RZA founded the legendary group Wu-Tang Clan and became one of the most influential Hip Hop artists of all time, but that didn’t stop him from being a great admirer of Rock and trying to include elements of the genre in his work.
In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2019, when he explained why he thought his collective should be inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame, he argued:
It may take some time to get there. I think it’s good for us and I think it’s good for Rock and Roll, because Hip Hop is a form of music that comes from all genres, but it definitely comes from Rock and Roll.
Throughout the veteran group’s trajectory, it is a fact, RZA united the two genres several times. An example is the classic “Bring Da Ruckus”, which is part of Wu-Tang’s debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)and the rapper has already made this clear when talking about the track (via Louder Sound):
I thought I was doing Hip Hop, but it has a really good Rock and Roll groove.
No wonder, RZA made more moves towards Rock when he joined the singer of Interpol, Paul Banksto burn the disc Anything But Words under the name Banks & Steelz.
The 5 best Rock albums according to RZA
The 2016 release reached the Top 20 on three different Billboard charts: Top US Alternative Albums (No. 15), Top US Rap Albums (No. 11), and Top US Rock Albums (No. 16).
At the time of the release of the album with Banks, RZA revealed to Q magazine which are the best Rock albums in his opinion. Check out the Wu-Tang Clan leader’s choices below and his comments on the works!
Interpol – Our Love To Admire
I chose this one because of that song ‘The Scales’. She resonated with me a lot. I love the progressions, the compositions and the Rock and Roll sound of this record.
Arctic monkeys – AM
I chose this one because of the song ‘Do I Wanna Know?’. I could play the Interpol album and this one back to back. It’s robust, it’s a good measure of Rock.
System of a Down – Mezmerize
The song that impressed me the most was ‘Lost In Hollywood’. It’s about a guy going to Hollywood. It felt like they were singing about my life in that song.
Clutch – Psychic Warfare
I don’t think they ever sold more than 50,000 records. Their guitars are heavy. HEAVY. They happened to be playing in Los Angeles one night and I went home sore because I was moshing.
John Frusciante – The Empyrean
Despite not making any comments, RZA included RZA’s eighth solo album on his list. John Fruscianteiconic guitarist from Red Hot Chili Peppers. The album released in 2009 reached number 151 on the US Billboard and featured a number of guest musicians such as his bandmate Fleain addition to Josh Klinghoffer and the former guitarist of Smiths, Johnny Marr.
