S. Samuel
Wu-Tang Clan's RZA has opened up about his contribution to the upcoming Watch the Throne album and revealed how Kanye West waved the Wu flag at him while working in China.
According to RZA, Ye reached out to him while on set of actor Russell Crowe‘s upcoming Man With The Iron Fists film.
“Kanye asked me to send tracks while they were in Australia,” RZA revealed in an interview. “I just thought I would send some sh*t that would be rugged. I know they can find the poppy, hip-hop places, but I wanted to send them some real edgy sh*t. Apparently they thought they were great – Kanye said, ‘Send some more of that Wu sh*t!’ — In the past, when Jay-Z did Best of Both Worlds with R. Kelly, I thought it was a great album but the campaign went south because of personalities. With this project, it’s the best of many worlds. These two guys have a great chemistry and a great relationship. I’m excited.” (Rolling Stone)
With the album just days away, Jay-Z and Kanye West have put together an upcoming tour to promote its release.
A week after debuting their new single, “Otis”, off “Watch the Throne,” Jay-Z and Kanye Westare joining forces to form the group ‘The Throne’ and announce their ‘Watch the Throne Tour,’ kicking off on Sept. 22, in Detroit. “Watch the Throne” will be available on iTunes on August 8. On the same day, tickets for The Throne’s tour, powered by VoyR, will be made available at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com. Fans who purchase their tickets online will receive a digital copy of the album. The album hits stores on Aug. 12. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Last year, RZA hit up SOHH to discuss contributing to Ye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy solo album.
“What made me come out to Hawaii when he invited me wasn’t really about making music. I wanted to go and build with a brother and share [my knowledge]. I thought I might be able to share some things that he’s not really heard from around other people he’s been around. The secrets we keep from each other and try to stay secluded from each other because we’re like crabs in a barrel, everybody’s trying to get out and so we keep pushing each other down some times.” (SOHH Guest Star)
The Wu’s Raekwon also spoke to SOHH in 2010 about recording “Gorgeous” alongside Yeezy.
“The first thing I can tell you about Kanye West is that he’s a hard worker. When you look at him, you can tell that he still has that whole hip-hop thing in his bones. When I was around him, I could definitely feel the energy that this guy is really taking things serious and he’s not trying to give [you] no watered down album. Listening to what was being made, you could hear and know that you were feeling it. So for the most part, I can say the music is great as far as him being creative and brilliant and he makes sure to keep those things around him. Everybody that says he’s bringing this album back to the 1990’s, [but] I think it’s more about him being creative.” (SOHH Guest Star)
Check Kanye West & RZA’s “So Appalled” below:
