Wu-Tang Clan’s Masta Killa, RZA and DJ/producer Mathematics recently stopped by Hot 97 to discuss the pioneering New York Hip Hop collective’s forthcoming album, Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues.
About 11 minutes into the interview, as the trio was talking about Hip Hop as a business, RZA doled out a handful of gems about what MCs can do to become a reverberating voice in the culture.
“I would advise any MC who is coming on as an MC, or as they call it a rapper, to definitely strive to have powerful bars, great lyrics,” RZA said. “Because even a singer strives to become a better singer, a guitar player strives to become a better guitar player, you know what I mean? I think that it’s important for their longevity and for them to recognize at one point in life — whether it’s Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, Nat King Cole, as far as we can go back — sometimes the artist’s voice becomes the voice of the time, then the voice of the world. It’s important they recognize they are making a soundtrack of our generation.”
As he continued, he touched on Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole’s roles in the current Hip Hop landscape, explaining how they provide the balance the culture needs. He uses Future‘s “Mask Off” and its reference to the powerful pain killer Percocet to make his point.
“It’s [‘Mask Off’] not giving a description of everything that’s happening,” he says. “But now Kendrick will come on, who I think is an MC who keeps the balance for us, I think J. Cole keeps the balance and I love Future, trust me. Put on Future, I might jump up and start dancing with you. I’m into it, but there has to be a balance, and I think the MCs who aren’t putting that focus into it that they should always consider it, and go back and study the great ones so that they can add that. I mean, we watch Drake just become greater and greater. We watch that happen — even Kendrick. You watch him continue to become a better MC because he cared about being that.”
Later in the interview, they touch on Martin Shkreli, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Azealia Banks, classic Hip Hop and their excitement for the new album.
Watch the full interview above.
IN 5-10 YEARS, THEY’LL ONLY REMEMBER THE BEATS AND THE PRODUCERS, NOT THESE CORNY ASS MUMBLIN’ DRUGGED UP GIRLY DRESSIN’ CLOWNS!!!! FACTS!!!!
YOU NEED A FATHER FIGURE IN YOUR LIFE!!!! SO SAD!!!!
What I like about this site unlike others is this site would never write an article and write its comments also.
Your sarcasm is on point . Lol
This new generation of rappers is nothing but garbage. Bunch of little girls eatin this bullshit up. Shouldn’t even be considered music. So embarrassing.. smh
I didn’t mean every single one lol but the new generation as a whole is garbage including most of the rappers you just mentioned
Chance is the most trashy rapper out of them all, next to only worth 1 listen Action Bronson, light light light skin Logic, and most of all, Mr Overhyped Album of the Year, Vic Mensa. Grow some Pubic hairs before criticizing someones opinion.
P.S surprised you didn’t mention Yah Yah Yah Uzi Vert
I don’t fuck with some of the rappers on the list, I just include them because people praise the shit outta them. I also do have pubic hair. I never shave so that shit covers up most of my dick. The head is the only thing visible in the happy forest. Ya mom digs it though. Ohhhhh roasted, R.I.P. you
Man I’m so ready for this junt to hit!
Really?
Can’t take anyone who calls themselves a GLO BOY seriously. There is nothing savage about that suspect ass name. At least the old heads your talking about will look back on some dope ass lyricists. When that chapter hits in your life.. you can look back on all these skirt wearing lame ass dudes who shout over trap beats… if you think this OG rap shit is corny.. I can’t wait to see what your old ass looks like playing songs by these lil boys.
Damn RZA, that shit was inspiring.
Wonderfully put
Wutang is iconic but nobody trying to hear RZAs bullshit. He needs to get back to doing wu projects with only his production. Not those off brand lame wu affiliates
Show some respect, RZA ain’t saying bullshit, it’s the truth. The MCs out here need to step up their game.
I adore RZA, Wu, and the sound of the 90s. But even RZA came out with a song that goes, “all I wanna do is smoke, drink, and f**k!” lol. Which is pretty much the same message as the rappers he’s talking about.
No, he said they should have balance. It’s cool to make songs about partying and whylin out, but you should balance it with some songs that have substance. For every “ignorant” song the Wu did they had 4 of them dropping knowledge. Peace.
I fux w Wu hard (even copped they last album for support) but it was subpar at best by Wu standards. I hope they come with some heat, energy n intensity this time.
The Wu has been finished for a while. Dropping bad music. Ghost begging people to buy albums at shows. Bashing the young generation is the only was some old heads can stay in the news. They should just make music for their core fans.Can’t be young forever.
You weren’t feeling that new joint they did with Redman? I really liked it and I wasn’t a big fan of their last album. I don’t really see this as bashing either. I think in all honesty, this young generation is definitely lacking lyrically. They can make hits and get money, but when you break down what they are saying.. you lose my interest.
No different from when the old heads were young. Mostly drugs, death, and b.s. Some of these guys get old and want to change the narrative like they were rapping like Talib. The Wu haven’t made a good album since forever. The new song with Redman isn’t bad though, it’s just dated.
How is he bashing them? It’s like no matter how gently and carefully you critique young dudes they still get huffy and puffy and ready to cry and fight at the same time. It’s like they were never told the truth by anyone in their lives. Soft.
50 cent said it best wu makes weird music . Dropping science no that shit weird
50 plays dumb to endear himself to dummies like you. 50 loves Wu-Tang.
He’s right. Check my group at SoundCloud.com/closedsociety
How about u just put out an album instead of spitting in your fans faces by selling it to that fuck boy for a pay day. Fuck the wu
The entire wu tang broke
LITERALLY THE DUMBEST COMMENT OF 2017
Go an check every member ig their broke big ole facts 1994 dated music may it rest in peace
Respect The Wu because they are forever ! Check the catalog you young bucks and commercial heads enjoy because most of the hatin comes from closed mindedness and not wanting to do the history and go back and see what actually happened or what was dope . Dig in a crate pull out an old record and I guarantee you it fucks with anything current . Plus if your a real hip hopper like every1 claims to be you have to be we’ll rounded and develope your own taste stop going off what others think is hot , listen comprehend that shit first, bottom line pick up that new Wu and cherish that shit ya’ll hatin and ain’t even heard it yet and respect Rza the Grandmaster and the Clan cuz God forbid they hang up the music or someone perishes then ya’ll will be the same phoney haters on their dicks with the RIP shit Bong Bong !