SmartLess Podcast Summary: Episode Featuring RZA
Episode Title: RZA
Release Date: June 16, 2025
Hosts: Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett
Guest: RZA (Robert Fitzgerald Diggs)
Introduction and Guest Reveal
The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in their signature humorous banter, discussing everyday mishaps related to face recognition and memory lapses. Their light-hearted conversation sets a friendly and relaxed tone before the exciting reveal of the mystery guest.
Will Arnett: "He's a titan of everything, not just the industry. He's a founding member of the Wu Tang Clan... it's the one and only RZA, you guys."
[Timestamp: 08:37]
RZA's Journey in Music and Film
RZA, a multifaceted artist known for his pivotal role in the Wu Tang Clan and his contributions to film scoring, delves into his expansive career. He discusses his transition from music production to scoring films, emphasizing his passion for storytelling through music.
RZA: "Scoring is the ultimate expression of art. You're trying to tell a story and complement a story with your music."
[Timestamp: 10:39]
He shares insights into his first experience scoring a film, "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai," highlighting the collaborative process and the challenges of integrating music into cinematic narratives.
RZA: "I never scored a film before. I didn't know when you make a movie, you got to edit, you got to do all these things..."
[Timestamp: 11:34]
Formation and Philosophy of Wu Tang Clan
RZA elaborates on the origins of the Wu Tang Clan, drawing parallels between hip hop and Asian martial arts philosophies. He explains how the group's name and style were inspired by kung fu films and how they aimed to infuse their music with cinematic storytelling.
RZA: "If we take our tongue and make it our sword and the best sword style ever filmed was the Wu Tang style... we could go into the industry and chop everybody heads off."
[Timestamp: 16:07]
He underscores the entrepreneurial spirit of the group, detailing how Wu Tang Clan members pursued individual projects while maintaining a collective energy that propelled their collective success.
RZA: "We was entrepreneurs, you know, from opening up our clothing stores to video games... it was just part of it."
[Timestamp: 21:44]
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin: A Unique Musical Endeavor
One of the most intriguing segments of the episode revolves around RZA's ambitious project, "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin." He recounts the motivation behind creating an album with a single physical copy, aiming to restore value to music in the age of digital streaming.
RZA: "Let’s make an album that will make one single copy. Treat it like the Mona Lisa or an Egyptian scepter, something like that."
[Timestamp: 27:35]
RZA narrates the controversial sale of the album to Mike Scarelli, who later became infamous for price gouging a life-saving medication, leading to legal repercussions and the government's seizure of the album.
RZA: "He sold it and doubled down on his darkness... the government now gets to auction this album as a personal asset of his."
[Timestamp: 32:36]
He discusses the technical aspects of the album being the first NFT (Non-Fungible Token), ensuring its uniqueness and preventing unauthorized distribution.
RZA: "This particular album is on a macro level considered the first NFT... it's like a smart contract built in."
[Timestamp: 33:44]
Directorial Ventures and Future Projects
Transitioning to his work in film, RZA shares his experiences as a director, influenced by studying under Quentin Tarantino. He discusses his latest project, "One Spoon of Chocolate," detailing the creative process, challenges, and aspirations for the film's premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
RZA: "This is my fourth one... 'One Spoon of Chocolate'... it's going to premiere at the Tribeca film festival on June 8th."
[Timestamp: 35:09]
RZA emphasizes the importance of passion and perseverance in pursuing artistic endeavors, highlighting the support from his wife in financing his projects.
RZA: "The best way to do it is to do it... my wife was the producer of the film."
[Timestamp: 39:18]
Philosophy on Music Sampling and Industry Practices
A significant portion of the conversation delves into RZA's views on music sampling and the challenges posed by copyright laws. He critiques the existing framework, advocating for a more fair distribution of rights and compensation for sampled artists.
RZA: "If you sample a song, like a James Brown song... then the musicians never get compensated. It’s just the publishing company."
[Timestamp: 57:19]
He proposes a "floor and ceiling" model to regulate sampling rights, ensuring that original artists receive appropriate compensation based on the extent of their contribution.
RZA: "The floor could be set at even 20%... but you should never take more than half."
[Timestamp: 58:56]
Ballet Through Mud: Merging Hip Hop with Classical Arts
RZA introduces his classical album, "Ballet Through Mud," which reimagines his early lyrical work into a ballet performance. He describes the inspiration behind the project, drawing from his high school lyrics to create a narrative-driven ballet that explores themes of youth, experimentation, and tragedy.
RZA: "I found a notebook of old lyrics... I can't rap these. What should I do? I decided to compose it into, like, a ballet."
[Timestamp: 61:07]
He explains the creative process, from writing the story inspired by his lyrics to collaborating with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, culminating in performances that blend hip hop narratives with classical choreography.
RZA: "We did perform it in LA. We did in Colorado... it was part of an artist in residence."
[Timestamp: 66:15]
Closing Thoughts and Inspirational Advice
As the conversation winds down, RZA offers motivational insights for listeners aspiring to excel in their creative pursuits. He emphasizes the importance of mastering one's passion and understanding the interconnectedness of various artistic disciplines.
RZA: "Mastery of something... If you master one thing and you mastered it, then you'll understand the relation of all things."
[Timestamp: 48:56]
He concludes by acknowledging the entrepreneurial spirit of the Wu Tang Clan and the significance of collective effort in achieving sustained success.
RZA: "Go back and look at Wu Tang's... the last lesson for me is... to combine that art together and then direct it as a brand."
[Timestamp: 22:28]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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Sean Hayes: "Maybe now you'll think twice before judging a book by its cover."
[Timestamp: 00:01] -
RZA: "Music is art and it should be treated as such. It's not just a privilege."
[Timestamp: 28:00] -
RZA: "My lyrics, the artist has to connect the energy to the vibrations that go through... it's about the Wu Tang way."
[Timestamp: 55:22] -
RZA: "Artistry is a wavelength... the artist knows what to pass through his vessel."
[Timestamp: 49:09]
Conclusion
This episode of SmartLess offers an in-depth look into RZA's extensive contributions to music, film, and beyond. From his foundational role in shaping hip hop with the Wu Tang Clan to his innovative ventures in film scoring and directing, RZA exemplifies artistic versatility and entrepreneurial spirit. The discussion not only highlights his creative processes and philosophies but also provides valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of maintaining artistic integrity in a rapidly evolving industry.
Whether you're a long-time fan or new to RZA's work, this episode delivers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of one of hip hop's most influential figures.