From Shaolin to Symphony: Wu-Tang Clan's RZA Embraces Classical Music

RZA, the renowned hip-hop artist and mastermind behind the Wu-Tang Clan, is taking a bold step into the world of classical music with his first symphonic ballet score. This unexpected venture is a testament to his artistic evolution, showcasing a deep-seated passion for a genre that has always held a special place in his heart.

The genesis of this unique project lies in a rediscovered treasure – an old Tommy Hilfiger bag stuffed with notebooks filled with lyrics penned by RZA, then known as Robert Diggs, during his teenage years. These intimate, lyrical reflections on love, life, and growing up in the housing projects of Brooklyn and Staten Island sparked an idea. Instead of pursuing his usual path of transforming these words into rap verses, RZA felt a different creative path calling.

The result is "A Ballet Through Mud," a coming-of-age story woven into an orchestral score that delves into the complexities of love and the enduring strength of friendships. Premiered in 2023 to a standing ovation by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and dancers from the Alvin Ailey dance theatre school in Denver, the ballet has now been transformed into RZA's first classical album.

"I think I've always been pushing boundaries and aiming to surprise people," RZA explains. "It's definitely a left-field move for me, but it feels completely natural and in my wheelhouse." This "natural creative evolution," he says, stems from a lifelong fascination with classical composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and Leonard Bernstein, as well as influences from Duke Ellington, Sergei Prokofiev, and Quincy Jones's collaborations with Frank Sinatra.

RZA draws inspiration from the intricate storytelling of Prokofiev's "Peter And The Wolf," where each character and animal is represented by a distinct instrument. "I learned that you can give instruments personalities," he says, a philosophy he further developed as a film composer.

"A Ballet Through Mud" is a symbolic title, representing RZA's own journey. "Mud is seen as something dirty, foul," he explains, referencing his upbringing in Staten Island, or "Shaolin" as Wu-Tang rechristened it. "But from the mud grows the lotus, which is pure, beautiful... so hopefully, you can come out of the mud and rise to be a lotus."

The ballet tells the story of six young individuals navigating youthful exploration and the challenges of communication. One character struggles to express his feelings for a girl, a sentiment drawn from RZA's own high school experiences. "As a high school guy, I fell in love with a girl and was scared to tell her," he recalls.

While his Wu-Tang Clan brethren haven't heard the entire score yet, RZA laughs that his bus riders during last year's tour with Nas were forced to endure its beauty. "Everyone who heard it said it sounds beautiful," he adds.

RZA isn't the first hip-hop star to embrace classical music. Cypress Hill recently made their Royal Albert Hall debut in London, performing alongside the London Symphony Orchestra. This fusion of genres is a testament to the growing appreciation for classical music across diverse musical communities.

RZA points out the inherent connections between hip-hop and classical music. "If you listen to some of the Wu-Tang production, you'll hear strings, classical samples incorporated," he says, citing the use of Beethoven's "Fur Elise" in Nas's "I Can" as a prime example.

His own exploration of classical music deepened when he scored his first film, "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai," starring Forest Whitaker in 1999. He later went on to score films like Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill," demonstrating his constant pursuit of pushing creative boundaries.

As RZA wraps up post-production on his latest film, "One Spoon Of Chocolate," which he directed, he remains true to his artistic versatility, refusing to be confined to a single genre or medium. His artistic journey, however, isn't solely defined by individual projects. RZA's legendary Wu-Tang Clan will return to Las Vegas in September for a residency billed as "more than a concert... a tribute to their prolific careers as individuals and as the most storied group in hip-hop history."

Their legacy is further cemented by the enduring mystique of their 2015 album, "Once Upon A Time In Shaolin," widely recognised as the most expensive album ever made. This singular, hand-crafted CD, created as a statement on the changing value of music in the digital age, is a testament to the enduring power of artistic vision.

RZA is currently focused on his classical work, hoping to inspire young musicians to embrace instruments and discover the joy of music. "It's a certain kind of brain stimulation that comes from this type of music creation," he says. "But knowing how to play an instrument allows you to be more elaborate, more communicative, not cookie-cutter."

"A Ballet Through Mud" is just the beginning, RZA promises. "I'm not going to stop here. I've already started writing something new that I'm fascinated with."

The evolution of RZA continues, demonstrating that true artistry transcends boundaries. From the grit of Shaolin to the elegance of the symphony hall, RZA's journey embodies the boundless potential of creative expression.