and he seems engaged and happy and satisfied, and that’s what an artist needs,” RZA said. “He’s always been a good artist. In his book, he writes that he was looked down upon. I think he doesn’t realize how much people love him … he’s an important piece to this Wu puzzle, and I’ve got nothing but love for him, personally.”
Read the full interview here.
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Every member that complain about RZA cant be wrong
Instead of complaining how about they show gratitude? How come the only songs of theirs that endure are the ones that RZA produced? These guys literaly make a living off of RZA’s groundwork. If they were smart they would still be asking for RZA to helm their projects.
Because RZA has been making terrible shit at times and needs some new blood to help him out. Plus, Ghostface should be the last person to dictate the musical direction of the Wu, quiet as it’s kept.
GHOSTFACE BE THE LAST? BITCH ARE YOU FUCKIN CRAZY??? IN CASE U DIDN’T KNOW GHOSTFACE EXECUTIVE PRODUCED A LOT OF THE FIRST GEN WU ALBUMS… WITHOUT HIM.. WU WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE THE SOUND THEY’RE KNOWN FOR AND IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME GO CHECK ALL THE CREDITS AND LOOK FOR DENNIS COLES…. STAY IN YA PLACE…. IF ANYONE DESERVES TO RUN THE CLAN NOW IT’S GHOST…. GO BACK TO SCHOOL YOU SMART ASS IDIOT..
I’ve been listening to Wu long before you had your first drink. I read the credits too, but it doesn’t change the fact that Ghostface has been making the same album for the past five years.
This is a prime example of a man being caught up in not having the shine he feels he deserves, and wanting to point the finger at everyone, including the man who helped him begin reaching his goals in the first place. A simple case of too much pride. This happens with many people, and the Wu isn’t exempt from it. If things were really a problem, they would not go back to Rza at the end of the day, so it is what it is. The Abbott aint mad. He’s smiling like a proud Dad, watching his kids make their own way out of what essentially was “no way”. Every single one of those brothers could have been a statistic. He took 9 men out the hood, let them see the world, and helped them establish their own personal brands. That deserves acknowledgement and praise.
I just got through listening to the drink champs episode with the wu minus rza, gza and deck. I think people underestimate how difficult it is for a group with 9 members, multiple labels, management personalities, etc can still exist after 25 years and still have genuine love for each other. Many of the members have sued rza or had various grievances but they still understand that no individual is beyond the group. There has been no large multi member musical act (maybe parliament funkadelic) that has had success for this long.
I thought RZA was lettin’ Ghostface oversee future Wu Projects? He REALLY oughta, because BOTH 8 Diagrams & A Better Tomorrow (Even moreso) SUCKED ASS!!! I bet that CD Shkreli has is better than BOF’UM!!! I’m startin’ 2 think U-God is NOT all wrong as some People may think. He’s just the only one (other than Ghost/Rae/Meth) 2 speak on it!! Really doe: RZA’s Beats used 2 B dirty as f**k!! and that’s that classic Wu Sound!! But lately His Beats have too much “Charlie Sheen” or “Martin Sheen” on ’em. Put dat dirt back on dat sh*t!!! And 2 be REALLY REAL: Ghost BEEN carrying the Wu Flag 4 a LONG TIME!!!
wtf you talking about, 8Diagrams was fire beyond fire – go listen to it 4-5 more times until it sinks in
but i agree Better Tomorrow was garbage
Air it out now to get it right. I need a new wu album with everyone on the same page. And the high energy needs to be there for each member. I want this team to win again and in order to do so, all members need to promote it fully and back each other up. Call mf’ers out when it’s warranted. Wu forever!
In every group there is always a master planner. Hard to admit with out RZA taking those cut-throat steps Wu would have ended up like De La Soul or ATCQ. See when they need someone to handle the corporate stuff they lean on RZA, but that logo part, damn! that was a sneaky move!
man U-GOD ALWAAAAAAAAAAAAAYS bitchin about something… ever notice in all argument footage he’s right there??
“If I’m the problem for anybody’s growth and development in music, then why [is it that] after 18 years after everybody got released from the Wu-Tang Productions contract in 2000, your growth has not shown through your own talent then if that’s the problem?” he asked. <!—– #THATPART This part is sooo true when it comes to U-god he doesn't progress… it always seemed like he wanted someone to hold his hand thru his journey. U-god is a fair artist at best when it comest to his artistry. Nothing higher, nothing lower. We've always received mediocre work from. I seriously cant sit here and name something classic from him alone minus any wu-members. It may hurt but it's the truth. U-GOD GROW UP.
ever since the W you've been bashing Rza… take your shit in your own hands bruh… snap out of fantasy land and play your part man.
Maturation is the key Rza won with pure intellect and humility…plus hes already breaded lika fish lmao!!!
man U-GOD ALWAAAAAAAAAAAAAYS bitchin about something… ever notice in all argument footage he’s right there??
(“If I’m the problem for anybody’s growth and development in music, then why [is it that] after 18 years after everybody got released from the Wu-Tang Productions contract in 2000, your growth has not shown through your own talent then if that’s the problem?” he asked.)<<<<<< #THATPART
This part is sooo true when it comes to U-god he does not progress… it always seemed like he wanted someone to hold his hand thru his journey. U-god is a fair artist at best when it comest to his artistry. Nothing higher, nothing lower. We have always received mediocre work from. I seriously cant sit here and name something classic from him alone minus any wu-members. It may hurt but it is the truth. U-GOD GROW UP. ever since the W you have been bashing Rza… take your shit in your own hands bruh… snap out of fantasy land and play your part man.
Wu tang carved i walnut aint nuttin to fuk wit!
Yea everyone isn’t lying on this dude rza is a snake ass manager period been playing dude’s that made him
They can complain all they want, without RZA there is no Wu-Tang, period.