The RZA was born in Brooklyn, NY, as one of 10 children living in poverty. In the early 80's he and his cousins, GZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard formed a group called "All In Together Now". Very little is known about that group. In 1991 The RZA, at that time known as Prince Rakeem, got a record deal with Tommy Boy records and released the EP "Ooh We Love You Rakeem". The EP turned out to be a flop, and RZA left Tommy Boy and hooked up with his cousins and friends to form the Wu-Tang Clan. Under the new label Loud/RCA records, they released their debut album, "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)".
The RZA is the leader, the common denominator of the Wu-Tang Clan. He's the producer of the two Wu-Tang albums and the Wu members solo albums. "He the sharpest mothafucka in the whole Clan. He always on point", says Method Man.
In 1994 The RZA formed the Gravediggaz with Grym Reaper (aka Too Poetic) and Gate Keeper (aka Frukwan), and introduced to the world a new rap style- the 'horror core', with dark beats and lyrics. In the second Gravediggaz album, "The Pick, The Sickle And The Shovel", the group showed a different side to their style: Less scary beats and lyrics about death and horror, more quality music and wise words with a message. It seems The RZA has decided to dedicate most of his words to wisdom and knowledge. Instead of singing about how he pleases the girls ("Ooh, We Love You Rakeem"), he sings about the world and where it's headed, like in Sunshower.
The RZA is a vegetarian. "An Ox is strong as a mothafucka, and all he eats is grass", he explains. Right now he's working on a movie written, directed and produced by him, entitled Bobby Digital. He's also made the soundtrack for the picture, "RZA As Bobby Digital In Stereo", which was released in Nov. 24 on Gee Street records. Guesting on the album are Method Man, Masta Killa, Killarmy and more. RZA is also planning on releasing his second solo album, "The Cure" and another "Bobby Digial" LP, both in late '99, and of course will continue producing his Clan members albums.
Source: http://members.tripod.com/~the_yz/rza-biography.html
