RZA

Robert Diggs, who is better known in the world of music as RZA, is a talented musician, producer, composer, actor, and screenwriter. He is one of the founders and inspiration behind the famous band, Wu-Tang Clan. He performs using different pseudonyms. Among them are, Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig, Bobby Digital, The Abbot, Bobby Steels, and many others. Diggs grew up in Pittsburg in a family that experienced financial problems. He had 10 siblings. The rapper began his career at the end of the 1980s. At the beginning of the 1990s, he became part of the band, Force of the Imperial Master, which later changed its name to All in Together Now Crew.

After the band fell apart, two of its members, GZA (also known as Genius) and RZA decided to pursue solo careers. With the assistance of their friend Melquan, the owner of Jamaica Records label, the artists managed to sign beneficial contracts with recording studios. RZA started working with Tommy Boy Records while GZA collaborated with Cold Chillin Records. Soon Diggs released a debut EP, Ooh I Love You Rakeem. After the album came out, the rapper ended up in jail for participating in a shooting. Later, he was acquitted. Sometime after the acquittal, RZA said in one of the interviews that it was the turning point of his life. The arrest helped the rapper make the right decision about his career.

In 1992, RZA, two of his brothers and five friends formed a band, Wu-Tang Clan. Each member had a pseudonym. By that time, Robert was known to everyone as RZA. The pseudonym appeared due to his nickname Rza Rza Rakeem, which stuck with Diggs after he performed the song, "All in Together Now". The first single recorded by Wu-Tang Clan came out in 1992. The artists called it "Protect Ya Neck". A year later, the ninth member, Masta Killa, joined the band. In the fall of 1993, the musicians presented their first LP, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The band’s leader was RZA. He made decisions about which members would perform which tracks.

After releasing the debut LP, all group members started working on solo projects. RZA became a producer for Ghostface, Method Man, ODB, and Raekwon. Albums that the band released in the next two years are considered highly successful. They were created mostly thanks to Robert Diggs. At that time, many fans wanted to book RZA for private events. Besides working as a producer for Wu-Tang Clan members and releasing his own albums, RZA collaborated with such artists as Big Pun, Cypress Hill, and Notorious B.I.G. The next successful project, which the talented musician took part in was Gravediggaz. The members of the group were such famous artists as Prince Paul, Frukwan, and Poetic. RZA performed with the group using the pseudonym, Rzarector. The lyrics written by the artists focused mainly on violence. The melodies were heavy and fatal-sounding. The genre was called horrorcore.

In 1997, Robert acted as a manager at the recording of the double album by Wu-Tang Clam called Forever. Then he started working with such celebrities as Shyheim, Killarmy, and Sunz Of Men. At the end of the 1990s, the popularity of Wu-Tang Clan began to wane. Many producers started copying RZA’s style. The new competition came on stage, but rapper didn’t give up. He continued recording solo albums and tried himself on the big screen. He wrote the soundtrack to the movie, Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood. The song “Winter Warz” turned into a hit. In 2000, Robert created soundtracks to the movie, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. Five years later, he decided to become a movie director. In 2007, the rapper released his fourth LP, Digi Snacks. It came out in 2008 with the lead single, "You Can't Stop Me Now".

In 2007, RZA signed a contract with SRC Records. At that time, many famous labels tried to work with the rapper. He collaborated with a few of them simultaneously to record solo albums and promote Wu-Tang Clan. Among those labels were Def Jam, Bad Boy Records, Interscope, and Aftermath Records In 2009, Diggs helped Raekwon release his fourth solo LP, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, which became very successful. Later he worked with a guitarist from Red Hot Chili Peppers and created a set for Cannibal Ox’s LP. In the 2010s, RZA recorded numerous collaboration albums, through which he promoted himself and his fellow rappers. The artist continues to record new hits, works as a producer, and performs live.