The RZA Hits
Encyclopedia
The RZA Hits is a compilation produced by The RZA
. It contains songs featured on the first Wu-Tang Clan
album and its first round of solo albums. All songs, apart from "Brooklyn Zoo
", are produced by RZA.
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA , is an American Grammy-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, author, emcee, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in Hip Hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost...
. It contains songs featured on the first Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
album and its first round of solo albums. All songs, apart from "Brooklyn Zoo
Brooklyn Zoo
"Brooklyn Zoo" is the debut single of the American Hip-hop artist, Ol' Dirty Bastard from the album, Return to the 36 Chambers. After the Wu-Tang Clan started releasing solo efforts, Ol' Dirty Bastard was second behind Method Man to release a solo album with Return to the 36 Chambers...
", are produced by RZA.
Reception
- Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
(Spring 2000, p.166) - Ranked #9 in EW's "Top 10 albums of the '90s"
- Q magazine (8/99, p.134) - 4 stars (out of 5) - "...a supremely populist selection...keeping the molten hit count high. If the consistency of these prime-time cuts was sustained, this would probably be the best rap compilation ever rather than merely one of the best."
- MuzikMuzikMuzik was a UK dance music magazine published by IPC Media from June 1995 to August 2003.Muzik was created by two former Melody Maker journalists, Push and Ben Turner. Push was the editor of Muzik from its launch until he left the magazine in 1998, at which point Turner took over as editor...
(8/99, p.79) - 5 stars (out of 5) - "...singular brilliance....Greatest Hits is as effective an insight into [RZA's] unique Staten Island mayhem as the title suggests."
- Rap Pages (9/99, p.182) - "...the perfect reference manual for [RZA's] importance to rap music....a must-listen for anyone who has ever uttered the word 'Hip-Hop'." - Rating: A
Track listing
| # | Title | Songwriters | Producer | Performer | Original Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Narration By The RZA" | RZA RZA Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA , is an American Grammy-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, author, emcee, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in Hip Hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost... |
RZA | ||
| 2 | "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" | L. Hawkins, R. Jones, J. Hunter, D. Coles, R. Diggs Jr., C. Woods, G. Grice, C. Smith | RZA | Wu-Tang Clan Wu-Tang Clan The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group... |
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Enter the Wu-Tang is the debut album of American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released November 9, 1993, on Loud Records and distributed through RCA Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Firehouse Studio in New York City, and it was mastered at The Hit Factory... |
| 3 | "Protect Ya Neck Protect Ya Neck "Protect Ya Neck" is the debut single by hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. The song is from the group's critically acclaimed first album Enter the Wu-Tang and is one of the group's most popular singles... " |
L. Hawkins, R. Jones, J. Hunter, D. Coles, R. Diggs Jr., C. Woods, G. Grice, C. Smith | RZA | Wu-Tang Clan | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) |
| 4 | "Shimmy Shimmy Ya Shimmy Shimmy Ya "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" is the second single by Ol' Dirty Bastard, from the album, Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. The video shows a depiction of the 1970s, in which large afros and platform shoes were considered fashionable... " |
R. Jones, R. Diggs | RZA | Ol' Dirty Bastard Ol' Dirty Bastard Russell Tyrone Jones was an American rapper and occasional producer, who went by the stage name Ol' Dirty Bastard or simply ODB... |
Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version is the solo debut album of American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ol' Dirty Bastard, released March 28, 1995 on Elektra Records in the United States. It was the second solo album to be released from the nine-member Wu-Tang camp, following the release of... |
| 5 | "Liquid Swords" | G. Grice, R. Diggs, J. Zawinul, F. Cavaliere, E. Brigati | RZA | GZA GZA Gary Grice , better known by his stage names GZA and The Genius, is an American hip hop artist and founding member of the seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan. He has also appeared on his fellow clan members' solo projects and has maintained a successful solo career... |
Liquid Swords Liquid Swords Liquid Swords is the second solo studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member GZA, released November 7, 1995, on Geffen Records. Recording sessions for the album began mid-way through 1995 at producer RZA's basement studio in Staten Island New York... |
| 6 | "Narration By The RZA" | RZA | RZA | ||
| 7 | "Method Man Method Man (song) "Method Man" is the B-side to the single "Protect Ya Neck" from critically acclaimed debut album by the Wu-Tang Clan titled Enter the Wu-Tang . It was a solo track for the first successful solo star of the Wu-Tang Clan, Method Man. The song was chosen for The Source magazine 100 best rap singles... " |
L. Hawkins, R. Jones, J. Hunter, D. Coles, R. Diggs Jr., C. Woods, G. Grice, C. Smith | RZA | Wu-Tang Clan | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) |
| 8 | "Incarcerated Scarfaces" | C. Woods, R. Diggs | RZA | Raekwon Raekwon Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with... |
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... is the solo debut album of American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, released August 1, 1995, on Loud Records in the United States... |
| 9 | "Ice Cream Ice Cream (song) "Ice Cream", released in 1995, is the third solo single by Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon, from his debut studio album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... .... " |
C. Woods, R. Diggs | RZA | Cappadonna Cappadonna Darryl Hill best known by his stage name Cappadonna, is an American rapper and oftentimes member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He is also a member of rap duo Wu South, along with Ratchet Rush.-Biography:... , Ghostface Killah Ghostface Killah Dennis Coles , better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang , the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success... , Method Man Method Man Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man... , Raekwon |
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... |
| 10 | "Narration By The RZA" | RZA | RZA | ||
| 11 | "Bring The Pain" | C. Smith, R. Diggs | RZA | Method Man | Tical Tical (album) Tical is the debut solo album of American rapper, and Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man, released November 15, 1994, on Def Jam Records. It was the first Wu-Tang solo album released after the group's debut, Enter the Wu-Tang ... |
| 12 | "Winter Warz" | D. Coles, L. Hawkins, C. Woods, E. Turner, D. Hill, R. Diggs Jr. | RZA | Cappadonna, Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa Masta Killa Jamel Arief , better known as Masta Killa, is an American rapper and member of the Wu-Tang Clan... , U-God U-God Lamont Hawkins , better known as U-God , is an American rapper and member of the hip hop collective, Wu-Tang Clan. He has been with the group since its inception, and is known for having a deep, rhythmic flow that can alternate between being gruff or smooth... |
Ironman Ironman (album) Ironman is the solo debut album by American hip hop artist and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released October 29, 1996, on Epic Records... |
| 13 | "Brooklyn Zoo Brooklyn Zoo "Brooklyn Zoo" is the debut single of the American Hip-hop artist, Ol' Dirty Bastard from the album, Return to the 36 Chambers. After the Wu-Tang Clan started releasing solo efforts, Ol' Dirty Bastard was second behind Method Man to release a solo album with Return to the 36 Chambers... " |
R. Jones | True Master True Master True Master is an American hip-hop producer and very occasional rapper. He is closely affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan and an original member of its production team, sometimes referred to as Wu-Elements. He derives his rap nom de plume from the martial arts movie of the same name... & Ol' Dirty Bastard |
Ol' Dirty Bastard | Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version |
| 14 | "All I Need" | C. Smith, R. Diggs | RZA | Method Man | Tical |
| 15 | "C.R.E.A.M." | L. Hawkins, R. Jones, J. Hunter, D. Coles, R. Diggs Jr., C. Woods, G. Grice, C. Smith, I. Hayes, D. Porter | RZA | Wu-Tang Clan | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) |
| 16 | "All That I Got Is You All That I Got Is You "All That I Got Is You" is the solo debut single by Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ghostface Killah, released as the lead single from his solo debut album Ironman. The song features R&B songstress Mary J. Blige and an outro which has Popa Wu giving teachings... " |
D. Coles, M.J. Blige, R. Diggs Jr., B. Gordy, D. Richards, A. Mizell, F. Perren | RZA | Ghostface Killah, Mary J. Blige Mary J. Blige Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has... , Popa Wu |
Ironman |
| 17 | "Narration By The RZA About Wu Wear" | RZA | RZA | ||
| 18 | "Wu Wear The Garment Renaissance" | R. Diggs | RZA | Cappadonna, Method Man, RZA | High School High (soundtrack) |
Samples used
- "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit" contains samples of "Impeach The President" by The Honey Drippers and "Hihache" by Lafayette Afro Rock BandLafayette Afro Rock BandLafayette Afro Rock Band was a French funk rock band formed in Roosevelt, Long Island, New York in 1970. Though almost unknown in their native United States, they are now universally celebrated as one of the standout funk bands of the 1970s and admired for their use of break beats.Upon their...
. - "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" contains samples of "Hip-Hug-Her" by Booker T. & the MG's, "I Like It" by The EmotionsThe EmotionsThe Emotions are an American all female soul and R&B singing group. The group was formed in its current hometown of Chicago, Illinois originally consisting of the three Hutchinson sisters, all the children of Joseph and Lillian Hutchinson....
, "Knocks Me Off My Feet" by Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
and "Have Your Ass Home by 11:00" by Richard PryorRichard PryorRichard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets...
. - "Liquid Swords" contains samples of "Groovin'" and "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" by Willie Mitchell and "That's the Way It Is" by Al GreenAl GreenAlbert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
. - "Method Man" contains samples of "Sport" by Lightnin Rod, "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss and "More Bounce To The Ounce" by ZappZappZapp may refer to:*Zapp , a 1980s funk band based in Ohio, USA*Zapp , the debut album by the funk band*Zapp Brannigan, a fictional character from the television series Futurama...
. Also contains interpolations of "I'm Just A Bill," originally performed by Schoolhouse Rock, and "Method of Modern Love", originally performed by Hall & OatesHall & OatesHall & Oates are an American musical duo composed of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. Both sing and play instruments. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul."...
. - "Incarcerated Scarfaces" contains samples of "Wang Dang Doodle" by Koko TaylorKoko TaylorKoko Taylor sometimes spelled KoKo Taylor was an American Chicago blues musician, popularly known as the "Queen of the Blues." She was known primarily for her rough, powerful vocals and traditional blues stylings....
and "You're Getting A Little Too Smart" by Detroit Emeralds. - "Bring the Pain" contains a sample of "Mechanical Man" by Jerry ButlerJerry Butler (singer)Jerry Butler is an American soul singer and songwriter. He is also noted as being the original lead singer of the R&B vocal group, The Impressions, as well as a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.Butler is also an American politician...
. - "Winter Warz" contains a sample of "I Think I'd Do It" by Z. Z. Hill.
- "All I Need" contains a sample of "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss, and an interpolation of "You're All I Need To Get By," originally performed by Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
. - "C.R.E.A.M." contains a sample of "As Long As I've Got You" by The Charmells.
- "All That I Got Is You" contains a sample of "Maybe Tomorrow" by The Jackson 5The Jackson 5The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
. - "Wu Wear The Garment Renaissance" contains a sample of "Don't Take My Kindness for Weakness" by The Soul Children.
Album chart positions
| Year | Album | Chart positions | |
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | ||
| 1999 | The RZA Hits | #61 | #30 |