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RZA

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RZA

Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (born July 5, 1969), better known by his stage name RZA ( RIZ-ə) or the RZA, is an American rapper, record producer, composer, actor, and filmmaker. He is the de facto leader of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, having produced most of the group's albums and those of its members. Known for his signature use of soul samples, sparse beats, and cinematic elements, his production style has been widely influential in hip-hop. The Source and Vibe both ranked him among the greatest hip-hop producers of all time, while NME included him on its list of the 50 Greatest Producers Ever, spanning all genres. RZA has released solo albums under the alter-ego Bobby Digital; he was also a founding member of the horrorcore group Gravediggaz, performing as the RZArector. He has also worked extensively in film and television, composing scores for major films such as Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004). He made his directorial debut with The Man with the Iron Fists (2012) and later directed Love Beats Rhymes (2017). He served as an executive producer on Wu-Tang: An American Saga (2019–2023), for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music. As an actor, he has appeared in American Gangster (2007), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), and A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011), as well as the TV series Californication. He has also done voiceover work, including roles in The Simpsons and Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022).

Infobox

Born
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (1969-07-05) July 5, 1969 (age 56)New York City, U.S.
Occupations
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Years active
1984–present
Spouses
mw- Eboni Mills (m. 2000; div. 2006) Talani Rabb (m. 2009)
Relatives
9th Prince (brother)GZA (cousin)Ol' Dirty Bastard (cousin)Flavor Flav (cousin)
Also known as
Prince RakeemThe ScientistBobby SteelsRuler Zig-Zag-Zig AllahPrince Delight(The) AbbottBobby DigitalBobby DynamiteRZArectorBobby Boulders
Genres
East Coast hip-hophardcore hip-hopchipmunk soulhorrorcoreclassical musicfilm scores
Works
RZA discographyproduction discography
Labels
Soul TempleTommy BoyWarner Bros.Razor SharpEpicSMEVirginEMIKochGee StreetV2BMGSanctuary
Member of
Wu-Tang Clan
Formerly of
AchozenBanks & SteelzGravediggaz

Tables

Key · Filmography
Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released
· Filmography › Films
1997
Rhyme & Reason
Role(s)
Himself
1999
Role(s)
Samurai in Camouflage
2003
Role(s)
RZA
2005
Role(s)
Winston Boyko
2006
Rap Sheet: Hip-Hop and the Cops
Role(s)
Himself
The Lather Effect
Role(s)
Danny's Friend
Rock the Bells
Role(s)
Himself
2007
Role(s)
Moses Jones
Role(s)
Duece
2008
Role(s)
Lonnie
2009
Role(s)
Chuck
2010
Role(s)
T-Bone
Role(s)
Airline Screening Marshall
Role(s)
Mouss
2012
Role(s)
Blacksmith
Notes
Lead actor, director, and co-writer
2013
Role(s)
Blind Master
Role(s)
Mr. LC
Notes
AKA The Protector 2
2014
Role(s)
Tremaine Alexander
2015
Role(s)
Blacksmith
Notes
Lead actor and co-writer
Role(s)
Steven
AWOL-72
Role(s)
Det.Adams
2016
2017
Notes
Director
2018
Role(s)
Principal Hurd
Notes
Lead actor, executive producer and composer
Role(s)
Shakespeare (voice)
2019
Role(s)
Dean
2020
Notes
Director
Role(s)
Ron
Role(s)
Louis
2021
Role(s)
Harry Mansell Jr.
Role(s)
Pawn Shop Kurtis
King of Cool
Role(s)
Himself
2022
Role(s)
Biker (voice)
Role(s)
Andrew Johnson
2023
Role(s)
Bobby
Not an Artist
Role(s)
The Abbott
2025
Role(s)
Notes
Director, producer, and writer
Role(s)
Harry Mansell Jr.
TBA
Role(s)
Blood Brothers †
Notes
Me and My Girlfriend †
Role(s)
Marceo
The Prophet Sees †
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1997
Rhyme & Reason
Himself
1999
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
Samurai in Camouflage
2003
Coffee and Cigarettes
RZA
2005
Derailed
Winston Boyko
2006
Rap Sheet: Hip-Hop and the Cops
Himself
The Lather Effect
Danny's Friend
Rock the Bells
Himself
2007
American Gangster
Moses Jones
The Box
Duece
2008
Gospel Hill
Lonnie
2009
Funny People
Chuck
Life Is Hot in Cracktown
Samy
2010
Repo Men
T-Bone
Due Date
Airline Screening Marshall
The Next Three Days
Mouss
2011
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas
Lamar
2012
The Man with the Iron Fists
Blacksmith
Lead actor, director, and co-writer
2013
Joe: Retaliation
Blind Master
Tom Yum Goong 2
Mr. LC
AKA The Protector 2
2014
Brick Mansions
Tremaine Alexander
2015
The Man with the Iron Fists 2
Blacksmith
Lead actor and co-writer
Mr. Right
Steven
AWOL-72
Det.Adams
2016
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Himself
2017
Love Beats Rhymes
Director
2018
Thriller
Principal Hurd
Lead actor, executive producer and composer
Mutafukaz
Shakespeare (voice)
2019
The Dead Don't Die
Dean
2020
Cut Throat City
Director
Life in a Year
Ron
Hard Luck Love Song
Louis
2021
Nobody
Harry Mansell Jr.
Clean
Pawn Shop Kurtis
King of Cool
Himself
2022
Minions: The Rise of Gru
Biker (voice)
Poker Face
Andrew Johnson
2023
Problemista
Bobby
Not an Artist
The Abbott
2025
One Spoon of Chocolate
Director, producer, and writer
Nobody 2
Harry Mansell Jr.
TBA
Blood Brothers †
Director and writer
Me and My Girlfriend †
Marceo
The Prophet Sees †
· Filmography › Television
2004
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Season 2, Episode 7
2009
Role(s)
DJ (voice)
2010
Role(s)
Greg Beals
Notes
Episode: "Pilot"
2012
Role(s)
Samurai Apocalypse
Notes
Featured role (nine episodes)
2013
Role(s)
Himself/Strawberry/Halloween Road Warrior (voice)
Notes
Episode: "Botched Jewel Heist"
2014
Role(s)
DEA Agent Cassius Green
Notes
Main cast
2017
Role(s)
Himself (voice)
Notes
Episode: "The Great Phatsby: Part 2"
Notes
Director (episode: "Immortal Emerges from Cave")
Role(s)
Swim
Notes
Episode: "Cracking"
2018
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Cameo; episode: "Measure Twice, Cut Once"
2019
Role(s)
Himself (voice)
Notes
Episode: "Homecoming Redux or My So Called Stunt Double Life"
Notes
Executive producer
2022
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "Lemonade"
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2004
America's Next Top Model
Himself
Season 2, Episode 7
2009
Afro Samurai: Resurrection
DJ (voice)
2010
Outlaw
Greg Beals
Episode: "Pilot"
2012
Californication
Samurai Apocalypse
Featured role (nine episodes)
2013
Robot Chicken
Himself/Strawberry/Halloween Road Warrior (voice)
Episode: "Botched Jewel Heist"
2014
Gang Related
DEA Agent Cassius Green
Main cast
2017
The Simpsons
Himself (voice)
Episode: "The Great Phatsby: Part 2"
Marvel's Iron Fist
Director (episode: "Immortal Emerges from Cave")
Snowfall
Swim
Episode: "Cracking"
2018
Fresh Off the Boat
Himself
Cameo; episode: "Measure Twice, Cut Once"
2019
Daybreak
Himself (voice)
Episode: "Homecoming Redux or My So Called Stunt Double Life"
Wu-Tang: An American Saga
Executive producer
2022
The Tiny Chef Show
Himself
Episode: "Lemonade"
· Filmography › Video games
1999
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Voice over
2005
Role(s)
Stake
Notes
Voice over
Year
FilmC
Role
Notes
1999
Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style
Himself
Voice over
2005
Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure
Stake
Voice over
· Awards and nominations
1996
Role(s)
Grammy Award for Best Rap Album
Notes
Nominated
1998
Role(s)
Nominated
2004
Role(s)
BAFTA Award for Best Original Music
Notes
Nominated
2008
Role(s)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Notes
Nominated
2020
Role(s)
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music
Notes
Nominated
Year
Nominee / work
Award
Result
1996
Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
Grammy Award for Best Rap Album
Nominated
1998
Wu-Tang Forever
Nominated
2004
Kill Bill: Volume 1
BAFTA Award for Best Original Music
Nominated
2008
American Gangster
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Nominated
2020
Wu-Tang: An American Saga
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music
Nominated

References

  1. Hiphopcore.net
    http://www.hiphopcore.net/interviews/93%7ceng-rza.html
  2. "TODAY IN HIP HOP HISTORY: RZA RELEASES 'BOBBY DIGITAL IN STEREO' 17 YEARS AGO; THE FIVE PERSONAS OF RZA"
    http://thesource.com/2015/11/24/today-in-hip-hop-history-rza-releases-bobby-digital-in-stereo-17-years-ago-the-five-personas-of-rza/
  3. "RZA aka Bobby Diggs: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know"
    https://heavy.com/entertainment/2019/09/rza-bobby-diggs/
  4. Wutang-corp.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023306/http://wutang-corp.com/artists/wu-artist.php?id=9
  5. Dr. Dre Is VIBE's Greatest Producer Of All Time, Speaks On Win Archived November 5, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Vibe (
    http://www.vibe.com/article/dr-dre-vibes-greatest-producer-all-time-speaks-win
  6. The Rap Beat Creator: Make Your Own Beats!!!: The Source Magazine Picks 20 Greatest Producers Archived March 11, 2016, a
    http://createrapbeats.blogspot.com/2008/08/source-magazine-picks-20-greatest.html
  7. Nme.com
    https://www.nme.com/list/the-50-greatest-producers-ever/262849
  8. [1][dead link]
    https://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200910/20091022_therza.html
  9. The Tao of Wu
  10. Lolley, Sarah (July 13, 2001). "Pittsburgh's underground hip-hop scene has helped produce key players like RZA and Mel-M
    http://www.post-gazette.com/magazine/20010713hiphop0713fnp3.asp
  11. Webb, Rory D. (April 10, 2013). "Wu-Tang's RZA found his second chance in Steubenville Archived March 24, 2022, at the W
    http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/wu-tangs-rza-found-his-second-chance-in-steubenville/Content?oid=1637802
  12. Select
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  14. AllMusic
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  15. AllMusic
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  18. Npr.org
    https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4525189
  19. "RZArecting Bobby"
    http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/42451-rzarecting-bobby
  20. Wutang-corp.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20101203051209/http://wutang-corp.com/news/article.php?id=227
  21. MTV News
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090114111326/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1511602/20051017/system_of_a_down.jhtml?headlines=true
  22. Rapsearch.com
    http://www.rapsearch.com/news/article/wu-music-group-signs-global-digital-distribution-deal
  23. HipHopDX.com
    http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11127/title.rza-confirms-liquid-swords-2
  24. Prefixmag.com
    http://www.prefixmag.com/news/good-ass-job-marks-kanye-wests-return-to-real-hip-/38897/
  25. Complex.com
    http://www.complex.com/music/2011/12/interview-the-rza-talks-headphones-hollywood-and-working-on-watch-the-throne/page/3
  26. Pitchfork.com
    https://pitchfork.com/news/65991-rza-and-interpols-paul-banks-announce-new-album-anything-but-words-featuring-florence-welch-share-giant-listen/
  27. Hotnewhiphop
    http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/rza-and-interpols-paul-banks-announce-joint-album-anything-but-words-news.22141.html
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    https://web.archive.org/web/20220222121242/https://www.goodhumor.com/us/en/jingle.html
  29. npr.org
    https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2020/08/14/902664184/an-ice-cream-truck-jingles-racist-history-has-caught-up-to-it
  30. Good Humor x RZA: A New Ice Cream Truck Jingle for a New Era Archived November 3, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, YouTube,
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=broo2NZmiDE
  31. HipHopDX.com
    https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.58758/title.rza-dug-up-an-old-lyric-book-to-work-on-long-awaited-album-the-cure
  32. npr.org
    https://www.npr.org/2024/08/29/nx-s1-5046267/rza-goes-classical-with-ballet-score
  33. Time
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    https://web.archive.org/web/20060615083612/http://www.gale.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/west_k.htm
  35. MTV News
    https://web.archive.org/web/20201115154114/http://www.mtv.com/news/1553911/kanye-run-dmc-outkast-justin-sound-off-on-our-top-10-hip-hop-groups/
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  37. Conspiracyworldwide.podomatic.com
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  38. PodOmatic
    http://conspiracyworldwide.podomatic.com/entry/index/2010-06-26T06_25_38-07_00
  39. The Wu-Tang Manual by The RZA with Chris Norris, ISBN 1-59448-018-4
  40. Hiphopcore.net
    http://www.hiphopcore.net/interviews/93%7Ceng-rza.html
  41. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gi-joe-rza-dj-cotrona-205939
  42. Dread Central
    https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/35671/high-cost-body-parts-got-you-down-join-repo-men-union
  43. Bloody-disgusting.com
    https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3564373/new-dead-dont-die-character-posters-spotlight-rza-gomez-buscemi-waits/
  44. Fast Forward Weekly
    https://web.archive.org/web/20081202042332/http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/music/music-previews/ruler-zig-zag-zig-allah
  45. Filmstalker.co.uk
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  46. 411mania.com
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  47. Chud.com
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  48. VIBE.com
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  49. The Village Voice
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  50. Boing Boing
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  51. The New Yorker
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  52. The New York Times
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  53. "RZA's Edge: The RZA's Guide to Kung-Fu Films"
    http://www.filmcomment.com/article/rzas-edge-the-rzas-guide-to-kung-fu-films
  54. Newsarama.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121010075844/http://www.newsarama.com/tv/090210-Rza-Afro.html
  55. The New York Times
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  60. Luke Morgan Britton,"Wu-Tang Clan's RZA says he refuses to put 'dead animals' in his 'live body' in PETA advert Archived
    https://www.nme.com/news/wu-tang-clan/81320#WJmPuEwsm7yhA4ac.99
  61. Carl Lamarre, "RZA Teams Up With PETA for New PSA Promoting Animal Kindness: Exclusive," Billboard , January 17, 2018.
    https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/rza-peta-psa-animal-kindness-video-8094737/
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  63. Jordan, Chris. "Hip-hop benefit to go on minus state backing", Home News Tribune, May 15, 2002. Accessed September 19, 2
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  64. Instagram
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  65. MTV
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  66. grammy.com
    https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/rza/
  67. bafta.org
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  68. sagawards.com
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  69. emmys.com
    https://www.emmys.com/bios/rza
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