The forthcoming The Tao Of Wu (Riverhead books, $25) is a hybrid of a book-part memoir, part philosophical discourse-fresh from the brain of the Abbott of golden-era ‘s youth and the early days of his legendary crew, the Wu-Tang Clan, through the tragic last hours of his cousin Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s life. With his production work on the Wu-Tang Clan’s latest Chamber Music, and Raekwon’s well-received Only Built for Cuban Linx Pt 2, RZA’s book also follows his comedic turn in Judd Apatow’s most recent film, Funny People, his own upcoming Kung-Fu flick, The Man With the Iron Fist, and the musical development of Boy Jones, son of the late, great ODB. – STEVEN PSYLLOS
The RZA had difficulty putting his life to paper.
“When it’s music you can just go ahead and be that person, but I’m more introverted. So many things have happened in my life that I try to erase. They may have taught me a lesson, but it’s still not a g eat memory.”
With the book, he’s trying to make some good with the hardships.
“I guess the biggest example of pain is the story of Jesus being crucified, a lesson we learn to this day. So in the that vein I was like, ‘Fuck it, people won’t never learn unless somebody leaves footprints”
Can’t blame it on the alcohol.
“I thought ODB was one of the most original men to walk the planet, but everybody thought that some of his stuff came from being drunk or high. But now that Boy Jones is 19 years old,I’ve been taking him all over with me-he’s just like Dirty, but he don’t get high! Proves it was in his genes.”
For more of the interview with The RZA, pick up GIANT’s Winter 09′ Issue, on news stands now.
